First Time and First Steps

Today my wife presided at the Lord's Table for the first time (she was ordained last week), and it was marvellous. I am so excited for her - she has been blessed by God with so many gifts for service in the Church. Just seeing her up on the altar this morning, listening to her sing the preface (she has a great voice), and hearing her echo those familiar and comforting Words of Institution - it was just wonderful.

On a related note . . . yesterday I received Entrance into the Candidacy Process for Ordained Ministry in the ELCA. This is the first step in the four-step process that leads to ordination. Usually after this step in the process the candidate enters seminary, but I already have my Master of Divinity (from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia). What remains for me, then, is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) experience as a hospital chaplain, and an internship. Along the way I will also have two additional extensive interviews with the Candidacy Committee (Endorsement and Approval) and, God willing, evenutally an Ordination and First Call.

And so with a mixture of joy and trepidation (and I think I can speak for my wife here), we ask "God give us strength," and we offer praise, "Thanks be to God!"