Where does your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet?

By Robin Williamson
Columbia Theological Seminary
Class of 2009

The hot summer sun streams through the windows and laughter fills the room.  Two women are sitting up in their hospital beds with the dividing curtain pulled back between the two.  I am sitting in a chair between two beds and enjoying the dancing eyes and smiling hearts of these two newly connected friends. 

Nearly a year later, I am on call as a volunteer chaplain, standing inside an ICU room praying with one of those same ladies, and this time her husband joins us.  Her smile has faded, but her gentle spirit remains.  I sense that my presence, by God’s incredible grace, is a blessing to her and to her husband.

There are many beds in that hospital.  I was called to that particular ICU room, on that night.  The chances that I would be called to that room, on that night, the one night of the month that I volunteered, is quite humbling to me.

I have always wanted an affirmation of call to come in something that was very tangible.  I thought it would be really nice to see a billboard on the side of the road saying, “Robin, you are called to be a minister, pick up and go to seminary.”  Instead, it has been times like that one at the hospital that have helped to solidify God’s calling of me to ministry.

My desire is to serve God and I feel that I must constantly be listening and remain open to direction.  I am open to all of the many ways that God could possible use me.  After such a powerful experience in Clinical Pastoral Education, I have a strong interest in hospital chaplaincy.  I believe that I bring gifts of compassion, empathy, ability to work well one on one and with small groups to ministry and that these gifts lend themselves to chaplaincy.

Robin Williamson is an Inquirer under the care of the Presbytery of the James. She is a 2006-7 recipient of the Presbyterian Study Grant and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, Virginia.