Andy's ordination

[andrewlittle]

Hello friends ... oh, and others,

This is still a tad tentative, but my ordination (should the way be cleared by the Albany Presbytery on Nov 13) is scheduled for 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 27, at St Andrew Presbyterian Church in Columbus, OH. I will post a more glorified invitation, to anyone acquiescing to attend, at a later time.

For now, if you will, hold me in prayer - especially that I have the nerve to go through with it.

Also, if you could, hold Jenna in prayer. It is bittersweet for her - praying that I get ordained after she was denied further involvement in ministry in the UMC - and comes with considerable joy and pain.

[BrentRichards]

:weee::weee::weee: (And I NEVER dance!)

[keltic63]

hmmmm, 208 miles, 3 hours 37 Minutes according to Google maps

[Progo35]

Congratulations!! :D

[keltic63]

any more info?

[iowan woman]

Andy,



I hope your ordination goes. I write that as one who is new to this forum but who has followed your strings. I like your open mind, your sense of humor and your kindness.

In my track around Christianity I found a lot to admire about the Presbyterian Church. I had good experiences as a kid in the Methodist Church as well. I am sorry about Jenna. I am new, I don't know the details, but it hurts to know that people are being excluded from serving in any church.



iowanwoman

[andrewlittle]

any more info?

We're moving ahead as if the Albany Presbytery is going to approve the call. The ordination date is firm - with Albany vote being the only caveat. So, those who are willing and able, the details are in the first post.

Andy,

I hope your ordination goes. I write that as one who is new to this forum but who has followed your strings. I like your open mind, your sense of humor and your kindness.

In my track around Christianity I found a lot to admire about the Presbyterian Church. I had good experiences as a kid in the Methodist Church as well. I am sorry about Jenna. I am new, I don't know the details, but it hurts to know that people are being excluded from serving in any church.

iowanwoman

Thank you, kind lady, for your thoughts. This has certainly been a rollercoaster ride - especially and unfortunately the Iowa portion of the journey - but all things are moving ahead.

Jenna is rethinking her denominational choices, but she is very Wesleyan and so is still stung by the action of the UMC. She is also very ready to move forward, though. A very gratifying part of the whole scenario is that she was booted out because she openly opposed the exclusion of LGBT in ministry - she believes she is in some DAMN fine company. At this point she feels much more included in that community than she ever felt in the church.


Hey Brent, have you checked the distance yet on Mapquest?

[Daniel]

Tuesday the 27th of November is right around the corner! Coming up fast, in fact.

I'm thrilled for you Andy, especially so in light of your perspective not that many months ago when you didn't think things would ever work out this way- that is- your being in ministry.

Who'd a thunk it?

This reminds me of the saying...

You can't live on a dream, but you can't live without one either.

[andrewlittle]

Tuesday the 27th of November is right around the corner! Coming up fast, in fact.

I'm thrilled for you Andy, especially so in light of your perspective not that many months ago when you didn't think things would ever work out this way- that is- your being in ministry.

Who'd a thunk it?

This reminds me of the saying...

You can't live on a dream, but you can't live without one either.

Yes, indeed, coming up fast. I have been trying to put some fo the details together jsut today.

Who'd a thunk it, is right. Not so long ago I also wondered if I actually wanted to pastor any group of people who would actually want me as their pastor. (All thanks to Groucho Marx)

Daniel, you know you're all that far from Columbus, Ohio when you get right down to it. Is there any possibility? Or how about at the service of installation, which will be in Schenectady probably in January? Any chance coming up that I could actually hug you - ahemm, I mean, meet you - oh, screw it, I do mean HUG you in person?

[Vanessa White]

I am speaking as if it will be, which it seems like it will. And best wishes on having found a place where you and Jenna can feel contented and welcomed, at least I hope and wish that for the two of you.

I will not be able to make it to Ohio, and I was seriously considering a way to figure it out..... however, I may be able to do Schenectady in January, depending on when it is. It would be great to meet both of you in person and extend my best wishes in person.

Keep us posted on the details! :love::love::love:

[andrewlittle]

I am speaking as if it will be, which it seems like it will. And best wishes on having found a place where you and Jenna can feel contented and welcomed, at least I hope and wish that for the two of you.

I will not be able to make it to Ohio, and I was seriously considering a way to figure it out..... however, I may be able to do Schenectady in January, depending on when it is. It would be great to meet both of you in person and extend my best wishes in person.

