INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2005 (photos
below) See also ../most recent.htm
Research findings from a six-month sabbatical study early in the year 2000, focusing on small congregations in a rural context
by Dr. Arnie Weigel, associate professor of practical theology and supervisor of contextual education at Waterloo Lutheran
Seminary, were used to establish a new seminary course for candidates for ordained
ministry.
The course enables candidates to receive a more complete understanding of what to expect should God call them to a
position in a small, rural congregation. Part of the course also includes a rural internship experience where students can
spend nine (or twelve) months living and working with rural congregation.
Thanks to grant money provided by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC and the
Herbert Binhammer Award Fund, the Sullivan-Williamsford Lutheran Parish has been able to host three
interns.
Elina Horvath, now pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in South Porcupine, was the parish's first intern from August 2000 to May 2001.
In August of 2003, we welcomed our second intern, Norine Gullons of the Kingston area. Intern Norine also stayed for nine
months in the parish and is currently finishing her studies at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.
In August of 2004, Vicar John Polocak began his nine-month internship in the Sullivan-Williamsford Lutheran Parish. An
American from Ohio, USA, Vicar John will be participating in parish life until May 2005.
As many of the rural folk in our parish will tell you, lots of good things happen "in the field". Seeds are planted in the spring,
and with the proper amounts of sunshine and rain, abundant crops can be harvested. The same thing applies to the Internship
Program - the seminary students are able to learn first-hand what rural ministry is like. And our parish has been so blessed by
our three Interns - Elina Horvath, Norine Gullons and John Polacak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Michael Henkel, parish secretary and Pastor Sheilah
Michael, who is very musical himself, organized a 'Tsunami Relief' Benefit Concert held on Friday, Feb. 11, |
Vicar John Polocak cooking for the adult study group
|
|
 |
|
| Adult Study Group (studying the early church) -- back row -- Vicar John Polocak (study group leader), Liz Pulley, Diana Metzger, Bill Metzger, John Pulley, and Ted Bowman front row -- Richard Unruh, Eva Lipskie, Audrey Lembke, Cathy Bowman, Margaret Golem, Russell Golem, and Hubert Bicknese |
2 - 9 - 05 b
Dr. Arnie Weigel & Intern Norine Gullons
Vicar John Polocak