Rev. Anne Tambling
On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Knollwood Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC ordained Anne Tambling to the Gospel ministry.
Anne says of her ordination service:
As a second career minister, returning to my home church after 20 years of being gone, this was a particularly special occasion as I have come back to the church that was critical to my spiritual formation and the place where my children first attended church. I graduated from Wake Forest University Divinity School in December, 2020, but waited to begin the ordination process until after the pandemic when church began meeting in person again. I was surrounded by a strong mentoring committee that walked with me through the discernment process, which did not look like a “typical” call to ministry and involved a second career with a call did not place me in a pulpit every Sunday. The ordination service was a celebration of God’s call, surrounded by those that I love and using elements of scripture, poetry, reflection, and worship elements that exemplify my beliefs about God and our place in the world.
Advice for those preparing for ordination:
Surround yourself with people with whom you can be “real”, with a variety of perspectives from both inside and outside of your own church. There is much wisdom to be gained through the discernment and the ordination process, and this process can help you gain clarity around the idea of who you are as a minister and a Christian, and the place God is calling you to be! While this may seem like the end of a long journey following your education, it is just the beginning your journey as a minister in the public realm. Be yourself and feel confident in the place God has called you to be!
Once again, be yourself! Take your time and find resources with special meaning to you, including your favorite hymns, poetry and scripture that expresses your faith and your views on God and our world. I loved the opportunity to write some of my own liturgy and bring together quotes and ideas from Divinity School and beyond. The service was not only a celebration of my ordination, but also a chance to create a service with a distinct theme and perspective that considered both what I wanted to HEAR, as well as what I wanted to SAY. Surround yourself with people who have been a part of your journey and include them in ways that will be meaningful to both of you. Most of all, don’t stress about the details and enjoy yourself!