As noted in a previous post, I served for two years in the Oakland Temple as a volunteer and as an ordinance worker (which, in my opinion, is basically a priestess with a gender-neutral title.) I was struck early on by how different I felt working from how I felt worshiping.
As a patron, one usually attends the temple in order to advance spiritually in some way, whether by practicing obedience, serving those who have passed before us without a chance to take on their covenants, or through contemplation, meditation, prayer, learning, or simply by having a place to shut out the world and find peace. There's a lot of secondary reasons for going to the temple, but I think "intent to progress" is the primary idea. You're there--hopefully--to find a connection with the Divine in some way or other, and I usually feel... for lack of a better analogy coming to mind, like a consumer. I'm here, I know what I'm seeking can be found here, and I'm present to partake, and serve someone's ancestor (occasionally my own) in the process.
As a worker, I'm there to... work. And while this will sound obvious, it always felt like I was going to work; work just happened to be a holy place. I had a schedule of where to be and when, duties for various places I was assigned, things I had to remember to do or not do, policies, practices, etc. Moving from place to place was a matter of course rather than a process of preparation. This was most apparent with the Celestial Room. I remember entering it for the first time as a worker (duties included directing people to various exits, maintaining the reverence of the room, and being a gracious presence and "a hostess in the House of the Lord") and being struck not only with the lack of external ceremony (simply entering without having attended an ordinance) but how much it felt as though... I already belonged there.
As a worshipper, a patron, there is a process you must go through to get there, a progression. As a worker, there isn't. Not that I was suddenly given all knowledge, wisdom, understanding, worthiness, and perfection when I was set apart (HA! If only!) but holy ground became my home ground. It became my native place more than ever, where I belonged to it and where it belonged to me. I can only describe the difference in feeling as becoming a part of that environment, one among the host of seen and unseen angels that work there.
I miss it. I know where I am now and what I'm doing here closer to home is where I belong, but I miss the peace of being there so regularly. It was my grove, my bower, my sanctuary. I could use that right now, with all that I'm going through. I should carve out the time to attend on Saturday, to prepare myself and seek the peace, confirmation, and courage I need for this... project, movement, journey, path, whatever it is that lies before me.
Showing posts with label temple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label temple. Show all posts
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A "mission" nearly completed: Two years at the Oakland temple
I started volunteering at the Oakland Temple on May 2nd, 2009. I had been considering it for months since my former Bishop brought several of those Endowed in to ask if we could volunteer, by request of the Temple Presidency. I hadn't been able to at that point, but after a little time, I was free enough in my work and life schedules.
I met with President and Sister Harwood, Counselor and an Assistant to the Matron in March after meeting with my Bishop and Stake President and receiving their recommendations. I received my official call by letter and was set apart a week or two before beginning work on the Saturday Mid shift. I was encouraged to work every week for a little while until I felt like I had everything down. I did, and I learned quickly. My supervisors and coordinators seemed pleased with my work. As a volunteer it was fairly simple, mostly directing traffic and escorting people, being a Hostess in the House of the Lord.
I spent a lot of time in the position behind the recommend desk, acting as a second or third set of eyes to be certain that no one came through without having their recommend verified, welcoming and bidding farewell to patrons coming and going, and telling them how to get to the locker rooms or waiting rooms. Occasionally I would escort couples and those receiving their Endowments to Record Verification, until it became apparent that it just didn't work during high volume periods to have my position absent even long enough to walk someone down the hall. As my coordinator was muddling over this, I asked why there couldn't be two sisters, since we knew when people were coming in for their live ordinances (weddings, sealings, and endowments.) She paused and mulled that over, and soon enough a new position specific to our shift was created. I don't know if it's still going on, but for several months, at least, it very much freed up the original post from having to chase her duties around that hallway.
I became an Ordinance Worker after about eight or nine months. I could have started sooner but for some reason, I hesitated. Suddenly, being able to commit to four shifts per month seemed much harder to schedule, so I doubled up and joined the PM shift, which made for two very long, wonderful days every month. I spent a lot of time in Initiatories, sometimes ending up there three and four times in a day, all told. I loved it. I had time to individually work with patrons and my fellow workers, and contemplate the deep and important promises given over the course of that ceremony. I spent a good amount of time as a follower in Endowment sessions (while trying not to doze off... it's hard for workers, too!) and the ceremonies and rituals associated with them, but I didn't do that nearly as much as Initiatories.