Keep us posted on the details! :love::love::love:

Oh, sweet lady Vanessa - I get the first dance. Of course, I'll have to learn to dance, but I've overcome bigger hurdles.

I would LOVE to meet you in person.

Andy

[Vanessa White]

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

[BrentRichards]

Hey Brent, have you checked the distance yet on Mapquest?

385 to Columbus, 310 to Schenectady

[andrewlittle]

The has been a slight change of time for the ordination service. It will be at 7:00 rather than 5:30, to accomodate some participants' working schedules. The date and place remain the same.

Good grief, it's getting close.

[keltic63]

The has been a slight change of time for the ordination service. It will be at 7:00 rather than 5:30, to accomodate some participants' working schedules. The date and place remain the same.

Good grief, it's getting close.

got the name of a nice hotel close to the church?

is the church right in columbus, or the St. Andrew's in Worthington?

[andrewlittle]

got the name of a nice hotel close to the church?

is the church right in columbus, or the St. Andrew's in Worthington?

I will research a little for you - there are several quite close by.

St Andrew Presbyterian Church (website: http://www.standrewpresbyterians.org/location.html) is located at 1450 E Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus OH 43229. It sits on the edge of Worthington and Columbus, on State Route 161 (Dublin-Granville Rd).

Tell me what kind of hotel you want and I'll check more thoroughly. But, right on the same stretch of Rt 161 is a Clarion, Best Western, Knights Inn (iffy), Days Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Super 8 and a Motel 6. There are probably another 10 or so within a couple of miles. Lot's of choices at various price and comfort levels.

[nmwolfboy]

Congrats, Andy! :D

i'll just be returning to Albuquerque on 11/27 from a Thanksgiving trip to LA; otherwise i'd consider making the trip to celebrate your ordination! It would be great to offer my congrats to you in person.

Well, i sometimes make it back to PA and OH to visit family. Maybe next time i travel that way i can plan to meet up with you, Jenna, Keltic and Scott!

Pax-

[keltic63]

Bad news :'(:'(:'(:'(:'(

My daughter just informed me that she will be performing with her university ensemble at a major, MAJOR venue in pittsburgh that evening.

I can't help myself. I gotta go with family......

[andrewlittle]

Bad news :'(:'(:'(:'(:'(

My daughter just informed me that she will be performing with her university ensemble at a major, MAJOR venue in pittsburgh that evening.

I can't help myself. I gotta go with family......

Bad news? Well, on one hand it is, but on the other its everything but. You will just have to promise me that you will enjoy the performance fully.

And I do understand completely - I wouldn't be able to help myself, either. So quit crying and look forward to being the proud, bragging parent.

[andrewlittle]

Congrats, Andy! :D

i'll just be returning to Albuquerque on 11/27 from a Thanksgiving trip to LA; otherwise i'd consider making the trip to celebrate your ordination! It would be great to offer my congrats to you in person.

Well, i sometimes make it back to PA and OH to visit family. Maybe next time i travel that way i can plan to meet up with you, Jenna, Keltic and Scott!

Pax-

Thanks Wolfie,

Keep us informed of your travel plans - I would definitely be up for that get together.

Andy

[ladyinred]

Good luck Andy.If it is any consolation perhaps there is another call for Jenna where she may be needed.(doors close and doors open you know)

[andrewlittle]

Today is the date of the Presbytery vote.

I will be examined on my theology and the ministers and elders of Albany Presbytery will vote on whether I am "acceptable" to become a minister in the PC(USA) and for this particular church.

Pray for me. Internally, this is a difficult time.

I want to be ordained because I feel called to minister with, and advocate for, those the church would make the "least of these". And, the system is best changed from within.

On the other hand, I feel very conflicted about being ordained in a denomination that still maintains a prejudiced stand on the ordination of otherwise "qualified" LGBT candidates. They are not "acceptable" simply because of who they were created to be.

[Steven E. Webster]

Today is the date of the Presbytery vote.

I will be examined on my theology and the ministers and elders of Albany Presbytery will vote on whether I am "acceptable" to become a minister in the PC(USA) and for this particular church.

Pray for me. Internally, this is a difficult time.

I want to be ordained because I feel called to minister with, and advocate for, those the church would make the "least of these". And, the system is best changed from within.

On the other hand, I feel very conflicted about being ordained in a denomination that still maintains a prejudiced stand on the ordination of otherwise "qualified" LGBT candidates. They are not "acceptable" simply because of who they were created to be.

