And in this past year, that is exactly what has happened. In my time among you, I have been able to grow into being “Pastor Lecia” as so many of you have taken time to provide feedback and encouragement.
My time at Prince of Peace has been such a blessing. When my academic advisor asked me to share some of my joys about serving here, I didn’t know where to start...
- The willingness of individuals to share their stories with the congregation during our Advent worship
- The energy of the youth who brought the Christmas story to life
- The community of peace that was formed during the “Beautiful Things” retreat
- The rich conversations in the Wednesday morning Bible Study
- The learning and sharing with youth and parents during confirmation classes and first communion instruction...and so much more.
I am excited to announce that our time together will not end yet! Through conversations with Pastor Jonathan and the church council, we have decided that I will stay here into the spring, for an additional nine months. I look forward to continuing to serving with you and seeing what the Spirit leads us into for the next season.
Some of you are saying, but I thought Lecia was graduating - how can she be staying?
You are right - I am getting ready to graduate with a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary on May 20, but that is not the only thing I need in order to be a pastor. When I began seminary, I also began to work with a committee from our synod which oversees everyone who is a candidate for ordination. Through my seminary years, I have also walked through the candidacy process concurrently with interviews with this committee in order to enter the process and to be endorsed for an internship. My last step will take place in August as I have my final interview for approval to seek a first call and be ordained.
At that point, I will submit a “Rostered Leader Profile” to the ELCA, which will then place me in the fall assignment process. For first call pastors, a group of bishops and seminary faculty meet twice a year (February & October) in order to split up the candidates according to the needs of the church and the candidates’ gifts. In October, I will be assigned to a synod where I will begin working with the bishop’s office to explore open calls to churches within that synod.
As I head into these next steps, I am excited to be able to share them with you. I ask for your prayers that all of us involved would know the Spirit’s guidance and that I will be called into a community where my gifts can be used to serve God and the world.
Peace,
Pastor Lecia
