By Althea Jerome
A highlight of taking voice lessons some 30+ years ago was an opportunity for me to get acquainted with my voice teacher’s baby daughter, who would join us during or after the lesson. My own children were college students at the time, so an opportunity to visit with young Kate Roberts was always a pleasure. Over the years I have watched her grow into an immensely talented adult as a member of our congregation, from baptism through confirmation and high school graduation.
During childhood, Kate’s talent was nurtured through music, dance and a love of live theatre performances. She was active in local community theatre, and often commanded the stage when she was the youngest person in the production. Eventually she attended university, choosing theatre as her major. Following college, Kate began working with a national company in the securities industry in North Carolina. After a few years she began to sense a call from God to enter the ministry.
During the pandemic, she spent time exploring the possibility of entering seminary. Three years ago, she pursued that call by entering Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, with support from our congregation. On visits to her home church, she has enthusiastically spoken about the challenges and rewards of the work she has experienced thus far. Our congregation has supported her with the blessing of the Session, members, and some financial assistance.
Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church Hattiesburg Mississippi, the Reverend Dr. Christopher Crotwell, who has known Kate for almost seven years expressed his joy at experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst:
“One of my favorite things to do with people who feel compelled to do something new in their faith journey is to bring them into a room with our elders and ask them one question. How did the Spirit lead you to this moment?
Almost always, as this individual begins to articulate their answer about why they want to join the church, have their child baptized, begin teaching a class, or venture out in some mission project, I sit back and watch the elders faces. A softening happens. Shoulders relax. Bodies lean in. Mystified and humbled smiles begin to emerge. Tears begin to well.
In that moment, and to borrow a phrase from Darrel Guder, this soul, called to whatever they are called, is re-evangelizing the elders and continuing the conversion of the church. This person isn’t just their long friend, or the person who sits in the pew behind them, or even their daughter. This person is now an ambassador, a “sent one”, who is offering a lived testimony that the Holy Spirit is at work in this place. They are declaring with their lives that the risen Lord is in these halls, in these ordinary Sunday mornings, around these coffee pots, near the collection boxes for socks, and in their youth group meetings.
Suddenly, the elders are newly aware, that what they (and we) do matters. They are aware that there are greater things happening among us and through us. They are aware are that God is here and we should keep going, because who knows what might happen next.
Of course, something like this happened when Kate Roberts sat with the elders on a Sunday and shared the call that Christ had placed upon her to the ministry. To say it was joyous might even be an understatement.
Following Kate’s August visit, the Clerk of Session recorded the body’s decision to change her status from “Inquirer” to “Candidate.” In the Session minutes, Clerk Dan Davis wrote:
“The Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church proudly supports Kate Roberts in her continued studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The Session has provided financial, moral and prayer support for Kate, now in her third year at the seminary. She has served as an Inquirer and in September received the Session’s support for Candidacy. In that meeting she discussed her academics, her efforts to develop a community of faith and her personal spiritual application and growth. We look forward to following Kate on her career path of service.”
Since I have known Kate all her life, it is a tremendous joy for me to imagine how God will use her dynamic personality and enthusiastic faith to walk alongside others on their faith journey.