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Here are the pictures from two important events of this summer: examination and ordination. Examination was when the presbytery examined Rob to see if he’s ready to be a pastor. This took place in Stanton, Kentucky on July 15th. After Rob was examined, they called me to get on stage with him and have him introduce me to the presbytery. One of the questions was “How long have you two been married?” While Rob was taking his time doing mental calculations, I quietly put my hand up as “5″. Then he looked at me to check on the number. Then, the whole presbytery laughed.
Rob is answering one of the questions during the examination.
Rob and Beth Hamilton with Rev. Tom Farmer, the chair of Committee on Ministry
Here is the picture of the commission to ordain Rob as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Ordination service took place on August 17th at Highland Presbyterian Church. In this picture, Rob is wearing the stole of “Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors”. His father also played the bagpipes in the service.
The Commission for Ordination at Highland Presbyterian Church
L to R: Robert Hamilton, elder of Christ Presbyterian Church and bagpiper; Rev. Jack Wilkers, pastor of Third Presbyterian Church; Rev. Robert Hamilton, pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church; Johnny Hiers, elder of Highland Presbyterian Church; Jane Bond, liaison and elder of the presbytery; Rev. Bill VanZant, former pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church; Rev. Dr. Richard T. Smith, general presbyter of the presbytery; Rev. Justin Marple of Peter Creek and Shepard Memorial Presbyterian Churches.
Rob and his father, Bob
Rob became an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament of Highland Presbyterian Church on August 17, 2008. It was a special day for him (and for me). As his wife, this was one of the exceptional moments in my life. I have known him since the first day of college. We became friends, and we didn’t date until our senior year. I have watched him struggle in seminary. Mind you, seminary is tough. Hebrew, Greek, theology… are not a walk in the park. Since graduating from seminary with a Master’s in Divinity, it took him six years to become ordained. Why? He had to take ordination exams before he could start seeking a call. There are four ordination exams: Sacraments, Theology, Polity, and Exegetical Work. They’re all written exams. Because of his dyslexia, the church allowed him to take these exams using alternative means (after he showed proof that he couldn’t pass the written exams). He then passed them, and it took him a year to find this special place in this “holler” of Kentucky mountains — Highland Presbyterian Church.
The ordination service was moving and beautiful. The commission for ordination coordinated the service. The commission included the moderator of the presbytery, the former pastor of Highland, our pastor of Third Presbyterian Church in Staunton, the pastor of two local Presbyterian churches, the elder of Highland, and the elder of the presbytery. The moderator delivered a sermon on being neighbors based on the parable of the Samaritian and Amos 8. It was an interesting perspective. Jesus wanted us to love the Samaritans (people we hate) and how we need to show our love being neighbors. Then the pastor from Third delivered a charge to Rob; he told Rob to be himself. Then the former pastor of Highland delivered a charge to the congregation telling them to accept Rob as who he is, that he will make mistakes and will do good things, and that both will give each other the grace to forgive each other. During the ordination service, he received the stole as the symbol of the office of a pastor. The stole was a gift from Third Presbyterian Church in Staunton. The stole is called Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors. It’s gorgeous, hand-woven and made in Guatemala.
Both of our families came. It was nice to see all of them together supporting Rob in his call. We are glad that we were able to spend some time with our families as well.
If you can zoom to the picture, you can see the church sign saying “Welcome Rob and Beth Hamilton”, which was up on the day we moved to the new manse.
Highland Presbyterian Church
Since the move, we have been overwhelmed. Rob started his job. We unpacked (and we are still unpacking in Rob’s office and at home). We got our driver’s licenses and license plates. We met our neighbors and the congregation, and we started to get to know them. I got an interview for a job, and I got it. Rob got ordained, and both of our families came to the ordination service. I started the new job. I signed up for the last course before I graduate in December. We got a VP200 (a videophone) and got our iPhones to stay in touch with our friends and families. We are getting settled in our new home. Now, I’m back to writing posts.
Y’all come back, ya hear? 
Watch out for more posts soon.
On Tuesday, Rob preached a sermon to the half of the presbytery. Then he was examined. The examination was a defense of one’s beliefs. The committee asked two questions based upon his statement of faith. Then the floor was open to any member to ask questions. Two members asked difficult questions. He showed confidence and assurance of what he was saying in his defense. After the meeting, people approached him and made nice compliments on his answers. I wish y’all could have seen it.
Based on the actions of the presbytery, Rob is officially called to be Minister of Word and Sacrament to Canada Highland Presbyterian Church. He finally jumped through all the hoops to become a pastor. This was a very long and difficult journey for him (and me as well). We both had to put up with all the frustrations and barriers that occurred along the way. I am very proud of him for staying on the track and for pursuing his call. Many people would have quit or tried a different route, but he didn’t.
