EVEN NOW

Even now it seems we women clergy still hit the brick wall of churches and church members who aren't open to women pastors. I ran into this during my many years of interim ministry. I know that I have broken the way for some churches to call a female pastor - some probably more ready than others. I had hoped that we would've moved beyond this in this 21st century and with women being pastors for 60 years in the PC(USA),  a few years less in the ELCA, and I'm not sure how long in the Methodist Church.
   I only bring this up since at the M church I serve as visitation pastor, has had their pastor reassigned as Methodists are wont to do and he has left. He was my age and will likely be serving his last pastorate. As always, whenever there is a pastoral transition, some will leave the church and new folks or those who weren't happy with the present pastor will come back with a new pastor. I've experienced that many times as an interim.
   The new pastor coming in is fairly young, in her 30's, with 2 young children. She was most recently at a larger church as assistant pastor, after apparently serving a couple smaller, rural congregations.
The District Bishop must be grooming her for larger and multi-staff positions and so she will serve as Head of Staff here. All of which means, there will be a learning curve for her.
   As with any pastoral transition, there is always some amount of anxiety amongst staff and members as to how things will work, function and be with this new pastor.
   Since this M church is in an affluent suburb with working professional families, a highly regarded
school system and fairly progressive in theology - they are a reconciling congregation (LGBTQ welcoming church), there has been some rumbling about a female minister. Which I have found
surprising! Granted I'm not here on Sundays, since I am serving as an interim at L church, so I'm not always in the loop as perhaps I could be.
   At the farewell picnic for the last pastor this past Sunday, I connected with some folks and made rounds at a few tables. There is one older couple in their early 80's, very active, he helped repair bikes for the bike ministry here, she attended the women's circle and UMW, etc. Now, they had attended a Baptist Church for quite awhile, I believe she was Methodist growing up and early adulthood. They have a granddaughter who serves as a missionary on a Native American Reservation out west, or somewhere in the world. (there is another person's granddaughter who has done missionary work o a reservation out west as well - hoping I'm not mixing them up). So, she came up to me a little teary-eyed and saying they are going back to the Baptist church, because she so loves the Word, meaning Scripture, and studying the word, and bringing her Bible to church where no one here seems to.
I said I was so sorry to see them leave, and that I know what God's Word means to her. She said she heard some folks weren't too keen on a woman pastor, and I replied, that I find it hard to judge someone I haven't meet yet and perhaps folks should give her chance because "she might blow them out of the water!" The whole thing, excuse for leaving M church seemed a bit odd, as they truly enjoyed the fellowship here.
    Today, from the office administrators, I heard that they know this couple is leaving and that they have a problem with women clergy. I'm like, OK, I've been at the Circle meetings and their Bible study, sometimes leading them when the Ed Director is gone, and I helped at one World Communion Service presiding at communion. Her granddaughter is a missionary for heaven's sakes and obviously has a call to share the Word of God and probably lead worship services or at the very least, help with them.
    All of which, strikes me as inconsistent. If she so loves the Word of God and studies it, what does she make of Priscilla and Aquila, Lydia, the women followers of Jesus (oh, it's ok to follow, but never to lead) Phoebe, etc. The women at the tomb who were the first evangelists telling of the good news of Christ's resurrection! What of Paul's words: "There is neither Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or free, for all are one in Christ."? Maybe she needs to study some more!
   It still frosts me and blows me away that some folks are still this way.
   So I pray, for the new pastor coming on aboard here at M church. Even I don't know how we will get along. But I trust in the work of God and because I keep a low profile and don't meddle or get in the way, I hope that is helpful for her. I pray God will give her wisdom and guidance in her ministry here and as she ministers in such a liminal time for the M church and their discernment whether to stay with the UMC or to break off with the other progressive UMC churches to form a new denomination. And what all that will mean for me as I serve here.
    Blessed be her time here with a fresh voice and new perspective and I pray that folks here, who have experienced many different pastors, be open, get to know her, and come to love her.
    I guess we, women clergy, will still come up against this for some time to come yet. More's the pity. I had thought we had moved beyond this by now. God help us all.

ANNUAL MARATHON WEEKEND

   As I stare down at my upcoming marathon weekend, I am now a great-aunt again to two beautiful twin girls - Simone and Maya. Hoping to get to see the this summer and for sure in November over Thanksgiving.
   This weekend I will do my annual marathon - no, I am not running! And certainly not with my foot that is still healing!
   The marathon is the L Synod Assembly. I will be getting up at 6:15 am Fri/Sat.. Then LH & I will drive (20-30 mins) to nearest bigger city to the convention hall. There will be worship and meeting until noon when I will go back to the parking garage, drive home (have to use a different way since the usual on -ramp to the Interstate is under construction. Most of the main roads and Interstates in this city are under construction and have been for 2 two years already. But this year, they closed down the ramp)
feed the dog and let him out, wolf down my box lunch which I pick up before I leave the convention center, lock things back up and drive as fast as I get away with back to the convention center, park the car in the garage and make my way into the center for more meeting, workshop, voting and closing worship. Then drive home, pick up something not so healthy on our way home, feed the dog, let him out, eat dinner, and I know I will be icing my foot! Then early to bed. Up early Sat. morning, drive into city, worship, meeting, workshop, meeting and worship. They go til 1:30 pm with no lunch. Everyone is dying for lunch by noon and yet the schedule goes on. Then the drive home, a throw together lunch of whatever is in the fridge, write new words of invitation for Sat. worship communion, go over my sermon, fill in people's names for prayers, and remember that the silver Hershey kisses and a container come with for Father's Day give-away. Hope to sneak in a quick nap and then leave around 4 pm for church, set up communion, turn on lights, unlock doors, worship at 5 pm, clean up communion, turn off lights, lock all doors, return home. Go over to next-door neighbor who's daughter graduated HS and attend the party. Hope there's still food left at that point to for my dinner. Come back home and ice my foot. Up early Sunday morning for worship - the usual prep for worship, worship, and then turning off lights and locking the doors. I'll be ready for a major snooze when I get home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   Since serving L churches as an interim - I've been doing this for 8 years now!!! I think the older I get the more tiring it is! And I don't move as fast with my foot.
   I pray God's strength to endure this annual marathon and rest for my weary body and soul!