World AIDS Day

December 1 is the world’s HIV/AIDS Day. On this day, we are reminded of many people who are affected and infected HIV/AIDS and need continued care and support from one and all. Think with me about those care givers who are often not remembered in the system of care of those affected with HIV/AIDS.

Millions of women care for their family and community members as they suffer from AIDS. In Africa, a silent army of female volunteers cares for the sick. Some are trained as community health workers or birth attendants, while others are simply responding to an immediate need. Where hospitals are not available or places for everyday care, faith-based organizations frequently fill in the gaps, providing everything from food to support groups and last rites. Most caregivers receive little or no financial support, even for necessary medical supplies or transportation expenses. The burden of these responsibilities frequently result in an inability to pay for family expenses, such as for food or school fees, causing girls to withdraw from school to provide care and/or help compensate for lost family income, increasing their risk of sexual exploitation and HIV infection.

Many women who were first at the bedside of HIV-positive persons are themselves occupying those beds today. When women are ill, men do not always take on the same responsibilities and women are often the last to receive healthcare. In communities heavily affected by HIV, services are stretched more than ever. Many people, especially women, are prevented from obtaining treatment due to poverty, geography, and weak health systems. HIV-positive women often face a greater degree of discrimination when trying to obtain treatment and access to health services, particularly sexual and reproductive health services. Access to medicine is prevented by high costs, the inadequate training of health professionals and unfair global trade rules that hinder distribution. More than five out of six people who need anti-retroviral treatment do not receive it. I like the idea of churches coming out and playing its public role in calling national governments to scale up access to antiretroviral medicines and overcome trade barriers to anti-retroviral treatment, including utilizing generic drugs. Profit motives should not override the urgent humanitarian need for readily available, safe and affordable drugs. What do you think?

"Let's Get Heretical!!!!!"

That's what I like to shout as I cheer for the Luther Seminary Heretics soccer team.

Following this week's match, the team is headed into the end-of-season tournament. I think the is record is 3-3-1 (if I remember correctly). It is pretty exciting the seminary has such a diverse team of seminary kids (teenagers), 20 and 30 something students, second career students, exchange students, and even a preaching professor. All these come together for the common good of exercise, team unity, and fun.

The game on Sunday was still tied 0-0 towards the very end of the second half. With about two minutes Robert Obaga took a pretty rough foul. The referee actually called it. The Heretics had a penalty kick from mid-way back, within shooting distance of the goal. Our big footer tough chic, Kat Campbell took the shot. Dr. David Lose (FabuLose) camped out in the goal box. The shot was taken, long and strong and headed to the goal. FabuLose got a touch on it and it was GOOD! The red-shirted fans lined up along the sideline went crazy. A huge cheer came up throughout the stadium (indoor football field). Then it was just a few seconds until the Heretics snagged the win!

Countdown...

I have 51.12 clinical hours of CPE left...not that I'm counting. This means I have already completed 248.88 hours since the 2nd week of September.

Is it that bad?
No...but it is emotionally exhausting.

I am learning so much about struggling through life, by people who are barely teenagers. I'm learning how I struggle with stress and balance. I'm learning my tendencies in group interactions and what changes I ought to live out. I'm being challenged to confront others (this is my "growing edge"), even when I feel like I'm going to vomit and want to run away. I'm learning that sometimes I have really important things to share with people. I'm learning to find my voice. I'm learning to step up and ask to be heard. I'm learning to be confident in my gifts and passions, and to boldly offer them in ministry. I am learning deeply of God's provision and peace in darkness and chaos.

I am learning to be present, as a bearer of light in a dimly lit room.

It is a truly wonderful and humbling experience.

Relationships and Reunions

Throughout my twenty-four years of life I have had the honor of meeting and befriending some wonderful people. Last night I was reunited with an old friend from college who I had not seen in almost three years. Isn’t it funny where different walks of life take us? Relationships too are funny. This friend and I used to do everything together. Last night—it was hard to keep a conversation! When a relationship comes to a close or “dies” one of the tell-tale signs is that both parties keep “dredging up the past.” This isn’t a bad thing, but instead of focusing on the present and future, you continually focus on the past. You will always have the past—but there will most likely be no more future. This is what I experienced last night. It’s kind of sad, but it’s a part of life. I took this feeling with me today to church. It got me thinking about relationships with God. Is it possible that we can become so estranged with God that our relationship becomes irrevocably severed? What a scary thought.

