Dear First Pres,
It was Sunday evening, February 9, 2003, when I stood in front of my home church, Woodlake Presbyterian Church, as well as several visiting friends and family, to be ordained as a pastor. It was an extremely significant event in my life. In one sense, it felt like the culmination of the congregation’s investment in me. It was in and through that congregation that I came to Christian faith, discovered that God could use me for His purposes, was called into vocational ministry, was formed in my first vocational ministry opportunities, and was supported in going out in pursuit of God’s call. I will never forget the moment those elders came forward to place their hands on me for the ordination prayer. Wow. I even get misty-eyed thinking about it 18 years later. It was a culminating moment of all the ways that particular congregation, through the Holy Spirit, had formed me in Christ.
But in another sense, it was a beginning. It was the beginning of my life in ordained ministry. It was the beginning of a call to serve Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Washington for a decade. It was the beginning of a call that would eventually lead me to the wonderful congregation that gathers at 1540 M Street (that’s you!). It was the beginning of a vocation that wrecks me and invigorates me, and regularly draws me to my knees before the One who called me.
That’s why I am so excited for Meagan Bergem as we approach this weekend. And that’s why I truly encourage you to come to her ordination and installation service on Sunday evening at 6:30pm in our Sanctuary.
We haven’t known Meagan her entire life. She didn’t come to the Christian faith through our congregation. She came to us as a college-aged summer staffer discerning God’s call on her life. In the eleven years since then, God has used this congregation to build her up in her vocation and leadership. We have been the community in which she has discerned her calling to be a pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Of course, we have received much from her as well. All of it, in one sense, is culminating this Sunday evening as we ordain and install her to serve as our Assistant Pastor for Children and Youth. Praise be to God.
But it is also a beginning for Meagan and for us. We’ve known Meagan for a long time, but we are granting her a new level of authority in our midst. In the same way that we recently ordained and installed our new church Elders and Deacons and gave them authority to lead us as church officers, we are giving Meagan authority to lead us. We are giving her authority to pastor us, exhort us, encourage us, and care for us.
So, the service on Sunday evening isn’t just about Meagan, it’s about us. It’s a culmination of the journey we’ve been on together since she first came as a summer staffer in 2010. And it’s a beginning for the things God will do in and through us together with Pastor Meagan Bergem.
All that to say, please join us in person on Sunday evening at 6:30pm. The service will be available on our YouTube channel, as well. But only folks who are physically present will be able to enjoy the dessert reception following the service.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
P.S. Registration for the Biblical Tour of Israel 2022 is now open. I would love for you to join me and Dr. Brian Schultz for this once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. You can find more information on our website. The trip is scheduled for June 12-24, 2022.
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