Reverend Anna Carmichael

Reverend Anna Carmichael

                Never in a million years would I have believed that I would be an ordained person.  When I first considered going back to school to get a degree in Theology, my goal was to be a college professor.  But I kept getting pushed to consider ordained ministry.  Six years later, I find myself in a collar.  Before going back to school I worked first at Southwest Texas State University and then at Virginia Tech in Housing and Residence Life.   I primarily worked with first year students and taught intro to university type classes. 

                Favorite place outside of church:  There’s so many!  I love the ocean, I love a good sushi restaurant, I love to be home playing with my kitty (Ted), I love to hang out in the Bay Area with friends, I love going to my in-laws in Oregon.  There’s no one place that is my favorite.

                My time off:  It’s been so long since I’ve had time off, that this is a new concept for me.  But what I’ve discovered is that I really enjoy hanging out with my husband and friends, and I enjoy checking out new places I’ve never been.  Matt & I are huge movie buffs so we try to get in a couple of movies a week.

                First job:  Well, I was a receptionist at a hair salon, but that’s not exciting.  For many summers I was a waitress at Friendly’s restaurant (which is a East Coast chain), and one summer I sold kitchen knives door to door…that lasted about 3 days.

                What I will ask Jesus when we meet:  Were the disciples really that clueless?

                My most prized possessions:  I have a couple of handmade quilts from both my grandmother and mother, a Bible that belonged to my grandfather, and old family photos.

                My time closest to God:  That’s a complicated question.  It’s like being asked “when did you first know you were a Christian”.  The answer for me is every day.

                The person I’d like most to meet:  Hmmm…right now I’d love to sit down and have a really good conversation with Al Gore.  And if I could “do over” a meeting with a person, I’d like to spend some more time with my grandmother.

                My responsibilities:  That’s the easiest question ever!  Be part of the team here at St. Margaret’s, be a good partner to Matt, and live every day as a gift.

                My family:  I’ve recently married my long time partner, Matt Carmichael.  We had our first date on the night of my first discernment committee meeting, so he knew from the start this was a path I was exploring.  He’s a fantastic supporter, encourager, and best friend.  My family also includes Ted the Tiger Kitty.  I talk to my parents on the phone (they’re back east) at least once a week, and my sister about once a month.

                Nobody knows:  I’m addicted to flip flops.  I wore the same pair of flip flops almost every day during seminary.  I wore them until they got a hole in them.  At the senior class retreat, I used them as a sacred object because they had carried me on my journey.  I graduated seminary wearing flip flops and got married in flip flops.  I LOVE flip flops!

                 My education:  I graduated from Barton College in Wilson, NC in 1997 with a BA in English.  I immediately started graduate school that June at Longwood College in Farmville, VA and graduated in Dec. 1998 with a MS in Community & College Counseling.  After a few years working, I went back to school and graduated from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA in 2005 with a Master’s in Theological Studies.  That fall I started seminary at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley and graduated in May 2008 with a Master’s in Divinity.  I hope to eventually go back to pursue PhD studies in Liturgics.

                My favorite movie:  Like I said before, Matt & I are movie buffs, so it’s hard to pick one movie that is my favorite.  As a child of the 80s I like things like “Ferris Bueller’s Day off” and “Sixteen Candles”, but I also love a good horror movie.  Matt introduced me to silent films and while I’m no buff in that genre, Cecil B. DeMill’s original “10 Commandments” is kinda funny.

                The best thing about being a Christian:  Knowing that I’m not alone.  That there’s something greater than anything I can imagine looking over me.  Like the Psalm says, God knows my coming in and my going out.  And that’s really comforting to me.

                Being here at St. Margaret’s:  I am really lucky to work with such incredible people.  I have been warmly welcomed and made to feel a part of the family here.  The clergy are loving, friendly, and full of laughter.  I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start out my ordained ministry.