The Lake Edge United Church of Christ on Buckeye Road was filled with celebrants yesterday afternoon, attending the ordination of Phil Haslanger. Haslanger comes to the clergy after serving 35 years in journalism. "We came to celebrate the transformation of a man of many beautifully written words into a man of the Word," said Rev. Jerry Hancock, who knows a little bit about career changes.
Hancock was himself ordained in 2006 after working as a lawyer for 35 years, including stints as assistant District Attorney and assistant Attorney General. There were other second career clergy present for the service, including former Madison Police Chief David Couper, who is ordained in the Episcopal Church.
"I think there’s a special place in God’s heart for second career ministers," said Hancock, observing that Jesus didn’t start his earthly ministry until after he had put in at least a decade in the construction business of his father Joseph. And Moses also had several career changes before leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. "So Phil, you’re in very good company," Hancock concluded.
Haslanger stepped down from the Managing Editor position at The Capital Times last year, but is still working at the newspaper as a Contributing Editor. And he serves on the pastoral staff of Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg.
Conditions being what they are these days, it’s unusual for a city the size of Madison to still have two daily papers. Even more unusual is the fact that there are now ordained ministers on the staff of both newspapers. Present in the congregation for the service was Bill Wineke, a columnist and former religion editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, also an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ.