A letter to my church: March 2013

Hey y’all, it’s me again.

I’ll be back in with you in print a few times, and back with you in person pretty soon, and I’m sure there are a lot of questions about why and how I’ve gone through the ordination process to get to this point. 

In 2010, when I applied to Seminary, I also formally began the process of seeking ordination in the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) through the region of Georgia and this church.  So my sponsor from the congregation and long-time mentor, Bill Moore, wrote a letter, the board voted on me, and off I went to Columbia Seminary in Decatur, where I’ll finish up on May 18(which is creeping up faster than I thought it would!)

So, in the past 3 years, I’ve met 4 times with the Regional Commission on Ministry.  I’ve written papers, undergone interviews, and am now filling out search and call papers(Search and call is the process used to match pastors with churches.  My paperwork will be filed with the national office for when I am ready to enter the process) and meeting the final requirements for ordination.

It’ll be a whirlwind summer.  I’ll move off-campus after graduation, spend a week or two counseling camp, and continue to work in the coffee shop that’s taught me a lot about people this year.  I’ll be home again too, and I plan to spend as much time with y’all as I can manage. 

Can’t wait.  It’ll be a great summer!

Love,

Sarah

Journey to Ordination

This is a letter that has(or will soon) go to my church.  There will be a few like it as I complete the journey toward ordination, and I'd really like to share them with you now... As a way of tracing my journey for myself, and for my loved ones who don't get my church newsletter.

My dear church,

It’s crazy to think a month has passed since I got to preach for you about my call.

Now I want to tell you where it started.

If you’ve heard me preach, you know I hold a special place in my heart for Camp Christian.  I grew up counting down the days to Camp Christian every Summer, and to Youth Assembly at Epworth every winter.  These youth assemblies made God accessible to me and also put me in touch with people who’d influence my faith for the rest of my life. 

Camp is holy ground, where God comes close to earth, and we come so close to God, that we can hear one another.  I felt the truth in the love of God for me (Yes! Me!) the first time I went to camp.  There were people there who helped me sort out all of the things an 11-year old girl needs to sort out, and where it didn’t matter if I was part of the “in crowd”… I was a child of God and that was enough.  Over the years, the fact that I am a child of God took on deeper meaning and was felt more deeply at camp:  It’s the place where I first worked with youth as a Chi Rho counselor, and where I’ve watched those first youth grow up.  It’s where I did a lot of my growing too.

If you ever had any doubt about camp, set it aside.  It’ll change your life, whether you go as a camper or a counselor.  I truly believe that, with all my heart, because I experience it every time I go.  And even though I’m a counselor now, I might have to count down the days till I’m there again…

See you soon,

Sarah