Skip to main content

Kate's Epiphany Epistle

I can’t believe 2009 is over. It has truly been a busy year for me. I started it off by attending an immersion experience class that spent 15 days touring Kentucky’s Appalachia looking at the issues of faith, health and economics. Headed up by Pacific School of Religion this was a truly beautiful experience. I learned so much about an area that was only 2 hours away from where I was residing. I also meet many new people and am blessed to have been touched by the PSR community and faculty.

In May I completed my last on site classes for Lexington Theological Seminary and in June started my Clinical Pastoral Education course at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lexington. It was a busy and challenging 11 weeks, but the 5 other classmates and I became a family. Although we may have wanted to kill each other at times, we pushed each other and I believe we’re all better people now because of the experience. I know that my ministry will be forever shaped by the people I meet and ministered with.

After 9 great years I left Lexington and returned to Des Moines, IA. I was ordained September 26 at my home congregation, Capitol Hill Christian Church (DOC). This was a milestone that at times I thought I would never reach. The journey to that moment was one that has made me a stronger person. And although I may not have enjoyed every moment in the process I can see how much I have learned and am thankful to know God in new ways.

I now work for Mosaic, a non-for-profit agency that works with adults with various levels of mental retardation. I have roughly 10 clients I work with in 3 different homes. I help teach my clients how to live independently and to gain skills so they can eventually go to hourly assistance and maybe live independently. I’ve been fortunate to work on my bowling, although I still bowl around 120 with bumpers, and my karaoke skills with my clients.

I’ve also moved back home with my parents. This has been quite the experience learning to live with other people again and in particular my parents. My brother Robert has also moved back home. The house has been remodeled so it better fits the needs of both my parents and I am glad that the banging and pounding of work has finished. I’m also learning what cold is again with 3 snowfalls already.

As I look to 2010 I can’t wait to return to Lexington in May to officially receive my diploma. I’m also hoping to finish my search and call process and to be called to a church. I plan on search nationwide and am excited at the possibility of seeing a new part of the country.

As you prepare for 2010, I wish you all of the best and thank you for your continued love and support.

Peace and Blessings in the new year,
Kate

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I'm a Pastor and I'm Fat

For new readers and those who don't know me, I'm fat. Medically labeled "morbidly obese." I have always been fat since I can remember. It's a multifaceted part of my reality: it's part my choice, part genetics. I am well aware that I need to work on this. I'm reminded every time I go to the doctor: need a flu shot - you're fat. Have an ear infection - you're fat. Cat bite - discharge instructions start with you're morbidly obese (I'm not kidding). You lost weight and still think something's off - loose more weight. I have been working on addressing my weight and have managed to loose and keep off just under 80 pounds. Do I still have a lot more weight to loose? Yup. I didn't become this size overnight and taking this off won't happen overnight either. A few weeks ago, a friend stopped by to visit me on their journey to vacation. As they were preparing to leave, I get stopped and asked to sit. I was told that they're concerne...

A Pastor's Take on Project 2025

It's getting close to the 2024 elections and I'm tired. American society seems to be crumbling, and I feel that regardless of how things play out, it's going "to get real." But nevertheless, it's time for me to speak out on Project 2025. I have tried for months to read the document because I want to be informed. But there is not enough blood pressure medicine in the world to allow me to read it all. It boils my blood, and I argue it should most Christian's as well. When you go to the Project 2025 website it opens with "Project 2025 is a historic movement, brought together by over 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to take down the Deep State and return the government to the people." What is the Deep State? As far as I know there is no Deep State but let's scare people into thinking there is. Who are these 100 respected organizations? They are organizations like the American Family Association, Family Policy All...

2024 Wrap Up

 Happy New Year's Eve! 2024 is almost gone as I type this. And it's been ... a year. To whomever may be reading this know this: I'm glad you made it through 2024. You're you and you're here. That's enough. Whether you met your goal/goals or not, you survived. You're still breathing - even if it's hard to do sometimes. I'm proud of you. Keep going. Even if all you can manage is the next minute. Keep going.  Here is my updates and reflection on 2024. The biggest thing for me has been my move and new ministry in Wisconsin. I said goodbye to two lovely rural Nebraska churches in February and started my new ministry in Wisconsin March 1. It was funny that I was actually attending a UCCB meeting in Ohio when I officially met my new conference minister in person on March 1. God has a sense of humor. This past 9 months has been learning about the systems of the church and the community and trying to find my place. I haven't been perfect in this, but I...