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

Tom Heinen, Executive Director

Kathleen Carter, Office Manager 

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

Cabinet members  (our Board of Directors)

Mr. Othman Atta, Islamic Center of Milwaukee

Bishop Jeff Barrow, Bishop, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Frank Berentsen, Religious Society of Friends, The Milwaukee Meeting

Phyllis Berentsen, Religious Society of Friends, The Milwaukee Meeting

Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, Church of God in Christ, Wisconsin First Jurisdictional Prelate

Rev. Glenn Danz, United Church of Christ, Southeast Wisconsin Association

Rev. Jean Dow, Presbyterian Church USA, Presbytery of Milwaukee

Rev. Dr. Bobbie Groth, Secretary, Executive Committee; Southeast Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist Association

Kathy Heilbronner, Jewish Community Relations Council

Elana Kahn-Oren, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council

Dr. Karen Elizabeth King, Acting Association Minister, Southeast Wisconsin Association,      United Church of Christ

Rev. Sue Lindberg, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Archbishop Jerome Listecki, Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Ms. Judi Longdin, Treasurer, Executive Committee; Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Ms. Jeanne Mantsch, United Church of Christ, Southeast Wisconsin Association

Rev. Jorge Luis Mayorga Solis, District Superintendant, Wisconsin Conference, United Methodist Church, Milwaukee North and South Districts

Bishop Steven Miller, Chair, Executive Committee; Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

Rev. Gregg Neel, Executive Presbyter, Presbyterian Church USA, Presbytery of Milwaukee

Rev. Mary Ann Neevel, Executive Committee; Southeast Wisconsin Association, United Church of Christ

Ms. Janet Nortrom, Southeast Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist Association

Rev. Andrew Oren, United Methodist Church, the Milwaukee District

Mr. Ahmed Quereshi, Islamic Center of Milwaukee

Rev. Dr. Arlo Reichter, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin

Mr. Muhammed Isa Sadlon, Executive Director Emeritus, Islamic Center of Milwaukee

Rabbi Shari Shamah, President, Wisconsin Council of Rabbis

Dr. Rob Shelledy, Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Ms. Nancy Theoharis, Executive Committee; Presbyterian Church USA, Presbytery of Milwaukee

Rev. Jamie Washam, Vice Chair, Executive Committee; American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin