I was moved by the picture on the September front cover of Canada Lutheran and the article inside about celebrating 50 years of the ordination of Lutheran Women. Pastor Pamela McGee (or Pastor Pam) was my minister in her first charge at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Morrisburg, Ontario. My sister and I took part in her ordination ceremony in the local arena and she confirmed me. She was my minister at a very formative time in my life. And she was wonderful; a woman of grace and faith and determination. She made a huge impression on me and it was through her that the very soft, gentle voice calling me to ordained ministry started.
It took me a long time to answer that call for several reasons, one of them being I saw up close and personal how hard being a woman in ministry was at that time. By the time I got the courage up to start seminary, I was married, had three children and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. I attended Knox College and earned my M. Div. in my forties. I have been a congregational minister now for 11 years and just retired from Stamford Presbyterian in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I have had many people ask me about my faith journey which led me to ordained ministry and for me it always starts with the incredible Pastor Pam whom God put in my path so early in life. Although it is uncommon in the Presbyterian Church, I am called Pastor Anita, my way of respecting the woman who showed me the way.
Peace and joy,
—Pastor Anita Van Nest
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