I eventually
reached a point where I shunned & eschewed the idea of being “ordained” or having titles. My
college diploma remains in my filing cabinet, not up on the wall where every one can see it. I’ve
had many fine accomplishments in this lifetime (including getting published by a real publisher), but I’m at a place
where I don’t feel I need to “flaunt” my achievements at every corner, as I know that these do not define
my soul worth.
Up
until recently, I was at a place where I actually *rejected* the idea of getting ordained. I thought that
being “ordained” in one particular faith or another might make some of my potential clients feel “unwelcome”.
I didn’t want ANYONE who I could potentially serve with my gifts to feel that there was a separation between
me & them just because of a “title” or religious affiliation that I had. Also, I didn’t
really feel I needed an ordination, since obviously I am already “ministering” to others, and didn’t
feel it was right to become ordained just to get a “credential”.
What changed my mind about ordination? I fell in love.
Not with an individual person, but with a tiny, country church that is over 100 years old
and teaches the ideas of unconditional love, spiritualism, psychicism, and mediumship. This was not a “love
at first” sight kind of romance, as I have been involved in the church off and on for over a decade now.
At
times this “romance” has been quite bumpy. There was even a year or two a long time ago where
I had to go away for a little while because I needed to grow in other ways. But I did come back,
and I when I returned, I found my love for this little country church (and for Spiritualism in general) was stronger than
ever. This is a love that has stood the test of time.
Although I no longer feel the “need” to be ordained, I understand that Sunset Spiritualist Church needs me to be ordained. Many
of the ministers are getting up there in years, have health issues, or simply live at too great of a distance to be on the
grounds very often. I myself live 2 hours south of the church/camp. However, I’m
still young and energetic, and am often up there at least once or twice a month, teaching my classes or just popping in for
a Sunday morning church service.
Nobody at Sunset asked me to get ordained or told me this is something that I “should” do.
That’s just not the way they are there, which is exactly why I love this community. This is
something that I asked for, even though as I was going through the process of applying for ordination, part of me
was thinking I must be NUTS. God knows I have enough “crosses” to bear and work to do to keep
me busy for the rest of this life without also taking on the awesome task of becoming an ordained minister. Nonetheless,
it is something I feel “called” to do.
I am hoping that in becoming a Spiritualist minister of Sunset
Church and Camp, I can inspire others to serve in the ways that they feel called to serve within their own
hearts.
I thank
you for being part of my on-going spiritual journey. I hope that we can continue down this path together
for many wonderful years to come! Please know that I would LOVE to have you
join me this next Sunday, January 24th from 11 am to Noon at Sunset Camp, when I make my formal commitment
to Sunset and to the path of God’s service.
