Officially "Pastor Miss Church"

PSWR Region recognizes Pastor Janette J. Navarrete as clergy

On Sunday, March 16 Harbor hosted the commissioning ceremony for Janette J. Navarrete. Serving as Harbor’s Children & Youth Pastor for the last six-years, Janette took steps to be officially recognized clergy by the larger Christian Church. PSWR Regional Minister Richie Sanchez along with Pastors Sadie and Ryan Cullumber presided over the ceremony ending with the laying of hands by Janette’s present family members, friends and Harbor community.

Our Youth and Children stayed in service to honor their Pastor of the last 6-years. Indigo Cullumber and Gabriella Earnhart performed a special music piece and our youngest, who had dubbed Janette the innocent name of "Miss Church" years prior, greeted her at the end officially as "Pastor Miss Church."

A potluck was set following service to celebrate this sacred milestone. Participants were instructed to bring a dish from their respective or adopted culture meaning there was a wonderful assortment of food!

Read about the meaning of this ceremony from Pastor Janette herself followed by a message from Senior Pastor Sadie Cullumber below.

Reflection from Pastor Janette J. Navarrete

I hope I have enough space in this blog post to share how much work has gone into completing this phase of my journey, and how much it meant to me to get to celebrate with YOU, my community! I know that all of this wouldn't have been possible without the love and support you have all given me. The check-ins on school, the questions about how I'm holding up, and the prayers. Pray for your Pastors, church! We need them too!

To start with a few basics-

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a congregationally structured denomination. Meaning, it is run by the Board (with Pastoral staff giving suggestions and opinions), who is made up of Church Members. The Church is allowed to call their own Pastors. I, for example, have been “Pastor Janette” for a few years, that is the job description/contract I have with Harbor. Churches are allowed to call anyone a Pastor or Minister as long as that person is serving in that capacity.
What you all witnessed last month was my Commission Ceremony, which means that our Region (the Pacific Southwest Region) has also recognized me as Clergy within our Denomination. This Commission stays with me as long as I am serving at Harbor. (more on how I got here in a bit!)
If you have been here for a few years, you likely saw Pastor Ryan in his Ordination in 2022. Ordination is when you officially become a Reverend and as long as you stay in good standing with the Region, that title goes with you no matter where you work.

I have technically been on the road to Ordination from the start. As many of the items needed for Commission and Ordination overlap. I love that in the CC(DOC) we are able to call our own Pastors. This feels very much like Jesus calling his first Disciples- there was something within them that he knew would be helpful in his work even though they may not have had all of the education or “credentials”. I also appreciate that when someone chooses to go into the ministry, the Region does a thorough job in making sure that candidate is fit for this work.

Here are the things I've needed to complete

since starting this journey in July of 2021:

Meet with the Regional Minister on interest and intent to begin this journey
Apply to begin this process which included 3 Letters of Recommendation, a Faith Statement and Call to Ministry Statement, and signed Letter of Support from the HCC Board and Pastor Sadie
Initial Meeting with the Committee on Ministry
Boundary Training (to be updated every 5 years for all Commissioned and Ordained Clergy)
Anti-Racism and Pro-Reconciliation training (to be updated every 5 years for all Commissioned and Ordained Clergy)
In depth Psych Evaluation, met with a Denominationally Approved Therapist for about 3 months
Began my educational requirements through Phillips Theological Seminary
Second annual meeting with my Committee on Ministry group
Full DOJ LiveScan background check
Completed the Ministerial Profile, which included a Regional Minister letter of support, a colleague Pastoral letter of support, and two letters of support from within our church (thank you Nan and Heather!)
Application for the Apprentice Track to Ordination, which included 4 Letters of Support as to why I would be a good candidate for this track to Ordination (thank you Cecilia and Pastor Sadie!), a list of my understandings of the 16 Areas of Competency, and an essay on my Qualifications for Ministry
Third annual meeting with my Committee of Ministry where I was accepted for Commission!

As you can tell- this has been a long time coming, a ton of hard work, and so many to-do items to check off, while continuing my seminary work and work at Harbor.

The tears I shed at my Commission ceremony were a release of all of the work that had been done so far, and also a realization of my ‘why’ in doing all of it. I have done this work, and continue to do it with all of you in my heart. For this little growing church. For this gorgeous property filled with people ready and willing to care for it as it cares for us. For all who have come before me here, and all who will come after me. For my ancestors, for my Mom, for my Nieces, for all the little brown girls from the hood who have no idea what is to come, but who continue through their life, one step and one yes at a time, knowing that with God, all things are possible, and God is in them too.