Okay, I work at an Episcopal Church that thinks people of all sexual orientations, races, classes, languages, ages, you get the picture, should be able to be ordained. It is a good church and hey, they hired me. So you'd think I'd be Episcopal by now.
Nope. I am still working on getting ordained in the Presbyterian church (USA). That last part in paratheses makes a difference in the south. As I study for this last exam for my ordination at the end of the month, I know why I am presbyterian. I have learned more about why I am presbyterian from working in an Episcopal church. While I enjoy the smells and bells of episcopal worship, I want the flexibility of changing worship that comes from being reformed and presbyterian. Sometimes I think we need bishops in our system of government, but I still keep believing that our connectional nature as church will help us seek justice for all.
WHEN I pass this test (positive thinking) it will still be a journey. I am doing ministry right now in the Episcopal Church and to get ordained PC(USA) you need to be doing something presbyterian or at least affiliated/non-profit. So even if they decided that I can be ordained in the church I gotta find another job.
To use words from one of my favorite frogs, Kermit, "someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me." Someday I will look back on all this and see grace, but right now I still sometimes think about what the father of a friend said, "why do you want to be apart of something that hurts you?" I hope that the love of the church from those working for change always out weighs the hurt, but I also hope that someday that the church stops hurting people.
Well, one of my friends recently commented that my blogs are not as random as my spouse's. In honor of her comment I did find something that I know she will enjoy. Check out this video on youtube.com and read the comments on how the "Presbyterian" got it's name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmiTlaZd5Yg
Maybe I can order this after I pass my exam in honor of the great church that I am a part of (at least for now). Hey, there is no drink named after the Episcopals or Methodists.
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3 comments:
So Rachel what did you think about the video? Don't you think that should be part of seminary education?
Hey my blogs aren't random....The Church just got the montesorri school that is next door's mail and they got butterfly larvae. Excellent
That is freaking fabulous! I might have a new favorite drink. I think Presbyterian's are made with burbon because the Center is in Louisville, but I am a big church dork. Such is life.
cheers
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