Andrew,
Take courage! In the congregation where I work we have a member who is gay & who "set his ordination aside" a few years ago. He is now Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and he served on the Presbyterian denomination's recent study committee on "Peace, Unity and Purity." As I understand it, our congregation is supporting him in a process to take up his ordination again in our Presbytery. This will be a "test case" under new rule adopted at the last General Assembly that seems to open the door a crack for LGBT persons to be ordained.

That is what I would call "incremental progress" and I think it's better than no progress at all. I'm a United Methodist and I'm nearly despairing of progress in our denomination--but I'm not despairing--it's just going to be slower (sigh).

Steven Webster

[Dumbledore]

Today is the date of the Presbytery vote.

I will be examined on my theology and the ministers and elders of Albany Presbytery will vote on whether I am "acceptable" to become a minister in the PC(USA) and for this particular church.

Pray for me. Internally, this is a difficult time.

I want to be ordained because I feel called to minister with, and advocate for, those the church would make the "least of these". And, the system is best changed from within.

On the other hand, I feel very conflicted about being ordained in a denomination that still maintains a prejudiced stand on the ordination of otherwise "qualified" LGBT candidates. They are not "acceptable" simply because of who they were created to be.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers today. I'm one of those LGBT candidates...although I'm not sure I'm "qualified". We need people like you in ordained ministry so I say go for it.

[Daniel]

Today is the date of the Presbytery vote.


Which means: "Into the mouth of the wolf."

It's a saying that stage artists tell each other before the start of an important performance, which, while a saying of good luck, also acknowledges the daring and risk involved. And if anything, appearing before an examination board like the one you describe, is something, everything, like performing. It's a high-wire act with no net. And I know you can do it buddy.

You're in my thoughts and prayers today.

[Vanessa White]

Your presence here at the forums has been essential to feeling the strong support of a genuine ally force. My prayers and warm thoughts are with you in this trying, but exciting experience. And, I do agree with you, that even with your conflicted feelings, change can possibly come more consistently when working on the inside of the organization rather than the outside looking in.

Peace with you and Jenna today.......:pray::love:

[paul]

Don't be such a baby! (;):love:) You know that you can answer any question that those lightweights can throw in your direction and on the essentials of the Reformed Faith you are stronger than MOST of the ministers on the rolls of Albany Presbytery (any Presbytery for that matter) Wear a tie, comb your hair, and smile... you'll be fine! Quote Calvin whenever you get the chance!

Oh, and maybe you should where a different eyeball than the one in your avatar.

[BruceChris]

Pray for me. Internally, this is a difficult time.

I want to be ordained because I feel called to minister with, and advocate for, those the church would make the "least of these". And, the system is best changed from within.

On the other hand, I feel very conflicted about being ordained in a denomination that still maintains a prejudiced stand on the ordination of otherwise "qualified" LGBT candidates. They are not "acceptable" simply because of who they were created to be.

And:

On the other hand, I feel very conflicted about being ordained in a denomination that still maintains a prejudiced stand on the ordination of otherwise "qualified" LGBT candidates. They are not "acceptable" simply because of who they were created to be.

In Minneapolis, we have something called The Shower of Stoles

http://www.welcomingresources.org/sosp.htm

The Shower of Stoles is a collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in twenty-six denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson.

This extraordinary collection celebrates the gifts of GLBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies. The vast majority of the stoles have been sent in by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people themselves. Some have been sent by family or friends to honor a GLBT loved one. About one third of all the stoles are donated anonymously; in fact over three-quarters of the stoles donated specifically by clergy and other full-time church professionals are done so anonymously.

Knock 'em dead, Andy. P&L, Bruce Chris

[Zerbie]

Wear a tie, comb your hair, and smile... you'll be fine! !

I've never been tested, but I suspect a slight dyslexia because of amusing moments like when I read the above as:

"Wear a comb, tie your hair." :p

Ahhh Andy - we always wish the best for you. :love: Hoping for joyful news on the outcome of this.
:pray:

[andrewlittle]

Yeah! how about that lovely blue "dress" eyeball that Jenna gave you last Christmas.

That was actually Jenna eyeballing me in that lovely blue dress last Christmas. Blue is always my favorite color.

