Peace Corps veteran Erica Smith called to ministry at Old South Union
Peace Corps veteran called to ministry at Old South Union
By Maureen Walsh/ Correspondent
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
When Erica Smith graduated from college in 1997, she thought she might want to enter the seminary. When she returned from her Peace Corps service in Ecuador three years later, she was sure of it.
"I learned a ton about compassion and grace," said the Reverend Smith, now associate minister at Old South Union Congregational Church. "One of the greatest gifts I've been given was watching God work in places which look very different from the places I've come from. To watch God work has been awesome."
Rev. Smith served as an urban youth development worker in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador and one of South America's largest ports with a population of more than two million. Based in the U.S. equivalent of a community center, she worked on everything from health and hygiene campaigns to mentoring and tutoring programs and help for women starting up their own small businesses.
"I learned to look at the world with a new set of eyes. I have a much greater sense of the global community," said Rev. Smith. "I'm certainly much better informed about issues of justice in the world at large. I have a greater sense that we are connected as human beings regardless of nationalities."
"My experience in Ecuador challenges me to be aware of what the issues are wherever in the world I go, Weymouth or Wichita," she said.
Rev. Smith was born in Minnesota and grew up in Connecticut. Her father, the Reverend Gary Smith, is also a minister of the United Church of Christ, and her mother Linda has long been active in youth work for the church. Her sister Abby is a student at the University of Vermont.
After earning her degree in social work from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Rev. Smith said she decided to put off a decision on the seminary and spend some time abroad.
"I needed time away from the academic world," she said. "It took me a good three years away from here and the academic life. At that point, when I came back, I was very sure that seminary was my next step."
Rev. Smith was graduated in May 2003 from the Princeton Theological Seminary and took up her ministry at Old South Union Church in January.
"There's a certain energy about Old South that is almost contagious, a sense of people being excited about their faith and excited about sharing that with others," she said. "This is a church that is faithful and truly looking to grow."
Her position at the church is one of shared ministry with the Reverend Terry Martinson, she said. "I really get an opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the church. That was another big draw of Old South."
As associate minister, she preaches once or twice a month, makes visitations and conducts weddings and funerals. She works with youth groups, the Sunday school, Bible studies and the women's prayer group, and participates in the "nitty-gritty" of church committee meetings.
"The real, intimate times with people are what I really enjoy: visiting with someone who can't get to church or the people who come by the church office to discuss things," said Rev. Smith. "I feel gifted to be allowed into people's lives at some of the most joyous and most sorrowful moments."
Even as she begins her ministry in Weymouth, Rev. Smith continues to work for the community of Guayaquil. For six years, she and her mother have organized a group of volunteers to spend ten days in the Ecuadoran city building homes for people who need them. "Adotta Una Familia" (Adopt a Family) will send 45 workers to Guayaquil this August.
The Old South congregation has been very generous in supporting this year's crew and many have expressed interest in volunteering for 2005, said Rev.Smith. "This is a passion of mine that is also incorporated into the ministry that I do."
