And so it begins

Our General Ordination Exam. We are to be in the library at 8:45 am, and the first question will be placed in our hands at 9:00. For half-day questions, we have 3 1/2 hours (9:00 - 12:30, or 1:30 - 5:00) to write our answers; the full-day question (Thursday) runs from 9:00 - 5:00. The questions will cover seven areas, as required by national canon:

• Monday: Contemporary Society; Liturgy and Church Music
• Tuesday: Scripture; Church History
• Thursday: Christian Theology
• Friday: Ethics and Moral Theology; Theory and Practice of Ministry

At this point, I don't feel panic, or nervousness; the anxiety dreams (the question is written in Hebrew? I only took Greek!) are past; two years of studying and preparation are behind us.

Friends and family, parishioners and diocesan clergy, have been wonderfully kind, caring and supportive. I am being held up in prayer in a way that is almost tactile. Now, I simply want to get started.

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

All right, here we go.