Speaking of awesome things, I have to play catch up for a hot second. There are some life milestones that were reached back in late 2015! In particular I had the humbling opportunity to be ordained by my home church in the mountains of NC into Baptist ministry.
As many of y'all know I just recently graduated from Wake Forest University School of Divinity (another post on that coming up in the next few days!). Going into graduate school I was not sure if I wanted to pursue ordination into Christian ministry. I knew that I had a heart for ministry, and for hospital chaplaincy, but I was not sure how ordination fit into that picture. Well as the weeks and months and years wore on my spirit yearned more and more towards the call of ordination into Baptist ministry. I spoke to my close friends and mentors about this big decision and I was met with nothing but support and encouragement. I then began to speak with my home church pastor about possibly being ordained in my home church. For it was my home church that fostered my love of ministry from a small child and continue to love and encourage me in my ministry career. I love my home church and I was so happy to be able to move forward with the ordination process with them.
The ordination process seemed like a long time of discerning and questioning both inwardly and outwardly. I was so anxious and excited about being able to be an official minister to those around me in my community and potentially around the world. The process was a time for me to really reflect on my theology and gain guidance from my council on how to be an even better carrier of the Christian values that I hold so dear to my heart. The ordination process was also a time for me to stretch my liturgical wings. I was given the freedom to design my own ordination worship service for a day in mid-October of this past year. It was such a sweet and special time that I will truly never ever forget. Another special part of my ordination was that I would be the first female to be ordained in my home church. This church had just celebrated its 100th birthday, so I considered myself honored to be given the blessing to be ordained under such circumstances. I am grateful for the opportunities and love that my home congregation shows me.
The one part of my ordination service that I saw as the most special was the time in the service where the congregation came up to me one by one to pray over me or to offer me a word of blessing and encouragement. While planning this part of the worship service I was a bit apprehensive. Did I want this as part of my service? Did I want one large congregational prayer instead? One member of my council gave me a bit of a nudge to just go for it. That it was a special time in her ordination, and that I would always remember that sacred time in the midst of such a special day. She was absolutely right. As each member approached me I was flooded with memories of how they impacted me as a growing minister. My family, my friends old and new, my Sunday School teachers, my mentors. They all laid their hand on me and propelled me forward into a life of ministry that I know that I am called into. those many hands placed on my head, shoulders, and hands were what made me a minister that day. Sure I gave my vows to the church. Of course I accepted my robe and stole from the ordination council. Without a doubt I have calling in my heart for this life. However without those many hands none of that would matter. For every member of Christ's church is a minister in the world. And the hands of those members are what makes me a minister of the Baptist faith. I am forever grateful for their love and support.
Chase has been such a supportive spouse throughout this entire process. He cheers me on in whatever I choose to do and I am lucky to have a husband like him. It takes a special man to be the preacher's husband.
I would not have been the woman I am today without my Mom and Dad. When I decided to go to Divinity School after four years of undergrad in a scientific/medical background they were the first ones to jump behind me in support. I love how they love me and I strive to be like them each and every day.
Preparing to take my vows of ordination to the Baptist Church. Such a sweet moment.
Oh those many hands! I am a lucky person to have so many people in my corner.
More hands, more memories, more moments that I will never forget.
Preparing to serve my first communion as a Baptist minister!
The staff of my home church in the mountains of NC. They are simply the best.
With Love,
S&C
