Tania Dozeman shares some “random thoughts about the experience of a second career person’s journey toward ordination at the end of a pandemic as the UMC faces a split.”

TANIA DOZEMAN
2021 Elder Candidate for Ordination

2015

A call
surfaced

I danced 
around it

Before 
surrendering
all that 
I knew

It was in 
the awkward 
pause

It was behind 
“Best wishes!” 

But I knew 
the question
 “Had I lost my mind?”

2016

I walked away

I stepped 
into school 

always
trying 
to be
in two 
places 
at once

I stumbled around

I ran
into 
the Spirit 
and 
She
filled
me 

2017

Rome

Beautiful churches
Beautiful like museums
Ropes 
Guards 
“Silencio!”

They did not 
speak Life

I kept searching

In the depths of 
San Clemente al Laterano
a secret
1st-century Christian 
worship space

unadorned 
dimly lit
void of 
pomp 
and
circumstance
water 
pulsating 
through 
an ancient
aqueduct

Revealed

She was 
there
And this 
is where 
to stay

2018

I slipped 
a symbol
of the 
Trinity 
on my 
finger

A reminder 
of this 
new
commitment

2019 

The clouds 
parted
The Son 
behind us
Love 
in the 
form of a 
rainbow 
appeared

2020

Cancer came 
to my family
I had a lot of questions
There were complex answers
and a new language
I did what I had to do
When I got weary
God sent messengers 
with love to putty the cracks

Then Covid came 
to everyone
There were a lot of questions
There were complex answers
and a new way of being
I did what I had to do 
When I got weary
God sent messengers 
with love to putty the cracks

Ordination 2021

When I pause
And listen 
to the earth
She whispers 
Resurrection

In the unfolding 
of each new green leaf
In the rhythm 
of the tide
In me

When I pause
I am reminded 
of my calling

to tend 
and nurture 
what is waiting 
to be born 
of God
with
faithfulness
curiosity
and 
grit

~ Tania Dozeman is a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church and received her Master’s of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical in May of 2018. She has an undergraduate degree from Hope College and a master’s degree in counseling education/counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. She currently serves as the Pastor of Engagement at Holland First United Methodist Church. Prior to the unearthing of a call to ministry, she worked in public education as a teacher and as a school counselor. Tania is married to Ted and has four kids, two of whom have four legs. Inspired by a preaching professor who encouraged her to find the art form that would ground her preaching, she plays with words as a way to connect more intimately with the Spirit of God.

Last Updated on May 25, 2021