Pastor Lynn Peterson

Pastor Lynn Peterson loves sharing the journey of faith, life and service with Pilgrim’s welcoming community. She has shared pulpit and worship at Pilgrim for two decades, and now, as Pastor in Residence, partners in Pilgrim’s pastoral care ministry. Lynn was born and raised in Minneapolis. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Human Biology. Education for marginalized learners, global living and justice work have been commitments throughout her life and ministry; wilderness times and places are her joy and passion. Prior to attending seminary, she worked with Outward Bound Schools and the National Youth Leadership Council, consulted with the ALC in leadership training and experiential education, traveled in Africa and Central America and studied liberation theology/work in South Africa. She graduated from Luther Seminary and was ordained in 1988. She has served lively congregations in Washington and Minnesota, always with an emphasis on global mission, community and justice ministries. After serving congregations for 25 years, she embraced a call to Community Emergency Service, an emergency resource center for Minneapolis’ multi-ethnic, poverty-challenged Philips neighborhood. She has raised her daughter, adopted from Cambodia, as a single mother. In her retirement, she shares her home with her daughter and new grandson. She still delights in all things outdoors, especially kayaking and canoeing. She loves gardening and enjoys working part time at Bachman’s Garden Center. Her passion for global mission continues in her work as President of the Board and mission trip leader with Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh in rural southern Bangladesh. She treasures family and friends, solo times, prayer and poetry, and, of course, God’s wild places.