He will be ordained and installed as Minister of Word and Sacrament on August 17th at the church. I will post the pictures of this event on the blog.
This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! — Psalm 118:24
Yes, we made another trip in the age of high gas prices, but it’s for a good reason. Rob preached the first sermon at the church for the congregational vote. Rob got another positive vote. The congregation and Rob had really hit it off. They like him, and we do, too.
He preached on Matthew 10:40-42, which is about welcoming others and while welcoming others, we welcome God into our lives. This sermon is fitting for today, because this church from the beginning has always been welcome to both of us. They are generous and open. We can see that they truly love the community and want to serve God using their gifts.
Rob will be preaching again later in July in front of the presbytery. The presbytery will have the final vote on his call. Then he will have two services: ordination and installation. Since this is Rob’s first call, he will be ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament. Soon, we will move to a new manse.
Rob worked so hard for this call. He graduated from seminary back in 2002. Since then, he had many hurdles and hoops to jump over and through. Ordination exams, meetings, papers, and more. Finally in last May, he was offered an interest on a call. We talked about it and prayed about it. We knew about the challenges of finding a job for me. We knew about the challenges of living in a new area and doing the ministry in a small church. We made that decision together and agreed to go forward with this call.
This trip took us to Lexington, Kentucky. We didn’t have time to see the horses, but one day we will. Rob had two meetings with two different committees that oversee his calling. While he was out at the meeting, I decided to make a trip to Danville, the home of Kentucky School for the Deaf. It was about an hour away.
The lady at KSD took me on a detailed, two-hour tour about the school. She is deaf and is a KSD alumni. I am thoroughly impressed with the outreach program. KSD is the state wide resource center on deafness, which should be in the first place and makes total sense. I am aware that Texas does this, too. I wish more states do this. The campus is split into two campuses with a main road going through it. Middle school and high school are on one side of the campus while elementary school is on the other side. It’s a beautiful campus. She also showed me Jacobs Hall, the oldest building on campus. Let me say this and I don’t use this word often. Wow! There are three floors of different exhibits including the dorm rooms, classrooms, portrait gallery, chapel, cafeteria, and technology room. The volunteers worked many, many hours to make it look like the way it is, and still isn’t finished. After the tour, it was time for me to go back to Lexington.
As I got into the car to pick up Rob, he paged me to tell me the good news. He got positive votes for his call at a church. I was relieved and happy and nervous. It is really going to happen. This is a major change for both of us.
While we were there, we learned that we actually knew two people in the area from college. Not only that, Rob also learned that his seminary classmate also lives in the area. What a small world!
I don’t want to make any stereotypes about Kentucky, but my writings are based on my experiences with the people I have met. I am truly impressed and blessed with their “bluegrass” hospitality, which reminds me a little of Midwestern and Southern hospitality. They are “down to earth”. Pecan pies and trifles at the church luncheon are the best! They know how to make people feel welcome. They really bend over backwards to help me and Rob. They also are accommodating and understanding about my deafness. They made sure that I understood them, and when I didn’t, we used pen and paper without a complaint. They used appropriate eye contact and didn’t even exaggerate their speech, which surprised me. All of this happened on the first visit, and this usually doesn’t happen when I first meet people.
When we came to visit the church in Kentucky for the first time, we were driving through West Virginia. I have been in West Virginia many, many times, but I have never been in this area of the state. As we got closer to the Kentucky border, the very first thing that came to my mind is this:
“Trees, trees everywhere, not a farm in sight.”
Trees, Trees, and Trees. Mountains became steeper and taller. As we cross the border, these beautiful Cumberland mountains were so clustered together that there weren’t much room for roads between the mountains to go around. So, the government built the new highway by “cutting-through” the mountains. Because of the “cut-through”, there are beautiful rock layers on both sides of the highway, which one day will be covered with plants and trees. Need I say more trees? In the midst of these trees, there is civilization. What is civilization? One word. Wal-Mart
Rob has accepted a calling to become a pastor of a Presbyterian church in rural Kentucky. He worked so hard for this calling for the past six plus years, and it’s his turn. I’m looking for a teaching or social service job, and I’m staying positive. Buffy and Diana, our dog and cat, are anxious and excited to get out of the townhouse apartment with very little yard and move into a nice double-wide manse and a nice yard. Hopefully, we will be settled by the end of summer.
New place, new people, new job, new house, new state… What a major change!
The purpose of this blog is to chronicle our lives as we move, as we settle, as we learn about the people, and as we travel on this journey. We hope you will enjoy reading our narratives and seeing photos of our lives.
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