New leaders assume office thankful and ready to serve

 

The transfer of leadership ceremony held on June 30 was described by newly-elected president Sister Linda Mershon as “a celebration of leadership.” The chapel was filled with sisters and affiliates and in her reflection to those gathered, Sister Linda noted that the new leaders “. . . begin with feelings of affirmation for your vote of confidence, of excitement and enthusiasm for the adventure ahead, and, we must admit, a bit of trepidation for the responsibility you have given us.”

The ceremony began as the outgoing team processed down the aisle and took their seats on the five chairs centered in the sanctuary. Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer led the congregation in opening prayer and later, the transfer of leadership ritual. This ritual, detailed in Unity in Diversity and the FSPA Book of Directives, calls for the president, vice president and mission councilors to assume office beginning July 1 of the year elected. During the call to leadership, Sister Ladonna asked Sister Linda “Are you willing and ready to begin this ministry?” After Sister Linda accepted, Vice President Sister Eileen Lang and the mission councilors, Sisters Paulynn Instenes, Rose Elsbernd and Suzanne Rubenbauer, were asked if they were ready to begin their ministries. “I am ready,” they each replied.

The ceremony continued with the outgoing team presenting the new team with FSPA symbols: the book of Gospels symbolizing the call to discipleship, The Rule of Life of the Brothers and Sisters of Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi and Unity in Diversity, a lard light symbolizing the FSPA charism of prayer and loving presence, a directory of current FSPA members, affiliates and congregationally sponsored ministries, and the FSPA Book of Life representing the deceased members. At that time Sister Ladonna led the outgoing team in the rite of relinquishment of office. The congregation sang Go Forth in Peace as the former leaders left the sanctuary. The new leaders then took their new positions, the five seats previously occupied by their predecessors.

Closing the ceremony with her reflection, Sister Linda invited the community to live the model they laid out during the 2009 General Assembly: A Vision Quest. She said, “Together we’ll midwife [A] Vision Quest, gently guiding the evolution and transformation of the community, whatever that looks like. Things aren’t supposed to be as they always were. I trust that the Spirit is in this mystery—this place where there is room for not knowing. It is where we stand on the brink of we know not what and trust in God.”

She also challenged the community to produce the future, create possibilities. “We cannot look to leadership as those solely responsible for moving the community forward. Should we do so, we will be a community of passive members, with a sense of entitlement.” She continued, “As membership, we are visionaries. When we all take responsibility for the vision of the community, our attention, our resources, our energy and our creativity will shift in service of the vision. Leadership is in the process with you, ready to help facilitate your plans and dreams. We are your servants.”

The celebration continued throughout the day as the new leaders settled into their offices and prepared for the evening’s celebratory meal, served by the new team. Sister Linda’s final words to the community rang throughout the day, “May the Spirit of God be intimately involved in each of our lives and in the life of our community as we journey forward together.”