Work in Progress

Ordination

2008-06-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

So, I am finally ordained!

It has taken me over 1/3 of my life to get to this point. After you add in all the years of education and probationary time it has been about 11 years. Has it been worth it? YES. The whole process has affirmed that I am called to the ministry of an ordained elder in the UMC.

This past weekend we had our Annual Conference. On Friday night we celebrated Ordination at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University. It was a beautiful service filled with emotion. Bishop Violet Fisher ordained the last class of ordinands before retirement and her message was uplifting, encouraging and challenging. Her sermon title was, "Called, Anointed, Appointed".

I also had about 60 friends, family members, and parishioners attend the service. And of course many of the clergy from our AC were there. I was awesome to be surrounded by so many people who have cared for and supported me with prayers and encouragement on my journey. Three of my dear friends from seminary (and their children) drove all the way from OH to be with me. It also meant so much to me that the choir members from both church sang in the joint choir with my choir director directing. They sang In the Midst of new Dimensions. I also had two very special clergy women colleagues/mentors stand up with me as my sponsors. They also presented me with a beautiful stole that was hand made by one's sister. I loved it!

The whole evening was wonderful. I certainly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I came forward, I kneeled and hands were layed on me and the Bishop said "Richelle Marie Duchano, take thou authority as an elder to preach the Word of God, and to administer the Holy Sacraments in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen". What an awesome responsibility to have placed upon my life. Then, the stole was placed upon my neck symbolizing the yoke of Christ and the yoke of service. I truly felt the presence of the Spirit upon me and to have this call that God has placed upon my life affirmed and celebrated was a powerful experience. It was also emotional as I was deeply moved several times throughout the evening. I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this place, for those who will continue to walk this journey with me, and for the new ones who will walk with me. Most of all, I am thankful to God for calling me and providing me with the grace to respond.

Content or Contemp?

2008-05-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call one afternoon from my D.S. sharing with me news that I didn't expect. I was told that the cabinet was appointing me to another church come July 1. Now, as a soon-to-be United Methodist elder, I know that appointments are for 1 year at a time. I was blessed to have been at my current churches for 3. But, it doesn't make leaving any easier.

As soon as I heard the news, life started to change. Questions were on my brain. What will the new congregation be like? Will they accept me? Will there be issues around my gender and age? How will my current churches react? Who is going to follow me? Have I been a good pastor to follow?

There were lots of questions and there still are. Life is changing. I am moving. I am being ordained. Life is a whirlwind. In the midst of so many questions and change how do embrace what lies ahead of me? I need to be open. I need space to grieve. I need time to process. I need God's grace to carry me. The next month is going to full of joy and sadness. It will be a time of welcoming and a time of saying goodbye. It will be a time of preparing. It will be a time to embrace something new.

I attended the Bishop's retreat for those being commissioned or ordained this year. It was a blessing to get to know new people and strengthen relationships that have already been established. The Bishop shared many words of wisdom but one was quite powerful. She was preaching on Ephesians and on the issue of contentment. The title of her sermon was Content or Contempt. She stressed that we should be content, through it all. Life is going to throw us curve balls but we have the choice to be content (for true contentment is in the Lord) or to be bitter and angry. I choose to be content. I choose to be content in the Lord no matter what lies ahead. For I know that God goes with me on this journey. God is already loving me and I get to love God and God's people back. That is my calling. That is where I find contentment. Where do you?

Food for Thought

2008-04-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

My probationary covenant group (those in the ordination process) is working through the book "Becoming a Pastor: Forming self and soul for ministry" by Jaco J. Hamman. We digest the book chapter by chapter and it has lead to very insightful discussions. This week read and discussed the chapter on the capacity to be alone. The opening sentence in the chapter is "To become a pastor is to be alone with yourself in the presence of others and God. The capacity to be alone describes the ability to contain one's emotions and appetites and to enter into appropriate relationships with significant others and strangers." Being alone is not being lonely. Being alone allows one to connect with one's self, with others and with the holy. What do you think?

Hamman also asks the question "How do you become a listening presence to persons, rather than an answering machine that dispenses theological advice?" I like that question. How do we become a listening presence? It reminds me of CPE days. I think that this is a question that all of us, not just pastors, need to examine. Sometimes is about listening. Sometimes it's about being quiet.

