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!

Mid-Semester Update!

So, lets just say that my attempt to keep this blog updated on a weekly basis has obviously not happened. I realized that I have survived the first half of the semester and have learned many things that are worth sharing, but will only share a few of them. Classes are going very well and keep me busy with work most of the time. This fall we have had several guest speakers, but some of the main ones have included: Dr. Jeremiah Wright and Tony Blair. Friendships continue to develop and strengthen. Groups that meet within the seminary have started to work on projects for the academic year, which is exciting to take part in.
Many people have asked me if I have become an expert in getting to and around NYC. I have driven into NYC once and have also taken the train in for an adventure as well. The day that I took the train in I was able to walk around the city, do some shopping, see the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline from a ferry, enjoy a good meal, and then headed back to NJ. As far as traveling goes, I have become an expert in driving to the Newark airport and making it back to Madison. If you ever need a ride to or from the Newark airport, then just let me know!
I am very happy with my decision to come to Drew! There have been many adventures, and I am sure many more to come. This has been such an affirming experience for my call. I am trying to live in the now and appreciate this wonderful opportunity to take part in Theological Education at Drew.

Learning to Walk on Water

I moved from WV to NJ this week in order to start seminary at Drew University. As I carried boxes to my third floor apartment, I realized that I definitely over-packed. The good news is that I had room for everything and the apartment is starting to feel like home. Besides moving into a new apartment, I also completed four days of orientation with the rest of the incoming theological students. I was not sure what to expect out of seminary or orientation, but I definitely did not expect to start theological discussion or debate. As you can probably guess, that is exactly what happened. Lets just say the members of the entering class got their feet wet. After orientation, I feel better about the upcoming semester and am looking forward to the start of classes on Monday.
On a reflective note, I want to share something a fellow classmate and friend, Glen, shared with me. We were discussing what some family and friends thought about the pursuit of seminary education. Jokingly, we talked about how some thought it is about learning to walk on water and perform other miracles like Jesus. Glen shared that in a way, seminary is like learning to walk on water. In Matthew 14 we see Peter walk on water as Jesus commanded him to do. Peter had to overcome his fear and take the first step out on the water. Like Peter, those entering seminary had to answer the call and overcome fears in order to start the pursuit of theological education. Although we may not be physically learning to walk on water, we are taking part in something that allows us to learn to be like Peter.