Now, as to the matter at hand - two questions which were (according to Jenna and others who were actually lucid, unlike myself) artfully answered, one motion to arrest the examination, one second, and a positive vote - and I am on my way to being ordained on November 27th as planned. I now, however, need to leave off the infamous Presbyterian phrase "should the way be cleared." It is, indeed, clear.

I actually enjoyed the presbytery meeting, which included a first reading of an overture to General Assembly on setting aside 6.0106(b). [This is the infamous (for Presbyterians) zinger clause for LGBT candidates.] There were some pursed lips and contracted sphincters, but overall I would say this presbytery is well along the way to being open - affirming may take more effort.

Before the vote I made myself very visible at the More Light Presbyterian display and wore my rainbow cross proudly for all to see. It didn't even come up in the discussions. Now, was that good or bad?

[andrewlittle]

So you appeared before the Presbytery in a blue dress? And something about lips and sphincters that I didn't quite understand ... whose lips? and whose sphincters? OH NEVER MIND!

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress on,
Devil with the blue dress on ...

What were the questions?

Q.1 In your statement of faith you say that the church is to go beyond proclaiming grace and salvation, and actually live into it ... including "striving to bring about freedom from captivity". What is it that we are captive to, and how should the church strive to free us from that captivity?

A.(not quite verbatim) This answer could be a book in and of itself. Essentially, we are captive to the idols we have created. While most of these idols are material or economic, and some just ideological, we have created black and white absolutes - either/or situations that lock us into a double bind.

We are consumerists and have convinced ourselves that we are a wealthy nation, and a just nation, because God favors us. When, however, we face the destructive nature of our actions, we are confronted with what we used to call cognitive dissonance. Something so good and right as our own self-importance and self-reliance could not possibly create bad things if it is willed by God - and something bad cannot be willed by God. We are caught in a potentially self-destructive pattern because we cannot cope with recognizing our own complicity in "bad" things - so we just ignore them and cling to the same old pattern of belief, which traps us into lives that lack meaning and joy and justice. We are prisoners to our own idols of wealth and power and righteousness.

Likewise, when we idolize our own notion of the "person" of God, we lock ourselves into a pattern of believe that is destroying our churches and our denominations, because we are afraid to examine ourselves and face our mistakes. We dogmatically cling to a notion that drives people away from the church, rather than have the courage to question our own belief system.

The church needs to live out the processes of critical self-examination, recognition of complicity in the many ills of our culture, repent and find salvation - before we can preach this same process to a culture which sees the world reflected in the windows of the church, instead of the love of Christ.

The church has been, and still is, actively engaged in racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism and ableism - it is locked into patterns of behavior that estrange and reject, rather than welcome and reconcile - and it is because we idolize our own doctrine as the will of God. Every action of the church needs to be measured against the question, "What does this mean for the least amongst us?" It is a difficult question that exposes our soft underbellies - and creates fear. We wear our faith very thinly, sometimes.

Q.2. You stated, "The Holy Spirit empowers humans to represent in and to the world the love of God, as exemplified by Jesus Christ." When I look around at the world, I see rampant situations that could be used to indict the Holy Spirit for incompetence based on your statement. From where, or in what, do you see the agency of the Holy Spirit in the world?

Global perspectives and minutae can present problems for seeing clearly. When we only look at the big picture, we see insurmountable problems that we can nothing about - we become powerless and afraid. When we concentrate on minutae - on jots and tiddles - we cannot see the real events of life as they are hidden behind nameless, impersonal details.

The actions of God are seen in the eyes, hands and feet of individual people who collectively make up community. In people's stories and lives we see and hear of God work daily - when we hear of acts of kindness, openness, reconciliation, justice and courage. We gear in the words spoken today by the gentleman who talked about the mission trip to Guatamala when he ssaid that each day it rained - and each day, so the mission workers building the collective barn did not have to walk to the village to get fed, the women of the village brought food to them - in the rain. Small acts of loving-kindness overwhelm the number of large inhuman acts, but they are not news-worthy. To see them, we have have to look with eyes to see.

More often than not, we are just afraid to look. If we trust in the Holy Spirit, however, we can begin to see God working in the world, and find the courage to join in the work.

[Zerbie]

I like your incisive and critical thinking style. I'm impressed.
:award:

[tdogg]

So, not sure where it stands but looks like you are well on your way to something wonderful.

:love::love::love::pray::love::love::love:

Best of luck & many blessing to you and Jenna. The two of you certainly deserve it and no doubt God will shower you with them. (Now, I know others including U will disagree, but really we need more like you!)

tdogg

[Sherrie Z]

Congratulations!!! And please keep us posted on further developments!