In our busy worlds we often fail to stop and connect with ourselves, with others and with God. Sometimes its not in the words we say but in our ability to be quiet and listen. When was the last time you truly listened? to yourself? to another? to God?

One step closer

2008-03-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

I am glad that February is over. It was a very stressful month in my life and I am personally thrilled that March is here. The major event in my life that caused many sleepless nights and anxiety to fill every bone in my body was the Ordination Interviews with the Board of Ordained Ministry. It was dreaded because of my own insecurities and the big 'ol questions that begin with What if...?

I have a fear of failure. Always have. I knew that in my heart of hearts that the last three years were far from failure when it comes to my growth as a person and as a pastor. But anxiety built as I thought about this 'what if': What if the Board does not see that growth. What if they don't see the gifts I bring. What if they don't agree with the congregations I serve?

Well they did! It was an extremely affirming day and went much smoother than I anticipated. When I woke up the day of the interview I wasn't stressed. It kind of freaked me out at how non-anxious I was. Of course I was a little nervous but that is to be expected. As the day progressed I had a peace come over me and by the end of the day I was confident that I was going to be approved. And I was! I was tired after a long day when I found out and didn't react like some of my other colleagues. I was happy but was not very emotional. Not sure why but it has been sinking in more and more.

The Sunday following my interview one of the Churches totally caught me off guard. The were playing it cool all morning and no one congratulated me. I thought this was weird. Well, at the end of the worship service I was presented with roses and other flowers, balloons, a huge card signed by everyone and cards hand-made by the kids. They had a reception for me with a beautiful cake at fellowship hour. What a wonderful celebration! I can not tell you how much that meant to me. Yet, it was their prayers and support that meant the most to me (by both churches).

So, here I am one step closer to where God has called me. I am one step closer because of God's grace. I am one stop closer because of the folks I am in ministry with. I am one step closer because of colleagues/mentors who pushed me and encouraged me. I am one step closer because of the love of my family. I am one step closer. Thank God. What is one thing you are closer to? What are you working towards and how has God and those around you helped?

It's been a while

2008-01-28T19:33:00.000-08:00

I am sorry it’s been so long. At least I’m back at it! Over the last month…
Christmas and Epiphany has come and gone
All the decorations are down
my brother went back to WA
I had a vacation and was able to visit a friend in PA
I started Weight Watchers (again) & down 13lbs.
Oswego experienced a snow storm & had a real snow day (both churches cancelled services!)
I officiated a funeral
Baptized a beautiful little girl
Dog sat for my parents

It has been a busy month. It has been a good month. Church life is going well and I continue to be inspired by the folks I serve. Of course there has been some rough patches but all in all it has been a great three years. I reflect upon this because in a few weeks I will be interviewing with my annual conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. I will be interviewed by 50 clergy colleagues and lay persons over one full day. Every step along the ordination process I have been affirmed by churches, boards, friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. Yet, even with this knowledge, I can’t help but be a bit nervous. I am confident of my call and my effectiveness as a pastor but the interview process can be daunting. I am thankful for my parishioners who have so much faith in me and in my mentors in ministry for helping me along the way. I am thankful for the call to serve and thankful for the God who called me. Keep me in your prayers.

In the readings from Sunday, Jesus calls Simon Peter, James, John and Andrew to follow him. No questions asked- they immediately follow. I have a feeling that when they did their lives were never the same. The same is with us. On this journey of discipleship we are called to follow by offer healing, wholeness, and peace in the name of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that as we do, in whatever ways we do, that we are changed and we are transformed by the God who calls all of us.

Week full of surprises

2007-12-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

This week went by way too fast! It was filled with a few surprises (some good and some bad) but overall it was a wonderful Christmas week. My grandma drove 2 hours from the north country and showed up at my parents house last Sunday morning. No one expected her to come for Christmas. That was a very good surprise. Then, my brother and his girlfriend arrived safe and sound from WA after having a little problem with the airlines. It was truly a blessing to see them. We spent a lot of time catching up and playing a ton of Canasta.

