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1.11.2014Annual Recorded Minister's report
2013 Recorded Minister’s report - Peggy
Senger Parsons
It was a year of great change and expanded
challenged for me. I started the year
working with C. Wess Daniels(NWYM) and Kathy Hyzy (NPYM) on a weekend event
called the Nursery of Truth. It was held in Camas Washington. It was a
convergent event focused on bridge building and nurturing ministries. It was
well attended and spiritually fruitful.
I taught a workshop on Friends use of the Bible and preached the Sunday
morning sermon. High times.
On February 4, I accepted a position as program
coordinator, of High School Partnerships at Chemeketa Community College. I
facilitate 9 programs on three campuses for marginalized and underprivileged
youth who are not making it in the public schools. For the first term I did this more than full
time job while finishing teaching three sections of Psychology. The first two months were exhausting. Since then I have found some sustainability
and life balance, although the Quaker world has shrunk to Freedom Friends
Church on Sunday mornings.
I closed a counseling practice of 20 years to
take this position. I all but abandoned by blog, just as it went over 100,000
views.
In some faith communities going from Pastor and
preacher to full time education administrator would be the end of your ministry
career. I am grateful to God and Friends
that the prevailing view is that I have taken my ministry focus into the field
of education. My mission as a pastor and counselor was to preach good news to
the poor, dress wounds and facilitate freedom. My mission has not changed a
bit. We educate, we heal, and we facilitate social and economic freedom for the
least of these. I feel that Jesus has given me a position in his diplomatic
core. Embassy staff in a land of poverty and ignorance. It is very good
ministry.
One practical application is supplying the
girls bathroom in the GED building with feminine hygiene supplies. You cannot
buy these products with food stamps. Girls really do go without. Friends at
Freedom Friends have helped me with this. None of the girls know where they
come from. One was heard to say “the tampon fairy has been here!” I also keep the trunk of my car full of used textbooks
that I loan to students who cannot afford their books. I work with students
with mental illness, depression, anxiety and autism. I am a fierce advocate for
those who have been bullied. One of my favorite things about my job is that my
boss appreciates my spiritual center. In an expulsion hearing, I can talk about
grace and redemption and have it taken seriously. I don’t have to say Jesus’ name,
I just do his work and stay connected to Him while I do it. I was asked to
officiate at a wedding for one of my Russian Orthodox co-workers, who needed a
legal ceremony after her church wedding. We closed the office and staff
gathered around and we blessed a union. No one seemed to think that it was off
the have the coordinator praying over this young couple. That day I did use
Jesus’ name, and held my grandfather’s preaching Bible.
For Halloween, I dressed up as the staff
exorcist. I spent the day giving the last rites to zombies and blessing the
meek and casting out evil. More than one person said that it wasn’t really fair
dressing up as your actual self.
As things lightened up for me, I started to
write again. I have just this month sent to my editor a first draft of a narrative
theology in a Quaker flavor, but written for the wider audience. It is the most
transparent that I have ever been in my writing. This will be my fifth book. I
expect that it will be published by summer. It does not have a title yet, but I
am excited about it.
In November and December I served my beloved Alivia by producing her new CD. I also sang a little.
I continue to serve Freedom Friends as
co-treasurer. This has not proven to be a burden. I attend to my self-care in
many ways including 2 motorcycle-based spiritual retreats, and monthly sessions
with a Spiritual Director.
I am glad to be part of a community of
ministers.
.
Comments:
Blessings on you and your ministries!
I seem to have a ministry these days of nagging all the writers in my life to consider publication options accessible to the print challenged. That is, I have the leading to ask but no clear leading as to simple options or easy tips for getting there. Holding that in the Light.
This is beautiful! And you. Can't wait to read your current book when you finish.
# posted by
 : January 11, 2014 11:59 PM
Peggy, thank you for sharing your minister's report. We have a facebook group called Friends Spiritual Accountability in which Ashley shared your posting. We all have so much to learn from each other! I love that the form of your ministry could change significantly yet it is still the same essence. Blessings, friend. - Viv Hawkins, Central Philadelphia MM, Philadelphia YM, and friend of Marge Abbott
Thank You for this inspirational Minister`s report.
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