Ordination Gifts for Rev. Teresa Stewart
Spende geschützt
My mother, Teresa Anne Stewart (née Brumit), has completed all the requirements for her seminary's master’s degree program in divinity and is in the call process with Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Springhill, FL. God be praised for all he has done and will continue to do through her!
The next step is her day of ordination, which is a day of great celebration and a sacred rite of the Church. There she will pledge to teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and be placed into the Office of Holy Ministry. On this day, the Church will grant her all those rights that pertain to the Office of Pastor. Once Bishop Pedro M. Suárez has placed his hands over her and blesses her, she will be authorized to regularly teach and preach the Word, forgive sins by the power of Christ's sacrifice, preside over Holy Communion, walk alongside those encountering hardship and death, and provide spiritual leadership and direction for whichever souls are lucky enough to seek her advice. In short, it's a weighty and difficult job.
In recognition of this tremendous accomplishment and to support her for the arduous journey ahead, it's good, right, and salutary for friends, family, and fellow church members to help provide new pastors with ordination gifts. Typically, ordination gifts are not only practical for ministry, but serve as daily reminders of our mutual love and support. While I am confident she would be delighted simply by our commitment to offer up prayers, out of thankfulness for all that God has done for us through her I believe we should, like our Father in Heaven, give good gifts. So that she may be borne up by the loving prevision of those she loves and who dearly love her, I'm hoping to raise around $2,200. These funds would go directly to several items, which are listed below with a brief description, example photo, and an indicative cost.
While the number and quality of gifts may be adjusted depending on the amount raised, for $2,200 we would furnish Teresa with quality items which will last her the length of her ministry. I'm aware that this number might surprise some, but these are expensive things, and it most often falls on new pastors to purchase some, if not all, of these items themselves. Also, I have conferred with her about items she already has, ones which will be given to her from retiring pastors etc., and ones which the church she's called to will provide. Here's the items which she still needs:
A Pectoral Cross ($350)
This is the standard wear of a Lutheran pastor during Sunday worship. Why? "Peccator" in latin means "sin". Christians for centuries would knock at their chests to show their grief over their own sin. This was so common a practice, the chest muscle was eventually named after this latin word sin. And indeed, the cross hangs over a pastor’s pectoral muscles and heart, or "pecs" for short. We as Lutherans recognize even the best of us are "Simul Justus et Peccator" or "Simultaneously justified before God and yet still sinners" and his phrase became a rallying cry during the Reformation. The Pectoral Cross serves as a reminder to those looking on that it is Christ's sacrifice that covers our sins. Also, as many might know, Teresa once managed a Jewelry store. So, I will arrange to work with an old friend of hers, who is an accomplished Jewelry designer, to make something truly special.
A Stole Set ($350)
This is the standard wear for pastors every Sunday. A stole represents the Pastor putting on the yoke of Christ, or put more simply it serves as a reminder for Pastors to love their neighbors. When pastors put on the stole they pray, “Lord, place upon my shoulders your yoke, and teach me that your burden is light. Make me mild and humble of heart.” Also, the different colors aren’t only fashionable, they match the liturgical seasons; purple for lent, blue for advent, red for Pentecost or Palm Sunday or days of celebration like ordinations or Reformation Sunday, white or gold for especially holy days like Easter, and green for ordinary Sundays. While churches tend to have some pastoral stoles, they are often a little dated or in bad shape, or in the case of someone of my mother’s height, too long.
A Holy Communion Set ($750)
This is the tableware for Holy Communion. Typically, a set is comprised of a Chalice and Patten or bread bowl at minimum. Many nice sets have other very useful things like a ciborium, for storing the reserve bread, or a little handwashing bowl or cruet set for washing your hands or the last bit of wine out of the chalice. It might seem like an overindulgence to have them made from precious metals, but it’s about more than respecting the Body and Blood of Christ, silver and gold have antimicrobial properties which make it safer for those participating. While many churches have these, it’s good for pastors to have their own. Also, many churches, due to lack of funds, neglect these items. Most churches have simple sets made of brass and gilded with thin sheets of gold, and while this is a cost-effective option, if neglected they will impart a rusty brass taste. And frankly it’s not nice to serve rusty brass flavored wine.
