Reverend Rebecca Sommons, a 2016 Master of Divinity graduate from Palmer Theological Seminary, is stepping into a dynamic new season of life and ministry. Looking back on her time studying at the King of Prussia campus, she shared, "I loved the community, and made friends, and I loved my classes. It was such a great experience". Today, she is utilizing that foundational experience to navigate a shift from traditional pastoring to a focused ministry of spiritual direction and care.

Following her time at Palmer, Sommons pastored at First Baptist Church in Manchester Center, Vermont, for nine years. Her ministry there was remarkably diverse and deeply embedded in the community. Alongside her husband, she was heavily involved in the church's music, taught Sunday school, and served as the first female chaplain for the local fire department. After serving nine years, she began to feel a distinct shift in her calling, feeling drawn "away from having to speak all the time to more of a listening-based ministry.”

This desire led her to pursue a two-year spiritual direction certificate through the CELA program in Boston. This training profoundly changed her perspective on pastoral care, helping her realize she was internalizing too much of her congregation's pain. During a retreat in a glass chapel in the woods, she had a powerful moment of clarity where she felt Jesus saying, "I'm the one who carries people's pain and anger. And I can do it. But you can't.” 

Desiring more flexibility to care for her family, Sommons and her husband recently relocated back to Pennsylvania, eventually settling in Orwigsburg. This move has allowed her to support her aging parents through recent health challenges and be present for her adult daughters, including her daughter Grace, an Eastern University graduate, who just welcomed her first baby. Sommons requested a season of "deep soul rest" from God upon moving, and she is now thoughtfully establishing a spiritual direction practice. As she discerns what other creative or flexible work she might take on, her guiding prayer is "to not rush to fill the empty space, but also to be very available and active in looking for what God has for me to do."

Now, Sommons is bringing her extensive pastoral and spiritual formation experience back to the Palmer community. This fall, she will be partnering with the seminary's CARES department to facilitate a virtual clergy care group for local pastors. When asked by the Director of Alumni Care and Seminary Engagement to take on this leadership role, she responded enthusiastically, stating, "I'm excited that you're asking that. That would be really, really life-giving for me.” The seminary community eagerly looks forward to welcoming Reverend Sommons back as she continues to faithfully follow God's gentle leading.