I confess I always hoped I would meet my husband while working at the temple, but there's really not a lot of opportunity. The men and women rarely really cross paths except in a few places and at certain times. Most of the brethren were old and married. I think I met about three in my age range, and usually from a distance and with little or no time to talk. At this point I still have one day to do it, followed by a YSA conference, but other than that, there was no such reward. So the search continues.
Over the past two years, I have made friends with women of many ages and enjoyed myself immensely, and learned, and grew, and received insight and inspiration. I have been a Priestess to my God. I am heartbroken to see this time come to an end, but I need to concentrate on my business and family matters here in Sebastopol. I cannot really afford the time or the money anymore, not at this period in my life and the world. I am optimistic that one day I will have such an experience again; whether married or single or old, here or elsewhere, I will serve in a temple once more.
My testimony has grown tremendously, and the reasons for my lifelong love of the temple have been made clear. Growing up, I always sought for the first instant I could see it's white edifice in the distance, and would often crane my neck around to catch the last glimpse when I'd leave. It has been a cornerstone in my life since childhood, and I know that the ordinances performed within can be binding and eternal to those who accept them through the Holy Spirit of Promise, both living and dead. They are not things to be taken lightly, nor shared with the world. They are sacred, holy, personal, and pure. I respect and honor my covenants, the ones I have made with my God and helped thousands of others make, as well. I love the temple, and I will miss being a Hostess and a Priestess of the Most High God.
I met with President and Sister Harwood, Counselor and an Assistant to the Matron in March after meeting with my Bishop and Stake President and receiving their recommendations. I received my official call by letter and was set apart a week or two before beginning work on the Saturday Mid shift. I was encouraged to work every week for a little while until I felt like I had everything down. I did, and I learned quickly. My supervisors and coordinators seemed pleased with my work. As a volunteer it was fairly simple, mostly directing traffic and escorting people, being a Hostess in the House of the Lord.
I spent a lot of time in the position behind the recommend desk, acting as a second or third set of eyes to be certain that no one came through without having their recommend verified, welcoming and bidding farewell to patrons coming and going, and telling them how to get to the locker rooms or waiting rooms. Occasionally I would escort couples and those receiving their Endowments to Record Verification, until it became apparent that it just didn't work during high volume periods to have my position absent even long enough to walk someone down the hall. As my coordinator was muddling over this, I asked why there couldn't be two sisters, since we knew when people were coming in for their live ordinances (weddings, sealings, and endowments.) She paused and mulled that over, and soon enough a new position specific to our shift was created. I don't know if it's still going on, but for several months, at least, it very much freed up the original post from having to chase her duties around that hallway.
I became an Ordinance Worker after about eight or nine months. I could have started sooner but for some reason, I hesitated. Suddenly, being able to commit to four shifts per month seemed much harder to schedule, so I doubled up and joined the PM shift, which made for two very long, wonderful days every month. I spent a lot of time in Initiatories, sometimes ending up there three and four times in a day, all told. I loved it. I had time to individually work with patrons and my fellow workers, and contemplate the deep and important promises given over the course of that ceremony. I spent a good amount of time as a follower in Endowment sessions (while trying not to doze off... it's hard for workers, too!) and the ceremonies and rituals associated with them, but I didn't do that nearly as much as Initiatories.
I confess I always hoped I would meet my husband while working at the temple, but there's really not a lot of opportunity. The men and women rarely really cross paths except in a few places and at certain times. Most of the brethren were old and married. I think I met about three in my age range, and usually from a distance and with little or no time to talk. At this point I still have one day to do it, followed by a YSA conference, but other than that, there was no such reward. So the search continues.
Over the past two years, I have made friends with women of many ages and enjoyed myself immensely, and learned, and grew, and received insight and inspiration. I have been a Priestess to my God. I am heartbroken to see this time come to an end, but I need to concentrate on my business and family matters here in Sebastopol. I cannot really afford the time or the money anymore, not at this period in my life and the world. I am optimistic that one day I will have such an experience again; whether married or single or old, here or elsewhere, I will serve in a temple once more.
My testimony has grown tremendously, and the reasons for my lifelong love of the temple have been made clear. Growing up, I always sought for the first instant I could see it's white edifice in the distance, and would often crane my neck around to catch the last glimpse when I'd leave. It has been a cornerstone in my life since childhood, and I know that the ordinances performed within can be binding and eternal to those who accept them through the Holy Spirit of Promise, both living and dead. They are not things to be taken lightly, nor shared with the world. They are sacred, holy, personal, and pure. I respect and honor my covenants, the ones I have made with my God and helped thousands of others make, as well. I love the temple, and I will miss being a Hostess and a Priestess of the Most High God.
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