Rebecca

For a second year, First UMC has a Duke Divinity School student as a summer intern. Rebecca has completed her first year of seminary and will be with us for ten weeks learning what it is like to serve in the local church. This field experience is designed to help her further understand her call to ministry. That is, is she to be an elder or deacon? Is her ministry to be in the local church or in another setting? In this introductory week, Rebecca has observed that clergy have a varied and busy schedule, one that has to adjust to the moment. Rebecca has been to three worship services, flute concert, birthday party, hospital, Child Development Ministry, staff meeting, home visit and funeral. She has met with staff persons about what they do, created a bulletin board for Dancing With God and laid sod at our Habitat house. I have given her an armload of books and more advice than she could possibly use. I think that she is looking forward to some rest.

With the direction of a lay committee, Ken and I supervise this field experience. It is a joy to see that the congregation senses a responsibility to nurture Rebecca and to warmly welcome her, also. Together, we are understanding what it means to pass the mantle.