When I began discerning my call to become a clergyperson in the United Church of Christ, I was blessed and had the joy of being surrounded by retired clergy who mentored, guided, and encouraged me. Now, as I sit in the Southwest Conference office and review the list of clergy celebrating their ordination anniversaries, I am reminded again of the impact these ministers have made. Their faithfulness shaped congregations and communities, and their influence continues to reach far beyond the years of their formal service. Their presence helped form my call, and their legacy continues to guide and inspire the life of the church.
As we continue our journey through Advent and light the candle of Joy, we recognize God’s presence in every season of ministry. Joy rises not only in beginnings but also in those faithful chapters that come to a natural and meaningful close. Here in the Southwest Conference, 36 ordained ministers currently hold Exempt Standing. These individuals served congregations, chaplaincies, classrooms, military units, hospitals, and mission fields with devotion and heart.
Exempt Standing reflects a distinct form of joy. It honors the joy of long-term service, the joy in releasing the public mantle of ministry when the time is right, and the joy congregations experience as they remember and celebrate the ministry shared. Even though these ministers no longer serve in public roles, Exempt Standing affirms their ordination, their ongoing covenant, and their enduring connection to the wider United Church of Christ.
Across the Southwest Conference, congregations can respond to this reality in tangible and meaningful ways. Share stories that highlight how these ministers shaped your faith community. Send a note of thanks, offer a prayer of gratitude, or invite them as a guest to a milestone celebration. Name the seeds they planted, and the love they poured into worship, pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and leadership. These simple gestures honor the chapter they wrote in your story and celebrate the joy their ministry continues to bring, like my momma used to say, “give them their flowers while they are living.”
This Advent, as we focus on Joy, let’s give thanks for those who carried the gospel with grace in every season. Their witness shows us that ministry does not end; it takes a new shape. The Spirit continues to move, calling each of us to share hope, peace, joy, and love wherever God leads. As we look ahead with anticipation, may we honor the past, embrace the present, and walk together in faith, rejoicing in what God continues to do among us.