Milestones and thanksgivings and faith ... oh my!
For the past seven years I have been working with mentors, weekend seminars, interviewing, getting a Master of Divinity degree, working as a pastor, doing Clinical Pastoral Education ... Two months ago I submitted theological papers, a sermon, a bible study, documentation ... Two weeks ago I had two straight days of grilling^W interviews about my theology, my calling, my preaching, my witness for social justice, my administrative skills, what color underwear Jesus wants me to wear ... ok, maybe not that last part.
And I have been approved for full ordination as a United Methodist minister. I could never ever have come this far without the support of those I love and those who love me. Y'all know that Michael will be canonized pretty soon, right?
You'll all be happy to know that the Board approved me for ordination in all of my feminist glory. :-) My very good friend 1ginko is a glass artist and she made me a Goddess pendant, which looks a lot like the Venus of Willendorf. I made her into an earring, and I wore her for every single interview. There were questions, oh yes. And in the questions, I got to talk about kyriarchy.
She kept me grounded, she kept me honest, she helped me to be authentically myself. Because I wore this earring, at one point in the interviews someone on the Board who is a therapist asked me whether I was aware of the impact of my "strong personality" on my relationships, on the people around me. I will admit that my first response (and the response I would definitely have given five years ago) was some version of "Keep psychoanalyzing me in this context and you will see just how strong my personality can be."
Ahem.
But because of the love and help and support and formation of my friends and family and community, and the loving call from all of you and from Godde, I was able to let that initial anger wash over me and leave. I was able to answer that I have faith that there is a place for me, strong personality and all, in Godde's dreams for the world and in Godde's church.
So the Board's green light fills me with great joy. Because it is not some covered-up, falsely pious version of me who will be ordained, but genuine, God-loving, Goddess-loving, Jesus-loving, Holy Spirit-dancing me. Hallelujah! I am so glad and grateful.
So I will be ordained this coming June 14, 2008, at our Annual Conference held at Hofstra University. THANK YOU for the love and support that has flowed through you in the last seven years.
And I have been approved for full ordination as a United Methodist minister. I could never ever have come this far without the support of those I love and those who love me. Y'all know that Michael will be canonized pretty soon, right?
You'll all be happy to know that the Board approved me for ordination in all of my feminist glory. :-) My very good friend 1ginko is a glass artist and she made me a Goddess pendant, which looks a lot like the Venus of Willendorf. I made her into an earring, and I wore her for every single interview. There were questions, oh yes. And in the questions, I got to talk about kyriarchy.
She kept me grounded, she kept me honest, she helped me to be authentically myself. Because I wore this earring, at one point in the interviews someone on the Board who is a therapist asked me whether I was aware of the impact of my "strong personality" on my relationships, on the people around me. I will admit that my first response (and the response I would definitely have given five years ago) was some version of "Keep psychoanalyzing me in this context and you will see just how strong my personality can be."
Ahem.
But because of the love and help and support and formation of my friends and family and community, and the loving call from all of you and from Godde, I was able to let that initial anger wash over me and leave. I was able to answer that I have faith that there is a place for me, strong personality and all, in Godde's dreams for the world and in Godde's church.
So the Board's green light fills me with great joy. Because it is not some covered-up, falsely pious version of me who will be ordained, but genuine, God-loving, Goddess-loving, Jesus-loving, Holy Spirit-dancing me. Hallelujah! I am so glad and grateful.
So I will be ordained this coming June 14, 2008, at our Annual Conference held at Hofstra University. THANK YOU for the love and support that has flowed through you in the last seven years.