A principal with Milwaukee Center for Strings teaching violin and viola, Lo-Ann Z. Trembley also coaches with Music Makers – Strolling Strings of Wisconsin. She is co-author of four books along with her husband, David. Besides writing, Lo-Ann enjoys biking, gardening, and playing recorder chamber music, and is an assistant instructor in the Every Day T’ai Ch’i Chuan School. A graduate of The University of Toledo (OH) with a degree in Theatre, cum laude, she holds the Master of Divinity degree from The Chicago (IL) Theological Seminary, and Master of Arts in Interpersonal Communication and Theatre, from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. Lo-Ann is an ordained clergyperson of the American Baptist Churches, USA and currently serves as pastor of Broken Walls Christian Community, Milwaukee, WI, an experimental, radically inclusive congregation with a special focus on serving persons who happen to be mentally challenged or are recovering from chronic mental illnesses.* Her latest book is a collection of personal essays drawn from her experience of losing her beloved partner of thirty-five years, The Green Blade Rises: Reflections on Grieving and Believing, available from the “Steps to Write Spirit” Store.

*LoAnn’s artwork appears throughout the Steps to Write Spirit website

Heidi Surprenant is a musician, author and educator from New Berlin, Wisconsin. She teaches music theory at Alverno College in Milwaukee and serves as the organist/pianist for Heritage Presbyterian and Bethel Lutheran. Together, Heidi and her husband Mike raised four amazing children, now grown and lovingly launched into the world.

 

After a thirty-year career in teaching, Thomas Brown enrolled in Central Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating summa cum laude with a Master of Divinity degree in 2014. Thomas enjoys his retirement traveling and engaging in some of his many interests that include T’ai Chi Chuan, reading, cross stitchery, and travel. He splits time between Milwaukee area and Ft. Lauderdale. Thomas is the husband of Alcita Ferriera Brown and the father of Tisha, Heather, and Lara, Donald and David, and a grandfather to eight. He serves as webmaster for “Steps to Write Spirit” and Broken Walls Christian Community websites.

 

Bob Young is the author of the historical romance novel, When Loved Shaped Us (December 2013, Class Act Books); and is currently working on a sequel. Bob enjoys playwriting in addition to writing fiction. An avid gardener, he has terraced and planted the front face of his property. As an athlete and the father of Meghann, Brendan, Rosie, and Graham, he has coached and cheered his children through their school athletics. Bob, himself, is cheered on by his partner for 23 years, Shari. His father, Bob, Sr., was a master printer; his mother, Betty, a school secretary. Bob attended Neshaminy High School, Muhlenberg College, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA). He holds a certificate in Desk Top Publishing from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Bob confesses he is “a thesis short of a Masters in Theatre” from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). His play, Power in the Cross, was published by the Division for Parish Services, Lutheran Church in America. 

David A. Trembley was an American Baptist USA pastor in Wisconsin for 36 years.  Born on November 5, 1943, he died on August 2/9, 2013, aged 70.  An enthusiastic blood donor, he donated over six gallons of O-negative (universal donor) blood.  In keeping with David’s commitment to serving others, upon his death his skin, bones, and connective tissue were donated to the Wisconsin Tissue Bank.

In 1993 out of conviction that people are called to love across the barriers of difference in ethnicity, ability, and social class, David founded Broken Walls Christian Community, an experimental, radically inclusive congregation.  His vision is currently expressed through the special mission of the congregation to persons who are recovering from serious mental illness and those who happen to be mentally challenged.  David previously served congregations in Juda and Germantown, Wisconsin.

Along with his wife, Lo-Ann, he co-authored the six-booklet series, “Drama in the Church”; Emmaus Eyes: Worship with the Mentally Challenged; Pray with All Your Senses: Discovering the Wholeness Jesus Brings; and The Gratitude Attitude.   At the time of his death he was engaged in developing  Steps to Write Spirit, a website devoted to spiritual exploration through writing.

David’s many contributions to lives both within the congregation and beyond was celebrated at a memorial service on September 1, 2013.  He is survived by his wife of 35 years, The Rev. Lo-Ann, oldest son, Matthew David Trembley (Dana), numerous adoptive children, including Emmanuel Beacham, (The Rev.) Tisha Brown, Maame Dampare, Dru Meneese, and Amy Vilela, his devoted colleagues on the BWCC ministry team: Bernadette Arellano and The Rev. Thomas Brown, as well as younger brother, Kofi (George) Dampare, elder brother, Richard Trembley, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Broken Walls Christian Community Writers’ Group has dedicated support and continuation of David’s vision in  www.stepstowritespirit.com as an on-going celebration of his life as a poet, writer and teacher of writing.