And Away We Go!

Last Friday morning I met with Tracy Dawson. She is a friend from church who is an attorney and a recent graduate of Iliff Seminary. We were able to discuss more specifics regarding classes, timeline, costs, the application process, etc. I knew after leaving that meeting that I didn't need to speak to anymore people about whether I should take this first step or not. That's been very clear to me all along. Of course, I will continue to seek counsel as we go forward on this crazy journey.

When I returned home from that meeting Friday I had a bunch of work to address. One of the reassigned claims that I received was for a traveling evangelical minister in Ft Collins. In five years of bodily injury claims that is my first minister client. I found that ironic and interesting. Coincidence? Or confirmation?

Martin Luther King once said something to the effect that faith is taking the first step on a staircase you cannot see. At this point I have decided to take that first step and apply at Iliff Seminary. The request for letters of recommendation are out. I am working on the application and have almost completed my personal statement. Transcripts need to be ordered (ug, that's the part I'm not excited about). Whether Cheryl's plans or Gods, what I'm feeling on my heart right now is to begin in January by taking one night class per quarter as we watch/listen for God's direction. The deadline for application is November 1.

This decision allows us a number of options as we prepare for this huge change in our lives. First, in October we will finally become members of Columbine United Church after nearly 5 years. This will allow me access to scholarships and grants in October 2010 from either the United Church of Christ or the United Methodist Church (whichever I choose to commit to). That's a topic all it's own. My church is aligned with three denominations: United Church of Christ, United Methodist and Presbyterian. Membership in CUC affords membership in each denominiation. However, at this point in time the United Church of Christ is the ONLY denomination that will ordain 'someone like me' - a gay person. I guess that path remains unclear at this point.

Second, the completion of the 2009 and 2010 work years at Farmers will give us access to additional cash and 401k contributions, as well as time for planning and savings. Yeah, and figuring out how we're going to pull this off. Finally, by taking a class I can get started working toward the degree, get involved in the Iliff community, perhaps get Kandis some worship gigs and get a feel for the options we might have going forward.