5 Years

I was home with my sick two year old on Tuesday and so had to miss our Presbytery meeting.  That's unfortunate, because apparently it was a doozy!  Both committees I am on were on the receiving end of the kind of crazy you only see in the church.  I'm glad to know I can still cause mayhem even when I'm not present!  :)

The other thing I missed at Presbytery, however, was acknowledgement of my 5 year ordination anniversary.  Bummer!  But it got me to thinking, on November 26 I will have been ordained for 5 whole years!  At times it seems like the shortest amount of time ever, and other times it seems like all of eternity has come and gone and I'm still here.

A brief recap, then, to give myself some perspective.

• I was ordained at Bayside Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, VA on 11/26/06.  Unfortunately I didn't get much say in the ordination service timing or content.  I mean, really, who would pick the Sunday after Thanksgiving?!  
• I have served with 5 pastors whose total ministerial experience comes close to 200 years.  They are:  Dick Keever, Guy Delaney, Harry Daniel, Dan Dickenson, and a few months with George Fitzgerald.  I definitely had my favorites.
• While in Virginia Beach, I ruffled some feathers, started a contemporary service, decided that I look good in a clergy collar, helped organize a public stations of the cross, sat on the PEVA vision taskforce, studied the lectionary weekly with Philip Oehler and Fred McCall, and ministered alongside many amazing men and women both inside and outside the church. 
• Along with Erica and Jack, I followed God's leading to Chattanooga where I have found the joy of my calling:  Northside Presbyterian.  We have a lot of fun ministering and growing and doing life together. 

• I hesitate to post any 'accomplishments' at Northside, because it hasn't been that long and many projects are still in process.  Needless to say, there is excitement, enthusiasm, new people,  experienced people, new bulletins, dynamic programs, and I can't take credit for even half of all that. 
• I am currently serving on the Committee for Preparation for Ministry and the New Church Development Team for Presbytery of East Tennessee.
• I have great colleagues and friends here and throughout the US who are truly wonderful
• Erica and I now have two sons:  Jack and Dylan, who are the greatest boys in the world.

By the numbers:

• 24 Funerals
• 22 Couples Married
• 18 ish Baptisms (I don't have an exact count of baptisms, but I believe it is close to 18), 5 of whom were adults, 1 of which was by immersion!
• 183 Sunday Sermons

I can think of hundreds of people I've left off this post who have influenced my life and ministry. You who you are, and I know who you are.  All I can say is this:  Thank you!

I'm not sure what other milestones or figures I can put up here.  If there's a glaring omission, or you're curious about something, please leave a comment.