Ordination of Alanna Menu as a minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care in The United Church of Canada on 25 May 2008 at the 79^th General Meeting of BC Conference of The United Church of Canada held at Capilano College, North Vancouver.

Commentary by Alanna

These pictures were taken by Murray Strome, Centennial United Church, who filmed the entire service. Thanks, Murray!

Approximately 400 people assembled on Sunday, the last day of the General Meeting, for worship and the ordination service. After the sermon, the candidates for ordination (that means me) were brought to the stage to be presented to the members of BC Conference.

The assembled congregation was asked, “Will you support and encourage Fran, Janet, Judith, Jane, Julie and Alanna as they perform their ministry among us?” The congregation answered, “We will.”

Each candidate was asked to make three vows:

1. “Do you believe in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and do you commit yourselves anew to God?” We each answered (in turn), “I do, by the grace of God.”

2. “Do you believe that God is calling you to the ordained ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care, and do you accept this call?” We each answered (in turn), “I do, by the grace of God.”

3. “Are you willing to exercise your ministry in accordance with the scriptures in continuity with the faith of the church, and subject to the oversight and discipline of The United Church of Canada?” We each answered (in turn), “I am, with God’s help.”

The people assembled sang a blessing “And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of my hand.”

Each candidate then came forward separately to have hands laid on her, while the Rev. Janice Young, President of BC Conference, said, “Spirit of the Living God, move among us now. May your Holy Spirit be upon your servant, Carmel Alanna McQuaid Menu, that she may rise an ordained minister in your church.”

The people in the picture, from bottom left and going clockwise are: the Rev. Bev Tracey (from St. John’s United, Deep Cove, the United Church which Art attends); the Rev. Dr. Murray Groom (from Mill Bay United, representing Victoria Presbytery), the Rev. Arthur Menu, the Rev. Janice Young, President of BC Conference; the Rev. Doug Goodwin, Executive Secretary of BC Conference. I’m in the centre.

Each of us was then presented with the symbols of our position – a Bible and a Communion cup and plate.

As the Rev. Doug Goodwin presented the book, the Rev. Janice Young said, “Take this book, proclaim in word and action the gospel of Christ, with diligence and love.”

As the Rev. Doug Goodwin presented the Communion cup and plate, the Rev. Janice Young said, “Take this cup and plate, serve God’s people with reverence and joy.”

These pieces of pottery had been especially commissioned, but 10 ten days before the service the potter notified BC Conference that she was going into hospital and hadn’t started the commission yet – six plates and cups. Luckily, BC Conference knew of another potter, Darryl Auten, a member of the United Church and a past-President of BC Conference, and asked him if he would be willing to produce these – quickly. He and his daughter were able to complete the task. The cup and plate are a pale green. The base of the cup is hand turned wood. The cup has a very simple design embedded in the clay. They are quite beautiful (and unique).

At the end of the ordination part of the service, the members of the congregation were invited to rejoice with applause and a sung ‘Hallelujah”.

After the service I invited friends and family back to the Holiday Inn for a celebration lunch.

Can you tell we’re happy?

At the luncheon, Peter Leckie, who is the husband of my classmate and fellow ordinand, Fran Darling, gave us an impromptu concert on the bagpipes. The hotel quickly but discretely closed the doors of our luncheon rooms so that the other guests would not be disturbed (silly guests). It was a wonderful gift that Peter gave to all of us.

In our hotel room after the ordination and reception, Art and I were joined by my sister Colleen (second from left) and her husband, John Weatherseed (far left), and my sister Brigid (between Art and me) for a celebratory glass of bubbly. Colleen and John and Brigid had come from Toronto for the ordination. Having them there meant the world to me!