The cake celebrating more than half a century of service in ministry sat in the center of a table at a weekend reception.
And the Rev. Eric Erickson readily understood the symbolism as he relaxed in the gym of First Presbyterian Church, where he has served as a backup preacher in semi-retirement in Columbus since 2009.
“The memories and the cake are both very sweet,” said the 74-year-old Erickson, a former Columbus High School English and speech teacher and debate coach. Earlier, his wedding to wife-and-later-minister Norie was the first to be held in the then-new First Baptist Church of Columbus in 1965.
Erickson, a native of Springfield, Missouri, and Seymour native Cal Brand, 74, marked 50 years in ministry Sunday at a simple gathering after the morning worship service at the local downtown church at Seventh and Franklin streets. Both have spent a lifetime focusing on others’ lives and needs — Brand heavily in chaplaincy and training others for such, and Erickson in pastoring and, as a sideline, a law practice, mostly as a public defender.
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Brand grew up in Columbus at First Presbyterian, and he humorously and indirectly acknowledged that perhaps the angel food cake being served might not be a good, symbolic fit for his time as a youngster there. He and wife Donna returned to Columbus in 2006 after ministry in places such as Missouri, Florida, New Mexico and elsewhere.
“Mostly today, I have feelings about how grateful I am for all the church people who put up with me in Sunday School, in youth choir and youth group,” Brand said. “We were a pretty rowdy class.”
So much so that he recalled “a sad distinction” of one Sunday School teacher quitting because of him and his friends.
As his siblings, friends and co-members at First Presbyterian offered him thanks and congratulations Sunday, Brand struggled to reconcile the half-century mark with his personal perspective.
“It doesn’t seem very real,” Brand said.
Brand remembered seeking the counsel of former First Presbyterian pastor the Rev. William Laws about training at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey and ministry goals long before the clergyman-to-be was ordained in June 1968. At that time, Brand was uncertain of his precise path amid the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement and more.
Brand disagreed then with the denomination’s stance on some significant issues. And he remains straightforward enough to differ with others about topics that still stir his passion. That includes when a hospital called him a few years ago to do what he has done through most of his ministry — train people to be chaplains.
Except that Brand specializes in equipping ordained clergy, and this outlet wanted him to train only volunteers for the role. He straightforwardly and unapologetically declined.
“Why would I, who has spent a lifetime training professionals, help you limp along with lay people (as chaplains) with only a little bit of training?” Brand said to the caller.
Others saluted Brand’s and Erickson’s giftings. The Rev. Felipe Martinez, who has served as First Presbyterian’s pastor for two years and a minister for 25 years total, was among those.
“We’re very grateful to them for their service here, and to the larger church community,” Martinez said, adding that they each have served as ministerial fill-ins when the pastor has been away. “They are very willing colleagues. And it’s a treat to have colleagues within the congregation.
“But to see folks who have ministered a full half century is especially remarkable. And I appreciate that they each have a different connection of service to the larger church. They each have given a lot of depth and breadth to ministry, for sure.”
National statistics from Barna Research show that only 10 percent of Christian clergy in general stay in ministry until retirement. So, understandably, First Presbyterian members such as Merry Carmichael are impressed with the pair’s longevity and devotion. She knows Brand better than Erickson.
“He (Cal) presents good messages that are filled with hope,” Carmichael said.
Richard Eynon, another member, has known both ministers for about 40 years of their professional roles. He said he admires their long-term efforts. He added that it’s especially meaningful to him that Brand handled a family funeral a number of years ago when clergy staff were away.
“They are just good people, and they deserve the recognition today,” Eynon said.
Before the last of the crowd filed out from the weekend reception, Erickson readily mentioned how grateful and touched he was for the local congregation to salute him and Brand. But the man accustomed to focusing on others admitted to some self-consciousness, especially amid his admiration for Martinez’s current congregational leadership.
“I realize that there are a lot of people who have spent 50 years doing good for others,” Erickson said, adding that they often get no formal recognition.
These days, Erickson, who spent his life as what Jesus would call “a fisher of men,” is now a literal fisherman — of bluegill and bass on Terrace Lake, where he lives west of Columbus. Today, the man whose work was marked by compassion toward people now exhibits the same toward the fish he catches.
He tosses them back into the water.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the Rev. Cal Brand” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Born: Seymour. Raised in Columbus.
Age: 76.
Family: Wife Donna. Two grown children and five grandchildren.
Ministry education: Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Ordained in June 1968.
Key role: A trainer of ordained clergy as hospital chaplains.
Latest role: A backup, fill-in preacher, officially known as a parish associate, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. Also has recently served as a certified life coach.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the Rev. Eric Erickson” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Born: Springfield, Missouri.
Age: 74.
Family: Wife, the Rev. Norie Erickson, who served as interim pastor at First Presbyterian in Columbus in the late 1990s. Four children and two grandchildren. The Rev. Eric Erickson served in churches in New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
Ministry education: Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Ordained July 1968.
Key roles: Served initially as a pastor of a New Jersey “house church” in 1968 — something many have thought to be a newer concept today. Also earned a law degree in the 1970s and served as a public defender in Ohio while continuing pastoral ministry.
Latest role: Backup, fill-in preacher, officially known as a parish associate, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus.
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