So I have started to embrace my call and start the process to get to seminary and eventually get on the ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada) list. Below is everything I have to do in a nut shell to finish the process. All I can say is oh my.

A Summary of the Steps to Ordination or Consecration in the ELCIC

Prior to candidacy for rostered ministry, an individual, often with the assistance of a pastor, congregation, mentor or others and through prayer, discussion and reflection, discerns a personal call to explore the potential for service in the rostered ministries of the church.

The following steps describe the process set out by the ELCIC for preparation and formation leading to approval for ordained or consecrated ministry in the church.
1) Contact with the Synod Office to obtain a Registration Packet
2) Submission of the completed Registration Packet to the Synod Committee for Theological Education including: application, autobiographical essay, congregational recommendation and other letters of recommendation
3) Completion of a Structured Interview
4) Psychological and Career Evaluation
5) Endorsement for candidacy for a specific roster (ordained or lay diaconal) by CTEL
6) Assignment of a CTEL relator to the candidate and initiation of regular contact and communication
7) Application to seminary, acceptance and enrollment in a course of study leading to certification for ministry
8) Annual Developmental Interview and Annual Endorsement by CTEL
9) Completion of Supervised Pastoral Education and submission of final evaluation to CTEL
10) Completion of Internship (ordained track) or Supervised Field Experience (diaconal track) and submission of final evaluation to CTEL
11) Completion of Academic Requirements (diaconal track)
12) Completion of Formation Event (diaconal track)
13) Recommendation by CTEL to Examining Committee for examination interview
14) Completion of Senior Dossier including written examination
15) Examination interview and recommendation for call and ordination or consecration by the Examining Committee
16) Approval by the Synod Council effective for one year, renewable no more than two times; and ordination or consecration by synod bishop upon receipt and acceptance of a call.

acutely aware that I don't have near enough

“So here I am

challenged by your word

to feed them

acutely aware

that I don't have enough

no where near enough

but I wont get caught there

give all that I have

all my fish to Jesus

for you have more resources

then I’ll ever know

so I’ll hand over

my only loaves

Hallelujah

for the Lord of broken pieces

has taken what I have

and surprised me with a feast”

Lance Clifford Odegard

Fish To Jesus - With The Chance To Feel

I have a job at the U of L doing maintenance work.

I have some great things on the go.

I have somethings that I am very excited to start.

However, the excitement I feel toward finally going forward is also backed with some trepidation. I know going forward is right but it is a lot to take in. A lot to be accountable for. If you would have told me 6 years ago the path my life would have taken by this point...all the things I would have to go through to be sitting here today knowing what I do. I would have looked at you in stunned silence and then awkwardly laughed it off. But I am finally seeing the purpose and that in itself is enough. I know I would not be sitting here, where I am, about to embark without every last one of those experinces good or bad. So for those days in the wilderness I can only thank God with my whole heart.

Skakes

"Blessed to be a Blessing"

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 50th anniversary celebration.

Myself, Lynne, and Michelle singing "As I went down to the river to pray". I am glad they have many much more singing skills then I when it comes to harmonizing on the spot. They are outstanding and awesome.

Cathy, Jordan, Michelle, Anna, Myself, and Larry. I owe much of my faith to Larry and Cathy and the work they did while they were with us. I miss them greatly and wish we didn't live 5 hrs apart.

Sometimes just coming together as a group feels better then you ever thought it ever would or could. It was a great time to catch up and reconnect with people that I have not spoken to in way too many years. Getting to see Cam and Liz + the kids was great. Hearing the wisdom of the charter members as well as past and present pastors was more then a gift.

Skakes