An Alb ($300)
The alb represents the purity of our baptismal promises, as Isaiah the prophet proclaims, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” You know how babies wear white when they are baptized? Same idea. Churches tend to have quite a few of these, however if you are searching for one that is unstained, your size, and made of something other than the thickest polyester imaginable it’s slim pickin’. Pastors need a nice comfortable alb, one that can be worn every Sunday for 2 or three decades. When Pastor’s place on the alb they pray, “Almighty, everlasting God, let me, disrobed of all unrighteousness and dressed in the white garment of holiness, follow you in your kingdom where the true joy resides.”
An Amice ($60 - $20x3 )
Finally, something that’s cheap! An amice protects your other nice vestments from getting ruined by sweat (or makeup), and it hides your streetwear. So, on hot days your pastor can wear a t-shirt under there, and no one is the wiser. It’s quite an old, traditional vestment, however. The pastor prays, “Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.” while putting it on.
Clergy Shirts ($160 - 2x$80)
This is the daily uniform of the Pastor when they are on-the-go, so that they are easy to spot in public. When wearing “the uniform” Pastors tend to receive spontaneous requests for prayer and people in need are more likely to ask for help. It's an outfit that's designed to say, "I'm here for you." However, most pastors settle for cheap, boxy shirts made from–you guessed it–polyester. It doesn’t have to be like this! Nowadays, they make nice shirts, from nice fabrics, that are made for women…but they come at a price.
A Vestment Travel Bag ($260)
What does the traveling pastor do? Well, they’ve got this super durable nifty bag to keep your robes clean, with pockets for all your other stuff. Otherwise, you hang your robe in the back of your car and make sure no one touches it even on accident. It’s nearly impossible to fly as a pastor without this essential item.
That puts us at the number I had in mind, and thought would be achievable, but if out of an abundance of generosity, we end up raising more than I anticipate–no worries! We would have the option of improving upon some items above, or adding some other essentials to the list–here’s some ideas I have…
***Stretch Goal Items***
Celebration Stoles ($100-$500)
In addition to the basic stoles pastors often will have special occasion stoles. Like this one ($470) which has the symbols of the Small Catechism, perfect for ordinations or confirmations. Or even just this much simpler one ($160) for Reformation Sunday.
An Aspergillum ($150)
This is a pot and stick for sprinkling people with Holy Water, to remind us of our baptisms. Very cool item to have and most pastors want to do it, but are afraid their congregants will be weirded out or just don’t have one.
A Preaching Bible ($140)
If you read your bible daily, and you happen to have a cheap one, it will fall apart in less than two years. If you happen to swing it about, lookup passages for sermons, or bring it to hospital visits it lasts even less time. A solid smyth-sewn, bible will last a lifetime and can be repaired.
A Pyx ($60)
Admittedly, it’s a weird name, but tremendously useful. It’s a little box which can hold a little bit of the body of Christ. On Sundays a few wafers are put in it to be blessed alongside the rest of the bread. It can then be given to a Deacon or other church member to bring to an elderly parent, the sick, or shut-ins to give them communion. Come on, guys! Jesus deserves a little more than a plastic Ziploc bag!
I hope you will join me in celebrating her consecration to the Pastoral Office. It's true that wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed there will be those who would seek to resist, distort, and undermine it. The overabundant gift of grace from God is often too shocking and too difficult for us to fully comprehend. But, if you know my mother, you are aware of how fully she leads a life in response to this message of hope. Out of the desperate need our world has for her message–which is the same one delivered to her from the Apostles and saints that have come before–let’s put no obstacle in her way to proclaiming the only Good News that has the power to redeem the whole world and deliver us from the power of death, the hope that comes to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ!
