Confessions of a Female Pastor

Janice Six, retired associate pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church, has a new book, “Confessions of a Female Pastor: And Other Prayers of the People.” The official release of the book will be Wednesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St. Janice served on staff at the church for 25 years prior to her retirement in June 2022. The public is welcome to attend the program. Janice will share excerpts from the book and signed copies will be available. A book signing will be held at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress St., 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. That’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the perfect day to pick up a Christmas present or two.

By JANICE SIX
I must confess that the idea to write a book of prayers was not my own. Church members and friends over the years have been asking me to pull together some of the prayers that I’ve been led to write and pray during worship services, Bible studies, and other times when God’s people have gathered. 

The following excerpt is from my soon-to-be released book, Confessions of a Female Pastor: And Other Prayers of the People. In an attempt to make the book more relatable to the readers’ own life experiences, stories and essays have been included to lend a context to each of the prayers being shared in the book.

Janice Six

The book contains more than 150 entries, featuring prayers of confession, adoration and gratitude, intercession, and prayers of the people, as well as prayers of petition and blessings. My hope is that this collection will prompt readers to reflect on their own journey, and by so doing, recognize, or be reminded, of God’s invisible footsteps alongside their own as they continue the journey.

I also hope that the next time it occurs to you to pray, that you’ll imagine God tapping you on the shoulder and saying, “Talk to me,” and you’ll consider this your invitation to pray.

LAKE TURNOVER

Just like a lake as it is turning over, families may find themselves undergoing unexpected upheaval. The future is murky and while one might not go so far as to say it stinks, there is a pungent odor about it. The decay that has been buried deep beneath the surface is now suspended in the water, causing it to look dirty. No longer can a family deny that they are in over their heads. They are suffocating—or so it feels.

Thankfully, the winds of change will once again blow! However, most of us don’t welcome change, even if we know it’s good for us. Lake turnover is also deceivingly good for us. Hydrologist Robert Ladwig of the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Limnology explains: “I think of turnover as the lake taking a deep breath as everything is mixed. It’s like a fresh start every spring and fall.” 

Who among us doesn’t need a fresh start from time to time? Continuing to hide behind an illusion of control is like attempting to live underwater by holding one’s breath. It can’t be done for long. The time has come to break through the surface and draw a long overdue breath of renewed life. 

PRAYER

 Like Peter crying out, “Lord, save me!” we too are frightened that we are going down. We confess that we can’t save ourselves. We need you! We pray that we will be able to see your outstretched hand and will drop all pretense and grab hold of you. During this time of upheaval, as our lives are undergoing a turnover, give us the strength to hold fast to you and the faith to believe that the winds of change are creating an opportunity for a fresh start.  Amen.