The Good News

So apparently in my "I'm a big girl now (only not)" excitement, I forgot to actually mention the good news that Bruce and I were celebrating at dinner.

A couple of weeks ago, I submitted my ordination papers to the Litchfield North Association Committee on Church & Ministry.  This is the committee that has been shepherding me through the ordination process and will - God willing! - ordain me in a couple of months.  There are three parts to the papers:  The first part asks you to show an understanding of the history and evolution of the Christian church, the second part asks you to show a proficiency in the history, polity and structure of the United Church of Christ and the third part is a personal faith statement describing your own Christian convictions and understanding of call.  The point is to see what you've absorbed in seminary and how you apply that in context.

It doesn't matter how well you do in seminary or how ready you think you are for the ministry - if your papers aren't passed, you will not be ordained in the United Church of Christ.  A lot of times the committee will ask you to do one or two re-writes of the paper before they will pass you.  This is the last big thing to do before you can start looking for a job - everything else is pretty much organizing your paperwork.

I had a conference call meeting with the committee yesterday morning about my papers.  I went into the meeting pretty convinced that I was going to have to do a re-write.  Recent students that have gone through have been asked to do re-writes and I was finishing the papers the weekend that Lynn died and I was completely distracted.

I will spare you the details of the conference call - but here is where the celebration comes in ...









I PASSED ON THE FIRST TRY!!!!!

Now I can officially proceed with putting together my ministerial profile (ie minister's resume) so it's ready to go after I finish CPE.  I will be able to start looking for a job in September after my CPE evaluations have come in and the Deacons at my church recommend for me to meet with the committee for the last time.

I am thrilled that I can focus on CPE for the summer and not have to worry about re-writing.  My confidence is boosted and I know I am ready for the next step!

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’ Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.

Jeremiah 1:4-9