By Brett Hetherington*

Ministry is rewarding, life-changing work. It can also be challenging and can cause pain for pastors that impacts and changes their life for months or even years. Addressing that pain was the focus of the March 18 full-day event for clergy titled “Toward Healing the Harm 2: How to Lead with Courage Even When Your Voice Shakes”. Planned and facilitated by a group of individuals who have served on the Cabinet, the Board of Ministry and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the event provided space for teaching, sharing, and healing. Hosted at Faith United Methodist Church (Central Valley District) in North Canton, the event served as a sequel of sorts to the Toward Healing the Harm webinar hosted by the East Ohio Conference in 2021.

“People said the first one was really helpful, and we thought ‘what else should we do?’” said the Rev. Abby Auman, pastor of Strongsville United Methodist Church (Northern Waters District). “We had similar goals to the first one in that we recognize there is a lot of hurt that happens specific to being a clergy woman. There’s differences and sometimes very important differences between our experiences, but there’s a lot that winds up being universal.”

Toward Healing the Harm 2 was an event for all clergy, recognizing that shifting cultural expectations have led to some experiences being shared by men and women.

“With male clergy taking paternity leave and some of the negative things parishioners may have to say about that we also wanted to bring in the aspect that it’s not just female clergy who are going through things it’s the male clergy who go through things as well,” shared the Rev. Darlene Robinson, who retired in November.

Healing was the focus of the day for everyone in attendance. Spiritual directors were on hand, a prayer space was set up for anyone who needed to step away, and processing pieces were intentionally built into the day.

“I think we’re really focused on how do we heal from some of this so that we can bring healing to the world and go forward as healthier clergy? Living into our call, and really accept the healing Christ offers because if we hold onto the hurt, we aren’t letting Jesus do everything He could for us,” said Auman.

Healing is a process, and that fact has not been lost on the leadership behind Toward Healing the Harm according to the Rev. Heidi Welch, pastor of Brecksville United Methodist Church (Northern Waters District).

“When we planned the first ‘Towards Healing the Harm’ event, the intention was to continue the healing conversation with future events. So, as we planned ‘Even When Your Voice Shakes,’ we built upon that first event by focusing on the reality that our healing happens in the midst of continuing to serve, and in that, sometimes experiencing new moments of harm. We tried to balance giving practical advice with simply leaving space for the Holy Spirit to soothe and nurture souls,” Welch shared.

The event started with a readers’ theater presentation of the story of Esther and was built around “dimensions” – teaching segments wherein a pair of clergy would share personal experiences, guidance and wisdom, and point toward Esther as an aid in the journey. It closed with a service of holy communion and healing led by Bishop Tracy S. Malone.

Robinson pointed out that the event was not an exercise in clergy attacking the church. “The only thing we did not want to do – and we were very careful – is that this is not a church-bashing conference. It is just clergy trying to help clergy know we are not alone and to give us some tools to be better prepared for when and if we encounter controversial situations in our settings. Because it’s not the church but sometimes one or two people in the church.”

The ultimate goal of the day according to Auman was for people to know they are part of a community that can bring healing and offer support, and to equip clergy with different tools and strategies to help them handle whatever challenges show up for them.

“The event was better than I could’ve imagined, because of the people there. They came with open hearts and a willingness to be in vulnerable community with one another,” shared Welch. “My favorite part of the day was having the opportunity to be in community, crying, laughing, and worshiping together. It was The United Methodist connection at its best!”

The Conference Communications team would like to share other stories that highlight ways that each of us is answering the call of Bishop Tracy S. Malone to reach out to our communities in creative ways. Please e-mail your ministry story to EOC Executive Director of Communications Rick Wolcott at wolcott@eocumc.com.

* Brett Hetherington is the Communications specialist for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.