O, give thanks unto the Lord, for She is good!
Her mercies endureth forever!
Give thanks with me! My dear friend Elastigirl has had good news in her ongoing process toward ordination in the Episcopal Church.
On January 10 of 2008, I learned the horrible news that after over 6 years of discernment and seminary (with her graduation scheduled for this May), the Local Diocese Standing Committee had "not discerned a call" to ordination. This, after a 45 minute meeting.
EG has borne this and additional slaps and insults from this Diocese with incredible grace. She has been an example to me of what it means to faithfully follow God's call when men get in the way.
Obviously, this is not about me; and yet, it has affected me deeply over the past year. It has occasioned a tremendous amount of anger and soul searching. It is also the reason that I am now on the Vestry of my church - I went to my rector and said, "I am so angry - you have to help me find a way to do something about this." He said, "You need to run for Vestry." So here I am attending monthly meetings about the budget... :) and not being sure at all how that is helping Elastigirl's cause. I do understand and believe that I cannot change my church if I leave it...
However, the way that has emerged for her is not in our diocese, but in the Diocese to our West, which has recently been left by its bishop and large number of people who did not like the direction that TEC is going. The new Diocese? From all accounts, a place of joy, inclusion, and Christian mission.
Please pray for Elastigirl, the Diocese of Fort Worth, and for my current diocese.
