Praying for the Miners

Hey All! I realize it has been way too long since my last update, but I wanted to share some thoughts about the mine explosion in Naoma, WV. Perhaps, this is more of my prayer than thoughts, but take these words and use them as you feel called.

Coal runs through the veins of all West Virginians. Like the genealogy of any family, coal has its place in the family tree. Like many in West Virginia, I credit coal for the formation of my family's identity in the Mountain State and know exactly where it lies in the family tree. Any time there is a disaster like the one yesterday the people of West Virginia rally together as a family, because the coal mine that took at least 25 lives is also the same thing that still flows through our blood and feeds our families. Ironically the place where 25 Mountaineers lost their lives, is also the holy ground that contains many others that have been killed over the past several decades in the mines. The mountains that give us life, food, and famliy are also the same mountains that take life and family away. The people of West Virginia truly understand it is from the Earth we were created, and it is to the Earth we shall return. For those that have returned to the Earth, I pray that they rest in peace. For the families left to mourn the loss, I pray, hope, and cry with them. For the rescue and relief agency workers, I pray for your safety as you continue to work diligently to find the missing four and return the bodies of our dead. For the government, courts, and politicians of West Virginia, I pray that you find a way to rise above the political system and grip that coal has on our state and bring justice that has been withheld from the people of West Virginia for years. I pray that the coal company and its owner(s) concede the mistakes that have been made, reconcile the wrongs against the people of West Virginia, and lament with the community that you are also deeply apart of. For the people of West Virginia, I pray for our family and ask for God's comforting presence to be felt as we mourn the loss of our family members. For the people that use the energy that coal produces, I pray that you remember the miners, their families, and the systems that energy is a part of as you use the energy (and I hope you think about how you are using that energy).

Lord, in your mercy - hear my prayer!

Start of the Spring Semester

The second semester of seminary is now underway. Last week I took part in an intensive training and class in community organizing and congregational development. I really enjoyed the class! There were 60 people in the class from all over the country. Everyone had stories that were interesting and unique. The diverse environment of the classroom was only matched by our experience of having class in a church in the South Bronx. While in the Bronx we had a chance to tour some schools and low-cost housing known as Nehemiah houses. These projects were wonderful to tour after reading and discussing them all week. Like many others in the class, I am trying to finish the required reading and papers for the course.
Today we had the first day of classes. My schedule will be busy, but I am very excited to get the semester started. We started the semester with two special worship services. The first took place at a UMC in the East Village called The Church of the Village. The worship service was amazing, and I would highly recommend this church to anyone in the NYC area. This is the home church of a fellow classmate at Drew. Although expecting to see my classmate, I did not expect to see anyone else I knew. The lady sitting behind me grew up in WV and was the daughter of a UMC pastor. If that was not enough to convince me that we live in a small world, then I realized that a fellow member on the Division on Ministries with Young People was in attendance as well. The other worship service that kicked off the semester was here at Drew. At chapel today we celebrated the baptism of a friend's 9 month old son, Joel. During the service, we all had a chance to remember our baptisms as well as make the commitment to support Joel's family as he continues in his life as one of God's children.
What a blessing this past week has been. I am looking forward to the blessings in store for the semester ahead! Until next time, may you find joy and peace in remembering your baptism as a child of God!

New Year Resolutions and End of the Semester Update

Well, it has been a few months since my last update! I am sorry that I have not been more faithful to updating my blog. This is one of my resolutions for New Years, which I am starting right now. On that note, I wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that it brings you great joy!
Since it is a New Year, I thought that I would reflect upon the semester and share with you some of the highlights. My semester ended very well. The semester just seemed to fly by, and I can't believe that my first semester of seminary is over. Just as the semester has passed by, so has my Christmas break. I started my Christmas break being snowed in with some family in Buckhannon for a few days. Although the snow storm wasn't in the plan, it was good to spend some time with family. I also spent a couple of days in Huntington completing appointments, etc. as well as visited with my 2nd family. After Huntington I went home to Athens to spend Christmas with my family. This was the first Christmas without my grandmother who passed away on December 1st. Christmas also brought a surprise in life - I have a new car. For anyone that experienced the car drama earlier in the semester, then you will be glad to know that it is all in the past. In a little over a month, my car broke down three times and my wallet was stolen. Happily, the car problem is solved and the wallet issue is resolved.
During the car issue, I made a trip to Maryknoll, New York. I went with my friend Peg to visit two nuns that served in El Salvador during the war. I was so blessed by this trip. Terri and Maddy were both willing to share so much of their experience from El Salvador. Mainly, we discussed their involvement in the identification of the four American lay women that were killed near the border as well as the murder of Oscar Romero. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to hear their stories. I look forward to a return visit and hope to learn more about their experiences in El Salvador. I need to say a big thanks to Ellen, Terri, and Maddy for meeting with me and making that day possible. Peg, thank you for adventuring with me to NY and sharing in this blessing.
Another highlight at the end of the semester was a quick visit into NYC. I got a chance to see the city at Christmas, which has always been a dream of mine. The city finally put me into the Christmas spirit! Between school, work, and life I could not believe it was Christmas time. As I mentioned earlier, the trip home for Christmas was a bit of an adventure. I am very grateful to have spent a few weeks in my home among the hills! For now, I must return to school because I begin classes next Monday!