Addie Jo Schonewolf

Jo Schonewolf, a non-binary bisexual in the Albany, New York area, shares,

The United Methodist ordination system relies heavily on spiritual manipulation and an unimaginative understanding of ordination. I was a cradle Methodist, spending at least five afternoons a week at church from my baptism at three years of age until I began my first masters degree at 27. The gifts for ministry that those around me identified spurred me to take on the extensive debt of a seminary degree. I loved my seminary education, but the racial justice work I nourished in seminary, which was so essential to my identity as a Christian, was the same work that had me shouted from the pulpit and eventually forced out of my position as a licensed local pastor in western North Carolina.

After I left parish ministry, I found myself connected to Rev. DeLyn Celec, one of the Movement’s clergy. She was kind, patient, and most of all, understanding about my struggles as a queer person navigating a system built to exclude me.

She introduced me to Rev. Colleen Riley, another of the Movement’s clergy, who eventually became my mentor. Through my time with the Movement, I’ve developed a new understanding of what it means to be clergy.

By simply moving through the world as a queer ordained person, I open up possibilities for others who may feel the same call and face the same barriers. My ordination is a signal to those I encounter in my justice work that I bring not only the pastoral skills needed to accompany others through grief and times of trial, but also the fire and presence of the God of Justice, who will stand against white Christian Nationalism and all its ill effects in our country.