It already is enough. God has called you AND equipped you for Her Service. And as Eugene Peterson says, ‘A Long Obedience in the Same Direction’. This is who you have been and who you are now.
Thank you so much for giving a glimpse into your thoughts as you lead up to the big day! I appreciate your perspective on things so much— your meditation on worms actually brought me to tears, as I have been struggling this week with feeling like nothing any of us do matters. It gives me encouragement to keep "making compost" where I'm at.
Dear Jeff, I am very moved by what you have written with such honesty and revealing so much of your heart. May God bless your ordination tomorrow and continue to lead you in paths old and new. Thank you so much for your fellowship. Celia
As always, your writing is too rich and deep and wide for one comment to seem like anything appropriate to the whole. But I do have to say that when you spoke about ordination and the metaphor of marriage to God and you said, " I encourage you not to examine the metaphor too closely." You really made me laugh. Deeply. Thank you.
I love this reflection on your ordination. I’m a new subscriber and have so appreciated how you weave these stories and images in such a beautiful way. And what an awesome vocation of storytelling and witness! What seems “cobbled together” feels exactly right and needed, and I am guessing there will be more of this in the season ahead. I can so understand that sense of overwhelm Bonhoeffer describes in light of all that our world is going through. If I think of myself alone, facing it. But together… that feels different, my little contribution, with others and their little contribution, all part of a larger whole. Blessings to you tomorrow and may you hear that Voice saying, “You are my beloved,” as the Spirit moves upon you with your loving community all around you!
Sure. Yet languages change over time and as far as I can tell from the Psalms, Isaiah and even Jesus’ life, pronouns don’t matter as much as God has called and equipped..l
So let’s disagree and celebrate Jeff’s call and ordination!
I have followed you since I first heard you interviewed by Kate Bowler on Everything Happens. Your ministry has been a blessing to my journey as I move forward on the path of evolving and reconstructing what the Christian journey looks like. A strange and wonderful trip.
You and your ministry already have and will continue to bless so many. Thanks to you, I have a new respect for worms! Going forward, I will, indeed, be remembering the worm.
You have been and will remain in my prayers. And let me say, I loved seeing the tip of your tennis shoe peeking out from beneath your Cassock in the picture - it seems so you.
Congratulations. I admire your patience and grace that has brought you to this moment. Prayers are with you for this very special day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As always they are rich and speak volumes.
Oh thank you Jeff for this very personal reflection on your process to become ordained. I admire your tenacity and patience and grace for a very long drawn out process to get where you are this week. I feel so honored that you place your llfe before us in your writings and share your vulnerabilities and are just who are! I'm excited for you and happy that you see your value in what you do in so many different and unique ways. Here's a big hug for you today! ((((((hug))))))
Dear Jeff, my prayers will be with you tomorrow. You have served as my priest these past years through your writings and preaching when I could not face attending church. Thank you. God has spoken to me so often through your sensitive, thoughtful and beautifully crafted words and imagery. So, you’ve got this! Some of us are called to work within the Church to be part of its evolution from the inside. Your being part of the “inside”is very good. When I pray for you going through this process, I have a picture of you strolling alongside Jesus with the rest of his crew doing disciple stuff. He would not have made you wait 8 years! You would have got the gig at hello. You rock the Magdalena by the way! Nothing like custom. I got my cassock - alb from Rome with lace even though that is not regulation gear for the COE. Blessings upon you! X
You often make me cry, but today I am sobbing. Because you have been called, so many of us live with bigger hearts, with the possibility of illumination, and with hope. Sending blessings on your much deserved ordination.
It already is enough. God has called you AND equipped you for Her Service. And as Eugene Peterson says, ‘A Long Obedience in the Same Direction’. This is who you have been and who you are now.
Alleluia!
Thank you so much for giving a glimpse into your thoughts as you lead up to the big day! I appreciate your perspective on things so much— your meditation on worms actually brought me to tears, as I have been struggling this week with feeling like nothing any of us do matters. It gives me encouragement to keep "making compost" where I'm at.
I hope the ordination goes well!
Blessings as you cross this threshold! 💞
Dear Jeff, I am very moved by what you have written with such honesty and revealing so much of your heart. May God bless your ordination tomorrow and continue to lead you in paths old and new. Thank you so much for your fellowship. Celia
As always, your writing is too rich and deep and wide for one comment to seem like anything appropriate to the whole. But I do have to say that when you spoke about ordination and the metaphor of marriage to God and you said, " I encourage you not to examine the metaphor too closely." You really made me laugh. Deeply. Thank you.
Beautiful reflection, Jeff. Prayers are with you for tomorrow! Zach and I will be there praying and celebrating with you.
So glad and grateful you’re in the world. Joy and peace on your ordination.
I love this reflection on your ordination. I’m a new subscriber and have so appreciated how you weave these stories and images in such a beautiful way. And what an awesome vocation of storytelling and witness! What seems “cobbled together” feels exactly right and needed, and I am guessing there will be more of this in the season ahead. I can so understand that sense of overwhelm Bonhoeffer describes in light of all that our world is going through. If I think of myself alone, facing it. But together… that feels different, my little contribution, with others and their little contribution, all part of a larger whole. Blessings to you tomorrow and may you hear that Voice saying, “You are my beloved,” as the Spirit moves upon you with your loving community all around you!
Sure. Yet languages change over time and as far as I can tell from the Psalms, Isaiah and even Jesus’ life, pronouns don’t matter as much as God has called and equipped..l
So let’s disagree and celebrate Jeff’s call and ordination!
I have followed you since I first heard you interviewed by Kate Bowler on Everything Happens. Your ministry has been a blessing to my journey as I move forward on the path of evolving and reconstructing what the Christian journey looks like. A strange and wonderful trip.
You and your ministry already have and will continue to bless so many. Thanks to you, I have a new respect for worms! Going forward, I will, indeed, be remembering the worm.
You have been and will remain in my prayers. And let me say, I loved seeing the tip of your tennis shoe peeking out from beneath your Cassock in the picture - it seems so you.
Blessings to you.
God knows the church (writ small and larger) needs you.
Congratulations. I admire your patience and grace that has brought you to this moment. Prayers are with you for this very special day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As always they are rich and speak volumes.
You have served as a pastor in so many ways throughout this long a d arduous "process ". Thank you for your faithfulness to this moment.
Oh thank you Jeff for this very personal reflection on your process to become ordained. I admire your tenacity and patience and grace for a very long drawn out process to get where you are this week. I feel so honored that you place your llfe before us in your writings and share your vulnerabilities and are just who are! I'm excited for you and happy that you see your value in what you do in so many different and unique ways. Here's a big hug for you today! ((((((hug))))))
Dear Jeff, my prayers will be with you tomorrow. You have served as my priest these past years through your writings and preaching when I could not face attending church. Thank you. God has spoken to me so often through your sensitive, thoughtful and beautifully crafted words and imagery. So, you’ve got this! Some of us are called to work within the Church to be part of its evolution from the inside. Your being part of the “inside”is very good. When I pray for you going through this process, I have a picture of you strolling alongside Jesus with the rest of his crew doing disciple stuff. He would not have made you wait 8 years! You would have got the gig at hello. You rock the Magdalena by the way! Nothing like custom. I got my cassock - alb from Rome with lace even though that is not regulation gear for the COE. Blessings upon you! X
You often make me cry, but today I am sobbing. Because you have been called, so many of us live with bigger hearts, with the possibility of illumination, and with hope. Sending blessings on your much deserved ordination.