Chris Jimmerson's Ordination Announcement!
We, the members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, do hereby ordain you, Chris Jimmerson, to the Unitarian Universalist ministry.

Dear  ,

I am privileged to witness the education, training and formation of Unitarian Universalist ministers up close and personal. And it's no secret that I adore the entire process: meeting the entering class, sitting in on intensive classes, participating in the January Learning Convocation, worshipping at vespers, chaplaining MFC candidates, marching with the faculty and trustees at Commencement - yes, I confess, I'm addicted to the processes and transformations that take place year after year after year at Meadville Lombard Theological School.

But the part I love the most comes after graduation and the conferring of degrees and donning academic hoods, totally awesome ritual though that is. It's attending the ordinations of our alums in home or teaching or calling congregations, witnessing that magical moment when Ms. or Mr. or Mrs. or Ze becomes The Reverend.

Newly ordained!
Last Sunday, I participated in the amazing service that transformed Mr. Christopher James Jimmerson into the Reverend Christopher James Jimmerson - Rev. Chris. It was a super Meadville Lombard occasion since the Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, Schulman Professor of Unitarian Universalist History, preached the ordination sermon and through the Offering I got to do my favorite pulpit gig, raise tuition aid money for seminarians.

I told the packed sanctuary that I had recently seen a Facebook post written by current seminarians for people who are considering attending seminary - in a Q and A format. One question was "How much money do you expect/need to make to start paying off those bills that piled up during seminary?"

Answer from seminarian #1: 
"All I need is the winning lottery ticket and I'm good to go".
Nicole preaching!
Answer from seminarian #2: "Short answer: I will be in debt until I die".

They are not kidding! Those new ministers we are counting on to serve our congregations, our military, our community organizations are graduating from seminary with an average debt of $40,000. Average! That's why I am so passionate about beating the drum for tuition aid and scholarships. Asking you and you and you for generous gifts to help us alleviate the burden of debt on the Meadville Lombard clergy alums who will serve us so faithfully.

Please help. Here's the link.
Denny
Denny asking!

Sincerely,






Denise Taft Davidoff,
Senior Associate for Development and Alumni/ae Affairs
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