This week I have "put in" four student pastors--tonight, John Meister at Camden..his son Jackson is with him. Richard Fine, to the left, the current pastor at Camden, has just graduated and is going to his first full time appointment. Camden is one of those churches/charges that has had students from Saint Paul for many years as its pastor. I am hoping to do some creative things in getting the students, their PPR chairs, and others involved to make these great places even better "teaching churches." I am really enjoying working with the students---and am so glad John is going to Camden. Most of the students in my district are a little younger than John, but none any finer(not intended to be a pun, Richard). As of Annual Conference, I will have eleven pastors in my district under 35, and eleven students, not all the same eleven. The same part of me that needs to be doing the "emergent conversation" stuff is the same part of me that needs to be working with our students and younger clergy. Ah, and I warned the younger clergy at our Right Start seminar earlier this week to watch what they put on their blogs---put nothing there that you don't mind your most conservative church member or you mother reading. Guess that's all for tonight, folks.
2 comments:
I am certain that you do not remember me, but I certainly remem ber you! You were the first female minister I had ever met. You were serving at Kirkwood UMC in Kirkwood,MO at that time. Philip was my Sunday School teacher, and I remember going to a "young couples" dinner with the two of you and a bunch of other folks I don't remember.
Amazing, all these years later, here I am, finding you on the web. I was ordained a UMC deacon in full connection only two days ago in the Desert Southwest (think AZ and lower NV) annual conference. I am serving at a counselor at an interfaith counseling agency and am also teaching classes and preaching at my charge in Gilbert, AZ. '
You cannot imagine the effect that your preaching and your presence had on me back in 1988. I had heard God's call many times by then but had refused the call, believing that women were not supposed to be ministers. But there you were, and your preaching was just as powerful as Marvin's (remember him?) and you seemed to be so connected to the Lord, and your husband seemed to be connected to the Lord as well.
On this 50th anniversary of the ordination of women with full rights in the UMC, I thought I would share how deeply you influenced me with your ministry and your presence in the pulpit. I hope you and your children (and your ex-, who I still think of fondly--I am even planning on ordering one of his scapulars) are doing well. God bless you and your ministry, and I hope the ministers who you lead know how blessed they are to have you as their DS.
Shalom,
Tina Marie Rees
Tina Marie-
What a wonderful gift your post is! I was part of the planning for our conference's 50th anniv celebration. Thanks so much.
Susan
Post a Comment