September 5, 2017 at 8:44 a.m.
First United Methodist Church welcomes new pastor
Meet-and-greet set for Sept. 13
First United Methodist Church welcomes new pastor
By Kayla Thomason-
"In the United Methodist Church we are appointed by the bishop," he said. "I could have said 'no' but the church was in the process of going through some changes and I felt that I had the gifts and skills that could help them."
Wolf noted that the parishioners at United Methodist have been supportive from his first day forward.
"Right away I could palpably feel an energy and enthusiasm here and everyone has been so welcoming, it's a great group of people here," he said.
There have been some slight changes made since Wolf cam aboard. Prior to his arrival, two musicians passed away, and Lori Haberli is the only organist at present.
"So we rely on her to play the organ and we have a mix of some contemporary songs and some traditional hymns, but we're really trying to move our worship to a more upbeat style of worship," he said.
He said he doesn't believe the church will move completely away from the traditional hymns, but noted that he feels people go to church to feel lifted up.
Wolf also noted he some other ideas he wants to bring to the church community, including simplifying the organizational structure.
The church will continue to have an impact in the community by sponsoring the Personal Essentials Pantry, helping with the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry and The Table community meal, he added.
"They (the parishioners) have always been very community-minded and they have some very good ministries here, but I think what they really want is to not just be a historical landmark in the community but to be a change agent for the greater
community," he said.
Wolf hasn't always been a pastor. It's actually a rather new title for him.
"I was always involved with the church and when I was young I thought I might want to be a pastor but I happened to be raised in the Catholic church and so I did explore that but I had to give that up because I knew that I wanted to have a family," he said.
He was a licensed clinical social worker for 30 years, working primarily with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. After retirement he returned to the idea of being a pastor.
"I asked God 'Is there more that you want me to do?' and he led me into ministry in the United Methodist Church," he explained.
Wolf and his wife joined the church around 1988. He has been a pastor for four years and is still going to school.
"I'm still going to school actually in the United Methodist Church for people who are doing this as a second career," he said. "They have a system so you don't have to give up your income entirely and go into debt to go to seminary."
Wolf will be finished with school next summer, concluding five years of education.
"I'm so happy doing what I'm doing now. I was happy before as a social worker but that doesn't compare to what I'm doing now," he said. "I really feel that I'm where God wants me to be. I don't think I've had a bad day since I've been doing this."
Wolf and his wife have three grown children. Their daughter Amanda, a physician's assistant, and her husband Joe Olsen, a dentist, have a daughter named Eleanor. Alex Wolf is a shift manager at a bakery and Rebekah Wolf is a kindergarten teacher in Fond du Lac.
Wolf invites people to visit the church.
Sunday school is open to children in kindergarten through sixth grade, starting Sept. 10.
A youth group will be formed for middle school and high school students, but Wolf does not yet having meeting dates.
Families with students in eighth grade and up who are interested in exploring faith can call the church at (715) 362-2091 for more information on small meetings that will be held.
First United Methodist Church's Sunday services are held at 9 a.m.
The community can meet Wolf at a potluck set for f5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13.
Food will be provided.
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