-Dan

Garrison Keillor on Preaching

On Friday night Colin & I got to see the "rehearsal" of this week's Prairie Home Companion live at the Fitzgerald Theater on Exchange Street in St. Paul. I put quotes around rehearsal because it was more like a laid back version of Saturday night's program with more songs, skits and general shenanigans that can be broadcast.

It was awesome.

Perhaps the best show I've heard of a Prairie Home Companion, it offered great entertainment from Kristin Andreassen, wonderful singing by two of the Steele sisters and funny skits that made good jokes about Norwegian Lutheran Pastors. Quite great. Do listen if you have the chance.

After the show we got to go back stage, see the little blue house, the set, meet the cast and finally, Mr. Keillor himself. My cousin, who has connections to the show, introduced us to Garrison and told him we were Norwegian Lutheran Pastors. We got to talk to him for a little while and asked him about preaching. He said, "throw out the first two pages of your sermon; get to the heart of it." We asked him about styles about preaching and he let us know his dislike for "humor" in sermon and when asked what style he likes, he said, obviously, "stories." Not bad for a Friday night.

Mmmm...Cocoa

Well, it was 16 degrees on the TCF weather meter. 16. One Six. Brrrr. Colin's making plans to visit Las Vegas in the next couple of weeks and I'm wondering if I'll ever feel the warmth of the Southwest anytime soon myself. It's enough to say uff da.

One highlight is cozying up to a warm mug of hot cocoa. Thankfully my return to Minnesota coincided with Starbucks' increased line of cocoas, namely their signature hot cocoas. My favorite? The salted caramel one. I just really like the salt and caramel combo on top a bed of thick whipped cream. Yum. It's almost enough to forget that it's 16 degrees out there. And that I'm sitting inside of Starbucks wearing my hat. And my jacket. And still pretty cold. Uff da.

Stay warm out there, we've only just begun.

Seminary Round II

Ding, ding, ding! It’s time for my second round of seminary! Today was exciting and scary at the same time. I’ve recently been working on applications for further graduate study here at Luther. I handed my MTH or Master of Theology application today. I was trying to “type” part of one of the applications using an old-school typewriter today. Wow! I forgot how incredibly difficult these things were. Every time I tried to type a number I would forget to hit “shift” and would end up making some irreversible mistake. I had to keep starting over—probably three times. (Thank goodness for computers.) Oh well. I finally just decided to whip out an old school pen and do it by hand. Have you ever had a really productive day? Like—not necessarily with “school” work, but with little business things. It feels good to take care of the “little things.” It reminds me of Ecclesiastes: Take pleasure in the simple things! I hope everyone has a safe rest of their week. Blessings!

-Dan

The Dust has Settled

After Monday’s chapel service I met with my paper advisor and secondary reader for my thesis project. We had the infamous “structured conversation”— a meeting similar to a thesis defense. I felt completely proud and confident of my work…up until about fifteen minutes until we were supposed to meet. Oh boy. My stomach was in knots. Not only did the entire month of research, late nights, and writing flash before my eyes—but my entire seminary experience over the past two years rushed through my mind. My confidence quickly left me on the drive up to campus. The meeting lasted a little over an hour. It went by pretty quickly. You know what? It wasn’t that bad. It actually went really well. I “passed.” I let my nerves get the best of me. As it turns out the professors here are pretty awesome. They aren’t scary. You shouldn’t be afraid of them! Well…most of them, hah! It feels good to know that I can chip away at my paper by doing a little bit of extra editing and tightening here and there. Luckily, I don’t have any major issues to take care of—so I can actually do some fun stuff with the paper! Reading and writing for fun is a good thing. I suggest trying it sometime if you haven’t!

