New Students, Fall 2004

Building Her Wings:
Paulette Obrecht

Paulette Obrecht, of Northampton, PA, had already spent 27-plus years in school as a counselor, psychologist and administrator, so the Lutheran idea of vocation was not unknown to her. She knew that one could serve God in whatever one was doing. "After all", she said, "I worked in education, a helping profession, and I tried daily to make a difference with young people and their families and my fellow educators." But over the years she often worried that she had turned down God. Paulette relates that it was clear during high school and college that she wasn't ready in her faith development to take the step into ministry. She was continually encouraged by her pastors to become a deaconess but always felt that if she were to serve it would be as pastor. Beginning her discernment process she enrolled in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod's Saturday School, a two-year program offering training as a "Synodically Authorized Lay Minister." During that time Paulette felt a stronger urging to explore attending seminary in order to be better prepared to serve a congregation by developing her leadership and pastoral care skills. So this past spring, Paulette applied to LTSP, "I like to think that I am really a late bloomer - and it truly is not too late for me to respond to God's urging. I still have plenty of years to work in service for the Lord." Paulette has a saying by Kobi Yamada posted by her desk: "Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down." And that, she says, is how she has taken the next step in her faith journey, "with God by my side providing the wings." She suggests that other late bloomers should consider taking that leap, too.