Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of my ordination. On August 11, 2013 surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues, I was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Chicago in Hyde Park. The picture above is of me receiving the charge to the ordinate candidate. I’m wearing the robe my parents bought for me as a graduation gift when I graduated from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 2011. You might notice it’s the same robe I still wear today. That makes me think it might be time to have it cleaned…
A lot of studying, writing, discerning, wrestling, and talking with mentors led up to that moment of accepting the charge to serve God and God’s people as an ordained minister. And since then, there’s been more studying, writing, wrestling, and talking with mentors as I’ve often fumbled, sometimes stumbled, and occasionally danced. There were years of clinging to that call when I didn’t know if it would ever be fully realized, seasons of worrying that I that I wouldn’t be able to do it when the time came, moments of joy when I got glimpses of what it could be.
The past eight years have certainly been a journey. I’m grateful for the things I’ve learned along the way and know there’s more to learn in the seasons ahead. I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made along the way and look forward to the ones I will meet in the future. And I’m grateful this path has brought me here to you—to a church that’s willing to try new things, a church that’s ready to dream together, a church that loves and cares and welcomes all God’s people.
In Love,
Pastor Annette