A vital part of the internship experience at Trinity, Wolbach, NE is developing a pastoral identity. Rev. Joseph Javorsky from St. Mark’s Lutheran Chruch, St. Paul, NE provides supervisory support and one of his first “challenges” to me was to wear a clerical collar as I went about my ministry. This was an astute observation on his part; 15 months ago I thought I was going to be a Christian business man who occasionally preaches. Putting on the clerical collar for the first time is one of those moments where you do look at yourself in the mirror a little bit longer! 
It’s about being in community but uniquely identifiable.
Some observations:
- People do notice the collar- it certainly is helpful in helping people know who you “represent” when you visit a nursing home or hospital.
- I am a father of 3 but I don’t think that’s what people are talking about when they call me “Father”!
- I have had some interesting conversations on why people don’t
- Many of my middle-age pastor friends don’t wear a clerical collar and I would think that’s because they have formed an pastoral identity over the years and simply relaxed the “dress code”. Although middle-aged myself, I am in the process of being formed/transformed into this new identity and the simple shirt and clerical tab from “Friar Tuck’s” is a part of the journey.
Thanks for joining me in my journey……. Vicar Lowell
Hello!
I began the internship phase of my journey to ordained ministry this past weekend in Wolbach, Nebraska. Wolbach in a great town of 280 people in Central Nebraska and the congregation I will serve over the next 4 months is Trinity Lutheran. My schedule is to arrive in St. Paul, NE to meet with my local supervisor, Pastor Joseph Javorsky of St. Mark’s/St. Paul at 1 pm on Friday and then head to Wolbach by 3 pm to engage in pastoral ministry through Sunday afternoon.
First weekend impressions:
- I enjoyed meeting members of the church and community. Friday night’s football game was a first for me as I watched a six-man football game with Greeley-Wolbach trouncing Arcadia, 65-0. Former competitors, Greeley and Wolbach recently consolidated their schools and while it may be difficult for some adults to end their competitive stance, it appears the youth are working well together. I heard that more consolidation may be needed to withstand the changing demographics of smaller families and farming/ranching economics. The potential loss of identity through consolidation of schools is a painful challenge to this community and so many other rural communities. This reality will challenge my western Omaha suburb view of sustained growth and a relentless “more & more”…..
- The people of the church and community are warm and inviting. I have already found “evangelists” to team up with to share the good news. I pray I can be helpful to Trinity to care deeply for its members and extend hospitality to the community and especially those people disonnected or not yet connected to Christ.
- I am authorized to baptize & commune at Trinity which is a new right and responsibility; I was deeply touched at Sunday’s service, with my family in attendance, to proclaim God’s Word through Preaching and through Communion.
Please let me know what you think!
