They came from everywhere to call forth Judy Lee as their priest at Lamb of God community in Ft. Myers, Florida. the commissioning ceremony of Dr. Judy Lee, Doctor of Ministry, DSW was held on March 30, 2008 at Lamb of God Church, Fort Myers, Florida.
The ceremony began with a welcome by Pastor:Walter Fohs, who said: "We are here to bless and call forth Dr. Judy Lee to serve Christ in our community. She will be ordained as a Roman Catholic Woman Deacon and then Priest and she is a servant called by and confirmed by our ecumenical and interfaith community here in Ft. Myers. Elders in the Church in the Park where Judy and a large group of volunteers serve a weekly meal, read from the Bible and came before the assembly to state why they were calling forth Judy to serve them as their pastor. Members from the Black, Latino, Call to Action, and Lamb of God stated the reasons they were calling Judy forth to continue Christ's work of service to the needy and advocacy for justice for the Beloved Community. Pastor Becky Robbins-Penniman, an Episcopal priest and co-pastor of Lamb of God Church summed up the presentations and called Judy forth. Bridget Mary Meehan, Roman Catholic Womanpriest and Formation Director for the Southern region, presented a reflection of Mary of Magdala as the apostle to the apostles, who was not believed by the male disciples even though she was at the cross and the first witness to the resurrection in all four Gospels. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are ,like Mary of Magdala, responding to Christ's call to go and tell in spite of opposition by the hierarchy. Bridget Mary affirmed the community's call of Judy to servant priesthood. As Judy was ordained, she was carrying the entire community with her, as a witness to her call to go and tell and serve God's people with a loving and compassionate heart. Alleluia, Amen!!
Members of the community carried stole, Bible, Cross and bread for ministry. They were bestowed by Rev. Bridget Mary Meehan, Pastor, Walter Fohs, Pastor Becky Robbins-Penniman, and Rev. Joe Irvin.
Jack Meehan played a soul-stirring rendition solo on the saxophone of "What A Friend we have in Jesus"
All the community was invited to come up and bless Judy with the waters from the baptismal font. Pastor Walter made the sign of the Cross on Judy's head with the Baptismal water and invited the acompanying community to come forth to do the same.
Pastor Judy read her response "Your Servant- A Poem"
The communtiy concluded with the final hymn " I have Decided to Follow Jesus.
The Benediction was given by Pastors Walter and Becky . "The Service Begins- Go and Serve".
Lamb of God Church volunteers served a dinner and the joyful celebration of Pastor Judy's call to priestly ministry continued the festivities!
The ceremony began with a welcome by Pastor:Walter Fohs, who said: "We are here to bless and call forth Dr. Judy Lee to serve Christ in our community. She will be ordained as a Roman Catholic Woman Deacon and then Priest and she is a servant called by and confirmed by our ecumenical and interfaith community here in Ft. Myers. Elders in the Church in the Park where Judy and a large group of volunteers serve a weekly meal, read from the Bible and came before the assembly to state why they were calling forth Judy to serve them as their pastor. Members from the Black, Latino, Call to Action, and Lamb of God stated the reasons they were calling Judy forth to continue Christ's work of service to the needy and advocacy for justice for the Beloved Community. Pastor Becky Robbins-Penniman, an Episcopal priest and co-pastor of Lamb of God Church summed up the presentations and called Judy forth. Bridget Mary Meehan, Roman Catholic Womanpriest and Formation Director for the Southern region, presented a reflection of Mary of Magdala as the apostle to the apostles, who was not believed by the male disciples even though she was at the cross and the first witness to the resurrection in all four Gospels. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are ,like Mary of Magdala, responding to Christ's call to go and tell in spite of opposition by the hierarchy. Bridget Mary affirmed the community's call of Judy to servant priesthood. As Judy was ordained, she was carrying the entire community with her, as a witness to her call to go and tell and serve God's people with a loving and compassionate heart. Alleluia, Amen!!
Members of the community carried stole, Bible, Cross and bread for ministry. They were bestowed by Rev. Bridget Mary Meehan, Pastor, Walter Fohs, Pastor Becky Robbins-Penniman, and Rev. Joe Irvin.
Jack Meehan played a soul-stirring rendition solo on the saxophone of "What A Friend we have in Jesus"
All the community was invited to come up and bless Judy with the waters from the baptismal font. Pastor Walter made the sign of the Cross on Judy's head with the Baptismal water and invited the acompanying community to come forth to do the same.
Pastor Judy read her response "Your Servant- A Poem"
The communtiy concluded with the final hymn " I have Decided to Follow Jesus.
The Benediction was given by Pastors Walter and Becky . "The Service Begins- Go and Serve".
Lamb of God Church volunteers served a dinner and the joyful celebration of Pastor Judy's call to priestly ministry continued the festivities!
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