Vicar Lily Brellenthin has beens called to serve at Faith Lutheran ELCA in Walworth as a new part-time intern. She is also taking seminary classes at the Chicago Lutheran School of Theology.
The internship is unique in that it’s a part-time job for two years while Vicar Lily takes the seminary classes. This will allow her time to connect and grow with the church and if it’s a good fit, she may decide to stay on as pastor after she graduates.
This is a unique situation that fits unique times, according to Rochelle Freymiller, who serves on the church council. She said the older model between seminaries and churches are becoming a thing of the past and a new way is being paved with options for internship calls and churches.
“We are learning as we go and loving each other in the process. God’s grace is ever-present and you are welcome to join in,” Freymiller said.
Faith Lutheran has partnered with Sugar Creek Lutheran ELCA church in Elkhorn where Pastor Dick Inglett serves as lead pastor and is also supervising Vicar Lily. The churches have a history of working together on projects as their youth programs have partnered together for last ELCA National Youth Gathering and this summer they’re going on a mission trip to New Orleans together, according to Freymiller.
Vicar Lily met her husband, Stephen, at Lutherdale Bible Camp and they married on New Year’s Eve 2017. They followed the Brellenthin family tradition of sticking close to Elkhorn and the couple had their first child the following year. They reside in their new home outside Elkhorn and he is an elementary teacher at Salem Grade School.
Vicar Lily grew up in Orfordville when that school was in the same conference as Big Foot High School. She said she remembers playing against Big Foot teams in volleyball, basketball, track and Forensics.
She says she’s honored to be getting to know the Walworth community and the last time she made the newspaper she had used duct tape to make both her prom dress and her date’s tuxedo for their junior prom.
Anyone is welcome to attend Faith ELCA Worship Services with Holy Communion at 9 a.m. Sundays. On Wednesdays, Faith Formation classes start with a meal at 5:15 p.m. followed by 5:45 p.m. classes and evening family worship at 6:45 p.m.
This year’s Christmas Eve worship service will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 24.
For more about Faith Lutheran, 420 Read St., P.O. Box 128, Walworth, call 262-275-3445, visit felcwalworth.com or email faithlutheran@felcwalworth.com.
