Who We Are

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee is a non-profit interfaith agency through which thirteen judicatories collaborate to address the social issues affecting the quality of life in the greater Milwaukee area. The Conference enables the religious community, including non-member faith groups, to work together in upholding “the dignity of every person and the solidarity of the human community,” as our mission statement calls on us to do.  We are directed by a Cabinet of representatives from each of our thirteen member judicatories.  These thirteen judicatories (or denominations) have among them approximately 500 congregations in the Milwaukee area.

The Interfaith Conference also provides and creates opportunities for people from different backgrounds to dialogue, build relationships, increase understanding, and work together to create a stronger community.  Everyone has a place at our table.  Working together through an inter-religious organization such as the Conference does not mean that people from different faith traditions must water-down their beliefs or otherwise compromise who they are as people of faith.  Quite the contrary.  We invite everyone to work with us, fully representing who they are and what they believe.

Since our founding in 1970, The Interfaith Conference has addressed such issues as poverty, hunger, homelessness, racism, health care, interfaith dialogue, education, global peace issues, international development, employment, crime and the criminal justice system, the environment, alcohol & drugs and our growing aging population.

·         Staff and volunteers serve as faith community representatives on numerous boards and coalitions that address community concerns.

·         Together with five other organizations we run The Cathedral Center, a shelter for women and families.

·         A variety of volunteer committees shape and direct Conference programs in areas including Peace & International Issues; Restorative Justice; policy advocacy; anti-racism work; and Interfaith Relations.

·         Staff and volunteers give presentations on a variety of topics at forums sponsored by congregations and agencies.

·         We foster cross-cultural dialogue, especially in the areas of interfaith relations and anti-racism work.

·         Each year the Conference sponsors the Greater Milwaukee CROP Walk, raising funds for global relief and development and collecting food for local pantries

·         We act as a resource to media, community agencies, business, labor, government, educational institutions and others desiring to collaborate with, or learn more about, the interfaith community.

Your Interfaith Conference Staff

Judi Longdin, Interim Executive Director

Kathleen Carter, Office Manager 

Nicole Carver, Program Director for Beyond Racism, CAN, & CROP Walk

Heather Dummer Combs, Housing Campaign Director, Cathedral Center Volunteer Coordinator

Rev. John Strassburger, Ed. D., Program Director, Faith & Ecology Initiative

Cabinet members  (our Board of Directors)

Rev. Dee Anderson

Mr. Othman Atta

Mr. Don Austin, Executive Committee

Mr. Frank Berentsen

Mr. Eliot Bernstein

Rev. Anita Braden

Rev. Jim Burd

Bishop Sedgwick Daniels

Rev. Glenn Danz

Archbishop Timothy Dolan

Rev. Jean Dow

Mr. Gerry Flakas

Rev. Dr. Bobbie Groth, Treasurer

Rabbi Jacob Herber

Rev. Sue Lindberg

Ms. Judi Longdin, Vice Chair

Rev. Jorge Luis Mayorga Solis

Bishop Steven Miller

Rev. Gregg Neel

Rev. Mary Ann Neevel, Executive Committee

Ms. Janet Nortrom

Rev. Andrew Oren

Rev. Dr. Floyd Prude

Mr. Ahmed Quereshi

Rev. Dr. Arlo Reichter

Mr. Isa Sadlon

Dr. Rob Shelledy

Ms. Paula Simon, Secretary

Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers, Chair

Ms. Nancy Theoharis, Executive Committee

Ms. Gayen Thompson

Ms. Olivia Villareal

Rev. Jamie Washam