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!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
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!
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!
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