EXHIBITING A SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION AND ONGOING SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Loving God, Following Jesus Christ, and being guided by the Holy Spirit; living a life of discipleship and Being called by ordained ministry by God and the Church
Throughout my spiritual journey God's love has sustained me and motivated me even when there was no visible path for me fully to answer my call. I went through a very difficult divorce one semester into my start of seminary. At that time, I assumed that I had made a mistake and that ordained ministry was not my calling. I had no choice but to stop seminary and begin working full time as a speech-language pathologist again in order to support myself and my five children. However, this was not the case for long as I was approached by one of my classmates and asked if I would like to fill in for him at a rural church in Ryan, Iowa. That turned into a regular pulpit supply job which continued on-line during the pandemic. I was able to continue taking classes for the spring semester while working to get my speech-language pathology license active again.
I did not think I could continue on with seminary after I completed my first year. However, I preached the Sunday before fall classes at the seminary began at my home congregation where I was informed after worship that an anonymous donor had given enough money for me to take two more classes the next semester! I was also asked to come back and work at First Congregational United Church of Christ 10 hours a week in August of 2021. In May, 2022 the Senior Pastor took a position as Executive Conference Minister in Michigan so my hours were then increased to 20 per week to take on the additional needs of pastoral care and leading Sunday worship. In the Fall, it became clear that our needs of the congregation had grown again at which time my hours were increased to 40-50 a week. In June 2023, I entered into a 18 month designated term contract with First Congregational United Church of Christ during the time of their transition of calling a Senior Pastor.
My calling to ordained ministry was initially an external calling, with others recognizing that it was my calling and I hesitated and questioning the calling every step of the way. However, during my time at First Congregational United Church of Christ, my calling to ordained ministry has become clear to me internally as well. This is what I was created to do. This is my calling.
I did not think I could continue on with seminary after I completed my first year. However, I preached the Sunday before fall classes at the seminary began at my home congregation where I was informed after worship that an anonymous donor had given enough money for me to take two more classes the next semester! I was also asked to come back and work at First Congregational United Church of Christ 10 hours a week in August of 2021. In May, 2022 the Senior Pastor took a position as Executive Conference Minister in Michigan so my hours were then increased to 20 per week to take on the additional needs of pastoral care and leading Sunday worship. In the Fall, it became clear that our needs of the congregation had grown again at which time my hours were increased to 40-50 a week. In June 2023, I entered into a 18 month designated term contract with First Congregational United Church of Christ during the time of their transition of calling a Senior Pastor.
My calling to ordained ministry was initially an external calling, with others recognizing that it was my calling and I hesitated and questioning the calling every step of the way. However, during my time at First Congregational United Church of Christ, my calling to ordained ministry has become clear to me internally as well. This is what I was created to do. This is my calling.
Continuing discernment of one's call in community
I have also felt my call to ordained ministry affirmed by the larger community. I've been asked to participate in spoken word events such as: Readings Under the Influence which is described on their website as: 'Art, Buzz, & A Captive Audience' - RUI is a themed, interactive live + local arts showcase.
I have also officiated three funerals for people who did not have a church and learned about me through my community connections.
I officiated the wedding of one of my yoga students daughter's after receiving permission from the Conference. And have also officiated two wedding for members of the community through First Congregational United Church of Christ.
It is an honor that I do not undertake lightly, especially since I may be the "face" of the Church for those attending.
Here is a statement regarding a funeral I performed:
Pastor Kaity served as minister for my husband's funeral last year. Bob, my husband, had served with Kaity while a member of First Congregational UCC, so she knew him well.
Bob passed away just as Kaity was taking over the interim pastor position, so some might think that that would have negatively impacted the planning of the service. It did not. Kaity carefully listened to what I (and Bob) had in mind for readings, music, etc., and we created a tribute to Bob's life that all appreciated and many envied.
The service was beautiful; in fact, it was perfect. Hundreds of people attended—people from many different Christian backgrounds—and many of them shared with me things like
Respectfully,
Ann Pelelo
I have also officiated three funerals for people who did not have a church and learned about me through my community connections.
I officiated the wedding of one of my yoga students daughter's after receiving permission from the Conference. And have also officiated two wedding for members of the community through First Congregational United Church of Christ.
It is an honor that I do not undertake lightly, especially since I may be the "face" of the Church for those attending.
Here is a statement regarding a funeral I performed:
Pastor Kaity served as minister for my husband's funeral last year. Bob, my husband, had served with Kaity while a member of First Congregational UCC, so she knew him well.
Bob passed away just as Kaity was taking over the interim pastor position, so some might think that that would have negatively impacted the planning of the service. It did not. Kaity carefully listened to what I (and Bob) had in mind for readings, music, etc., and we created a tribute to Bob's life that all appreciated and many envied.
The service was beautiful; in fact, it was perfect. Hundreds of people attended—people from many different Christian backgrounds—and many of them shared with me things like
- That is the best funeral that I ever attended!
- That is the most meaningul celebration of life that I have ever had the privilege of participating in.
- I thought I didn't want a funeral, but if I can have a funeral like Bob's, I'm in!
Respectfully,
Ann Pelelo