Hugs to you and Jenna ... : )

[andrewlittle]

Here's the invitation.

[sailaway58]

Here's the invitation.

Best wishes to you.
I once went to an ordination service with some people from my church. Their son was being ordained, I was 14 or 15 and there was a girl from the area that I, for some reason, thought I might see that day. She was not there and everyone thought I was such a nice boy for wanting to go. but I digress.
Unlike that day 35 years ago, I really think this is a wonderful thing for you.
Congratulations! I thought about coming but the woman I am currently interested in is sleeping in the room next to me.;)

[andrewlittle]

Today is my first day in the pulpit of my new church.

Pray for them without ceasing.

[Zerbie]

:p:lol::lol:

Oh Andy, congrats!
:)

[sailaway58]

Today is my first day in the pulpit of my new church.

Pray for them without ceasing.
Hope you have / had a great day!

[BruceChris]

And may you (and your congregants) have many more.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Vanessa White]

I wish all that for you and more, as you and Jenna embark on this new adventure together...... :love::pray::love::pray::love::pray:

[Jennifer5]

Today is my first day in the pulpit of my new church.

Pray for them without ceasing.

:pray:...even though it's already passed.

Good thing to keep in mind... if you hear snoring, it's not in your head, you have an issue. Until then, I'm sure you'll do great! :love:

[andrewlittle]

:pray:...even though it's already passed.

Good thing to keep in mind... if you hear snoring, it's not in your head, you have an issue. Until then, I'm sure you'll do great! :love:

But what if its' coming from me? Would that be MORE of an issue?

[Jennifer5]

But what if its' coming from me? Would that be MORE of an issue?

No, I wouldn't worry about that... but if they start throwing holy water at you, that too could be a issue.

[Jennifer5]

And wearing garlic necklaces?

Hmm... that one's a little harder, but I wouldn't worry about that to much either.. it's not like they really want to stand that close to you anyway. It might help you to avoid the snoring though. Everyone will probably stay awake if the smell's to strong.

But, on the other hand, it could be an issue if it's TO strong, because they might not fall asleep, but they might get up and leave in the middle of service.

But on the other hand, if you ARE wearing it and someone gets up and leaves, you can blame the necklace, rather then the preaching, so that could be an advantage.

What's your next question gentlemen? Or shall I leave this alone and allow it to go back to the real topic?


(just so anyone reading is clear, we're all teasing... no one get the wrong idea & Andy, say the word and I'll leave your thread alone)

[andrewlittle]

Hmm... that one's a little harder, but I wouldn't worry about that to much either.. it's not like they really want to stand that close to you anyway. It might help you to avoid the snoring though. Everyone will probably stay awake if the smell's to strong.

But, on the other hand, it could be an issue if it's TO strong, because they might not fall asleep, but they might get up and leave in the middle of service.

But on the other hand, if you ARE wearing it and someone gets up and leaves, you can blame the necklace, rather then the preaching, so that could be an advantage.

What's your next question gentlemen? Or shall I leave this alone and allow it to go back to the real topic?


(just so anyone reading is clear, we're all teasing... no one get the wrong idea & Andy, say the word and I'll leave your thread alone)

What? Leave it alone! You can't be serious, Jenn. You're the one that's had the best advice so far - well, at least between you and u-dog you have.

[Jennifer5]

What? Leave it alone! You can't be serious, Jenn. You're the one that's had the best advice so far - well, at least between you and u-dog you have.


NO NO... I'm not kidding about the advice... I'm kidding about the sarcasm behind it... hence the word sarcasm, but that's not always clear when you're just writing.

So, any other questions?

[keltic63]

So. how did this go tonight?

[Jennifer5]

So. how did this go tonight?
It was tonight?

[keltic63]

Hello friends ... oh, and others,

This is still a tad tentative, but my ordination (should the way be cleared by the Albany Presbytery on Nov 13) is scheduled for 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 27, at St Andrew Presbyterian Church in Columbus, OH. I will post a more glorified invitation, to anyone acquiescing to attend, at a later time.

For now, if you will, hold me in prayer - especially that I have the nerve to go through with it.

Also, if you could, hold Jenna in prayer. It is bittersweet for her - praying that I get ordained after she was denied further involvement in ministry in the UMC - and comes with considerable joy and pain.

