Church secretaries urged to find time, space to 'listen to God' By Linda Worthington
UMCONNECTION STAFF  Jaquette | Nearly 35 secretaries and administrative assistants from the Baltimore-Washington Conference staff and local churches assembled at the conference center Oct. 30 to seek the fellowship of others and attend a workshop on the theme of 'Vessel Cleaning.' Barbara Jaquette, a licensed graduate-level social worker with Pastoral Counseling Care Ministries led the workshop. The meeting was sponsored by the conference chapter of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries. Nationally, PAUMCS was organized in 1982 'to provide a supportive base for unity and fellowship … in order to provide individual growth, professional development, continuing education and spiritual enrichment,' according to its mission statement. 'We want to establish a successful support system to address the needs of church secretaries and local church lay personnel,' said Olivia Gross, president of the chapter.  CHRISTINE KUMAR/UMCONNECTION | | Cynthia Kearney, left, Donnelle Lyons, center, and Yvonne Hollins, right, share insights at the recent PAUMCS Baltimore-Washington chapter event. | The Rev. Kimberly Hall, associate pastor at Mt. Zion UMC in Highland, said, 'The pastor is visible but your role is largely invisible, behind the scenes (at church). I thank you for being the pastor's support system.' Hall charged the secretaries to use their gifts to 'continue to serve God with all your heart and strength.' Jaquette, a lifelong Presbyterian, caught their attention quickly when she asked, 'How many of you ever get angry (in the workplace)?' As participants in several one-on-one conversations revealed their anger and frustrations to each other, Jaquette explained that today was a time to clear out the 'stuff' in 'our vessels,' the center of the self. She said the vessel was either clogged or empty. 'So you have to clean or fill the vessel. We can only do this for ourselves. No one can do it for you.' It takes commitment and cooperation to become a 'special vessel,' she said referring to 2 Timothy 2:20. Recognizing the busy-ness of church secretaries and administrative assistants, Jaquette encouraged them to make quiet time to meditate or pray and to write down their thoughts. She led the group in a silent exercise to 'find your own breath' and listen to God. 'When we're too busy, God often can't find us,' Jaquette said. God can gbwc_superusere each person to her own wisdom, she said. 'It's in your vessel.' Jaquette spent a few minutes explaining that one's vessel is filled from the learnings of early childhood, which are often misperceptions. Then as adults, we find those beliefs challenged. 'Our life journey is trying to get rid of those primitive parts,' she said. 'Be patient with yourself, give yourself time,' she encouraged the secretaries. With assistance from the participants, Jaquette listed a dozen or more ways to care for one's self. 'Clean out (your) clutter,' she said. 'Pass it on to someone else.' 'No matter what size, shape or color your vessel is, God has a use for it,' Jaquette concluded. Don't say to God, 'Why have you made me like this?' Instead, ask, 'What do you want me to do with it?' Sue Ball, secretary of the local PAUMCS, suggested that secretaries in each part of the conference or in districts organize small support groups closer to their homes. Gross encouraged them to attend the national meeting next April in Albuquerque, N.M., and to ask their local church staff-parish committees for financial assistance. | 
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