Thursday, July 06, 2006

And if two wasn't enough...

...I now have three options for supervised ministry. Yes, that's right. Three options.

The third one came rather unexpectedly after Ben's meeting with his pastor for supervised ministry. He'll be in Spotswood/Monroe Township; Spotswood is birthing a new church in Monroe Township and the pastor there is a big dreamer.

I would love to be a part of a new church start, especially where the pastor there is planning on badgering Adam Hamilton (the pastor of the largest UMC in the country, membership of 12,000) in hopes of becoming a satellite campus. The only problem is that...Ben is there.

For those of you new to my blog, Ben is my boyfriend. We've known each other since freshman year of college and will have been dating for a year as of August 1st. He also goes to Drew and just finished his first year as well. Ben is also more ministerially formed than I am; that is, he's had longer to live with his calling and more of a chance to participate in church life looking through the lens of his call.

I, on the other hand, have not had as much of an opportunity to do so. So if I were to look into this church, I'd want to make sure that (a) no one compares the two of us, and (b) I have a place free to do my own thing totally separate and apart from Ben. 100% apart. No stepping on each others' toes allowed!

This might be possible, though I think it would be touch to coordinate. There are aspects of church life that Ben's not touching (like youth), and he's going to be spending more time at the new church start rather than at the Spotswood church. I'm going to give the pastor a call to see what can happen.

All that being said, if Spotswood wasn't an option, I'm now leaning more towards Westwood. The urban/multicultural setting is something I can do my third year if I feel like that's a piece of my education that I really need. Right now, I think I need something a bit more well-rounded. I've already participated in many aspects of church life growing up, but haven't really had the chance to pull it all together in light of my call. Unfortunately, the dean in charge of this supervised ministry program is out of the office, and when she gets back I will be on my way to Maine, unless I can delay my return home for one more day so I can meet with her (which might be the smart thing to do).

7 comments:

Kristen said...

Welcome to the web ring! I'm going to be a first year student at Drew this Fall (I can't wait!), so I've found your blog very interesting.

Beth Quick said...

Hi Melissa - Just stopped over after seeing your blog highlighted at Revgals. I graduated Drew Theo in '03. I did my supervised ministry at an agency - I figured it was the last time I would not be at a church for a while ;)
Good luck!

Sally said...

Hi, I popped over from Rev Gals too- nothing to do with Drew tho- i live in the UK!
Praying Gods hand will be on your decision making process

Melissa said...

I'm going to try and respond to everybody in this comment, so here goes:

Kristen -- that's awesome about coming to Drew. I'm going to be working the orientation team. Also, if you ever called the admission's office, I might have spoken with you because I work there as well!

Elizabeth -- Yay for Drew! That's part of the pull to Trenton; when else am I going to have the chance to do serious urban ministry like this if I head back to New England? We'll see what happens.

Sally -- Thanks for your prayers. I definitely need them! :-)

Unknown said...

Kristen, if you would like a RevGal meetup while you are home, I would be happy to buy a seminarian a cup of coffee. I pastor one of the (many) UCC churches in Portland (to answer your question below). Safe travels!

Rachel Gonia said...

Hi! I also found you through RevGals...although I live in the deep south now, i was born in NJ--not a Drew grad, but a UM Elder who went to Duke...Also, married to UM minister who I met in seminary, but we have never served the same congregation though.... Blessings on you as you led in this decision.

Melissa said...

Hi Songbird and Rargonia!

Songbird -- that might be fun! Hopefully we'll get a chance to meet up, but my grandmother's home (I haven't seen her in 5 years!) so that might not be likely.

Rargonia -- I almost went to Duke...I was so close, but felt God calling me to Drew instead. That's cool about marrying another UM minister!