15 Years!
On July 17, 2011 I was welcomed into Unitarian Universalist ministry! In my religion, the authority and responsibility of ordination is held by congregations - that is, only church members can bestow the title of "Reverend". We acknowledge the power and accountability in relationships; the inherent dignity of individuals; while also recognizing the benefit of trained leadership - so we grant the final approval for religious leadership to the community. There is a national credentialing process which includes formal education, internship, reading, interviews... but that final authority is held by individuals in community. (Thanks, First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor!)
Anniversaries are a great time to celebrate, but also give me pause for reflection. How has my vocation/calling gone over the past 15 years and what might I focus on for the next 15? Those are big questions, which I hope to continue to come back to over and over again. Professionally, I've had ups, downs, frustrations, disappointments and accomplishments. That is common in jobs - some go well, some go poorly, some tasks are relished and others disliked. In ministry there is an odd mixture of task-completion and relationship-building. The job includes public speaking and administration, just as it includes being present with people during life changes and personal highs/lows. My job includes following a budget, just as it includes visiting people who are facing their own mortality...
There are moments I can recall when it felt like the people gathered were witnessing to something larger than ourselves, when our shared ministry was creating a beloved community and promoting a more loving world. There were also times of strife and divisiveness, when personal interests and pain got in the way of any transcendent presence. This ordination anniversary I am looking back on those negative and positive moments and seeing what lessons I can bring into future experiences.
I end with another picture from my ordination worship service, when I was welcomed into ministry with "the hand of fellowship" - a ritual when a colleague gives advice and extends a welcome and advice to the new minister. This is Rev. Carol Taylor, who led my religious education program (i.e. Sunday School) through my youth and teenage years.
One piece of her advice was that once I took on the title of "Reverend" I could never take it off. Whether I was specifically in a church preaching, wearing vestments... or going grocery shopping or out for a run - I would always have a different way of being in the world. As with so much advice, I am constantly coming to new understandings of her words as time passes. People in need of care have approached me in grocery stores; I've had interactions which I know were informed by someone seeing me as clergy - both positive and negative.
This is true for other professions: the medical doctor is always seen as someone who can give physical help or advice; the police office can always be relied upon to protect; the teacher is a resource for data and education... The minister is a listening ear and a companion through times of celebration or sorrow.
Although sometimes I wish it weren't true, that I could take off my label, the advice helps me be a better person and a better minister. Heck, that's the whole point of this blog, where I reflect on daily life as a minister. If you want to know how being a minister informs my life, just read on!
I'm at the "so what?" or "what now?" part of my post... What does this mean for me and for anyone reading this? It's about mindfulness! 1. Be aware of what identities you bring into all parts of your lives. 2. Occasionally, take time to reflect on your past and how it might inform your future.
What anniversaries have you celebrated and taken meaning from? What advice have you received and continues to resonate with you?
