Unofficially Official: An Inquirer in the PC(USA) Ordination Process


It took a few months to organize but I finally had my meeting with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) with the Presbytery of San Francisco. I have discovered through this process of ordination that I am luckily surrounded by people who have my best interests at heart and who will not step aside when politics or regulations get in the way. Though I miss her greatly, my previous Pastor Rev. Dawn Hyde was there in spirit and my current Pastor Lacey Hunter has been instrumental in speaking a power into my truth that I will carry forward into my studies and ministry. I was physically accompanied by my Elder Advocate, Christine Boles, and Pastor Advocate, Rev. Dr. Leslie Veen. Surrounded by so many strong kick-ass women it is no wonder I am finding this process a rewarding one.

Strong Kick-Ass Women. Can I get an amen?

The meeting was held on February 1st, at the PSF headquarters in Berkeley, California. Moderated by Rev. Chris Coon, the committee comprised of my CPM Liaison Rev. Lauren Gully (another strong Woman in my corner), Elder Fran Nixon, and Rev. Rosemary Stelz.

The meeting was simple, to the point, and without issue. The most complicated portion of the day was that we spent 15 minutes trying to find parking. The bulk of the conversation comprised of discussing the Psychological Assessment, which reported on my social anxiety caused by introversion and difficulties with being the center of attention. Since I agree that these are indeed concerns of my own, we discussed ways to move forward and created a Covenant for us to share.

I was asked to step out of the room while they interviewed my Advocates and they then deliberated amongst themselves. I re-entered the room to applause (I don’t think people understand how much I hate that) and was given entry into the “Inquiry” Phase of the PC(USA) ordination process.

Though the official proclamation by this committee was agreed upon at this meeting, it will not be ratified until May 9th, the next meeting of the Presbytery of San Francisco. Hence the title being official and yet unofficial.

I am currently awaiting responses from the three seminaries I applied to (Austin, Columbia (Atlanta), and San Francisco) and hope to find out where I will be attending in the next few weeks. The next major step in the PC(USA) side of things will be to move into the “Candidacy” phase which will happen no sooner than a year from now.

Last night was the Presbytery of San Francisco meeting where our incoming Interim Pastor, Rev. Diana Bell (Kick-Ass Woman), was transferred from the Presbytery of the Redwoods to SF. While present to support her and to represent my home church of Mission Bay Community Church in the voting process of bills and overtures I attended an Open Space on Black History Month, headed by Rev. Kamal Hassan of Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church. He eloquently reminded us that our prayers from safe spaces are not enough, that the money we send from our safe spaces is not enough. We have entered into a period of divine discontent and if we’re not out there in the streets doing the work that God needs then we are not doing enough.

During service, we took communion which was administered by three pastors in three different languages (English, Spanish, Cantonese). Reminding me of the experience I had after Inquirer’s Weekend while working at City Church, I saw the church of God before me. This is the church. All different yet all together.

After service, I attended the examination of Jenna Meyers who has been called as Associate Pastor to Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church. I watched as she stood at the head of the Chapel, questioned by several pastors. Her answers were profound and came from a place deep in her heart. This will be me in a few years I thought, I better get with it if I am expected to speak to my truth like her. Kick-Ass Woman.

Thank you to everyone who has shown me support through this process thus far. I really appreciate your continued prayers and acts of kindness. Speaking of acts of kindness, I would like to point readers to my last post listing my demands for 2017. It is imperative that we take every opportunity to act on injustice with love and sometimes love looks like a punch to the face of oppressors, also learn how to pronounce my name correctly because there is no sweeter sound than that of hearing your own name.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

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Unofficially Official: An Inquirer in the PC(USA) Ordination Process Unofficially Official: An Inquirer in the PC(USA) Ordination Process Reviewed by Christópher Abreu Rosario on 09:33 Rating: 5

3 comments:

  1. Chris, this is awesome! So excited to be following along your process. You rock, and so deserve all the kick-ass women (& men) around you! Praying for all the excitement and struggle of your upcoming journey!

    From a long-distance seminary colleague -
    Best,
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hannah,

      Thank you so much for your support and for reading! I hope all is going well at Princeton and that I get to visit one day, I understand you have the largest library second only to the Vatican!

      Delete
  2. It’s a superb website online to maintain yourself up to date absolutely!

    ReplyDelete

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