Ordinations in the Diocese

Faith Journey

HEARING THE CALL

The Rev. Amy Feins, The Rev. Dr. Anne Hartley, and The Rev. Sandra Rogers share their stories.

compiled by Lindsey Nickel

At the 53rd Annual Convention in 2021, the diocese held a workshop on Discerning the Call to Ordained Ministry. It was during this hour, that this editor learned the ins-and-outs of the process to ordination. During the following months, I often found myself reflecting on this and the power of the call to serve.

On January 22, I attended my first Ordination liturgy. Amy Feins, Anne Hartley, and Sandra Rogers were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by the Rt. Rev. Barry Howe at The Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg.

Struck by the Holy Spirit and the work of the Lord in our lives, I asked the newly ordained Deacons, “What was your spiritual journey to your call to ordination?” Below are their stories.

Pictured Above (left to right top row): The Rev. Canon Richard Norman, the Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison, the Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, and the Very Rev. Dean Stephen Morris. (Bottom row): The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore, the Rev. Amy Feins, the Rev. Sandy Rogers, and the Rev. Dr. Anne Hartley.

THE REV. AMY FEINS

I have had several jobs/careers, and although they were fulfilling, I always felt that I was put here to do something else. I didn’t know what, but I figured I would know what it was when it hit me. In the spring of 2017, I was in church, and during the Holy Eucharist I heard a voice telling me that I should “do that.” Since hearing voices is a bit unusual for me, I didn’t tell anyone about my “episode,” but the voice didn’t stop, and in fact became rather insistent. Later that summer I spoke to my Rector, hoping that he would tell me that this voice I was hearing was a figment of my imagination. He did not. He told me to pray.

I have had plenty of second thoughts about this path, but much stronger than any of those doubts has been this invisible force that pushes me from behind and draws me ever forward on this strange and wonderful and sometimes incredibly difficult journey of faith. My friends and family have asked me why I chose this path at this point in my life, and the only answer I can give them is that it really wasn’t a choice. It is what I am called to do. I know that God has a plan for me, and that placing one foot in front of the other and following His will is the best way for me to discover just what He has in store.

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THE REV. DR. ANNE HARTLEY

If I hadn't made space in my busy life to enter the diocesan discernment process, I might never have realized that I was ready to dedicate my whole self to God. God's call has been quiet and persistent. As a Postulant and Candidate and now as a transitional deacon and curate, I am living my authentic life in Christ. While I recognize the challenges the church faces, I am encouraged by the loving souls where I've served, inspired by their gifts and leadership, and challenged by fellow church leaders who walk the way of the Cross with love and grace. I regret a little bit that I did not choose divinity school in my 30s (I chose forestry school instead), but the experiences I had in the next three decades--hiking up a mountain to harvest rainforest plants, researching climate change impacts in pristine tundra, teaching students about the wonder of nature and facilitating their community service, being married, and raising a child prepared me for faith leadership now.

Like Rilke's poem, "I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one, but I give myself to it..." My job is to be present with God's people and be a conduit of God's love in the world.

THE REV. SANDRA ROGERS

I knew from the time I was a child that I wanted to serve. I think I was 9 when I saw an encounter between my priest and another parishioner that really grabbed my heart, and I knew that I wanted to do what he did. I grew up in the church, a cradle Episcopalian.

I first began discernment shortly after graduating from college and was approved as a Postulant shortly thereafter. But God’s timing is not always the same as ours. I began seminary in the fall of 2003 as a Postulant and through life experiences ended up resigning from that process, though I did graduate with my Master of Divinity. "All in God’s time." That is a phrase that I needed to learn; a phrase I needed to trust. I always thought I knew better the plans for my life and tried to tell God how those plans should play out. I laugh now as I think of the arrogance of my youth. But that phrase has taught me that God knows what I need to learn, where I need to grow, and, most importantly, where I needed to heal. All in God’s time. As I sit at my laptop writing this, I’ve just been ordained as a Deacon and will be going to Sewanee to study and earn a Diploma of Anglican Studies. It’s been a long journey. A journey I wouldn’t tradefor anything else.

All in God’s time.35 39 31