On Sunday Aug. 28, Lake Oconee Lutheran congregation held a special reception in honor of the completion of Vicar Neil Wehmas’ one-year internship. Recognition and appreciation of his service to the congregation included presentation of a monetary gift presented by Jack Carson and a lunch reception following the worship service.

Vicar Neil spent his third year of seminary training at LOLC as an intern under Pastor Ron Schornhorst, who served as mentor and supervisor. The Vicar’s experience and training included preaching sermons, conducting liturgies, teaching Sunday School and Bible classes, home visitations, visiting sick and shut-ins, counseling, youth ministry work, participation in the Christian Outreach program, administration assistance, and attending various council meetings. He has successfully completed his observation and participation in all aspects of parish ministry, which is required by the seminary program for training Lutheran ministers.

Vicar Neil noted on his last Sunday with the Lake Oconee congregation that the highlights of his experience here included his youth ministry experience, and the time he spent with Putnam County Deputies in conjunction with Pastor Ron’s chaplaincy service with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. He thanked the congregation for their help and generosity.

As a fourth year seminary student at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, MO, Vicar Neil will now complete his required studies there. Neil is a native of Ankeny, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines, and is a 2008 graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin. He aspires someday to start a campus ministry program in a college town as his way of proclaiming the message of Christ.