In between family time, I was preparing for the big Christmas Eve services. That's where the not-so-good surprise comes in. In all my attempts to be super organized, my worst nightmare happened. See, I started off at church #2 to get everything all set before I went to church #1. Well, I happened to leave my manuscript(sermon) for church #1 at church #2. So, when I arrived at church #1 I freaked out. Here I was, on one of the biggest days of the church year, without my manuscript. So, I calmed down and scribbled on a piece of paper to recall all my key points. All said and done, it all went well and almost everyone had no idea of my mishap. Talk about preaching from the heart!

I tried to shake off what happened at church #1 and walked into church #2, ready for the festivities. Worship went beautifully and it was an added bonus that most of my family was present. After worship, I went home to grab Duke and my packed bags and headed to my parents. It was a wonderful Christmas day and Santa was very good to me. Yet, what made it wonderful was just being with family and friends. I definitely felt the joy of Christmas this year as we recalled old memories and made new ones.

The final surprise was that despite my mishaps, or any of our mistakes, the joy of Christmas comes. It is not dependent upon a perfect evening. It is not dependent upon anything we do or don't do. Christmas comes. Christ comes. Joy comes. Hope comes. One woman, on her way out the door at church #2 said "Thank you. This gave me hope." Why was I surprised to hear such a thing. Why was I surprised that God showed up? Why was I surprised that hope was found? Where have you felt the joy and hope of Christmas?

Jesus in Philadelphia?

2007-12-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

I was getting my boots on and getting ready to leave the church when I heard one of the Sunday School kids talking. She was telling some of the other kids that Jesus was coming and he was going to be in Philadelphia! I am not kidding. She was dead serious. I asked her to repeat what I thought I heard her say. She said that Jesus was going to be in Philadelphia next week. Some of the other kids started laughing. She started to get upset and said "I'm not kidding, Jesus is coming to Philadelphia, and I know that it is true because I saw it on the news." She couldn't have been more serious. I would have liked to talk with her more about what she "heard" on the news (maybe she got Jesus and Santa mixed up?!) but I had to run to the other church.

Yet, I started to think about how serious she was, and how positive she was that Jesus was coming. Isn't that what Advent should be all about. Shouldn't we be taking Jesus' coming seriously. We have this time called Advent to prepare our hearts and our lives for Jesus to enter. We hear the story of how God came to earth in a little baby. We have been reading about the second coming of Christ in the lectionary. Yet, how serious do we take it.

How are we really preparing for Christ to come? That little girl on Sunday made me aware of how, as we get older, we grow more skeptical. Maybe we get so skeptical that we fail to see the truth in front of us. That little girl is positive that Jesus is showing up. Are we?

"And a child shall lead them".

Sweet Honey in the Rock

2007-12-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Last night, I attended a concert unlike any other. I saw Sweet Honey In The Rock at SUNY Oswego. It was amazing. The group is made up of six African-American women who blend their voices in a mix of blues, gospel, and jazz. They were awesome. One of my favorites that they sang was "I Remember I Believe" . They were also on NPR recently. In the show, they sing another one of my favorite spirituals with a twist, "Do What the Spirit Say Do" (to hear the song...go about 7:00 minuted into the interview). Most of their music is about freedom, justice, and truth. It was exactly what my spirit needed and I left the concert uplifted and renewed. It was truly a blessing to me. If you ever have the chance to see and experience them I highly recommend that you do so.

I went to the concert with a few people and had a great time. Yet, on the way home, one person made a comment that bothered me. This person said that they liked the concert but thought SHIR talked too much about how 'bad' the white man is. I disagreed with her (that was not the ethos of the concert) but tried to respect where she was coming from. It was just interesting to me that we spent 2 hours listening about freedom and justice (for ALL people) and a few comments were turned into how 'bad' the white man is (because some of the songs reminded us how we need to learn from history). Racism rears its ugly head in many different ways...most of the time it comes from ignorance or failing to recognize that racism is systemic and not something that happened to people long ago.

Sweet Honey In The Rock is a group that evoked so many emotions for me and rekindled my spirit. What lately has rekindled yours?

Reunions

2007-11-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I had my 10 year high school reunion. I can not believe that it has been ten years since I graduated. Sometimes, it seems like just yesterday that I was caught up in the drama that comes with being in high school. Then, on other days, it seems like ages ago. I know that I am a very different person than I was 10 years and I'll be the first to say that being a minister was definitely NOT on the radar. Yet, when I showed up at the reunion it seemed like I had traveled in a time machine. We were, on the most part, sitting with our own cliques. As one friend said, "It's like sitting in the lunch room again." Don't get me wrong, there was some mingling...but mostly we stayed close to our friends.

