my church family and their role in this call

“How very Trinitarian.”

Those are the words from my pastor who is sitting across from me at the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) as we are all chatting before the meeting actually begins. Her words stick with me because they are true. She’s commenting on the fact that on the night that I meet before my church’s SPRC for the first time to share my call story and continue in this ordination process, it also is the third anniversary of the day I became a member of the church.

This church community.

As I’m writing this, I’m on my way down to Florida for the national EXPLORATION conference put on by the Board of Higher Education in Orlando. This will be a weekend long retreat of discernment with other future clergy or church leaders of the UMC. I’m also working through the Guidelines for Candidacy workbook because next weekend I have my retreat for candidacy with my district conference. The first weeks of November I’m realizing are full of nothing but ministry, discernment, and reflection on my own personal call.

One of the questions in this workbook I must reflect on is who my support system is in this ministry call. I cannot help but continue to keep return to the answer of Broad Street United Methodist Church and its people, pastor, and my peers in our Campus Ministry group “Rethink Fellowship” as such an important part of my overall support system. Not only do I have the blessing to be a part of this congregation as a college student, but they are also my church family that is walking me through the ordination process. I’ve always said I feel like I play a dual role with BSUMC because not only am I one of their “college student babies” but I am also a member of their congregation.

Truly I did not know the significance of what it would mean for my personal future to switch my membership from the home church I had grown up in to the church I had only been a part of for a month or so my freshmen year of college. Kitty said once in conversation with the two of us and other members that “Rebecca has been a member of Broad Street since day one”. Which I not only regard as a high compliment from their side but know is very accurate from my side, as well. I can still recall clearly my first Sunday at Broad Street.

And I’ve never looked back.

For going on four years now I have been actively a part of this congregation and they have been a special place of my life/heart/and unbeknownst to me a special formation for this ministry call. If I am completely honest, my ministry call began to speak louder in my heart long before I departed for D.C. (although I’ll always credit that time and the people of Mount Vernon Place UMC as the pivotal push to allow me to accept it).

Broad Street, its ministries, and people have long been the most important part of my Presbyterian College experience. They have blessed my weeks with worship and fellowship, but also allowed me to help build our Campus Ministry program. Thus building a bridge between what has been happening at the church in our small group Bible study to a recognized religious group on PC’s campus. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished between my freshmen year to senior year and it makes it all that harder to think about graduation. However, it’s a support system I know won’t end just because I may be more miles away.

These people have sustained me during my college years. A wonderful sanctuary of people who allow me to step away from the stresses of a day to day life at a rigorous institution like PC, and remember the feel goods of home like a warm hug or delicious home-cooked meal.

So to my church family support system, “thank you!” You all helped inspire this call through the opportunities you’ve provided me. You helped me solidify this call with your unwavering push and support since I returned to tell you guys the news. Now you are the ones I’m answering to as I pursue ordination, and I could not consider myself any more blessed.

To the leading lady at Broad Street that holds the title pastor, ministry, or if you’re me “Preacher Lady”: thank you for being the shepherd of a flock that generates a welcoming environment for PC kids like myself and others to “come home to” each Fall semester. You have inspired me by your example since the first time I was so surprised to turn around and see a woman proceeding down the aisle of the church. While we pick at each other mercilessly sometimes I hope you know that it is our serious one-on-one conversations that I cherish the most. You push me forward in this ordination process, even when I’ve been nervous or hesitant and I’m grateful to have someone that knows me well enough to know I sometimes need that extra push. With my serious concerns or questions I turn to you because I know you’ll be honest with me. I need that as well. I also just need someone that’s presence reminds me I am loved and supported in this process. A fact you graciously remind me of constantly. I wouldn’t want anyone else playing the role of “Preacher Lady” (aka mentor, pastor, inspiration) in my life.

 My people are also my support system, my church family, and the people that make impending graduation in May so bittersweet. While I know it will be time, I dread when the time comes for me to department. You all have my heart now and probably for always.

Your Church Mouse. (name credits to Kitty Holtzclaw, obvs.)