I forget sometimes that April is an anniversary month for me: five years ago now, I was interviewed by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee and welcomed into a preliminary fellowship. As of this last fall, I was granted full fellowship, which is somewhat like getting tenure -- although for us it is in relationship to our shared faith and not for a particular church.
Did you know that many new ministers don't make it to five years before they burn out? Often this causes them to leave ministry altogether. I've witnessed it with my colleagues again and again. Mostly this is the case for ministers who go into parish ministry.
When I meet people and they find out that I'm a minister, they will often ask how long I've been doing it. I always pause because I'm not sure what they're asking for. I've been the minister of this congregation since August 2020, I was ordained five years ago this June and graduated from seminary seven years ago this May, but on July first I am celebrating being a ministry professional for 10 years. 10!
In the next couple of weeks, we'll be celebrating Passover and Easter, and Ramadan has already begun. As it is spring, many of us are thinking about themes of rebirth, and each of these holidays invites some reflection on that theme themselves. Our spiritual theme for April is Resistance, though, which all of these holidays also invite reflection on, and I am looking forward to exploring it with you.
Where does resistance show up in your life? In your relationships? In your relationships and understanding of church? How do you honor resistance or know when it needs to be overcome? What purpose and meaning does resistance have for you in your daily living? We'll be digging into these and other questions this month in worship. Join us!
In faith and service, Rev. Kristina Spaude (She/her)
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