The Rev. Amy Heimerl has accepted a call and started service as Vicar of Ascension Episcopal Church in Merrill on a part-time basis. Rev. Amy Heimerl is a 1990 graduate from Merrill High School. She earned a B.A. in Education from St. Norbert College, a special education degree from UW-Stevens Point, a health education degree from UW-LaCrosse, and a M.A. in Education from Viterbo University. She was an educator for 27 years and focused on working with students with emotional and behavioral struggles and who learn differently. She was instrumental in developing the Link Crew Program at MHS.
On completing the diocesan Circles of Light discernment process in 2017, Amy started “reading for orders,” the historic practice of a guided program of studies individualized to the needs and goals of a candidate for ordination. Despite a battle with breast cancer in 2019-2020, God made a way when there seemed to be no way. She was ordained deacon, then to the priesthood, by Bishop Matt Gunter in 2021.
As a lay person, Amy served the church at the local, diocesan, and national levels. She has been senior warden, treasurer, worship leader, camp session director, and deputy to the Episcopal Church General Convention. She was one of the founders of a weekly youth ministry program at Ascension. Following many years of supply priests serving the congregation, Rev. Amy Heimerl becomes the first resident Vicar in Merrill in many decades. She also works as Chaplain at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake School. Amy is married to Eric and the mother of three children: McKenzie, Madeline, and Elijah.
Ascension Episcopal Church is a mission church of the Diocese of Fond du Lac in Merrill. First services were held in 1877, with a mission organized in 1882. It is a worship community of 54 baptized members with an average Sunday attendance of 20. Located in the heart of Merrill on the corner of 3rd and Pier Street, it has a deep-rooted history in giving thanks for serving the poor and needy in the community. The congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. All are welcome.