When Catrina Hawkins-Bowles (left), pastor of St. John Stovertown Lutheran Church, Philo, Ohio, was ordained Nov. 18, she and her mother, Orinda Hawkins-Brinkley became the first mother-daughter African American pastors in the ELCA.
Hawkins-Brinkley, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, a transformational ministry site in Columbus, Ohio, was ordained in 2001. Speech tournaments, plays, attending seminary classes with her mother, and asking questions prepared Hawkins-Bowles for ordained ministry.
“God formed me and did the details. He prepared me for this,” the daughter said. She said people are surprised when she tells them she and her mother are a “first” in the ELCA. “They didn’t realize this hadn’t been accomplished yet,” she said. “My mother has been setting the way, paving the way. It seems as if I’m just walking in her footsteps.”
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Comments
Mary Kollmorgen
Posted at 9:41 pm (U.S. Eastern) 2/27/2008
I was thrilled to see that Orinda and Catrina are both pastors. I remember how our congregation at Ascension Lutheran in Tulsa was blessed to have both of these vibrant women as members of the congregation. Little did we know that when Orinda went off to seminary that Catrina would soon follow. What a blessing! Prayers of thanksgiving and love to you both!
John Volkening
Posted at 6:45 pm (U.S. Eastern) 11/10/2009
I have had the extreme pleasure of attending services led by Catrina, and I can profess that she is INSPIRED by the Holy Spirit, and is a great blessing to be around. I am very happy to see that she is married and has a child. Congrats Catrina, and may God continue to bless your ministry as well as your mothers! Please look us up sometime if you are ever in the area, we really miss you!
John Volkening- Worship Board Director
Bethel Lutheran Church- Saint Clair Shores, MI
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