In addition to a donation of any amount be sure to leave a message of encouragement that will be shared with her on her special day!
- Dcn. Jacob Stewart
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
The next step is her day of ordination, which is a day of great celebration and a sacred rite of the Church. There she will pledge to teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and be placed into the Office of Holy Ministry. On this day, the Church will grant her all those rights that pertain to the Office of Pastor. Once Bishop Pedro M. Suárez has placed his hands over her and blesses her, she will be authorized to regularly teach and preach the Word, forgive sins by the power of Christ's sacrifice, preside over Holy Communion, walk alongside those encountering hardship and death, and provide spiritual leadership and direction for whichever souls are lucky enough to seek her advice. In short, it's a weighty and difficult job.
In recognition of this tremendous accomplishment and to support her for the arduous journey ahead, it's good, right, and salutary for friends, family, and fellow church members to help provide new pastors with ordination gifts. Typically, ordination gifts are not only practical for ministry, but serve as daily reminders of our mutual love and support. While I am confident she would be delighted simply by our commitment to offer up prayers, out of thankfulness for all that God has done for us through her I believe we should, like our Father in Heaven, give good gifts. So that she may be borne up by the loving prevision of those she loves and who dearly love her, I'm hoping to raise around $2,200. These funds would go directly to several items, which are listed below with a brief description, example photo, and an indicative cost.
While the number and quality of gifts may be adjusted depending on the amount raised, for $2,200 we would furnish Teresa with quality items which will last her the length of her ministry. I'm aware that this number might surprise some, but these are expensive things, and it most often falls on new pastors to purchase some, if not all, of these items themselves. Also, I have conferred with her about items she already has, ones which will be given to her from retiring pastors etc., and ones which the church she's called to will provide. Here's the items which she still needs:
A Pectoral Cross ($350)
This is the standard wear of a Lutheran pastor during Sunday worship. Why? "Peccator" in latin means "sin". Christians for centuries would knock at their chests to show their grief over their own sin. This was so common a practice, the chest muscle was eventually named after this latin word sin. And indeed, the cross hangs over a pastor’s pectoral muscles and heart, or "pecs" for short. We as Lutherans recognize even the best of us are "Simul Justus et Peccator" or "Simultaneously justified before God and yet still sinners" and his phrase became a rallying cry during the Reformation. The Pectoral Cross serves as a reminder to those looking on that it is Christ's sacrifice that covers our sins. Also, as many might know, Teresa once managed a Jewelry store. So, I will arrange to work with an old friend of hers, who is an accomplished Jewelry designer, to make something truly special.
A Stole Set ($350)
This is the standard wear for pastors every Sunday. A stole represents the Pastor putting on the yoke of Christ, or put more simply it serves as a reminder for Pastors to love their neighbors. When pastors put on the stole they pray, “Lord, place upon my shoulders your yoke, and teach me that your burden is light. Make me mild and humble of heart.” Also, the different colors aren’t only fashionable, they match the liturgical seasons; purple for lent, blue for advent, red for Pentecost or Palm Sunday or days of celebration like ordinations or Reformation Sunday, white or gold for especially holy days like Easter, and green for ordinary Sundays. While churches tend to have some pastoral stoles, they are often a little dated or in bad shape, or in the case of someone of my mother’s height, too long.
A Holy Communion Set ($750)
This is the tableware for Holy Communion. Typically, a set is comprised of a Chalice and Patten or bread bowl at minimum. Many nice sets have other very useful things like a ciborium, for storing the reserve bread, or a little handwashing bowl or cruet set for washing your hands or the last bit of wine out of the chalice. It might seem like an overindulgence to have them made from precious metals, but it’s about more than respecting the Body and Blood of Christ, silver and gold have antimicrobial properties which make it safer for those participating. While many churches have these, it’s good for pastors to have their own. Also, many churches, due to lack of funds, neglect these items. Most churches have simple sets made of brass and gilded with thin sheets of gold, and while this is a cost-effective option, if neglected they will impart a rusty brass taste. And frankly it’s not nice to serve rusty brass flavored wine.
