I love Jesus, I Like Tattoos

I like tattoos and I love Jesus. I want a full sleeve. I also want a job in a church some day. Apparently, these two things tend not to go hand and hand. I have been involved in numerous conversations since coming to seminary about tattoos and none of them has left me feeling too great. We all wish that we lived in a world where people are not judged by their appearances but alas, this is unfortunately not the case. I have one friend that has a full sleeve. It is from just above the shirt cuff all the way to his shoulder. If he needs to, he can hide it. Personally, I do not think he should ever have to hide it. It is beautiful artwork and now a part of him.

The year after my father died, I got a tattoo in memory of him. I knew instantly what I wanted to get but the difficult aspect was figuring out where I would get it. I want to be a pastor some day so it had to be in a location that is easily covered but at the same time, I wanted it to be in a location where it could be displayed if I wanted it to. One major factor was that I want it to be visible on my wedding day so my father is visibly with me. In the end, I got a starfish tattooed onto my left shoulder blade, easily concealed, and easily revealed. Three years after my Dad died, my Nana Rosie passed away of the same type of cancer. I want to get a tattoo to remember her by and once again, the problem I run into is since I am going to be a pastor and will need to cover this up, where do I get it?

I want at least three more tattoos:

A rose to represent my Nana Rosie who passed oflung cancer two years ago 

A shamrock to represent my Auntie Barbie who passed from a Pulmonary embolism this summer

A PCUSA cross that represents my love of the church and the role Fourth Pres (South Boston) serves as a place of refuge when home was not

Tattoos are beautiful pieces of art. They can carry so much meaning to a person. If done for the right reasons, they can carry a story that is otherwise untold. Tattooing has been practiced for centuries and yet it is still taboo. There is a Christian tattoos movement. People get back pieces that are the full crucifixion scene. People get scripture tattooed on them. But is it okay for the pastor to have tattoos? I want to be a tattooed pastor. I understand the Leviticus 19: 28 reasoning behind not getting tattoos but I also eat lobster.

I suppose my whole point is that I wish the appearance was not such a huge issue in society. I think someone with facial piercings and tattoos can be a better pastor that someone that is entirely clean-cut because it is not our appearance that determines our suitability for ministry but rather our heart, our faith, our experience. I love Jesus and I like tattoos and I do not think that these need to be mutually exclusive. I am a future pastor with one tattoo and plans for more. I’m pretty sure Jesus loves me and my tattoos. 

NEED WORK!

For mot of the country summer does not really start until July. Children in grades K-11 do not get out of school until the end of June (at least up here in the North East), and those graduating from High School get out at the very end of May or the very beginning on June. Because of this many jobs, like those at summer camps, do not start until the very end of June or very beginning of July. What are college students to do when they get out of school at the beginning or middle of May?

In the past it has not been that difficult for me. I get out of school in May and then work on campus and off campus driving from the house to work and back everyday. This year is different. This year I am graduating from college. After May 15th I can no longer work on campus. That eliminates that income. And this year I have one week from the day I graduate to find a new place to live. So as of May 22, I have one part time job but nowhere to live. I have been searching all over the internet for a solution to my problem. There's a recent development but I am not sure if it is positive or negative. As everyone is well aware I have been accepted to Princeton Theological Seminary for the fall. Princeton has a Summer Language Program where I can take Greek or Hebrew during the summer and just focus on the language. This starts July 11th.

So From May 22-July11 I have to find a place to live and a job to do. Really I can work from May 16-July 11. That's 56 days. I have searched and searched and have yet to find some thing that provides money and a place to stay. I do not need to earn much. Just enough to pay for my car and cell phone...and maybe some books for when I start at Princeton. I'm willing to do almost anything. I would love to find something ministry related but I'm open to anything at this point.