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May 7th, 2010
01:04 pm - Passing the CTP
So, I came back from lunch and found that I had congratulated myself for completing the ADF Clergy Training Program through all three Circles. It turns out that, as the guy who runs the program, the notifications come out from me, regardless of who did the actual approval of the course. FYI, my coursework was primarily approved by  druidkirk
Anyway, this has placed me in a new situation: I am now in a liminal state between "eligible for ordination" and "ordained," and it feels somewhat like I thought it might. . . Specifically, it feels very awkward.
This is not a bad thing: these sorts of things are supposed to feel awkward: if they didn't, we would not require rites of passage to move us out of the liminal state. But it is rather indescribable.
To attempt a description, I feel "light," as if I am between responsibilities and expectations. I feel "calm," as if I have come to a clearing in the woods where everything is perfect. I feel "expectant" and "prepared," as if there is something waiting for me, ready to pour in and fill me up.
I've spoken a lot recently about updating the CTP, and one thing that wasn't on my list of recommendations so far (but will be soon) is a waiting period between completing the program and requesting Consecration, Initiation, and/or Ordination. This is primarily for the sanity of our reviewers: nearly everyone who has been through the program has turned their work in and requested consecration/initiation within a couple of days. I'm not pointing fingers: I did it for both consecration and initiation. But after seeing the affect it's had on the reviewing process in general, I see that it's time to slow down some and enforce a time limit. . . and force people to remain liminal for some time.
We've talked about this before, and everyone agrees that it's a good idea. . . possibly because those I've spoken to have been crunched by reviews thrust upon them just before a consecration.
What I find myself wondering is what should fill this liminal space, and all I can think is "Service." But what kind of service? What form does it (or should it) take? I do not know yet. Perhaps each student comes to that understanding on his or her own. It may be right for us to ask of our applicants that they accept a service request from the Clergy Council Officers, a project or disciplinary practice that will prepare them for the work ahead.
Perhaps this is my service: to understand what it is that the service that prepares one for Ordination really is.
Current Location: Southeast of Disorder
Current Mood:  thoughtful
Current Music: "Last Mango In Paris", -JB
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Congratulations, Mike!!
I like the idea of a waiting period. I would also suggest that there be a specific topic or one question that the person preparing for the rite of passage be asked to consider privately. Nothing to be turned in, but something that is revealed at that moment (completion of the work) that the participant should meditate upon.
We have decided upon just such an approach for the Initiation to the highest level in the Order of Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries--and my mind has been reeling regarding the given topic ever since!
Congrats, again!
M The Initiate Program already requires post-completion testing, so you might draw some ideas from that process, too.
Thanks! I'm sure I will, if I ever get there! I've got a LONG way to go. I'm already past the minimum ten month period by quite a bit, lol. Minimums are for people who don't experience the fullness of the journey ;) Congrats :D I don't like congratulating you on your posts on FB due to the email spam ;) Yeah, but only if they reply directly to you, and she doesn't get spammed when I reply to you.
Unlike FaceBook, which thinks I care about every possible post that could be posted on something I like :) I'll take Art and Michael spam any day :D Thanks. I can't acknowledge the "congrats" on FB because I can only post on the ADF fan page as "ADF". . . which is roughly as awkward as e-mailing to congratulate myself :) I say congratulate and thank yourself. You've earned the right to be overtly narcissistic for the day! :D Maybe, but do I really want it to appear like I posted the FaceBook congrats as well as the ADF-Announce congrats? ;) Congratulations! That's a heck of a lot of work, you should take some time off! Oh, if only there were rest for folks such as me. :)
FYI, if you have any questions re: your IP letter, let me know. . . it's in the discussion phase at the moment. The mission period is a good place to work through, too. I would definitely like some sort of service to ADF.
At the moment, it's looking like I may end up doing a lot of writing for ADF, but I am not sure that's enough. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/90788600/1111909) | | From: | wcm |
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| Date: | May 7th, 2010 08:49 pm (UTC) |
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Woo! Congrats! Now take a rest. :) Rest? There's no rest for the wicked. . . or our clergy. . . or our wicked clergy! That might be pretty good, or at least a good place to start from. It gives you something tangible to return to in the future.
Still thinking :) Congratulations, Michael!
:) I think you should have to wait to be ordained until I can be present. Srsly. It's currently planned for Summerland . . . :) Summerland is August 19. School starts August 12. *pout* |
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