More than 220 people showed up to see Alisan Rowland ordained Aug. 18 as a minister in the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in San Diego.
“Ali, feel the love in this room,” said Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall as the service started while ushers put out extra chairs to accommodate the crowd.
There was standing room only in the church at 2633 Denver Street near Mission Bay and lots of applause. At the end, she was introduced as Rev. Alisan Rowland.
For the last year, Alisan has been a chaplain at Elizabeth Hospice, based in Escondido, and will continue in that role for the time being. She served as a residency hospice chaplain for another year with the Sharp hospital organization.
“I’ve met some of the most life changing people,” said Rowland to the congregation. “All of you have touched my life and helped me to see God.”
Rowland said she felt the call to ministry about seven years ago after joining MCC in 1997. She served as an intern in the San Diego MCC for a year and was also an intern for six months at the MCC in the Valley in North Hollywood.
She earned a master’s degree in divinity at the Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, Calif. and got interested in being a chaplain following a course in chaplaincy.
Alisan sang in the choir and participated in the Loaves of Love food ministry. Rowland and her partner, Pam Raptis, celebrated their sixth anniversary recently.
“She reaches into people’s hearts. She connects with people,” said Raptis. “It’s amazing. She fell in love with being a chaplain.”
Rowland told the congregation her whole life story has prepared her for ministry. She said her father died when she was in her early 20s, and a friend committed suicide. She said she remembers being teased as a child by bullies.
“There’s something within me who sees someone alone, struggling …” said Rowland. “Everything I have done has prepared me. I’m completely ready to make this commitment without any doubt.”
Koeshall asked people who were currently or formerly in the ministry to step forward to be with Rowland during the rite of laying on of hands and prayer. About 10 people stood with Alisan including Paul Hetrick, an MCC member who is a former Nazarene pastor.
“She has an amazing heart for people. She’s a gifted carer of persons … dignified, warm and personal,” said Hetrick afterwards.
Jude Litzenberger, an attorney who is among the lay leadership in the MCC denomination, said Rowland is part of a “very vibrant ministry” in MCC. “I’m so happy for her. (The ordination) has been a goal for her for a long time,” she added.
Raptis said pastoring an MCC church or serving as an assistant pastor somewhere is potentially in the future. Rowland said her goal right now is to get certification as a chaplain in the Association of Professional Chaplains and continue in that ministry.
