Clergy...Say What?!

          Early in the work week I was honored to be invited to attend the Interfaith Immigration Reform Prayer Service at a local Catholic Church.  Rev. Hawkins was attending on behalf of FPC/La Iglesia Del Pueblo.  Not only was I invited, but I was invited to attend as clergy and wear a stole or vestment!  Yikes!  My first thought was, “I’m not clergy yet…I can’t do that!”  However, I happened to be with Rev. Hawkins when he spoke to the coordinator of the event…he mentioned the congregation’s seminary intern (that’s me!) would be attending and she warmly invited me to attend and wear a vestment or stole as I am in the process for ordination.  So, I decided to embrace my clergy role (that is what this summer internship is about after all, right?) and go with it.  So I borrowed one of Rev. Story’s stoles (which happened to be from Guatemala) and wore it proudly.

            Man, was I glad I decided to wear that stole!  As I wore it, I became more and more comfortable with the idea of me as real, live clergy.  One day, God willing, I will be ordained and will wear a robe and stole regularly.  It will become a part of my weekly Sunday wardrobe.  But the main reason I was glad I wore it is because when we arrived at the prayer service (in a local Catholic church, remember), I was one of only three women clergy there!  I was shocked!  I’ve been in the Bible Belt most of my life, which means that I see lots of pastors, male and female alike.  And yes, some Bible Belt people have problems with female clergy, but it hasn’t been a big issue yet in my life.  However, at this moment, when I’m nearing my ordained life and profession, I felt small and insignificant in comparison to all of the clergy men, some dressed from head to toe in their vestments and clergy garb. 

I felt very out of place but decided to passionately embrace my clergy responsibility.  As one of the service coordinators showed Rev. Hawkins and me to where we would be seated after the clergy processional, she turned to me and said, “Don’t worry, there will be other female clergy here soon.”  I immediately responded, “I’m not worried.  I’m proud to be a female clergy.”  My response actually shocked me.  Where did that come from?  I never would have expected myself to respond so quickly and affirmatively that I was indeed clergy (still in training, but clergy mind you). 

        After the event, I realized that I have indeed watered down the seminary call at times and the future clergy role.  Often times when peers ask me what I’m doing, I’ll say that I’m in graduate school studying to work with inner-city kids.  This is indeed true, but it’s also sugar-coating it and taking the spot-light off of the preacher role.  When dating, I rarely ever tell the guy at first what I’m really in grad school for…that’s third or fourth date material!  =)  But this experience at the prayer service made me realize that it is far time I truly embrace and live out my clergy role.  I know without a doubt in the depths of my heart and soul that this is what God has called me to do…to serve the world in ministry and love as an ordained minister.  I’m claiming it; I’m owning it.  I’m shouting it loud and proud from the rooftops!