Elim Lutheran Church

This Sunday (Feb. 13), I visited Elim Lutheran Church (Elim) at 504 Baker Street with my friend Todd Martin, a member there. Elim organized in 1925, and has been in Petaluma for 86 years. It purchased the old St. Vincent's building (Catholic Church), dismantled it, moved it, and erected it on the current location. In 2008, it had 785 baptized members, with 528 confirmed, and a weekly attendance of 265 at three services at 8, 9:15, and 11:15.

Pastor Tim Kellgren has served at Elim since 1977, for 30 years. Petaluma Ecumenical Properties (PEP) recently decided to honor Rev. Kellgren by naming its next affordable housing project after him, the Kellgren Senior Apartments, to be located on Wood Sorrell Drive. He founded PEP with others in 1978 and currently serves as its President Emeritus. Pastor Kellgren has otherwise been known as an active member of the Petaluma community.

Elim is a member church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, with about 4.5 million members.

After the 9:15 service, I went with Todd to a confirmation class for parents. Parents who have a young teen to be confirmed have to attend a confirmation class on Sunday which covers the same materials their son or daughter covers in confirmation class on Wednesday night. I have never seen this unique approach. Todd tells me it leads to many interesting discussions with his son.

I enjoyed my visit to Elim Lutheran Church. (If you are wondering, Elim is mentioned in Exodus 15:27 as an oasis with 12 springs of waters and 70 date palms.)