It was tonight?

it should have been!

[Jennifer5]

it should have been!

I should read before saying anything.

[keltic63]

I should read before saying anything.

nah.....it only sticks in my head because I had to choose between Andy and my daughter. My daughter is prettier to look at, so I chose to see her.

[Jennifer5]

nah.....it only sticks in my head because I had to choose between Andy and my daughter. My daughter is prettier to look at, so I chose to see her.

Good choice!

[BruceChris]

You could put yourself to sleep, sleep right thru the Rapture, and then you would be stuck with US for all of eternity.

Namaste', Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

You could put yourself to sleep, sleep right thru the Rapture, and then you would be stuck with US for all of eternity.

Namaste', Bruce Chris

OUCH! :rofl:

[keltic63]

We can all start calling him Pastor Andy! or Reverend Andy. Or the Little Rev. What ever we want cuz... he's ordained.

CONGRATS ANDREW!!!!

The service was very beautiful and moving.

isn't that what he calls his... oh, never mind!


And yes, Congratulations. I'm sorry I missed it!

[Vanessa White]

That is one lucky congregation (no matter what those bullies around here say about you........) :lol::love:

[Jennifer5]

Don't worry, that's what I was thinking too Steve :rolleyes:

But yes,

CONGRATS!!!



don't be mad.. but there's no way that I'm calling you pastor or Rev. or anything like that. I'll consider Little Andy, that one's funny.

[andrewlittle]

I got back late on Wednesday night and checked in, but didn't take the time to respond until this morning.

It was a very spiritually and emotionally uplifting night for me, which had little to do with the "ordination", as such, and had much more to do with the tenor of the service.

I will write more, after I get permission from one of the participants. But, for now, know that this community was represented well and was included in the service in a very powerful way.

God bless you all, Andy.

Oh yeah, Jennifer, I haven't changed except by being officially recognized by my denomination as a pastor. I'm still the same old curmudgeon I have always been.

[andrewlittle]

A good friend of mine, who happens to be well known among the regulars at Soulforce, preached an inspiring and challenging sermon at my ordination. This preacher wants to have himself identified only as "Qoheleth" [*sigh*]

Qoheleth, for background, was credited by a later OT editor as the author of Ecclesiates. Qoheleth was a 'wisdom teacher' of his day who consistently debunks his own profession successfully and with integrity. Qoheleth reframed conventional wisdom by offering challenging contradictions and deeper, more profound wisdom in its place.

That name, in my opinion, fits well with what Rev. Qoheleth did in his sermon, since Rev. Qoheleth used as his primary example of "feeding Christ's sheep" the experience of a young, gay Christian who ministered to the needs and anguish of another young, gay Christian. He threw out there, for all to see, the damage done by "traditional" bias and the existence of deeply committed, deeply spiritual, GLBT Christians. May God bless him.

Rev Qoheleth also presented me with his first stole - red for pentecost - at the end of the sermon. I had a difficult time not crying - okay, damn it, I didn't manage to not cry.

Fitting the tenor of the evening, my dear friends Karl, Sue and Gretchen (who Rev Qoheleth got to meet and spend time with) presented me with another stole. This is a stole emblazoned with many faith symbols, and many bands of rainbows, that was made by Mayan Indians in Guatamala. The indigenous Mayans are another of my adoptive groups of sisters and brothers in Southern Mexico and Central America who have embraced me as I have embraced them in the love of God. Interestingly, this was woven by Mayan men - breaking with the "tradition" that weaving is woman's work.

The whole service felt so deliciously subversive to long-standing religious bias - and yet respectfully and obediently attentive to the inclusive message of Christ as the messenger of God's love. Much of that had to do with the tenor of the service that Rev Qoheleth set.

Rev Qoheleth - and you know who you are - I pray I never forget your message and your courage. May God forever hold you up on wings of love.

Andy

[Jennifer5]

Well I'm very glad to hear that Rev Qoheleth was there with you! I wish I could've been there as well.

[Pablo Rafael]

I hate to ruin my reputation as the sarcastic nuiscance that I usualy am and say something nice, but...

Andy, I think the world has just gotten a little brighter and Christianity a little more loving with your ordination. :love:

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[antonyh]

Congratulations. This is a great event and I'm glad we have an ally like you in the Presbyterian Church USA.

[sailaway58]

Nothing surprises me about Rev. Qoheleth. Nor about you Andy. God bless your future.