Ordination, Retirement, Spiritual Direction...

26 years years ago this month, I graduated from a Masters program in Divinity. (How on earth does one become a Master of Divinity?! What Marvel Universe created this character - “Master of Divinity”?!). With much earnest faith, in 1993, wearing a string of pearls under a black preaching robe, I knelt under the watchful eye of God and under the heavy hand of elders and bishops. I was ordained to preach the Word, baptize the dry in spirit, offer bread of the Eucharist to an open table, and order the life of a gathered people known as United Methodists.

The Methodists are not so united today and on the brink of schism concerning human sexuality. But even so, those UMs grew me up. In little country churches and in large sanctuaries. In hospital rooms and in the pastoral office. I did a lot of grunt work, and a few high holy moments in between.

Life moves along. This week, my retirement from that part of my life was publicly announced among my clergy colleagues. I am retiring from. that public work to fully focus on the work of listening. A large portion of my day is spent listening to teens and their families as they work through the pain of being family. Other hours are spent listening in. the work of Spiritual Direction.

Perhaps you have been in a place for 10, 15, 25 years. The Holy Mystery we call God is leading you into change. I would love to listen to you and to the Spirit as you work to. transition from some part of life to another.

Young me in 2003. Preaching at the Saturday evening worship at City Hope Church in Canton, Ohio.