Attending General Synod 35 in Kansas City this past week was a good reminder of that for me. Gathering with so many faithful people around the theme “Into the Deep” rekindled my sense of purpose. The worship, the conversations, and the witness to justice all pointed back to the same truth: we are here because God called us. As the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson noted in her address to the church, the UCC is a “big tent.” We encompass a diversity of beliefs, theologies, and traditions. That’s what I love about the UCC. We don’t have to agree, but we are together because of the covenant they faithfully promised we made to each other that we will be together. Being with others who share this calling renewed my gratitude and gave me fresh energy for the work ahead.
I can still remember my very first General Synod. The gathering of so many people from the various expressions of the United Church of Christ: congregations, conferences, national staff, and global partnerships, all seeking to walk together in all God’s ways, made the Day of Pentecost come alive. It was like the rush of a mighty wind, a holy stirring that reminded me we are not alone in this call. The Spirit is still moving, gathering, and sending us out to be with others.
I also remember the moment that first stirred my heart toward ministry. I was sitting in church, just an ordinary Sunday morning. The pastor was preaching, and something in the message felt different. It was as if God's voice broke through the noise of my thoughts and spoke directly to me. In that moment, I knew I was being called. I didn’t yet understand where it would lead or how much it would ask of me.
We all have stories like this. Some calls arrive as a quiet nudge over time, while others come like a lightning bolt, impossible to ignore. However, the call that changed everything shaped who we are and why we do this work.
As clergy, our role can be tested and challenged in ways we don’t always expect. Expectations shift. Congregations change. The work can feel overwhelming or thankless. In those times, I encourage you to remember your calling! Remember your calling, not just the details of where you were, but the feeling of it. We recognize that conviction, the awe, maybe even the fear.
A calling can also evolve. God doesn’t keep us in the same place or role forever. Sometimes the Spirit moves us toward new service areas or different ways to live out our gifts. The path can be surprising. Sometimes, that journey can even lead us to exempt status, where our ministry looks different but still honors God's call on our lives.
The memory of that call can ground us again when the demands of ministry feel heavy. Today, I invite you to reflect on your story. What first pulled you toward this life of service? How does that call still echo in your spirit? Returning to why we began often gives us fresh courage to keep going.
Blessings as you remember.
Rev. Dr. Derrick