One of the things that I have really enjoyed about my job is the fact that I travel roads in Georgia many people never do. CBF/GA has churches in just about every corner of the state, which means I may not always travel interstates 75, 85 or 20 all the time (which after living in Atlanta for three years is refreshing to say the least!) Or, I may start there, but end up on roads that take me through the real Georgia.
I noticed this almost immediately last fall when I traveled south to Fitzgerald for the first time. I was able to enjoy a two-lane state highway and the beautiful fields and pecan groves all around me. Or in my many trips to Taliaferro County, while there is often little to look at besides trees, reminds you of the vastness of the state. It has been at those points that my "Atlanta bubble" has been popped. No, its true, Atlanta cannot be your only depiction of Georgia.
This past weekend, Carson and I traveled to St. Simons so I could meet with FBC about hosting March Mission Madness there this upcoming Spring. After looking online at how to get there, I really was not quite sure what we would see once we exited I-16. We went through towns with names like Lumber City, Hazelhurst, Baxley, and Jesup. We saw old downtowns squares, beautiful old houses and literally slowed down as we approached each town every few miles. Finally, after almost four hours, we arrived on St Simons. We spent a good part of the day just driving and walking around the beautiful and pristine island, again, very different than other parts of the state. We ate fantastic seafood, visited the local shops, drove through the round-abouts, and envied those on their bicycles riding around the island.
Being a proud North Carolina native and "city girl," I'm honestly becoming fascinated with Georgia the more of it that I see. Every time I get the opportunity to travel, I hope that I take roads I haven't before, so that I can go to a new part of the state and experience the newness and uniqueness of each city or town, whether its just passing through or staying for awhile. Wherever the roads take me, I'm just glad I'm branching out beyond 285 and that my experience has not just been Atlanta, even though I love it. There is a lot more to see in Georgia, a lot to experience, many people to meet, and much to understand about the state where we now live and serve. And I think I'm really going to like it.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Ordination & A New Job!
This week has been quite full of emotions and new titles. Last weekend I was ordained and today I just found out I have a new job!
Last weekend, Laura and I got to spend time with family and friends in North Carolina as I was ordained at First Baptist Church of Elon. My brother Jordan drove in from DC and my sister Sarah flew in from New Orleans to join the rest of the family in Statesville for some family time before the big events. This included a trip to Outback to use up some gift certificates Mom and Dad had won at a local Boys & Girls Club auction!
I knew going into the ordination that it would be an emotional day, but was still surprised by the overwhelming feelings of blessing and exhaustion that came as it played out. Laura's family along with my family and our friends Clark and Jessica joined FBC Elon for Sunday worship service to which Rev. Mark Mofield surprised me by calling me up to join him for the children's sermon and share how I came to the point of moving forward with ordination. I hear from family members that I did all right in answering, but I can safely say the challenge of explaining a lifetime's calling and spiritual movement to proceed with ordination to a group of elementary schoolers in front of a congregation of people may have been one of my more difficult in ministry thus far.
Following lunch with the Mofield family and our crew, I was able to take Laura's family around Elon and show them the ole' college stomping grounds. I have great memories of Elon and it was fun to get to share some of those with her family while walking and driving around campus.
The afternoon began to pick up when we headed back to the church. Folks arrived early as they came in from all over. FBC Elon friends came back for a second round of church in the building. Family came from Greensboro and Sanford. Statesville friends included friends from FBC Statesville, former ministers, my mother's prayer group, a few of my best friends growing up, Andrew and Brent, who came from Charleston, SC and Chapel Hill to be with their families and myself for the event. Anna, who took care of my siblings and me growing up, even made her way up from Wilmington to join her parents in celebrating the day!
I also was able to celebrate the event alongside fellow ministers who have mentored me in my path up to this point. Scott Hagaman, my former youth minister, came from Marion, NC to lead us in prayer. Tonya Stewart, whom I worked with for a summer at FBC Statesville, came to read scripture. Jack Causey, who pastored FBC Statesville when I was a child and teen, came to explain the meaning of the event. Laura led us in an ordination prayer. FBC Elon staff David Durham as well as Mark took part in welcoming the congregation and recognizing me. Phil Smith, my friend from Elon who serves as Associate Chaplain, gave me a charge. He based it off of a similar charge that I gave him at his installation to his position in 2006, the beginning of my senior year as a Phoenix. Each person spoke beautifully and humbled me greatly. Mark's wife Amy as well as the FBC choir did a wonderful job leading us in music as well in setting the tone of the call experience of ministry and acceptance to follow it.
The laying on of hands is where I finally became overwhelmed with emotion. It began when I heard Amy singing "Here I Am, Lord," a song that my youth choir would sing on choir tours in high school. I finally lost it when friends and family came to lay hands upon me with words of blessing and prayers for perseverance. The words shared are ones I will never forget.
