Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you
come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have
come alive.
–The Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman
22 June 2015
Beloved friends,
Two years ago, I
felt a slice of awe and an even larger slice of gratitude as I stepped into the
pulpit once filled by The Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman. I was overwhelmed with
emotion and also affirmed of my call to serve justice with every ounce of my
being. Dr. Thurman has been a profound influence on my path to ordained
ministry. His leadership in the civil rights movement, his mentorship of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., and his prolific writings on ethical and cultural
criticism informed and transformed me into the religious leader I am now called
to be. Most inspiring was his creation of The Church for the Fellowship of All
Peoples in San Francisco. It was there, in 1944, so much of what he believed
came to fruition. The church was the first in the country to proclaim and
realize the goal “to create a religious fellowship that transcended artificial
barriers of race, nation, culture, gender, and social distinctions.”
And so it is with
deep humility and gratitude beyond measure I share with you that on August 30,
2015, I will be ordained by The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples. They
have invited me to take my ministry into the world on their behalf and with
their blessing. Having been so deeply influenced by Dr. Thurman and then had
the enormous good fortune to study under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake
and serve the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples during my field study, I
offered an enthusiastic ‘YES!’ My experience of this historic church community
is that it consistently embodies the values I hold dear. Love and social
justice are beacons on their path toward creating a more just and sustainable
world.
Friends, this is
such an honor and I am hopeful the many others who have been formative and
supportive on my path to ordination will be able to join me in this
celebration. (More details to follow).
With an abundance
of love, gratitude, and joy,
Suzi
Suzi Spangenberg,
MASC, M.Div
Berkeley, CA