As most of you who read this know, I feel - and have for several years - felt called to the Priesthood. As I look back it feels as if this has always been a part of my life. I think I've been told stories of how I would play church with my stuffed animals - give them communion and everything. I was raised in the church. I can remember so many nights, where my parents would drag me along to various church functions. Then I started acolyte. One of the first times I served was for the Bishop, and it seemed almost every time she came I was one of the acolytes. Every time the Bishop would come she would ask the oldest acolyte if they ever thought about the Priesthood. Even though she wasn't asking me I always thought that would be really cool. Afterwards I would have this weird feeling. Each time she asked this feeling would get a little strong and stay a little longer. Well then one day something changed.
That little bit of background brings me to explaining the Title of this post. I'll never forget the exact moment I knew that God was in fact calling me to the Priesthood. It was the first Sunday of Advent 2001, I was 12 years old, in the 7th grade, and Nancy Olmsted was still the Rector. I was the acolyte at the 8 o'clock service. Nancy had me light the first candle on the Advent wreath. As I was lighting the candle I could feel a pair of hands on my shoulders. The scary thing was, that no one was around me. Later on in the service - during the confession - I closed my eyes to really focus on the prayer. Suddenly, I wasn't in Christ Church anymore. I was in the middle of a field, with a crystal clear blue sky. All of a sudden a mass a pure white clouds rushed over me. The clouds opened and a figured descended. I couldn't make out the figure, but some how I knew it was Jesus. I could feel him hold my hands, and he said to me "Whom shall I send", and I replied "Here I am, send me." Then we began to walk together. We came to a fork in the road. When I turned back to Jesus, I couldn't see him, but I could feel his presence. I had to make a choice. I went down the path on the right. As I walked down the path I was filled with warmth and comfort. At the end of the path was an altar, and I was standing behind it celebrating the Eucharist. All of a sudden I was back at Christ Church kneeling in my pew. I got really nervous that I had missed a huge chunk of the service. But, when I listened to the prayer the members of the congregation were saying. It was the confession - the same spot we were at when I closed my eyes.
From then on I have questioned my calling, but haven't regretted - haven't looked back. I know that morning I picked the right path, and it has put me on a wonderful journey. The adventures I've been on, and the people I've met are gifts I thank God for everyday.
So this Sunday December 2nd is the 1st Sunday of Advent. It has been six years since I've identified my calling. As I look back on the past six years, I am incredibly thankful for every minute, every second, good and bad. I'm thankful for all God has blessed me with these past six years, and can't even begin to imagine what adventures I will have on the journey ahead. May the next six years, be and amazing and blessed as the first.
27 November 2007
Catching Up
So it has been over a month since I have posted. I apologize to my faithful readers, but a lot has been going on.
November was an interesting month. Here were some of the highlights
On Sunday Nov. 4th I went to hear the choirs of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Pawtucket) and St. Luke's Episcopal Church (East Greenwich) sing a service of Evensong then in honor of All Saints and all who have been lost in the current war they sang Gabriel Faure's Requiem, which was breathe taking.
On the 11th, I had the opportunity to go to a confirmation, as it was part of the Bishop's visit at Trinity Saco, ME. It was a very nice service. I can imagine for those members of Trinity it was especially important as it was the last time Bp. Chilton Knudson will (most likely) visit Trinity before she retires.
Nov. 16 - 18 the UNE Players preformed Cupid's Dust. It was wonderful. I had such a blast being Dr. Love. It was great to finally get on stage, but it was sad that our journey as a cast - a family - is finally over.
Wednesday the 21st Mount had it's annual yearbook signing party. It was incredibly awkward, but great to see my friends - and finally get my yearbook.
THANKSGIVING - I had a nice relaxing day with my Mom. I did NOTHING!! It was a nice change from the way things normally work.
Friday the 23rd - Was my first Basement in such a long time. Again it was really great to spend sometime with my friends.
Saturday the 24th - Was most definitely a highlight of the month. I had breakfast with Dan. It was wonderful to see Dan, as I hadn't seen him since August. Then I headed over to Mount to meet Mrs. Smith and her daughter Kelly. we had a blast decorating her room. Than Mr. Smith met us and we went into Boston to go see ELLIOT! It was everything I had imagined and more. It made for a really late night - especially since I had to finish a presentation for church when I got home - but totally worth it.
Sunday the 25th - It was a normal crazy Sunday. I went to the 8 o'clock service at Christ Church Lincoln. I got there a few minutes late, because I went to Starbucks before Church. Then I lead the adult education session. Sunday was the Last Sunday after Pentecost. It was a day that the national church, and the diocese of Rhode Island designated as a special day of prayer, fasting, and giving to the MDGs and global reconciliation. Then I grabbed a few shots of Christ Church, and booked it over to St. Paul's Pawtucket for the 10:30 service. The service was wonderful as always, but coffee hour was the tops. I didn't get pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and there was pumpkin pie at coffee hour. I was SSSSOOOOO excited! Then I went back to Christ Church met with Scott, and headed to Mount to see the JR. High Drama production of Aladdin. It was marvelous - another classic Rita Maron production! Then back to Christ Church for the Emmaus service done U2charist style. It was great fun!
On Monday, a lot of little things happened that made it just a wonderful day. I went to Morning Prayer at St. Paul's then home and took a nap. i went out to lunch with Bill Locke which was a real treat for me to get to spend some time with him. Then I did some work. After dinner I went to visit Al Barnaby. It was so uplifting to see what progress he has made. I ended up spending about four hours with him as I didn't leave till about 10. How time flies when you're having fun!
