Familiar Feelings
I grew up in the Church, at Girard First United Methodist Church to be exact. My sister and I rode Big Wheels in the fellowship hall while my parents led the youth group. It was a church where people looked forward to gathering on Sunday. It was a church where my Sunday school teachers and pastor (the Rev. Jim Longsworth) encouraged questions and critical thinking. It was and still is home for me.
I first began to feel called during my confirmation class with the Rev. Stu Stephens when I was 13. He invited us to ask any questions we had about faith, the church or life. I had a lot of questions. He did not have answers for all of them, but I loved his honesty and willingness to take on tough issues of faith. During that time I also began to experience spiritual growth and a deepening in my relationship with Jesus. It became real, important and meaningful to me. This is when I first felt called to ordained ministry.
From that point on I have encountered a number of mentors and encouragers. Throughout high school and college, my sense of calling was strengthened as I began to see that all my gifts and talents could be used in the service of God for the church. When I was 18, the Rev. Dr. George Lee became my mentor, and as we worked through the Candidacy Guidebook, I enjoyed hearing his stories of ministry. I also shared with him my own fears: Am I too sensitive for ordained ministry? Too introverted? Too imperfect?
Before I went to Drew Theological School in fall 2003, I had never even set foot in the state of New Jersey. A great scholarship had led me there. I did not know anyone and was nervous that first day of orientation. But, that evening during a worship service in the Seminary Hall Chapel, I had a familiar feeling – like the one I had growing up in Girard: I was home, where God was calling me to be.
Seminary was a great time. I loved digging deep into the Bible, exploring difficult issues, learning from a diverse student body and taking trips to New York City with other seminarians in their 20s. I met my husband in seminary; he is now an Episcopal priest.
My calling came to me as both an initial transformational experience during my confirmation and also as a gradual discernment of God’s will for my life. After my first two years as a commissioned probationary elder, I can honestly say I love being in ministry, and I continue to discern God’s calling in my life and God’s calling for the church each day.
Rev. Jen Williamson, Canfield UMC, Mahoning Valley District
