Pastor James Mohr

Welcome to the United Church of Christ in Neillsville.  We look forward to greeting you in person, through our radio broadcast or on You Tube.  As the church searches for a new settled pastor, I am privileged to serve as a part-time “tag team” interim pastor along with Sue Vornholt.  For ten years I served as pastor of NUCC and retired in 2011.  My wife Karen and I have continued to live in Neillsville and maintained our membership in the church while she also serves as organist.  I have done supply preaching and visitation in several area churches but am now glad to focus my ministry at our church in this time between pastors. 

I have been an ordained UCC minister for over 50 years and have served churches in Milton and Ripon before coming to Neillsville in 2000.  At present I am also chair of the Wisconsin Conference UCC Historical Committee as we attempt to assist local churches record and interpret their history.  I am a graduate of Lakeland University, Eden Theological Seminary, and Kent State University in addition to having completed doctoral course work in history at the University of Wisconsin. 

Karen and I have four children and six grandchildren (as well as a couple grand dogs and cats).  We enjoy visiting with them here in Wisconsin and Baltimore, Maryland, and spending time with them at Moon Beach Camp, where I have served as director of a family camp for many years. 

Both Karen and I enjoy walks in Neillsville’s lovely arboretum, and I often spend an afternoon either mountain biking or skiing at Levis Mound south of town.  Skiing has been a particular passion of mine and for over 44 years has led me north to the Hayward/Cable area to participate in the American Birkebeiner marathon ski race with enough years under my skis to qualify as a member of the “Spirit of 35” group of veteran skiers.  Karen and I also enjoy traveling in this country and abroad.  

We deem it a privilege to share our faith in Jesus Christ with you and to serve Christ’s church. 

 

I moved to Neillsville in 1984 for a teaching position as a special education teacher. This is where I met another new teacher, John Vornholt. We were married in 1986. John grew up at Neillsville UCC and I became a member in 1985. Our three children were baptized and confirmed at Neillsville UCC. I enjoyed my years as a middle school and high school youth leader and serving on various church committees.

My kids enjoyed attending camp (United Church Camps, Inc) growing up, and I was on the Wisconsin Conference Youth team for six years. Our team organized and implemented middle school and high school youth retreats and workshops for youth leaders. The summer of 2010 and 2011 I was a member of the Project Kenya Board and traveled to Kenya with UCC folks, MSOE (Milwaukee School of Engineering) and nursing students. My role was teaching with the school staff, assisting in health clinics, and setting up computer labs.

I attended Wisconsin United Church Lay Academy from 2014 to graduation in 2018. After graduation I served the Northwest Conference churches as a pulpit supply leader. The conference eventually licensed me as an interim pastor. I served as an interim pastor at Marshfield UCC for two years and one year at Osseo UCC.

Presently, I am serving as the moderator for the Northwest Executive Board.
I enjoy spending time with my family whenever I can, and most of all enjoying each other’s company up at our family cottage.

I feel fortunate to team up with Pastor Jim Mohr as an interim partner.