History Moments
Installation of New Ministers
March 2007
On the evening of March 23rd 2007, more than 130 church members and friends flocked to the Center for Spiritual Awareness to celebrate the historical installation ceremony of our ministers Reverend Andy Torkelson and Reverend Dotty Page , having been selected by the Center's members as co-Pastors in August 2006.
The occasion had been carefully planned by long-time spiritual guru Sheila MacDonald, R.Sc.P ., who welcomed all with an opening treatment following an impressive procession of ten invited ministers in all their robed glory. Sheila then introduced the members of the Board of Trustees and the Licensed Practitioners of the Center , before asking our former pastor of 6.5 years, and now a minister of the Monterey Church, Reverend Judith Churchman to speak.
Included in her remarks Reverend
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Judith told that Reverend Dotty and Reverend Andy were the first ministerial students to graduate from her classes, and warned that being a minister in Religious Science is like trying to herd cats. She then added that she was so very, very proud of them, calling the pair a dynamic duo.
Reverend Andy's Ministerial Sponsor, the Reverend Christine Jeffers of the Yuba City/Marysville Center, spoke of her introduction to Religious Science in Paradise in 1984 where she stayed & took classes: the first seven years of her journey. She concluded by saying, “The history of this Church is: you stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Practitioner Barbara Bell then read a selected three letters of congratulations from Centers near and far, one calling the occasion, “A joyous and blessed event.” The packed house was then treated to a wonderful musical rendition of ‘Give Yourself to Love' by our own Maggie and Sharon.
Judy , Andy's wife and one of our Center's Practitioners, then read the Declarations of Principles by founder Ernest Holmes.
Dr. Candace Becket , Minister of The Ukiah Center for Positive Living, and President of Religious Science International (RSI), began the formal ceremony of Installation stating RSI's ministerial recognition of Reverend Andrew Torkelson and Reverend Dorothy Page. She also thanked the spouses of each Minister, Judy & Bob (respectively), for their ongoing support and asked them to join in this ritual of placing the Ministerial Robes upon their shoulders: The Robe Presentation.
As Dr. Candace Becket , President of RSI, placed the robes on Rev.
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Andy and Rev. Dotty, she assured the installed ministers that they are loved, that all of RSI's ministries are proud of them, and said they would be challenged by living the spiritual principles.
This was followed by the tune ‘Somewhere', sung by Shirley Hughes and Mary Carlyle , accompanied by music director Joseph Zabelski .
Then began the acceptances by Rev. Dotty and Rev. Andy . Reverend Dotty acknowledged her teacher, now retired, Rev. Lorri Lee of Oroville, and Rev. Judith , along with her first-year class students. She said she was so proud of her son in the congregation, who by now was sitting rather red faced.
Reverend Andy spoke of his home-grown self entering the church and taking classes, and being advised to have a blend of gratitude and his own vision. He, too, acknowledged his many church teachers: Rev. Alice Ross ; Rev. Christine Jeffers ; Rev. Carolyn McKeown ; Sheila MacDonald , R,Sc.P.; and Rev. Judith Churchman . Reverend Andy concluded by quoting Ernest Holmes ' saying: “Be for something and against nothing.” And then Rev. Andy gave the closing treatment.
Everyone in the crowded sanctuary stood together holding hands and sang the PEACE SONG before milling into the Social Hall for a lovely, soft-lighted, catered affair of hors d'oevres and canapés. There was a festive and happy mood in the hall as the ministers shed robes and mixed with congregates. What a memorable evening!
The attending ministers were: Dr. Candice Becket , Ukiah Center forPositive Living; Rev. PatBallard & Rev. Lorri Lee , both retired, Oroville; Rev. Eileen Brownell , Oroville Church of ReligiousScience; Rev. Louie Gates, Rev. Michael Benson & Dr. Carolyn McKeown from Chico's Center forSpiritual Enrichment; Rev. Christine Jeffers of the Yuba City/Marysville Center for SpiritualAwakening; Rev. Sandra Fairbanks , Sierra Center for Positive Living; Rev. Bob Luckin & Rev.Judith Churchman of the Monterey Church of Religious Science.
Art Dawe
Church Historian