From Ordination to Installation to a Life of Service by Linda Dini Jenkins

Sunday, November 1, 1998 was one of those days in the life of Old South Church that some of us will never forget. It began with a special All-Church Forum led by Rev. Mary J. Luti, flowed into an uplifting service of God's love for all people led by Rev. Jim Crawford (with the contributions of many Old South participants), and was supported musically by the Old South Choir and the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. After the service, there was a first-rate reception attended by more than 100 people in the Gordon Chapel. Enough? No way! At 4:00, a caravan from OSC (including a full trolley!) arrived at Plymouth Congregational Church in Belmont, to witness the service of worship ordaining Lael P. Murphy to the Christian ministry.

Having never attended an ordination before, I wasn't sure what to expect. But Tim and I had the benefit of driving over with Janice Graves, whose sister is a UCC minister, and she gave us a "heads-up" on what would happen. In talking with Lael a few weeks later, she gave me a little more background, too.

While a student at Andover Newton Theological School, Lael did her Field Education at Plymouth Congregational Church. She and Matthew joined, and many of the people who participated in the service were friends and clergy from the time they spent there. So, while it may seem like Plymouth is Old South's "farm club," having given us Arlene Nehring and Susan Gibson before Lael, there is a strong connection. Lael put together the entire service herself (it's traditional that the candidate do so) and asked to have both church choirs participate as a way of joining her two congregational families.

I asked Lael what the significance of ordination was, and she said that it's the event which assigns full authority to provide ministry, baptism, communion, and marriage. But, importantly, in the United Church of Christ (UCC), the vows of the ordinand include the promise to preach and teach, as well as to be faithful to God's word. In the UCC, we authorize our ministers to study, pray, and teach the Word and to bring the Light of Christ to the world in that way. In fact, UCC ministers wear academic robes to be ever mindful of their roles as teachers.

Of course, ordination is preceded by years of rigorous study, internships, papers galore, and having to prepare long and thought-provoking statements of faith. Despite that work, however, a seminary graduate cannot be ordained unless he or she is called to serve by a congregation — to be lifted up by the people. "It's a public acknowledgment of my willingness to serve God," Lael says. "I know it's a tremendously moving experience for everyone who attends. At the service, the ordinand publicly accepts the yolk of Christian discipleship and ministry which, without the help of God, would be unbearable." With these words, we can already hear how well Lael will serve us.

Surely one of the most moving parts of the UCC ordination service is the "laying on of hands." It's a traditional part of the service, but it's not always done quite the way it was on November 1 where every congregant could participate. "Often, it's just the clergy who do the laying on of hands," says Lael. "But we have the option to include everybody, and that's what I wanted to do."

If ordination is a time for us all to reflect on how to be faithful, and how to walk the walk together, this participatory act brings it right home. In all, it was a joy to be part of. And with a solo by Matthew Murphy and important roles for Senior Deacon John Weingartner, Moderator Roger Burke, Revs. Jim Crawford and Don Wells, and Gregory Peterson, the service felt like home.

Two weeks later, on Sunday, November 15, Lael Plunkett Murphy was officially installed as this church's Assistant Minister. In her children's sermon that day, she told the story about the stole, and how it represents the "towel" that Jesus used when he washed the disciples' feet, and we can already see how well she wears hers. The congregation of the Old South Church in Boston received Lael into the church with prayers and song, with gifts of scripture and hymnal and stoles (see box below), and with a promise to give her due honor and support.

These have been humbling and exciting days. Lael has already earned our respect and our love over the years she's been with us, and we now walk together with her in our mutual ministry. Hallelujah! +

Technicolor Dreamcoat by John Weingartner [Editor: as part of Lael's installation service, on behalf of the Deacons, Sr. Deacon, John Weingartner presented Lael with a set of stoles and told all of us the significance of each of the colors -- then quipped, "Here is our Assistant Minister, Lael P. Murphy, in her amazing, technicolor, dreamcoat! ]

Red symbolizes the blood of Christ. It also represents the presence of the Holy Spirit and, therefore, is worn on Pentacost and other special occasions such as ordinations and installations.

Green symbolizes the Trinity. It also signifies hope and growth, and is worn from the Sunday after Pentacost till the first Sunday of Advent.

Purple is a symbol of royalty, and it is worn during Advent, the coming of Christ, and as a symbol of penitence is worn during Lent.

White symbolizes purity and light. It also signifies rejoicing and, therefore, is worn from Christmas till the beginning of Lent, and again, at Easter. +