Teresa Blythe was ordained as a minister of the United Church of Christ at 4pm Saturday, September 24, at Casas Adobes Congregational Church, UCC. She is a member of our church and we were pleased to host her ordination service and the reception which followed.
A procession of clergy from our denomination and others opened the ceremony. The Rev. Lee Milligan, CACC's pastor and Moderator of the UCC Southwest Conference welcomed attendees. W. Mark Clark, associate general minister, UCC, led the call to worship. The Rev. Greg Foraker and Tess Jones read from the Scriptures. The Rev. Dan Wolpert, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Crookston, MN, and the co-founder of Minnesota Institute for Contemplation and Healing , gave the sermon.
The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, UCC Southwest Conference Minister, The Rev. Marie Bacchiocchi, and CACC Council President George Glusky conducted the service of ordination which was followed by the laying on of hands. Later Rev. Heather Tolleson joined the new minister in offering communion.
Music was provided by the Pickin' Pastors & friends, the CACC Chancel Choir directed by Dr Daryl King, and soloist Ryan Phillips.
Blythe will serve a specialized ministry of spiritual direction in the UCC's Southwest Conference. Her call is to assist people in their spiritual journeys; individuals, congregations, and other groups. She is a graduate of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, where she received a M, Div. degree and a diploma in the Arts of Spiritual Direction.
In addition to her work with SWC Blythe leads the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, is a consultant to congregations of other faiths, writes frequently for publications of the UCC and other organizations and conducts a private practice in spiritual direction and vocational discernment. Her best know book is "50 ways to Pray --- Practices from Many Traditions and Many Times" (Abingdon Press).