An Alb ($300)
The alb represents the purity of our baptismal promises, as Isaiah the prophet proclaims, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” You know how babies wear white when they are baptized? Same idea. Churches tend to have quite a few of these, however if you are searching for one that is unstained, your size, and made of something other than the thickest polyester imaginable it’s slim pickin’. Pastors need a nice comfortable alb, one that can be worn every Sunday for 2 or three decades. When Pastor’s place on the alb they pray, “Almighty, everlasting God, let me, disrobed of all unrighteousness and dressed in the white garment of holiness, follow you in your kingdom where the true joy resides.”
An Amice ($60 - $20x3 )
Finally, something that’s cheap! An amice protects your other nice vestments from getting ruined by sweat (or makeup), and it hides your streetwear. So, on hot days your pastor can wear a t-shirt under there, and no one is the wiser. It’s quite an old, traditional vestment, however. The pastor prays, “Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.” while putting it on.Clergy Shirts ($160 - 2x$80)
This is the daily uniform of the Pastor when they are on-the-go, so that they are easy to spot in public. When wearing “the uniform” Pastors tend to receive spontaneous requests for prayer and people in need are more likely to ask for help. It's an outfit that's designed to say, "I'm here for you." However, most pastors settle for cheap, boxy shirts made from–you guessed it–polyester. It doesn’t have to be like this! Nowadays, they make nice shirts, from nice fabrics, that are made for women…but they come at a price.
A Vestment Travel Bag ($260)
What does the traveling pastor do? Well, they’ve got this super durable nifty bag to keep your robes clean, with pockets for all your other stuff. Otherwise, you hang your robe in the back of your car and make sure no one touches it even on accident. It’s nearly impossible to fly as a pastor without this essential item.
That puts us at the number I had in mind, and thought would be achievable, but if out of an abundance of generosity, we end up raising more than I anticipate–no worries! We would have the option of improving upon some items above, or adding some other essentials to the list–here’s some ideas I have…
***Stretch Goal Items***
Celebration Stoles ($100-$500)
In addition to the basic stoles pastors often will have special occasion stoles. Like this one ($470) which has the symbols of the Small Catechism, perfect for ordinations or confirmations. Or even just this much simpler one ($160) for Reformation Sunday.
An Aspergillum ($150)
This is a pot and stick for sprinkling people with Holy Water, to remind us of our baptisms. Very cool item to have and most pastors want to do it, but are afraid their congregants will be weirded out or just don’t have one.
A Preaching Bible ($140)
If you read your bible daily, and you happen to have a cheap one, it will fall apart in less than two years. If you happen to swing it about, lookup passages for sermons, or bring it to hospital visits it lasts even less time. A solid smyth-sewn, bible will last a lifetime and can be repaired.
A Pyx ($60)
Admittedly, it’s a weird name, but tremendously useful. It’s a little box which can hold a little bit of the body of Christ. On Sundays a few wafers are put in it to be blessed alongside the rest of the bread. It can then be given to a Deacon or other church member to bring to an elderly parent, the sick, or shut-ins to give them communion. Come on, guys! Jesus deserves a little more than a plastic Ziploc bag!
I hope you will join me in celebrating her consecration to the Pastoral Office. It's true that wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed there will be those who would seek to resist, distort, and undermine it. The overabundant gift of grace from God is often too shocking and too difficult for us to fully comprehend. But, if you know my mother, you are aware of how fully she leads a life in response to this message of hope. Out of the desperate need our world has for her message–which is the same one delivered to her from the Apostles and saints that have come before–let’s put no obstacle in her way to proclaiming the only Good News that has the power to redeem the whole world and deliver us from the power of death, the hope that comes to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ!
In addition to a donation of any amount be sure to leave a message of encouragement that will be shared with her on her special day!
- Dcn. Jacob Stewart
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
Organisator
Jacob Stewart
Organisator
Brooklyn, NY