Greetings!  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

As an Episcopalian in my final semester of studies at United Lutheran Seminary I am very excited to be an intern at St. Paul’s.  As you probably know, the ELCA and the Episcopal Church are in full communion which allows a sharing of clergy and seminarians.  Although I tend to lean in the traditional Anglo-Catholic direction, I hold ecumenism in high regard and I place great value on relationships within the Church Universal.  My time at St. Paul’s is helping me to expand my liturgical experience in ELCA liturgy as well as to grow in all other areas of ministry.  The vibrant Sunday School program, the strong musical offerings, and significant outreach into the community all make the St. Paul’s community a perfect fit for me as I complete my internship. 

            In many respects my responsibilities are similar to those of St.Paul’s previous interns: preaching, pastoral care, and teaching.  However, there are some particularities of my situation that require prior planning and flexibility.  In addition to my internship responsibilities, I am concurrently working on academic requirements to complete a Master of Divinity degree at United Lutheran Seminary and I am employed full-time as a math teacher in one of New Jersey’s juvenile detention centers.  If all goes as planned – with God willing and the Church consenting – I will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at some point during this internship and to the sacred priesthood six or seven months after that. 

            For my entire childhood, and until I was in my mid-twenties, I was a member of LCA and then ELCA churches.  Soon after migrating to the Episcopal Church about twenty years ago I began to slowly discern a call to the priesthood.  With the help and guidance of my parish priest (who is now bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, Illinois) I began to work through the discernment process and figure out how God might be calling me to serve.  Caring for my wife’s parents presented logistical and financial challenges, but I eventually settled on part-time studies at United Lutheran Seminary.  The Anglican Studies Department has been instrumental in my education and formation and I expect to graduate in May 2026.  I am thankful to be part of the St.Paul’s community and worship life. 

In the peace of God,

Jeff Wenzel

Postulant for Holy Orders

Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, IL