Greta Grosch
Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview, Minn. Actor/writer/director/motivational speaker
My favorite church memory is learning to harmonize. My mother was the senior choir director, so my sister and I would sit near the choir loft during services. During the prelude I would harmonize with the organ, and during hymns my sister would lean over and whisper the lyrics to me so I could sing along. Church became a place to make music, and to this day I love to harmonize, even when I don’t know the words.
Appearing as Mavis in the original “Church Basement Ladies” was (and is) life changing. When I accepted the role, I was simply an actor looking for work. I had no idea I would go on to become the writer for a series of musicals, and I had no idea the show would be so successful. Being part of these shows has altered the course of my life and given me many wonderful opportunities.
I believe God has a hand in my life. In this crazy career I’ve chosen, I’m always scrambling to fi gure out what’s next. But I believe that if I take the time to listen, he guides me. And when I make my many mistakes (or when I have a great success), I imagine God gently shaking his head, enjoying the wonder of his creation!
The Looney Lutherans performing trio is an unexpected joy. It’s wonderful to get in a car with a couple of friends and travel around to fairs, festivals and senior living communities so we can laugh, harmonize and have a good time!
I pray for peace. For patience. For tolerance. For myself. For the world.
I like writing and performing church-themed works because it gives me the opportunity to combine my faith and my passion. As the daughter of missionaries, I thought I should travel around singing Christian songs and giving testimonials to youth groups around the world. But I wanted to sing and dance on stage while making people laugh, think and feel. Being part of the Church
Basement Ladies and the Looney Lutherans allows me to do just that, while also witnessing to a larger audience in a subtle way.
I share my faith by trying to live my faith. Trying to be my faith.
I struggle with quieting my mind. I sometimes feel so driven to achieve my purpose and to make an impact on the world that I don’t take time to listen and to trust. (This is why I pray for patience and peace!)
The thing I’m most proud of is keeping my mouth shut—when I manage to. But I’m also proud of my drive. I know it can overwhelm others, but I know that my drive, my desire to achieve, has played a big part in the success of the Church Basement Ladies franchise. Our strengths are also our weak- nesses so, while I am proud of my gifts, I am even more proud when I use them wisely and well.
People are surprised that I am an introvert. Although I’m extroverted, I recharge alone.
If I could change anything, I wish we could all learn to listen to one another, try to understand the other’s point of view and then react.
Connecting theater and church is a natural way for me to combine the two things that defi ne me but, more importantly, the two are natural companions. Religion and storytelling have been intersecting for centuries.
I’m a Lutheran by baptism and by choice. I was raised a Lutheran and confi rmed a Lutheran. As an adult, I took a Lutheran basics class. As each piece of our Lutheran theology was discussed, I thought,
“Yes, that is what I believe.” I am a sinner, saved by grace. What an enormous relief.
For a longer version of this profi le and a video from Grosch, go to
LivingLutheran.org.
Sentence prompts are provided to each person featured. If you’d like to nominate someone for “I’m a Lutheran,” email
megan.brandsrud@
elca.org.
VOICES OF FAITH •
LIVINGLUTHERAN.ORG 13
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