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It was nice to have a break in classes for a few days after the shutdowns
at universities all across the state began to happen. Although my residents
were unsure of what to do or think, I think that we did the best we could
for a situation that no one has encountered in our lifetimes. After a
few meetings with all of Residence Life, I found out that I would be able to
move home, and so I began packing up my things to move home.
The semester ended well, and I ended up getting a 4.0 for my final
semester! I even applied to receive Valedictorian for the whole
of the university, but I didn't end up receiving it. I think I did come in
'second' however! (there is no official second place, but from what I
heard, I think that if there was a second place, it would have been me
haha)
Ministry Journey
While the semester was ending, I was also working on completing the
requirements to have my MEG board interview. The MEG board is the
Ministerial Education Board. Everyone has people in the
conference that participate on the boards so that those who are up
for candidacy are interviewed by the MEG board to evaluate where
they are at in their journey towards ordination or deacon.
My interview took place on March 16th, and lasted for a little over an
hour. I was expecting the interview to last a little longer than it did,
but I enjoyed the process and being able to share my story with others as
well! There were a few questions where I felt that I could have expressed
myself better, but I can learn from this and be able to express my answers
to the questions as I proceed further towards ordination.
About three weeks later, I heard back from my MEG Board that I was
recommended for CMC this year! Along with the recommendation came a
formation plan, which I will provide updates as I work through that as
well!
Next Steps
A recording of the zoom call, thanks Melanie!
Just this last Friday, I took part in a Zoom meeting with the conference
leadership, the MEG board leadership, other Candidates for CMC and
Ordinands, as well as Bishop Linda Adams, the FMC's first female bishop!
During this meeting, I answered the questions as outlined in the Book of
Disciple so that on Monday, when the conference leadership formally met,
they could accept this 'cohort' of Conference Ministerial Candidates into
the conference on our way to ordination!
As I move to Ann Arbor, I will be joining the ministry team at Evergreen
church in Ann Arbor as a Church Planting and Pastoral Ministry Resident
while also attending dental school at the University of Michigan School of
Dentistry. I'm so excited to take this next step in my journey towards
ordination in the Free Methodist Church!
Moving Forward
- I'd like to ask you all to pray for me as I prepare for my move to Ann Arbor on June 1st. Moving during a pandemic is certainly going to be interesting, especially as I am still collecting needed furniture!
- Please pray for Evergreen Church as I am not the only addition to the ministry team in these upcoming weeks and months.
- Pray that my transition to life in Ann Arbor goes smooth and that the beginning of dental school at UMich goes well, especially since it will be all online until at least August 31st, which will be my first time meeting classmates in person!