ENGAGING SACRED STORIES AND TRADITIONS
FCC youth writing messages of kindness, 2021
"Maybe then the problem of identifying the spiritual is simply a subtle one requiring a sharp eye and a talent for reading the resonance of events. To perceive the spiritual in a slice of life or a piece of art we may have to make a good story of it,because a story has the uncanny ability to raise the spirit out of the flesh like bread rising yeasty in a warm place."
– Thomas Moore, Best Spiritual Writing 2000
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
--2 Corinthians 3:2-3
1. Exhibiting knowledge, understanding, and continuing study of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament; (2.) Maturing in effective proclamation and preaching; and (3.) Understanding the history of the Christian Church, from Biblical times forward.
The first inkling that preaching might be part of my calling came during a sermon series on Nehemiah delivered by my pastor at the time, Rev. Joseph Jeffreys. Captivated by the theme, I approached him to discuss a few ideas I thought could enhance the series. To my surprise, he lit up and asked, “So, do you want to preach next week or the week after?”
Me? Preach? I laughed. But he was serious, and I prepared my first sermon.
Two weeks later, I stood in front of the congregation with my stomach so full of butterflies I thought I might take flight!
But then, I began to talk, sharing from my heart, my experience, and my understanding of scriptures. It was the sermon I had prepared, and yet, it was as if my words and energy were being guided towards connection with those listening on waves of Spirit.
I would have never thought of myself as a preacher, and yet, it seems I have been gifted with the knowledge, understanding, and natural ease to do so.
A few years later, Chelsea Retirement Community invited me to become one of their staff chaplains. As part of the role, I would be preaching once a week for the Assisted Living Community and once a month at the Independent Living Facility’s chapel. Other preaching opportunities emerged with planning and partnering with Chelsea First’s Parables program and pulpit supplying for UCC churches.
Over the years, I have seen myself grow and develop my abilities in preaching and leading worship. I continue to personally dive into the scriptures and histories of God’s people, always aware that a sermon may be hiding among the readings and my musings.
4. Bringing life to sacred stories and traditions in worship, proclamation, and witness, and (5.) Leading faith formation effectively across generations.
- Brio Living Services, Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC): Worship Leader (2022 to Present)
- Plan, coordinate, facilitate, and preach at Sunday and Tuesday Ecumenical Worship Services
- Create and facilitate regular and special worship opportunities; faith-based discussion and grief groups; and spiritual elder care for residents in independent living, rehab, assisted living, and memory care
- First Congregational Church, Minister of Spiritual Growth and Care (2021)
- First Congregational Church of Chelsea: Children and Families Minister (2020-2022)
- Organized yearlong schedule and curriculum, adapted, prepared, and taught hour-long lessons to children (0-16) in a variety of modes (i.e., online, Zoom, outdoors, and in-building)
- Provided support and maintained personal connections with children and families, helping them connect with each other, and the larger congregation, as well as helping children and families increase involvement in the church, community, and world
- Planned and coordinated with the church’s pastor and council on children-driven ideas for outreach and mission within the community and the world
For Lent one year, I shared a weekly meditation that utilized the Advent wreath. But instead of lighting candles, we extinguished one each week and sat in total darkness from Good Friday until Easter Sunday. That morning, with the rising of the sun, we light the Christ Candle and celebrated Christ's triumph over darkness.
While teaching Kids' Kin-dom at FCC, I created a low table with cushions where the children and I could lounge like Jesus and his disciples would have when sharing a meal. There we shared a communion meal of hot cocoa and doughnuts.
“Elisabeth is a joy. She leads with compassion, creativity, and openness. Members of the church have noted that they love when she leads worship as they reflect on her words and images throughout the following week with me. Her ministry of presence is appreciated by many as she listens and holds space for the stories and hurts of those around her.”
-– Rev. Charity Omartian, Pastor and Teacher of Webster, UCC
6. Holding the Holy with integrity, especially as represented in the Sacraments.
(Stories shared with permission)
Holy Communion
I don’t think I knew anything about Communion before I met Judy. Sure, I thought I understood it. I held Lay Ministerial Standing in the UCC, served The Lord’s Supper monthly, and could describe it as a sacred memorial, a joyous thanksgiving and fellowship meal. But Judy—ah, Judy! She showed me why The Lord’s Supper is called Communion.
Judy was already wheelchair bound and nearly non-verbal by the time I began my employment with Chelsea Retirement Community. Her husband, Roger, came every week to take her from the Towsley Village Memory Care Unit to the chapel service I had just started facilitating.
I made it a habit to greet residents as they left the chapel. When Roger brought Judy through the door, I knelt to meet her gaze, held her hand, and offered a blessing. Judy’s eyes met mine each time with such depth that it felt as though our souls connected. Over time, words became unnecessary. In the silent exchanges, Christ’s love flowed between us—her to me and me to her— and I came to understand that this was Communion.
Now, when I serve the elements or bless someone unable to receive them, I pause, gaze deeply into the person’s eyes, and open my heart—just as Judy taught me. In that moment, Communion becomes more than bread and cup, more than ritual; it is a sacred exchange of Christ’s love.
Baptism: I have not had the honor of baptizing an individual. However, I have had opportunities to hold and learn about the Holy in other experiences.
“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
There is power in a name. We call on the Divine’s power when we baptize and even when we end our prayers, “in Jesus’ name.” This is a long-held belief across human history, and many religions have beautiful naming ceremonies. Some Native American groups believe a name is fluid, and what individuals are called changes over time with experiences and growth. In the Catholic tradition, a name is given at birth and then, at the time of Confirmation, one chooses a new name, usually a saint’s name, to serve as a heavenly patron.
I personally did not participate in any of these kinds of rituals, but as my oldest son came of age, I felt like it was so important for him to have the opportunity to claim a name. In my zeal, I created a whole ceremony: litany, scripture, and even a religious object lesson!
He didn’t want any of it.
I shared my disappointment with my Clinical Pastoral Education class, and one very wise chaplain softly asked, “Was the service you created for your son? Or for you?”
It was a hard question and had an impact on me, both as a mother and minister.
Not long after this, my husband and I grabbed our sketch books and headed to the Detroit Institute of Art for a date. Considering my spiritual journey, it’s not surprising that during this visit, the Gothic Chapel drew me in. I wound around the art and displays until I found myself fully taken in by a 15th-century icon titled Saint Michael Vanquishing the Devil (photo provided).
I snapped a picture and showed it to my children that night. I was still captivated and whispered, “Just look at how calmly Michael, barefoot and cloaked in garments reflecting the light, dwarfs the darkness of the beast he stands upon. He embodies a powerful, protective, and holy presence. Light vanquishing darkness!”
“Michael.” My son said. “That’s a cool name.”
And just like that, his second name was chosen. No litany. No object lesson. No ceremony. Just a quiet claiming of the Holy in his life.
It is not my place to create what is meaningful to me for someone else. Rather, being a chaplain invites me to provide opportunities for individuals to honor the Holy in the ways that are most meaningful to and representative of them. Sometimes that is in rituals, ceremonies, and services. Other times, it’s just by journeying beside them, sharing and celebrating stories of Light vanquishing darkness.
