5. Caring for all Creation
I Nurturing care and compassion for God’s creation
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Seminary taught me about multiple ways of knowing. Due to my social location, my personhood is only threatened by patriarchy. Women of color must navigate patriarchy, but also racism. Each “ism” means additional spheres that one must navigate to stay safe. The further one gets from the center the more reliance on a circular way of knowing that “we are all in this together.” It is an intimate connection with creation.
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The rivers of my youth helped shape my understanding of my place in the world as well. I was one of many sharing a common space.
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II Maintaining a basic understanding of mental health and wellness
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Once a month behavioral health education training for work as a nurse.
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Accompanying my patients and Rebel & Divine young adults to intake appointments.
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Participate in W.I.S.E. training and events.
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Through nursing, I have compiled a list of resources especially around addiction and perinatal needs.
III Practicing self-care and life balance
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I have a group of friends independent of both nursing and ministry settings. The only thing we have in common is our love of dogs.
IV Providing hope and healing to a hurting world
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Provided an experiential class on Praying the Psalms at Desert Palm UCC Tempe that included a group writing of a psalm of lament.
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Led a weekly Lectio Divina at First Congregational UCC Phoenix.
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Provided spiritual care with one Rebel & Divine young adult who was homeless and had schizophrenia. He reconnected with his family who welcomed him home.
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Provide spiritual care to one transgender young man as he navigated his pregnancy and the birth of his son.
V Attending to one’s own spiritual and pastoral care including engagement in supervision as appropriate
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I have participated in counseling on several occasions during my life as life experiences dictated.
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I attend weekly services.
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VI Stewarding the resources of the Church
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Establishment and monitoring of the budget and resource potential for Rebel & Divine
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Participated in stewardship moments for First Congregational UCC in Phoenix and Palo
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Christi Presbyterian Church in Phoenix.
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Unfortunately, although Rich Doerrer-Peacock and I have had multiple conversations about this
Mark of ministry, he has not fell well enough to document his thoughts for me to share in this
space. He served as the chaplain to Rebel & Divine whilst I was the moderator. I greatly value
and appreciate his insights, friendship, and mentorship.