MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — “Indeed, I am a pastor!”
The proclamation by Rev. Angela Menette Farrar and an ordination ceremony Sunday in front of more than 160 cheering people ended two years of “interim” in front of Farrar’s title at First Baptist Church of Mountlake Terrace.
Sunday’s beautiful “wedding” came after an exceptionally long “courtship” between a pastor and her congregation, speaker Chrystal Cooper said.
The long-awaited service was a very special occasion for all in attendance.
“For me personally, being ordained really means that barriers are being broken,” Farrar said. “I hope (my ordination) opens doors for other women pastors trying to make their own way.”
Farrar is the first person to ever be ordained by the year-old Evergreen Baptist Association. Congregation members described her as loving, positive and energetic. Church officials said they respect her and that community members are inspired by her.
“I feel very welcome not only in the church, but also in the town,” Farrar said. “I feel that our church can really be a positive presence here.”
Though Farrar has settled well into the Mountlake Terrace community, she feels that it is also important to share her African American culture.
“Being able to connect to my culture is very important to me,” said Farrar, who was wearing an elaborate orange and gold African ensemble during her ordination ceremony.
Through clothing, music and dance, Farrar regularly shares her heritage with community and and the predominantly white congregation during her services.
“African dance is praying without words,” Farrar said. “It feeds my soul.”
Farrar has been studying African dance for three years with Franchesska Berry, who performed at the ordination ceremony.
“Every movement of African dance is symbolic of something,” Farrar said. “I am able to truly connect with God through my movements.”
By sharing her heritage with the community, Farrar is again breaking down barriers.
According to Farrar, there are many women pastors that are capable and qualified but are not offered opportunities.
For Farrar, her pastoral opportunities came through the members of the First Baptist Church of Mountlake Terrace.
“The spirit of this church is exceptional,” Farrar said. “The people here are welcoming, open and loving individuals.”
The feeling is mutual for her congregation members who have fallen in love with their pastor over the past couple years.
“(Farrar) is so loving, well personified and positive about everything,” said congregation member Charlotte Erickson. “She is able to turn any awkward situation into a loving one and won’t ever allow us to think negatively.”
Erickson was part of the committee that initially hired Farrar.
“She really makes (the church) more visible in the community,” Erickson said. “We have 50 children signed up for Vacation Bible School this year, a very high number.”
The Mountlake Terrace community is important to Farrar, who said she hopes to give even more out to the community through the church.
“(My ordination) is a community triumph,” Farrar said to her audience. “You have all helped me answer a calling I never knew I was fit for.
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