Well I finally heard from the diocese today about my interviews with the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee. The Canon to the Ordinary called Fr. Rector a few days before GOEs - and he decided to wait until after GOEs to tell me. Yeah. It's not good news. I have not been approved to become a Candidate in this Diocese. Apparently the Standing Committee did not perceive a call to ministry in me. That's it. I'm out. I'm stunned. I'm sad. I'm mad. I am going to sit for a bit and listen for God.
Amazingly enough God has already been speaking. Miss Smarty Pants is here and is being very supportive. She and I went to dinner with Mrs. Brit - and she was very supportive. Fr. Rector is very supportive. God is good. All the time. Standing Committee not so much.
That's all I have to say for now.
27 comments:
I am blown away. I'm not sure I can get up out of this chair in fact.
All I have now is swears. And prayers for you. Will call you.
There really aren't words.
Hugs and prayers for you.
If you want to talk/rant/whatever, let me know.
Swears and prayers.
And lots of hugs.
I'm nearby for ranting purposes, too, if you need somebody who's not Episcopalian.
How do I fill in the blank? Cuss? drink? pray? all of the above?
"Stunned" is the perfect title. Like MB, all I have now are words that aren't very nice.
Prayers and hugs for you.
The news has prompted me to refer to the "King's" English. Prayers for you. Hugs for you.
Swears and prayers, indeed.
Since I'm not a 'Pisky, I have a question: is this a final decision or could it be appealed, or could you try again in another diocese?
Oh hun, I am so sorry. I know how very hard you have worked.
(((hugs)))
God is at work in this, I know it. He is finding ways to comfort her during this bad thing that was done. I am here giving her every one of your virtual hugs. Your prayers are being felt.
Answer to cheesehead: She can get ordained by another diocese, several other women from this diocese have done that already. Ironically the diocese did not "perceive a call to ministry" in them either.
Swears and Prayers.
And by the way, ElastiGirl's mom is here and when she told her mom, I heard her say, "Well, they are just SCUMBAGS!" Fairly strong words for her.
I couldn't agree more.
I am shocked, stunned, embarrassed and angry at the audacity of man. You are in my prayers and I know that God has plans for you. Hugs and lots of love.............me
I'm sorry. You are not the first. You won't be the last. This happens. It sucks.
What I can say is, give it a little time. Be still. Don't give up. Wait for a time to respond.
Don't bleed out.
Somehow, the Spirit always wins.
Somehow, when a door slams shut, God opens a window. (although the hallway in between can be hell)...
praying for you, as one who has been there...
I had heard around my seminary that it is especially hard for women (and elastigirls) to be ordained in this Episcopal diocese. Or to be specific, it is getting harder and harder. They don't know what they are missing.
(((elastigirl))). Looking forward to meeting you for the big event.
Oh sweetie, there are no words I can type and keep my dignity.
It's just seems wrong. Know you are loved and supported, and prayed for. Wish there was something more I could do!
((hugs))
They are so wrong and I am so sorry. This happens to a lot of good women from what I can see but I'm sure that is no consolation.
One point from Ignatius, via one of his brilliant modern interpreters, the late Fr. Jules Toner: no one can discern whether you have a call to ministry but you, because no one can discern anything but what they are called to do, not anyone else. Ordination process higherups who enjoy tremendous power and often delusions of grandeur would do very well to recall this.
They can say nothing about the validity of your call, only that *they* do not feel called to endorse you to move forward at this point. Not sure if that helps but it helped me a bit when I got stalled, as did the fact that my spiritual director pointed out I was being judged on my spirituality by people who were far less developed in that area, including discernment skills. And my knowledge that the language of discernment--both Ignatian and Quaker clearness committee models alike--gets abused in this process to baptize a lot of bad hierarchical decisions...
Anyway, don't want to bore you but stuff like this makes me mad.
Prayers and (((EG))).
Unbelievable! They don't realize who they are "dismissing!"
Lord, this is just all wrong! I am so sorry!
As one who was "discerned out" of a position at this time last year, I resonate with your shock.
Prayer, prayers and soaking prayers for you...
I said it to one (male) candidate a number of years ago, and I will say it to you, "They are WRONG!" You know it, and a lot of us know it. I hurt with you.
Since this is my first time to even read a blog...I just wanted you to know I was there when you felt the Lord had called to ministry...some 20+ yrs ago...what do these mortal men even begin to know......I am wondering where their credentialling from God was received...just me being ugg...uggy....We all love you and support whatever you are doing and it is a good thing to be still and listen for God...only place peace will come mom
Oh My Freakin' Word!! I'm just catching up now. I am speechless. Sweetie, you have all the gifts for ministry, and more, than your denomination is apparently able to appreciate.
I'm sad for you and know that nothing - not even stooopid denominational committees - will be able to keep you from doing God's ministry in the world.
Praying very hard here.
Oh my... I am so sorry and thinking and saying the same things as the others. Praying for you, Elastigirl.
I am speechless, and so sorry. I am praying for you.
Ouch, ouch, ouch. This happened to me along the way, and it hurts so much.
I found myself doubting not only my calling but every aspect of my relationship with God and with people...Thankfully, 2 years later it all came right for me, and I was priested 3 years ago now.
Love and prayers and lots of sympathy as you reel from this. All shall be well, I'm sure.
This is so upsetting, I'm really sorry. I'm teetering on the edge of leaving the TEC process myself. There is a point were this "discerning call in community" bit because manipulative, political, and completely spiritually inappropriate, and I'm so sorry to hear that your diocese is not supportive.
If you feel up to it, please keep us apprised of where you go from here. I'm confident there's ministry and good times ahead for you.
Fr Rector was stunned to say the least -- and he/me being a Southern raised boy I would say more, but most of y'all are ladies.
I CANNOT believe this. I just got back from vacation and there must be something WRONG!
prayers prayers prayers not only for you but for whoever decided this wrong thing.
(((Elasti- Girl)))))
I am so sorry! I too am stunned and unfortuanly, jsut nw getting caught up on nesw ...two weeks later.
I ma not happy with the standing committee. Perhaps they should "sit down" and think things through a bit more.
I don't like them. Mel does nto like them and Mugsy just hisses.
I am so very sad for you and sending you lvoe and hugs....
Sign!!!!!!!
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