Susan Gilbert Zencka (Suz)

Hi all,

I am so looking forward both to our pilgrimage and to the retreat in 9 days when we will meet one another and begin to build community.

I serve a Presbyterian congregation in central Wisconsin, in Stevens Point. Being in Stevens Point has made me so much more aware of the junction of geography and culture -- Stevens Point is a university town of about 25,000, along the Wisconsin River among many old pine plantations. You'll see a grove of tall pine trees, and then realize that they're all neatly planted in rows. It has made me all the more eager to see the geography of the Holy Land.

I have been here three years, and love this congregation -- an inclusive Presbyterian congregation of about 300 folks, with particular interests in theology, mission, environment and music.

My husband of 27 years, Carl, and I have 3 sons and a daughter-in-law -- this year began the empty nest time for us. Carl is retired...I met him two careers ago when we were both steelworkers on the south side of Chicago. He then became a police sergeant for Northwestern University for 22 years, while I ignored God's call to ministry (wondering how it would work to be a Presbyterian minister with a Catholic husband) and became a CPA for 10 years.

Eventually, I stopped running away, and have been ordained for 11 years, and served churches in the Chicago area before we moved here. And it works just fine being married to a Catholic husband when one is a Presbyterian minister.

See you soon!
Susan (or Suz, just not Sue please)