Posts Tagged ‘Deb Phelps’
Chalice Camp Provides Practical Ministry Instruction
Over 40 seminarians and others preparing for ministry gathered at Camp Barbee near Leesburg, Ind., for the first Chalice Camp on October 17-19. Chalice Camp was organized by the Disciples of Christ Seminarians (DOCS) group at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, with support from the faculty of CTS and the Indiana Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Campers and mentor-leaders pose at the end of Chalice Camp 2008. Photo by Paul Hartig.
Although many Chalice Camp attendees were students from Christian Theological Seminary, campers also came from the University of Chicago Divinity School and from Columbia Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. A couple preparing for service as licensed ministers from the Disciples Central Rocky Mountain Region also attended.
Ron Allen and Linda McKiernan-Allen served as the primary leaders for Chalice Camp, providing valuable leadership and instruction. Deborah Phelps, a student at CTS and 28-year educator, organized students and leaders to bring the camp to life.
Throughout the weekend, campers received instruction and guidance on practical areas of ministry, including conducting wedding and funeral services as well as performing baptisms. The camp also included sessions on the Lord’s Supper, ministry structures and identity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and mistakes ministers make.
Experienced pastor-mentors guided attendees at Chalice Camp through the weekend. These mentor leaders shared from their experience and listened to the ministry stories, hopes and aspirations from campers.
Campers and leaders alike received a blessing from preachers who offered a message during each of the four worship services held over the weekend. Ron Allen’s message on ”What It Means to Be a Disciples of Christ Minister” anchored the opening worship service on Friday evening. Juan Rodriguez, pastor of Iglesia del Pueblo-Hope Center in Hammond, preached on Saturday morning, and Terri Owens, Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, gave the message on Saturday evning.
Linda McKiernan-Allen gave the sermon at closing worship on Sunday, encouraging students to rejoice always, whatever the circumstances. Linda’s message led into a service of commissioning for the campers.
During the commissioning service, campers received certificates of appreciation and a shoot of live ivy suitable for planting. Giving ivy has historical significance as this was the practice at graduation from the School of Missions in the early 20th century. Graduates of the School of Missions, who had completed preparation for work as missionaries, were given a sprig of ivy with the idea that they would plant it when they arrived at their mission station.
Initial feedback from the event has been very positive, and plans are underway for Chalice Camp in the fall of 2009.