The day was capped off by a visit to Twin Lakes Retirement Community in Burlington to visit Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen is Sarah's senior friend whom I have heard about ever since Sarah led the efforts for her sorority in spending time with individuals at the retirement community. Mary Ellen has become like another grandmother to Sarah and is someone who at 89 years of age, still has a great sense of humor and is lively during some natural health decline. I believe that this was the perfect experience to finish an afternoon of ministry because I got to see how Sarah has served Mary Ellen and Mary Ellen has served Sarah. Each has provided community to another and a comforting figure to rely upon. She already knew who Laura and I were from our introductions and congratulated us on the wedding. I was ministered to by Mary Ellen as well as I saw a wonderful example of a life-long Christ follower who shared joy with us for a simple visit.
I feel blessed to have been part of such a wonderful day and even more so to have friends and family that care so deeply for me in this ministry journey alongside Laura. I look forward to continue to share how that call develops as we move forward in life together!
In other news, I just got a call from Mercer University and I accepted a job as an Admissions Counselor! This has been a long time coming as the last few months I have looked for something that would not just utilize my skills, but be meaningful work. That all came together with this position and I'm excited! I'll start next week. I'm sure I"ll have plenty to post in my recruiting travels in the Southeast and into the Mid-Atlantic.
Last weekend, Laura and I got to spend time with family and friends in North Carolina as I was ordained at First Baptist Church of Elon. My brother Jordan drove in from DC and my sister Sarah flew in from New Orleans to join the rest of the family in Statesville for some family time before the big events. This included a trip to Outback to use up some gift certificates Mom and Dad had won at a local Boys & Girls Club auction!
I knew going into the ordination that it would be an emotional day, but was still surprised by the overwhelming feelings of blessing and exhaustion that came as it played out. Laura's family along with my family and our friends Clark and Jessica joined FBC Elon for Sunday worship service to which Rev. Mark Mofield surprised me by calling me up to join him for the children's sermon and share how I came to the point of moving forward with ordination. I hear from family members that I did all right in answering, but I can safely say the challenge of explaining a lifetime's calling and spiritual movement to proceed with ordination to a group of elementary schoolers in front of a congregation of people may have been one of my more difficult in ministry thus far.
Following lunch with the Mofield family and our crew, I was able to take Laura's family around Elon and show them the ole' college stomping grounds. I have great memories of Elon and it was fun to get to share some of those with her family while walking and driving around campus.
The afternoon began to pick up when we headed back to the church. Folks arrived early as they came in from all over. FBC Elon friends came back for a second round of church in the building. Family came from Greensboro and Sanford. Statesville friends included friends from FBC Statesville, former ministers, my mother's prayer group, a few of my best friends growing up, Andrew and Brent, who came from Charleston, SC and Chapel Hill to be with their families and myself for the event. Anna, who took care of my siblings and me growing up, even made her way up from Wilmington to join her parents in celebrating the day!
I also was able to celebrate the event alongside fellow ministers who have mentored me in my path up to this point. Scott Hagaman, my former youth minister, came from Marion, NC to lead us in prayer. Tonya Stewart, whom I worked with for a summer at FBC Statesville, came to read scripture. Jack Causey, who pastored FBC Statesville when I was a child and teen, came to explain the meaning of the event. Laura led us in an ordination prayer. FBC Elon staff David Durham as well as Mark took part in welcoming the congregation and recognizing me. Phil Smith, my friend from Elon who serves as Associate Chaplain, gave me a charge. He based it off of a similar charge that I gave him at his installation to his position in 2006, the beginning of my senior year as a Phoenix. Each person spoke beautifully and humbled me greatly. Mark's wife Amy as well as the FBC choir did a wonderful job leading us in music as well in setting the tone of the call experience of ministry and acceptance to follow it.
The laying on of hands is where I finally became overwhelmed with emotion. It began when I heard Amy singing "Here I Am, Lord," a song that my youth choir would sing on choir tours in high school. I finally lost it when friends and family came to lay hands upon me with words of blessing and prayers for perseverance. The words shared are ones I will never forget.
The day was capped off by a visit to Twin Lakes Retirement Community in Burlington to visit Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen is Sarah's senior friend whom I have heard about ever since Sarah led the efforts for her sorority in spending time with individuals at the retirement community. Mary Ellen has become like another grandmother to Sarah and is someone who at 89 years of age, still has a great sense of humor and is lively during some natural health decline. I believe that this was the perfect experience to finish an afternoon of ministry because I got to see how Sarah has served Mary Ellen and Mary Ellen has served Sarah. Each has provided community to another and a comforting figure to rely upon. She already knew who Laura and I were from our introductions and congratulated us on the wedding. I was ministered to by Mary Ellen as well as I saw a wonderful example of a life-long Christ follower who shared joy with us for a simple visit.
I feel blessed to have been part of such a wonderful day and even more so to have friends and family that care so deeply for me in this ministry journey alongside Laura. I look forward to continue to share how that call develops as we move forward in life together!
In other news, I just got a call from Mercer University and I accepted a job as an Admissions Counselor! This has been a long time coming as the last few months I have looked for something that would not just utilize my skills, but be meaningful work. That all came together with this position and I'm excited! I'll start next week. I'm sure I"ll have plenty to post in my recruiting travels in the Southeast and into the Mid-Atlantic.
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