Precursor to the UMC
This is the start of my call to ministry story. Excerpts were taken from this, though this post is the first place where I have published this story publicly. Once I get through the entire series of posts dedicated to the call to ministry story, I will publish the story without context in its entirety.
I was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Mankato, MN. My faith story starts with attending Sunday School there, and later St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Vernon Center, when my mom remarried. My blended family of six kids attended Sunday School every week, as a form of respite for my parents. They dropped us off and picked us up right afterwards. We never were part of the Christmas program or other types of events – except VBS. A church volunteer drove us to and from VBS, since it was during the day in summer and both of my parents worked outside of the home.
I started going to church as a result of Confirmation classes in 7th-8th grade. We had to take sermon notes, and that meant that I had to go to church (alone). I remember asking my pastor questions about his vocation – I don’t remember the specific questions – but the conversation went to gender roles in the LCMS church. Women weren’t allowed to be voting members, be in the council, etc. They could be Sunday School teachers, participate in the choir, lectionaries, etc. However, men took on the principal functions as the head of the relationship of husband/wife, similarly to the church being led by men, with women serving more maternal type functions. I struggled with Confirmation classes – the little exposure I had in a church setting didn’t provide me with any benefits when it came to memory work and tests. I remember taking the same test on the Apostle’s Creed and Luther’s Small Catechism three times before I had a passing score. I was confirmed in the spring of 1999.
Peace,
Positively Pastoral Jessica
I was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Mankato, MN. My faith story starts with attending Sunday School there, and later St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Vernon Center, when my mom remarried. My blended family of six kids attended Sunday School every week, as a form of respite for my parents. They dropped us off and picked us up right afterwards. We never were part of the Christmas program or other types of events – except VBS. A church volunteer drove us to and from VBS, since it was during the day in summer and both of my parents worked outside of the home.
I started going to church as a result of Confirmation classes in 7th-8th grade. We had to take sermon notes, and that meant that I had to go to church (alone). I remember asking my pastor questions about his vocation – I don’t remember the specific questions – but the conversation went to gender roles in the LCMS church. Women weren’t allowed to be voting members, be in the council, etc. They could be Sunday School teachers, participate in the choir, lectionaries, etc. However, men took on the principal functions as the head of the relationship of husband/wife, similarly to the church being led by men, with women serving more maternal type functions. I struggled with Confirmation classes – the little exposure I had in a church setting didn’t provide me with any benefits when it came to memory work and tests. I remember taking the same test on the Apostle’s Creed and Luther’s Small Catechism three times before I had a passing score. I was confirmed in the spring of 1999.
I make the point about gender roles in the LCMS church for a specific reason in my call to ministry story. I mention it because it wasn't until much later that I was even allowed to comprehend the notion that women were capable of serving in a leadership position in a church setting. Yet I felt the spirit calling me to something more. I know in my heart that the experiences of my youth have opened my eyes to understanding my path. To challenge things rather than to rely on what has been ingrained in me. My path leads to LOVE with full inclusion for all people, no matter what race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or other form of weirdness sets people apart by the world's standards.
So here's the positive part of my Positively Pastoral blog -
If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. If you seek answers to questions, you will find answers to them. And if the answer isn't good enough, or is too restrictive, keep trying.
There is a path for you that is solely yours. Whether you believe that is God directly providing this path for you, or a result of listening to the still small voice - it is solely yours to take up. You are allowed to follow your own way, not the way that the world tells you to follow. It can feel lonely, but it is also freeing to know that you can direct your own destiny.
You are loved. You can overcome. And you are never alone.
Peace,
Positively Pastoral Jessica
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