This picutre was taken November 21, 2008- It is from outside Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta- it is the crypt of Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King. A holy site indeed.
It has been quite some time since I last posted on my blog. It has never been too far from my mind however. As I was going through the life of the semester- I kept acknowledging at least to myself that there were many things that happened that I wanted to share in this forum. Here is a run-down:
• New job at the Diocese of St. Cloud in the Global Missions Office- I am really enjoying my time there, and it is beneficial to see how such an office would run- should I ever go to a Diocese that would like to start a program like this- it would be great to have such a background established!
• I attended the 19th Annual School of the Americas peace vigil and protest. This was by far one of the most incredible experiences of my life! It will become an annual event for me-until the facility is closed permanently! (This will be expounded on in greater detail in a later post)
• 4 classes at School this semester: Fundamental Moral Theology- I learned so much about the church structure in this class- we were required to read Humanae Vitaea and Donum Vitaea, and while I read them both- I knew I didn’t like them- or at least agree with them, but I can at least engage the reasons why I don’t care for these documents now! Christology has been the most straining course for me this semester- Sacraments and Worship has been fantastic! I have really enjoyed the learning- and Homiletics was a good class for learning to preach in all kinds of different settings!
• I have a paper that was accepted at NALM (National Association for Lay Ministers). This is really an exciting endeavor for me to be a part of!
• I have really enjoyed my (limited) time with friends and family! My courses kept me much busier than first anticipated so as a result my time was certainly more strained than what I would prefer.
• I was able to meet Don Sailers (renowned musician, theologian, and instructor from Emory University [retired])
The semester was definitely busy for me in general. I am working again on the editorial staff of Obsculta- the SOT student journal. I have been working as well on Alum group for IWJ (the internship from the summer) called SILC. I also have been trying to take part in as many of the liturgies on campus as I can attend for the simple reason that I LOVE the liturgical presence found at St. John’s. I am trying to take part, soak up as much as I can!
We are enjoying the first blizzard of the winter right now- I have been for the most part locked up in the house since yesterday at about 2:30. I did go and study at a friends house this evening- but while I love D- it was studying- so not really my idea of a good time! I finish up with classes this week, and anticipate such a smoother semester next spring! I will be posting more often and working diligently to establish some great boundaries and habits before graduation and going back into the work force.
I would like to leave you with a quote that is on my computer screen that I find such pleasure reading everyday! It serves as such a good reminder to me!
"Hope is one of my favorite emotions because of its humility.
It's not like gladness or joy which stick around just for the good stuff.
Hope is my heart's missionary.
It humbly seeks fear and shame and hurt and befriends them.
Hope enters the very dustiest parts of my heart,
clears out the cobwebs,
and whispers of the promise of eternal perfection. "
--Maggie Lindley
