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Come and See Part II


"I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they 'want to do' and start asking them what they don't want to do."
-Amy Poehler, Yes Please

For the last 14 months, I have had the privilege to "come and see" and learn from the people of Faith Community United Methodist Church. I consider this past year a great journey of learning, development, and growth not only personally, but spiritually and professionally as well. I'm thankful for the Residency experience as it has been integral to my discernment and helped to clarify/affirm my call into ministry. 

After much time spent in prayer, reflection, and conversation with my very patient mentor, Randy Stearns and other trusted friends I am now (again) pursuing a call to Deacon's Orders. The Deacon's Orders to Word, service, justice, and compassion is intrinic to how God has wired, shaped, and gifted me. My niche for over 10 years within the non-profit sector, ministry settings, and corporate world has been working with people of any age who take on the posture of "student".

Jesus had a simple invitation. He always seemed to be encouraging people he came across to "come and see". While a handful of disciples were with him throughout his ministry, I believe there are other people who could be considered disciples who "came and saw", were transformed, and eventually went back to their context in order to create and bring about change. So as I finish the Residency Program and learning from Faith Community UMC - I leave transformed, taking all of my experiences to my next context working with children, students, and families at Peace United Methodist Church in Pickerington, Ohio. 

To the people of Faith Community UMC, thank you. I will remain forever grateful to all of you and will carry with me many memories, interactions, experiences, and conversations. Not only was I given permission to truly be myself, I was affirmed and encouraged throughout my time with you.

Throughout the year, I had a box in my office that I would fill with pieces of paper with memories written on them. As a "goodbye", I wanted to share my top 10, in no particular order:

  • Meeting with the first and second membership class to learn the history of Faith Community and the personal stories
  • Witnessing the power of families coming together to grow in their faith and their relationships at the Confirmation Retreat
  • Getting Randy to break from his "poker face" and laugh for the first time
  • Working with Stephanie to create an experiential Holy Week (Passover Seder for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday Tenebrae Service, Holy Saturday Prayer Stations)
  • Listening to people share their reflections after the Poverty Simulation
  • Being confused at the finance meeting but the team willing to answer "not stupid" questions
  • Ryan parking my car on the sidewalk
  • Hearing stories of what it was like to be a woman growing up in UMW circle gathering
  • The first Saturday Night Worship experiment
  • Seeing how excited the children were to interact with Tinker Bell and Princess Anna
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Comments

Anonymous said…
It was a pleasure to have you at Faith and while you were here you increased my Faith! Best wishes in your new role.
September 30, 2015 at 8:46 PM
Unknown said…
Thank you for your service, broadening our horizons and sharing with us.
October 3, 2015 at 11:54 AM
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