Yesterday, I headed to the Mockingbird Cafe (thought of you Songbird, will smama and Little S.!) for lunch with two preacher pals. The city looks SO much better although the streets are torn up with infrastructure drainage, etc. repair. Along the Beach road, the lots are bare mostly. It's difficult to rebuild family homes when the codes aren't in place and the insurance companies say, "Oh, we didn't mean you had coverage for that..."
My pals were willing to hear a few stories from my past. I told about the day I was presented to presbytery for approval as a pastor. In those days, we were ordained where we had our first call, so the vote was for my ordination as well as reception into the presbytery. As the Committee on Ministry chair moved for my reception, the Moderator was asked by one of the commissioners, "Do we have to vote on this?" Not "vote on her" or "vote on Miss C." but vote on "this". Without missing a beat, the Moderator said, "No you can vote against it or abstain."
The vote was called for, and the motion to accept me passed.
Not one soul realized that I was the first Presbyterian clergywoman to be ordained
in the state.
Not one soul thought to apologize to me for the previous discussion.
Even I was oblivious. My eye was on the prize of being received by the Presbytery as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
This month of blogging about my ordination strikes me as self-serving, which, of course isn't ladylike or gentle. However, in the name of recalling what it was like 30 years ago, I've shared a few tidbits. Frankly, in some ways, clergywomen don't have it any easier than we did back then. Just sayin'.
But a call to ministry isn't about ease anyway. If you have the Call, there isn't anything to do but run through the thorn bushes towards the pulpit.
Love,
St. Casserole
(Photo: Songbird's Sandwich)
11 comments:
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In many ways not easier for us young 'uns, but in so many ways we thank you who first stepped out in response to God's calling. There is now a path cut through the thorn bushes and beautiful saints on the other side encouraging us to faithfully listen to the call.
Thank you.
Thanks for clearing the trailing.
I love you. And I want to eat at the Mockingbird.
If I'd have been thee I would have kicked the guy in his itty, bitty peanut of a groin...but it would not have been lady like and I was about 9 years old then, so it might have seemed a bit strange for some kid to do that...but so would have doen it for you!!!!
Keep reflecting and sharing. I like it.
I continue to marvel that you knew it was something you could do, that cultural messages did not get in the way of hearing God's voice. That's a good story for this week, isn't it?
(And for those who might be wondering, I do believe I went on to finish that delicious sandwich.)
(St.C)
1978 was longer ago than it seems. I am grateful for God's faithfulness.
I love what you said about the thorns and the pulpit.
I've been reading and thinking a lot. You are right. In many ways, it isn't much better. And in some ways it is. My ordination is next month... and it has me alternately scared and thrilled.
Deb
who kinda thought pursuing God's Call was like rubbing yourself with poison ivy...
I love you so dearly. Thank you for all you do, and all you are.
I definitely want to eat at the Mockingbird. Can the Big Event be at your house this year? Please? (Or at least very very nearby)
thanks for sharing this...it is always so powerful to read stories such as this, st. c.
If you have the Call, there isn't anything to do but run through the thorn bushes towards the pulpit.
Thanks!
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