It was interesting to see what some people are doing with their lives and to see that they have accomplished so much. Then, there were some who haven't really done anything since graduation and are stuck in time. (Please, we are 28 and they were playing beer pong!) Overall, not what I expected, but I am glad that I went.

It is amazing to see how God works in our lives and what God calls us to do. I am thankful that I am not the same person I was in high school and I am thankful for great group of friends I grew up with who have supported and encouraged me along the way; friends I met 20 years ago with whom I can't imagine my life without. I wonder...will our 20th be the same? Hopefully no beer pong. Hopefully surrounded by friends and remembering the drama and the events that helped to shape us.

Life

2007-11-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

Life. Life is complicated. Life is wonderful. Life is short. Life is hard. Life is beautiful. Life is a gift.

A few days ago, the congregation I serve, and the community I live in, lost a dear friend. He died suddenly Thursday morning. Now everyone is dealing with shock, grief, and sadness. This man was not perfect but he was a truly good man who loved deeply. He was also thankful for the gift of life. He was thankful for his wife and family. He was thankful for the ability to serve God. He was thankful for his gift of music.

I say that he was thankful because I KNOW he was. Why? Because he took every opportunity to say it. He told his loved ones that he loved them. He told the church how much he loved the community that surrounded him and believed 100% in the mission and ministry they are doing. He also sang and played music from his heart...a gift that he used to bring glory to God and joy to people.

How often we tell/show others what we are thankful for? Do we tell those we love that we are thankful for what they bring to our lives? Do we share with people the blessings in our lives? How good are we at telling God we are thankful? Thankful for the gifts that have been given to us. Thankful for the gift of family(however you define family). Thankful for the gift of second chances. Thankful for the gift of life.

Each day is precious. Life is precious. How do you show your thankfulness?

Duke Therapy

2007-11-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know who this beautiful boxer dog is....his name is Duke and he is my 100lb. 2 year old. He can be quite a handful! I spent the entire day at a conference for 'Safe Sanctuaries' and it was an excellent presentation. I knew that I would be gone all day (plus and hour drive each way) and that it would be a long day for Duke in his crate. He didn't seem to be too mad at me when I arrived home. I swear that sometimes he has no idea how long he has been alone. I just took a picture of him after his evening "freak out". He will take his purple toy in his mouth and run around the house like crazy. It is quite entertaining and I just step aside during the episode. Sometimes I wish I had his energy! More than anything though I enjoy his company(especially for keeping my feet warm while I sleep) even if he is a terror at times. He is also a work in progress! Sometimes, in the busy hectic world of parish ministry, he is the only thing that can keep me sane....and through the grace of God.~

Might as well try

2007-11-12T21:14:00.000-08:00

So, I am new to this whole blogging thing and I hope that I can keep it up! I have wanted to do it for a long time now, but just got around to it. It is almost 9pm and ready to rest a bit before bed. It was nice to have most of the day off (Veterans Day). We celebrated Veterans Day in church on Sunday and I was amazed at the number of men and women who have served in the armed forces. There were a ton! I truly am grateful for their service and their courage. The prayer I shared with the congregation was:

God of the ages,

We thank You for all who have served in the armed forces of this country.

We thank You for the freedom their sacrifice has earned and guarded for us.

Help us to prize this freedom and use it well.

We ask You to bless all living veterans in a special way today,

as well as the families of all veterans.

Comfort those who grieve for those who gave the last full measure of devotion. Strengthen those who bear physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds.

Stand with those who provide care to them.

Move us to reach out to sisters and brothers who are veterans,

or relatives of veterans, or who currently serve in the military.

We pray for the day when no one needs to serve in the military.

Help us to live now in anticipation of that day, as people who long for peace,

who pray for peace, and who seek to be peacemakers in this world. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I did not write the prayer and can not track down the author but it touched me. So, as I sit here thinking about the day I had 'free' from work, I am reminded of all those who have served this country and risked their lives. I also hope and pray for a day when there will be no need for a military; when peace is more than something we hope for and becomes a reality.~