Vicar Emily Moentmann brings a wide range of care-centered experiences – and a lifelong interest in caring for all of God’s creations – to her role as pastoral intern at Our Saviour’s.

“Since I was 8, I have understood God’s call to love all creation, rooted in Romans 8:19,” Vicar Emily says. “What does it mean to be stewards of the earth? What does it mean to be here in creation? How does the theology of, I’m co-created with these other creatures, impact what I’m doing?”

Vicar Emily has applied that interest and sought to explore those questions in roles including equine specialist (helping to facilitate equine-assisted psychotherapy) and group home manager for adults with developmental disabilities. Earlier this year, she completed her fourth year of a dual master’s program in divinity and social work at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the University of Chicago, respectively.

Vicar Emily moved recently from Chicago's Hyde Park to Naperville with her dog, Whinny, and her cat, Nikko, and she says she’s excited to continue studying the art of preaching and learn more about different aspects of ministry at OSLC.

"The task to love all of God’s creation comes in a lot of different ways,” Vicar Emily says. “Through queer-community ministry, through disability justice, through animal theology, through social work, through one-to-one visits, through writing liturgies...(and I’m looking at), how does preaching and teaching a congregation lead to deepening and strengthening ministries?" She adds: “I already feel myself feeling more energized for ministry.”

Get in touch with Vicar Emily: Email vicaremily@oursaviours.com.