What a whirlwind this semester has been! What a blessing it has been! At times it has been humbling, frustrating, envigorating, affirming, thought-provoking, tiring, refreshing . . .
I don't know that anyone reads it, but just to remind myself, perhaps here are some things I have been blessed and joyed to experience in the recent past (going in chronological order backward from today)
- I was assigned a field education church for next year, Christ Lutheran in Kulpsville, PA. Yesterday I worshipped there for the first time. If I have learned one thing on rotation, it's that one visit or one service does not any perspective make. I am very excited to get to know this congregation and serve there! Seems like a great place!
- I served as sacristan for the three days retreat this past Saturday at Trappe, PA ("Shrine of American Lutheranism"). It was great to experience the three days with my classmates, especially the climax of the vigil. In other news, I feel that being a sacristan next year (if I am chosen) would be a great use of my gifts and something I am really interested in. It was a good amount of work (esp. unpacking everything by myself) but I realized how prayerful it truly was to me, the preparation, the silence in the sanctuary getting things ready, the thoughtfulness that goes into worship . . .
- I heard/participated in the last of three discussions about our seminary becoming Reconciling in Christ. All three were well done and taught me new things. Then, this past Thursday, our student body at the student body meeting voted to recommend to the faculty to become a Reconciling in Christ seminary. On 4/26 or something, PLTS became the first ELCA seminary to gain this designation.
- I went to hear Bishop Gene Robinson speak as a part of the Equality Forum here in Philly. It was facilitated by this woman who was the first out lesbian Rabbi. It was an amazing discussion I hope to remember and maybe blog about later so I can record some of those thoughts/discussion points.
- I participated in the annual Trialogue held here at LTSP, a conversation/mini-seminar on a specific topic shared between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish presenters and participants. What an amazing experience!! The topic this year was just war, and how each religion approaches the concept of war in general, and when it is "just" or "moral" or not a sin. I am definitely going again next year, and encouraging more students to go as there were only three of us there.
- I saw Mason Jennings, my favorite singer/musician/artist in the world, for the second time this year, at World Cafe Live in Philly. AMAZING! Possibly the best concert I've been to. And I've seen quite a number . . .
- I got to go home for Easter :) and worship at my home church, Christ the King! I love my home church! I also got to go to the vigil, do a reading, worshipping at St. Stephen Williamsburg! I love that church too!
- And a long time ago, I bought my first clerical collar. See?
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