Here’s an article in the Boston Globe about Rev. Nicole Lamarche of Cotuit, Massachusetts who USED TO BE A BEAUTY QUEEN!!
I would think this sort of item might merit a little blurb in the paper, not an entire article. Is it really that interesting that this woman happened to win a few beauty pageants before she became a pastor?
I find it not interesting or notable at all, except that it gives writer Silvia Spring and her readers an opportunity to share salacious details about life on the pageant circuit, like the fact that contestants sometimes put tape on their buttocks to keep their swimsuits in place before appearing on the runway. Ohmigod, religious people have BODIES!! And they’re sometimes SEXY! STOP THE PRESS!
Of course there’s nothing in the article at all about Lamarche’s theology, her vision of ministry, or anything else substantive at all about her as a human being and religious leader. Just as in a beauty pageant, we are invited to objectify and judge her, to hear ABOUT her from other people, while she remains almost entirely silent except to defend herself: “I needed the money.”
Rev. Nicole, we wish you well in your ministry. And speaking just for myself, I’m sorry that it is even considered news that you won a beauty pageant or two.
I get quite upset when I read articles like this.
Because it still feeds the cliché that “beauty” and “female pastor” usually don´t go togehter.
And PB, you´re totally right, articles like that never mention the theological or preaching or whatever relevant abilities but the sheer look.
I´m still struggling with the fact that people consider me to be beautiful (no- I´m not a former Miss Something) and make comments on it.
I want to be a good pastor, not a “good looking” pastor.
In Switzerland a female pastor was refused to take over a position in Zürich because the congregation thought she was “too pretty” for the pulpit.
Ya folks out there- please do learn and accept that God calls men and women in the pulpit and to ministry and does not care if they look “good” or not.
It´s our gifts that count in God´s eyes and not our apperance.
Of course, the article did contain this gem:
“Young, single female pastors are often viewed as risky and unpredictable.”
[Oh my, how I loved that. I want to get a button made that says “RISKY AND UNPREDICTABLE!” But of course if I had a may-an to — to what? – “manage” me? Keep my hormones from getting in an uproar? What an inane generalization. Also, methinks, just bad writing and bad journalism. – PB]
This, as a young female considering ministry, makes me a little irate. Oh! But I’m in committed relationship, so that makes me less risky and unpredictable. And it’s a man, thank goodness, so I’d be even less of a risk. Sarcasm, the grumpy pastor’s wit.
*sigh* Oh, well. At least they’re talking about how wonderful she’s been for the community and how happy they are to have her. A silver lining?
I do think that the two comments immediately following the article from members of her congregation were lovely acknowledgments of the Reverend’s connection to the spirit. Both spoke of her gifts for ministry. Too bad they didn’t quote them in the article. [So true. – PB]
Well, I haven’t responded to any of the criticism sent my way in the past few days. But since you all are a part of my community, it feels important to respond. I hated the article and I am sure you all can imagine how my words were not given voice at all. I did talk about my theology, my faith, what God is doing in my life and the life of my congregation. She didn’t include any of that. Maybe a better news story would have been about the outrageous cost of seminary and the fact that had I not competed in the Miss America Organization I would owe more than $70,000 in student loans instead of $40,000…
[Hey, sister! Good to hear from you! Sorry to hear that you’ve received criticism but I’m not surprised. Your congregation obviously loves you, so here’s hoping that that dumbass article passes into well-deserved obscurity fast, as does the stress that came along with it. God’s strength, peace and grace be with you, Rev. – PB]
I haven’t read the article yet but I want to say that I met Nicole on a few occasions on the West Coast when she was in seminary at PSR (Nicole, Caroline Divine is not my real name, I do blog under my actual name but on Beauty Tips for Ministers I use a pseudonym) and she is a joyful, committed, smart woman with a clear calling to ministry. There was an article about her somewhere in the Bay Area (it was posted on a bulletin board at school and I read it there, back when Nicole was in her 2d year or so) and it was much more interesting and complex than what you describe. I hope there is some kind of follow-up. What a drag. Nicole, great to see you here! I hope this isn’t too much of an energy drain on you.
And PB, maybe you can write a letter to the editor? (I know, in your spare time, on sabbatical, and while working on a dissertation…) Because if Nicole does, it’ll sound like sour grapes, but if someone else does (especially someone like you who was also written up in the Globe) it will be different. Then again, you may be right, the article may just need to vanish into obscurity.
Nicole, continue to be your beautiful self, inside and out, and may God’s blessings be upon your congregation and your ministry.
It seems to me that nobody here criticized Nicole and her participation in the pageant, only the article’s tone. Readers of this site would never judge a woman who exudes poise, confidence, beauty, and character.
Interestingly, Nicole was not the only seminary student to compete that year. The other was Miss Minnesota Megan Torgerson, who now serves a Lutheran congregation in St. Paul. Rock on with your bad selves.