Ordaining Donna {A Celebration of a Friend and a Leader}

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Four years ago, when I was only ankle-deep in the digital ocean of blogs and forums, I crossed paths with a woman named Donna who insisted we meet and have coffee. We did meet,in broad daylight at a crowded coffee shop in Portland's Lloyd Center district. That first "blind date" went well, and so, we began to meet up regularly for coffee and conversation.

About that time I had been invited to be a guest at a faith conference in Seattle hosted by an outfit called Off the Map. Their roster of speakers included an intriguing couple named Ken and Deborah Loyd who were pastors of a church called The Bridge. I casually mentioned this on my blog which Donna read.

The Loyds - and The Bridge - intrigued Donna like it did me and soon she was quietly visiting the small, but rowdy church. Within a couple of months, my family had also jumped into the swirling waters of Bridge community life.

Donna and I had many more coffee dates after that. Being nearly the only women over forty in the very young Bridge church (average age is just 27)we talked often of how to find our way in a church where we found ourselves at the Older End of the spectrum.

Deborah appreciated the efforts we were making. The three of us had several coffee dates at Albina Press, one of North Portland's best coffee spots.

Ken was recruiting for cooks to help prepare and serve meals on after Sunday service. He was going downtown a lot to befriend homeless kids and travelers and often invited them to come to The Bridge. He knew that a hot meal after church would make for a more hospitable

Donna and I readily jumped up to the task and became a dynamic cooking duo. For more than a year we helped with those Sunday meals. Our friendship deepened as we waded deeper into the river of The Bridge.

When Ken launched HOMEpdx, a church devoted to "his friends who live outside," Donna and I were wholehearted supporters. We continued to serve meals to this new ragamuffin community until HOMEpdx got too big for two homecooks like us to handle on our own anymore. (The Bridge officially took over our slot. Whenever there is a fifth Sunday on the calendar we have an entire team of cooks and servers who take care of it)

During these last four years Donna has begun to shine brighter and brighter in her gifting as one who comes along side those in the margins. Her pastoral talent didn't take long to become evident to those around her. It is a call she has known for years, but she's a runner. She's been resisting the call of God to this office for a long for all kinds of complicated reasons. But at The Bridge she found a family and a community where she could finally face and conquer the inner obstacles to her calling.

Yesterday Donna VanHorn was ordained as the newest pastor at The Bridge Christian church in Portland,Oregon. Our church, which is notoriously irreverent and at times mocking of anything remotely religious, was cognizant of the sacred transaction we were privy to be a part of. With songs, prayers and declarations and tears, Donna stepped over the line into the leadership role she has quietly been doing all along with a roar of hollering and clapping cheering her all the way.

Afterward, there was a rousing party at The Flipside, a small venue behind Muddy's coffeehouse on southeast Belmont. Vivian and Crystal did an amazing job getting it organized. LIVE music, food, friends and much laughter as hell finally froze over.

I brought along my Flip video recorder and captured some moments of the day. Even if you don't know Donna or anything about The Bridge, it's worth taking a look at. The Bridge is an unorthodox church in practice, yet traditional (for the most part) in belief. Donna's ordination is a great portrait of how a church community can express the beauty of Christ in it's own unique way.

Oh, and about the flipping off business you'll see in the video. Well, that's a long-held joke between Donna and I. It's our love language for each other. And like my friend Mimi says, it's just a finger.\.

Speaking of Mimi, she wrote and read a wonderful poem for Donna's ordination. I'll end this post with that. And if you know Donna, drop by her Facebook and give her some loving fun as you can call her Rev now.

We love you Reverend Donna!

Extra-ordin(ary)-ation [Donna’s]

By Mimi Schaper

She looks me in the eye

Her blue eyes are quiet

Penetrating {they scare me}

They are listening eyes

She’s the prophet

In britches without knees

She strides

Cap pulled low

Giggles; hugs

Collects socks

For feet without homes

{Cold, soggy feet}

She brings relief

To wounded souls

She has her own

Point of view

Her own theology-

Study of God-

Ultimately practical;

Tutorial to her teachers

Basic

All about Love

Each other

Jesus

Read the red letters

Hear what

Jesus is saying to you

She will listen

[don’t let this scare you]

Really listen {this is rare}

She’ll share her pizza

And her last dollar-

Get leaky-eyed over you