Ordination Celebration Videos

Click here to see a full list of the 2026 25/50 Year Honorees

Please sign up using the form to the right so we know you plan to participate and can follow up with you over the next several weeks.

Members of the 50 year class will be asked to join us for one session to share your reflections (up to 10 minutes) in early May. Watch your emails for a poll to find a time

If you are a member of the 25 year class, please follow the directions below to make and submit your recording. Please keep your recording to 2 minutes in length. If you would like assistance with creating your video, please contact Melissa Carvill Ziemer.

Those of you who are celebrating 25 years of ordained ministry this year are invited to select a stole, liturgical garment, piece of art or some other physical touchstone that is meaningful to you. We encourage you to select something that is connected to or reminds you of your ordination or that you feel is especially emblematic of your calling. Alternatively you might choose to reflect on a value, promise or practice that has been a through line in your ministry all these years.

Creating a Video:
You are invited to record a short video of yourself wearing your vestment or displaying your art or touchstone, while sharing about how the item is meaningful to you and/or how it reminds you of your ordination or your call to ministry. Alternatively, you are welcome to speak about the ministry through-line you identified. Please limit your video to 2 minutes in length or less. What makes a great video? 

  • Share something authentic and meaningful to you and your ministry.
  • Consider storytelling as a possible form for your message.
  • Refrain from using your time to bring greetings or comment on how quickly the time has passed, however true that feels. It can be a bit redundant when many people make such comments. 
  • Your name will appear on the screen so you don’t need to introduce yourself.

Individual videos will be edited into a single video presentation and shown in its entirety during the celebration. The deadline to create and submit your video is May 1.

25/50 Ordination Recognition Participant Sign Up 2026

Name(Required)
Which year were you ordained?
Do you want to receive a commemorative gift?(Required)
Each 25/50 participant may receive a special candle holder recognizing your years in ministry, and we understand not everyone appreciates receiving gifts, so we offer you the choice.
Letter of Recognition(Required)
25/50 year ministers may choose to have a letter of recognition of their years of dedicated service sent to a congregation’s Board, to specific family members, or to an organization or person of your choice. If you choose to have a Letter of Recognition sent, PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION FOR SENDING THE LETTER TO YOUR DESIRED RECIPIENTS IN THE BOX BELOW.
Please provide complete name(s) and address(es).
25 Year Honorees please use this field to upload your video.
Max. file size: 2 GB.

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How to make and submit your recording:

Equipment you will need:

  1. Preferably a smart device: smart phones, iPads, or computers.
  2. Headphones (especially if recording in a location that may have distracting background sounds.

Recording Process:

Recording your video: We suggest using a phone or iPad/tablet. If you are familiar with taking photos with your device, you likely know there is a feature for recording videos on the same screen. If you are using your computer, you can record via Zoom by opening the Zoom app and using the record option on Zoom.

Set your device on something solid (a shelf or music stand is perfect) so that you can stand away from it in order to look at it and speak to it (use “selfie” mode). 

Making the recording:

  1. Arrange your notes or script in a way that is easy for you to see from where you will sit or stand for recording.
  2. Set up your phone or iPad/tablet in landscape mode (on its side), and try a couple of quick tests to see if you like how you look, if you are framed in the picture, etc. There is a button which allows you to reverse the camera so that you can see yourself, and you will want to use that setting.
  3. Ready – set – go!      
    a) Start your video recorder (Phone, iPad/tablet, Zoom).   
    d) Begin speaking.  If you mess up, just pause (a little longer than you might think), smile, and begin again.  The video can be edited. 
    e) When done, hold your pose for a little while, then stop the video recorder

Additional Hints:

  • Have a  simple background behind you if you can. Plain, solid colored walls are ideal!
  • Here is a short video on how to adjust lighting and screen placement while making a video
  • Remember you are speaking to colleagues who want to hear your voice and experience.  
  • While the quality of many phones/iPads are higher, it is fine to use Zoom to record if you prefer.
  • At any time in the process please reach out to Melissa for assistance, support or coaching

Naming Your Video File:

NAMING YOUR FILE: Name your file in the following: ClassYear-YourName. (Example: 25-JanetteLallier.mp3)

For 25 Year Honorees, please use the form at the top left of this page to upload your video. SUBMISSION DATE: All materials must be uploaded by midnight on May 1.