Today had it's ups and it's downs. It started off great. Went to Starbucks, then 7:30 Eucharist at St. Paul's then coffee and conversation. Since the clergy had a safe church training at St. Paul's at 9 Bill Locke and Mother Susan couldn't say morning prayer with Bette and I, so I got to lead it. That was really cool. I went home packed my stuff and headed back to school. The day went down hill from there. I got stuck in horrible traffic. When I got back to school I discovered that once again my roommate had shown a lack of respect for my space. She let one of her friends mess with some of my stuff. A couple pictures I had hanging up were all scratched and bent. I really don't want to be here, but I only have 11 more days on Campus.
The Anglican Communion continues to be all over the place. Now that I'm on the House of Bishops/Deputies listserv, I am bombarded with emails. I don't read all of them, but I read one the other day that spoke of Bob Duncan - Queen of Quittsburgh - I mean Bishop of Pittsburgh. It said he and his followers aren't Episcopalians or Anglicans, but instead members of "Duncanism" making them "Dunkers" and pretty soon you will start seeing them gathering at "Dunkin Donuts". I hope that now since a lot of the conservatives are leaving/left/planning on leaving we can move on, and focus on being Christ's body in the world.
November was an interesting month. Here were some of the highlights
On Sunday Nov. 4th I went to hear the choirs of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Pawtucket) and St. Luke's Episcopal Church (East Greenwich) sing a service of Evensong then in honor of All Saints and all who have been lost in the current war they sang Gabriel Faure's Requiem, which was breathe taking.
On the 11th, I had the opportunity to go to a confirmation, as it was part of the Bishop's visit at Trinity Saco, ME. It was a very nice service. I can imagine for those members of Trinity it was especially important as it was the last time Bp. Chilton Knudson will (most likely) visit Trinity before she retires.
Nov. 16 - 18 the UNE Players preformed Cupid's Dust. It was wonderful. I had such a blast being Dr. Love. It was great to finally get on stage, but it was sad that our journey as a cast - a family - is finally over.
Wednesday the 21st Mount had it's annual yearbook signing party. It was incredibly awkward, but great to see my friends - and finally get my yearbook.
THANKSGIVING - I had a nice relaxing day with my Mom. I did NOTHING!! It was a nice change from the way things normally work.
Friday the 23rd - Was my first Basement in such a long time. Again it was really great to spend sometime with my friends.
Saturday the 24th - Was most definitely a highlight of the month. I had breakfast with Dan. It was wonderful to see Dan, as I hadn't seen him since August. Then I headed over to Mount to meet Mrs. Smith and her daughter Kelly. we had a blast decorating her room. Than Mr. Smith met us and we went into Boston to go see ELLIOT! It was everything I had imagined and more. It made for a really late night - especially since I had to finish a presentation for church when I got home - but totally worth it.
Sunday the 25th - It was a normal crazy Sunday. I went to the 8 o'clock service at Christ Church Lincoln. I got there a few minutes late, because I went to Starbucks before Church. Then I lead the adult education session. Sunday was the Last Sunday after Pentecost. It was a day that the national church, and the diocese of Rhode Island designated as a special day of prayer, fasting, and giving to the MDGs and global reconciliation. Then I grabbed a few shots of Christ Church, and booked it over to St. Paul's Pawtucket for the 10:30 service. The service was wonderful as always, but coffee hour was the tops. I didn't get pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and there was pumpkin pie at coffee hour. I was SSSSOOOOO excited! Then I went back to Christ Church met with Scott, and headed to Mount to see the JR. High Drama production of Aladdin. It was marvelous - another classic Rita Maron production! Then back to Christ Church for the Emmaus service done U2charist style. It was great fun!
On Monday, a lot of little things happened that made it just a wonderful day. I went to Morning Prayer at St. Paul's then home and took a nap. i went out to lunch with Bill Locke which was a real treat for me to get to spend some time with him. Then I did some work. After dinner I went to visit Al Barnaby. It was so uplifting to see what progress he has made. I ended up spending about four hours with him as I didn't leave till about 10. How time flies when you're having fun!
Today had it's ups and it's downs. It started off great. Went to Starbucks, then 7:30 Eucharist at St. Paul's then coffee and conversation. Since the clergy had a safe church training at St. Paul's at 9 Bill Locke and Mother Susan couldn't say morning prayer with Bette and I, so I got to lead it. That was really cool. I went home packed my stuff and headed back to school. The day went down hill from there. I got stuck in horrible traffic. When I got back to school I discovered that once again my roommate had shown a lack of respect for my space. She let one of her friends mess with some of my stuff. A couple pictures I had hanging up were all scratched and bent. I really don't want to be here, but I only have 11 more days on Campus.
The Anglican Communion continues to be all over the place. Now that I'm on the House of Bishops/Deputies listserv, I am bombarded with emails. I don't read all of them, but I read one the other day that spoke of Bob Duncan - Queen of Quittsburgh - I mean Bishop of Pittsburgh. It said he and his followers aren't Episcopalians or Anglicans, but instead members of "Duncanism" making them "Dunkers" and pretty soon you will start seeing them gathering at "Dunkin Donuts". I hope that now since a lot of the conservatives are leaving/left/planning on leaving we can move on, and focus on being Christ's body in the world.
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