(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. LINDA M. RHINEHART NEAS
The question comes almost as soon as someone learns that I am an ordained minister. “Oh, where is your church?”
When I explain that I do not have a church, people often say they are sorry, adding that they hope I find a call soon. I usually end up explaining that “to minister” means to serve and that there are many ways of serving our fellow humans. I am a seminary-trained, ordained Interfaith minister. Interfaith ministry is about meeting all beings in a spirit of service and understanding. Interfaith ministers are not trying to convert others to their faith path. Rather, we meet the person wherever they are on the path and aid them at that place and time.
For many interfaith ministers, ministry is as invisible as the Spirit that moves us to serve others. Without buildings, we are, quite literally, “ministers without walls.” Ministry in this context is far-reaching. For example, serving others as an interfaith minister may mean that one day I am listening to an exhausted young mother tell me about how she wishes she could have five minutes to herself. Another day may find me helping a dear neighbor do her shopping. I don’t ask what church they belong to or even if they believe in God. I simply minister.
Ministering in traditional ways is also part of my calling. Since ordination, I have officiated at weddings, facilitated memorial services, burial services, and baby blessings. I have held sacred fires to gather and pray for peace as well as stood with my fellow clergy in demonstration against hate and oppression. I, also, have been a guest preacher at local churches and held interfaith services at various venues.
However, the place where my ministry has become focused is in the strong calling I have always felt to write. I suppose you could say, I have a ministry of words, and modern technology is where I meet those in need of uplifting news.
My “congregation” consists of several hundred people from around the world who follow my Facebook page. Each week, I write a post for my blog, Speaking of Spirit, then post it into Facebook. These posts are much like a weekly sermon. I prepare for them as any minister/priest would prepare. I read sacred texts, look for quotes, write prayers and listen to what Spirit is asking me to say.
When I began my Facebook page, I wasn’t sure if what I was doing would matter to anyone. Then, I got an email from a dear soul on the other side of the globe who thanked me for the wise words I had shared. His child had just died of a birth defect. He felt lost, but when he read my post, something touched his heart, helping him to see that God was with him. Spirit spoke through me and to him.
Lately, with all that is going on in the world, I have felt the call to post more and more reminders that we are all connected to each other. We are all loved, and we are all asked to share that love. Therefore, I have organized online events, such as Prayers for Peace and Exploring the Sacred on my Facebook page. In addition, I have uploaded inspirational music, shared inspiring posts by other writers, and created memes with photos I have taken.
This might seem to be a challenging task, but each morning, I ask to be led to whatever needs to be shared. Since I teach for a living (my online ministry does not collect nor solicit money), I don’t have a great deal of time to tarry with a post. I must do it quickly and efficiently. Without fail, each time I say my morning prayers, what I am supposed to share presents itself. The words, “Here I am Lord … I have heard you calling in the night,” ring true to me and have since I was quite young.
Interfaith ministry has led me to places I had never dreamed of going. I believe God saw my passion to help heal and love the world — thereby, leading me to this ministry without walls.
Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She graduated of the New Seminary in New York City as an ordained interfaith minister. Additional post-graduate studies includes World Religions through Their Scriptures, given by Harvard Divinity School. She holds membership in A World Association of Interfaith Ministers, Interfaith Ministers of New England, and the Interfaith Counsel of Franklin County. Rev. Neas can be reached at revlindaneas2013@gmail.com and https://www.facebook.com/revlindaneas/