tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post8132075517787928633..comments2023-09-19T07:50:13.308-07:00Comments on Feminary: CrankinessStasihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-77304467144214562162008-02-04T07:01:00.000-08:002008-02-04T07:01:00.000-08:00Thanks for this entry--it makes me feel less alone...Thanks for this entry--it makes me feel less alone. I stood on the edges of various TEC ordination processes in four different dioceses (we moved a lot, another thing The Process doesn't provide for) for years, unready to jump into what friends described as "a meat grinder." When I finally did, the process imploded in a matter of months due to parish politics; I walked away to try and get my physical and mental health straightened out. The good news is that I'm better. The bad news is that, as you so eloquently say, there is no place for the gifts to grow, and I fear they are dying. Maybe they are being transformed. <BR/><BR/>I am sure that the mainline churches are shrinking partly because they are turning away the people who would help them change and grow.Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05414248070555399826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-85569507576900352022008-01-14T11:19:00.000-08:002008-01-14T11:19:00.000-08:00Oh, I forgot to say that we kind of keep Christmas...Oh, I forgot to say that we kind of keep Christmas at home at least till Baptism of Jesus and when possible till Candlemas--leave up most decorations though not the tree, and keep singing a carol as table prayer. Not the same as having the whole community do it at church but it's something. Gertrud Mueller Nelson has a way cool build your own nativity project with readings and songs and it goes all the way through so the last one has Simeon and Anna and the doves and that helps.Dr. Laura Marie Grimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10372741914558791844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-44769252480931249952008-01-14T11:12:00.000-08:002008-01-14T11:12:00.000-08:00Whoa, lot of news since I've visited. First of al...Whoa, lot of news since I've visited. <BR/><BR/>First of all congrats on the baby. I am so happy for you and hope you are feeling okay.<BR/><BR/>Second of all I am so sorry about the ministry blockage and rejection even as I admire how you are dealing with it. The "discernment" process can be so incredibly screwed up.... <BR/><BR/>Sending prayers.Dr. Laura Marie Grimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10372741914558791844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-58767712575226374862008-01-12T07:55:00.000-08:002008-01-12T07:55:00.000-08:00As supporter to another woman who has been halted ...As supporter to another woman who has been halted in the ordination process in TEC, I'm sorry and sickened for you. <BR/><BR/>I was born into this church and I'm not going down without a fight. There has to be a way to change this rotten freaking system. <BR/><BR/>Good luck with Hebrew.Mary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970052534402740820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-52028512479240666142008-01-08T11:05:00.000-08:002008-01-08T11:05:00.000-08:00I think the hardest challenge to the ordination pr...I think the hardest challenge to the ordination process is those that are already ordained. With a soon to be drought of priests you would think that the powers that be would be delighted in the fact that there are capable, confident individuals (men and women) who are desiring to become part of the future of the church. I hear so much of myself in what you posted over the past. It's amazing now that after this past weekend that I preached (and a lot longer than ECUSA sermons) I received such incredible feedback from clergy, leadership and attenders. It's this experience that makes me realize that perhaps the system is broken, fractured or just wound too tight at the moment as it is letting so many good people get away.<BR/><BR/>Hang in there and brush up on that Hebrew girl!M.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09926939152675022776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-62710618127290967852008-01-08T07:56:00.000-08:002008-01-08T07:56:00.000-08:00As a postulant in her 4th year of discernment, not...As a postulant in her 4th year of discernment, not at seminary, and unbelievably frustrated and angry at the process, I'm grateful for this post. Thanks for writing it.<BR/><BR/>I can't tell you how many times my husband has said, "I see God in your call to ordination, but I do not see God in the ordination process."Dihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05501047587752329779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-36396995949385997752008-01-07T12:46:00.000-08:002008-01-07T12:46:00.000-08:00I believe that the church is missing out on many p...I believe that the church is missing out on many people who would be absolutely wonderful priests, and possibly even rushing a few through who are ill-equipped and/or don't have that deep passion that I see in those who don't give up after 5...10...20 years. In the end, the church is a human institution, however closely it tries to follow the Spirit's guidance. It has made errors and unfortunately will keep doing so this side of fulfillment. And remember, it has shortchanged many of its best. Consider yourself in line with Origen, Pelagius, Abelard, Luther, Hildegard of Bingen, and most of the mystics (to me, this is a compliment). We may not become what we first believed we were called to, but that doesn't mean we will shut up...or that we won't impact the church's history.Stasihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-36389218571698908962008-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:002008-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00As someone still in the beginning of this process ...As someone still in the beginning of this process (sort of, ten years on is there really a beginning to talk about?) this is my nightmare. And at the same time your talk of God's vision and gifts gives me a great deal to think on. Thank you for being honest.<BR/><BR/>TandainaJosephine-https://www.blogger.com/profile/12328106972076348785noreply@blogger.com