It's time for an ordination!
Ordination is the ritual formally recognizing a person's education (M.Div.) and gifts for church leadership, inferring the title "Reverend" (or, as Lu says "Rev-ing up.") But more than that, it is the community's affirmation and call into a leadership of supporting others in collective ministry. The "ordination candidate" is asked to commit to devoting time, study and experience to preaching, teaching and leading that may encourage and support others. There will be a specific affirmation part for WildWood folx. In true, WildWood fashion, this is a big deal because it is in “discerned defiance” of denominational statements against the ordination of LGBTQ+ individuals. Everyone, WildWood or not, is invited to come. I have friends flying in from out of town and local friends who have no WildWood connection who are coming.
I can't believe I haven't shared this before, but a fellow Anabaptist pastor from the Mennonite tradition wrote a brilliant article about how strange and awkward ordination can be and reimagins what it can mean. (Mennonite and Church of the Brethren have much in common.)
"There’s an old story that in the 16th century, Anabaptists chose the least essential person in the community as their pastor. That way, when persecution came and the pastor was inevitably killed, the community wouldn’t lose an essential service like a cobbler or a mason. While I can’t establish the veracity of this story, I attend to its wisdom."
I believe that the world and WildWood would be entirely fine without a set-apart pastor or reverend, but also know that titles matter in our world. Being a Reverend offers me privileges that I hope to use to continue the collective work of justice-seeking and challenging systems of oppression.
SO, let's do this! This Sunday, October 15, at 3 pm at United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE. (Note the different time and location!), we'll have a big and fancy Sunday Gathering, followed by a taco party! (Kiddo care from 2:30 - 4:30)
If you could you come early to help with set up it would be HUGE help, anytime 2-2:30 pm.
If you can't join in-person, it will be streamed on Zoom, link below.
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