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THE REVEREND LISA KAREN GEHRS

Born: Aug 08, 1970

Date of Passing: Dec 21, 1999

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THE REVEREND LISA KAREN GEHRS Surrounded in prayer by her family, Pastor Lisa died at Victoria Hospital on December 21, 1999 after a brief battle with meningitis. Lisa was born on August 8, 1970 in Winnipeg and was baptized on August 23, 1970. Her childhood and youth were lived in Winnipeg, Delta, B.C. and Brighton, Ont. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Guelph in 1992 and then entered studies for a M Div. at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. She was ordained June 7, 1996 and began her ministry as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Massey, ont. In the spring of 1998 she was called to serve St. Paul Lutheran Church in Brunkild, Man. She leaves to mourn her parents, Karen and Fred Gehrs of Chilliwack, B.C.; her brother Ken of Vancouver, brother Paul; sister-in-law Melanie Whyte; niece Emma and nephew and godson Andrew of Winnipeg; grandparents, Raymond and Pearl Steiner of Jackson, MN; and her faithful canine housemate Kali. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Paul Church Scholarship Fund, the ELCIC Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA) or the SPCA. Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 27 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Brunkild at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Richard Smith officiating. Viewing one hour prior to the service. Cremation to follow. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 23, 1999

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

  • Although it has been two decades & a year since Lisa's tragic death, I need to pen this debt of gratitude for her gentle pressure on me to "feminize" my courses. On the late spring, immediately after she had completed her course work @ WLS she asked me to do a directed study with her on the topic "Women in Church History." Although I'm no fan of "Direct Studies," I realized my failings on the topic. So we agreed on this joint venture & learning experience. What an eye-opener to this WASP-M guy! Here I was, a so-called radical Christian but had avoided unconsciously 50+% of the history of our faith. So not only was it an eye-opener but also a thorough joy for me, so much so that I made a two-fold promise to Lisa: 1) to create an elective course on "Women in Christian History", but also within two years, 2) to interject women's historical role into all my existing courses, starting with the required intro courses, & in all newly created courses as well. So thrilling was this venture that I had managed to keep that pledge in barely over a year. THANKS, LISA--BIG TIME! You have shaped my life far more than you may have imagined. PEACE & AFFECTION as I reach across Jordan's banks, Your slow to learn bro, Oz - Posted by: Oscar Cole-Arnal (former professor & friend ) on: Nov 27, 2020

  • Part 2 (I hope): My deep gratitude to Lisa was the promise I made to her-not only to develop an elective course on "Women in Christian History", but also to integrate the vital role women played in every facet of our faith's history, so that every course I taught thereafter would give voice to the role our sisters have played in the faith. THANK YOU, dear sister Lisa for shaping my life for the better. ALWAYS, Oz - Posted by: Oscar Cole-Arnal (Oz) (former prof) on: May 04, 2020

  • Why so long for me to pay tribute to this fine person & sister of faith. I am now 78 years of age & retired from my post of teaching church history at the seminary since 2008, which g9ives me much time to reflect, which reflections I am converting to personal "Memoirs" for my children. what has proven a joyous surprise is the re-discovery of those who have shaped my life profoundly. Well, I'm now up to 1997, where Lisa left a profound impact upon my subsequent teaching & life. Of course, she & her brother Paul were both superb students, both in academic & faith matters, but it was Lisa's request to do a directed study with me the late spring just shy of her ordination upended & totally challenged my faith. Her topic of choice: "Women in Church History." Here I was, a supposed radical & proponent of liberation theology, struck dumb initially by her request, full-well realizing that (for all my talk) I had largely ignored the absolutely vital role women have played from Jesus' REIGN OF GOD ministry to the present. I never liked doing directed studies, but Lisa's request had to be answered in the affirmative. Of course, it became a co-directed study - Posted by: Oscar Cole-Arnal (Oz) (former professor who taught me) on: May 04, 2020

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