It is now forty years ago! June 7, 1985—I stood before an assembly of friends, family, members of the clergy and laity, the Bishop and his cabinet. I was shaking with excitement as my name was called to come forward to receive the words from the Bishop Felton May that I was now ORDAINED AN ELDER IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH! What I had experienced to achieve this goal was often forgotten in the midst of the joy.
From the time that I was sixteen years old, I had realized that I had an extraordinary commitment to my faith in God and Christ. My faith often kept me from socialization as a youth because I was “too religious”! When I went to Miami University in 1957, I immediately felt a need to find friendship with others that shared my faith. I spent most of my free time at the Wesley Foundation on campus and grew more convinced that I would someday pursue pastoral ministry. In 1961, after teaching one year in Elyria, Ohio as a fourth grade teacher, I knew that it was time to apply to seminary to pursue Christian Education. I was accepted with full scholarship and spent two years of my life that were unforgettable at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. I also was honored in 1963 as one of five top persons nationally for my studies in Christian Education. I received $1000 which was certainly appreciated.
In 1964, I received a Master’s in Christian Education and was then hired to be responsible for the entire education in the campus church at Morgantown, West Virginia. I trained teachers, chose the curriculum, dealt with everything concerning the Christian education at Wesley United Methodist Church. It was at this church that I met my husband. After my sons were born and they had a good start in school, I began to do some substitute teaching at Wyoming Valley West District. Again, I realized that I was being pulled into the work of the church.
My family was active at Lehman United Methodist Church and I often did lay speaking on Sundays in the area. When I realized that I would be able to cope with the demands of a church plus being a mother and wife, I called the District Committee and soon was approved to be appointed. The evening that I was called before the committee at Huntsville United Methodist Church, I cried with joy! I was finally going to be a pastor! In order to become a full member, or “elder”, in the United Methodist Church, I had to fulfill certain requirements. I went to Licensing School for two weeks immediately when I was appointed to Huntsville UMC.
I knew I would have to have another year of seminary to receive a Master’s of Divinity, but would my former credits from twenty years previous at another seminary be approved? One day, at Drew University where we were being licensed, I walked over to the building to make an appointment with the Department Chair to inquire about how I could apply for my Master’s there. Would it take too long? I have always felt that God intervened that day in my life. The Chairman happened to be present when I walked into the building. He said to the secretary; “Have Mrs. Santos to come into my office right now!” After conversation about the courses that I had taken and the professors that I had, he said: “You can be admitted as a third year student!” “Why”, I thought!” This man had also studied at Garrett and had the same professors that I had enjoyed!!!!!! To me, this was a miracle! The story of my two years at Drew would take so long that I probably can just say that without God’s help I wouldn’t have made it! Driving to New Jersey, studying, making sure my sons and husband were okay and doing the work of my church–almost incredible but I did it and in 1983, with my family present, I received my Master’s of Divinity.
Now I would be recognized to go forward to become an elder. I had spent four years of seminary and countless other demands from the church to be able to be called an elder. So you now get a better idea of what I had to do to get to this special moment that I share with you today. I received a Bible, which I still use. I could now wear a beautiful red stole, which I am wearing tomorrow for Pentecost. It is hard to realize that it has almost been a half century of pastoral ministry since that special day. Yet, I also know now that I have no regrets that I heard and answered God’s call to give totally to the many people that I pastored these many years. I thank my family that they have shared me with the work that I hold in esteem. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR STILL GIVING ME THE STRENGTH TO DO MINISTRY!