|
|
|
Rev. Kamila Blessing, PTS |
Position: Chief Consultant, Blessing Transitions Availability: One month's notice Geographic Preference: none; reside in PA Member of IMN since: 2002 All information is warranted by and the sole responsibility of the PTS member and it is strongly recommended that reference and background checks are conducted |
Kamila Blessing began doing interim work in 1983 when she was ordained in the Episcopal Church. Her previous career in Organization and Family Systems included an award-winning study of interpersonal communication at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Applying those skills to churches, she went on to interim work for 14 parishes in five dioceses, serving parishes of all sizes, up to 1300 members. She has also served as priest in charge or rector of three parishes. Her specialties are preaching for all ages, and the restoration of stewardship in even the poorest congregations. She graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, continues to study and teach Family Systems, and later earned a doctorate in the New Testament from Duke (1996). is certified as a mediator by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. She has served 13 other denominations as seminary teacher, retreat leader, and consultant and was editor in chief for Christian Education materials for the Disciples of Christ. She is a chaplain of the Order of St. Luke the Physician. In 1999, she published a book of her sermons on healing (It Was a Miracle: Stories of Ordinary People, Augsburg Fortress). She looks at interim work as an extended, corporate healing that comes about by the movement of the Spirit among the congregation – not as something she creates. She brings insight to the members along the way while standing for "I" faith: here is what I believe and here is the way I got there… Now you are going to have to think for yourself. She leads retreats on realizing the congregation's vision, on healing, and on stewardship. She recently took a break from church work to take her family through the loss of the last of the older generation. This, like interim service, was a work of love of people and God, and has resulted in unanticipated fulfillment. |
.jpg)