Ministerial Fellowship Student Liaison Reflection
Rev. Leslie Takahashi Morris
My personal positive experience preparing for and appearing before the Ministerial Fellowship Committee was reinforced by the opportunity to serve as the student liaison for the December 2005 meeting. From this behind-the-scenes vantage point, a few observations:
- I was struck by the intentionality of the Committee. Care is taken to try to minimize distractions and that candidates will be put at ease and treated with respect when they arrive. That is not to say that the experience was without stress for me or any other candidate, and yet it matters that efforts are made to reduce unneeded stressors. Questions are carefully developed and the order of questions is also deliberate and considered.
- Utmost attentiveness was the goal of the committee. Prayer and meditative quiet was used before each candidate enters to ensure that the committee is focused. The careless, insider conversations that can mark such processes were notably absent and every effort is made to show respect.
- This is a hard-working bunch reading countless words and sitting for hours in unaccommodating chairs to try to give the best hearing to each candidate. The dedication and care the committee members devote is hard to describe. I had the impression of being in holy work throughout my time with committee.
- The health of Unitarian Universalism is the goal of these deliberations. Committee members often wrestled with their strong empathetic desire to do what a candidate wanted and what they thought was best for our ministry AND the candidate. This is not a credentialing group simply trying to maintain a conservative standard but rather expanding to meet new needs.
I was reminded of my own experience and looking back at it with the 20/20 vision of hindsight, I would have liked to know that
- The process is easier on extraverts and on those who are comfortable with speaking to small groups—I was very impressed that those who do not fall into these categories who used their sermon and first question to compensate.
- Sometimes miscommunications occur between candidates and the committee and pastoral presence becomes very important.
- Some times there are substitutions on panels and student liaisons such as myself who are not listed on the official biographies (this seemed to throw off the diligent folks who had memorized the list.)
- The committee is very committed to the Association's anti-racism and anti-oppression work and is not just paying lip service.
- Shorter answers helped candidates in general. Unitarian Universalist ministry being the multi-faceted job that it is, the committee has a lot of competencies to get through—I think this is counter indicated by the candidate's wish to let folks know how MUCH they have studied (at least that was true for this overachiever.)
As I approach my own first renewal, the process reminded me of my own aspirations and recalled me to my best intentions. How to sum up such a rich process and such a dedicated group of people? As I reflected on the work of the Committee in my last hours with them, this haiku seemed to a bit of the nature of the Committee and its work:
A grove of trees surround
The precious, holy pool of faith.
The branches spread toward hope.
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