-Dan

The Fans...the Crazy Fans

Roller Derby is something I never even heard of until last year. For those of you who are unfamiliar, may I recommend you check it out online or (better yet) try to watch it somewhere. If you don't like contact sports, I revoke that recommendation. Jeni, earlier this week, blogged about this last weekend's bout. I would like to tell you about the fans.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that most sports enthusiasts are a little on the crazy side. It's not out of the ordinary to find crazies watching a sport live, at a restaurant, or in a living room. Like many sports, derby fans wear the colors of their team, are loud, and are excited to have the chance to watch a live bout.

What is different about derby fans, compared to say, football, is that derby fans can sit along the ring and actually find an athlete in sequins, gold tights, and roller skates in their lap. Also, it is my impression that many derby fans actually know the players (at least here, with our amateur league). It is pretty fantastic to be part of a 3-row section of bleachers going nuts anytime Check-Mate Cate gets some contact or participates in a play. It is even more fantastic to make so much noise the announcers acknowledge your presence and refer to your section as the Check-Mate Cate Fan Club. Plus, what other sports have match-ups like the Carnivores vs. Vegetarians with fans waving celery stalks from the bleachers? That's right....none!

Who ever said seminary was only for theology nerds? It's also for theology nerds who take interest in things outside the library....like tough girls dressed as vegetarians rollerskating. Go Green!

Snow in Kenya!

Snow in Kenya.

Lately, I have wished for a miracle in my life. Not like Motel Kamzoil “wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles,” in “Fiddler on the Roof.” It is a wish and a prayer to complete my training, just like that. It is a miracle in fulfilling my daily goals just, like that. A miracle in daily living my calling more of a saint than sinner, just like that. Oh how I would love to love my savior simply without much philosophy just like that! Oh yes, how I might be wary of my wish for miracles, just like that. A king of mythical Greece fell prey to such desires to his detriment and to that of his one and only child-turned gold. Well, my case is different, you see. Ok, just a second, that is not the kind of miracle I am talking about. Mine is the kind that just happens like the snow which recently fell in the tropical country of Kenya. Yes, it snowed in Kenya, my home country whose regular temperatures exceed 30C. Some might not get the miracle of miracles aspect because snow is the normal thing this time of the year in the Midwest region of the United States of America.

For it to snow in the Midwest of America this time of the year is the normal thing. If it happens not to snow, some emotional and psychological crisis might occur to one and many inhabitants of the Midwest and possibly other snow prone regions of the States. And yet, seemingly, nature's contradiction has really occurred in this country of Kenya. Not long ago, just this September, it snowed in Kenya, two months ahead of Minnesota. For those of you who may not know, Kenya is in the Equator, a place where snow is unimaginable, except, of course, in the unique places such as the mountaintops of Kilimanjaro and Kenya. So, it snowed in this unexpected place of the world where the sight of snow falling sent many scampering for safety and calling for divine help in their hour of need. Others came from far and near to see, to touch, to taste and to walk on the white substance from above. What could this be? The BBC blared its prime news about snow in Kenya; the Reuters and Spiegel TV, were there too, to publish the big news:

Residents in Kenya's Rift Valley celebrate the area's first ever snowfall with snow ball fights and a day off work and school. The small village of Busara 255 Kilometres northwest of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi awoke to a strange phenomenon on Wednesday (September 3). An area of about one square kilometer was covered in what meteorologists called snowflakes, blanketing a whole hillside.

The questions of what and why filled the air. Could it be manna in the Exodus story? Others could not just sit there speculating; they went and saw for themselves this snow. So, on that unusual day of snow fall, all roads led to Busara village ( Swahili word for wisdom).

School children abandoned school to behold the sight from “above” and exercise their intellectual exuberance regarding this untimely phenomenon. Expert wisdom boomed across the nation to comfort and warn inhabitants of what this might mean for one and all in this small tropical country. Eschatological visionaries smiled and wondered if this was “the day” of reckoning. Some of us in distant lands just watched and waited and thought it was an amazing sight. Many thought that it was high time it snowed in this place and anywhere else it chose to fall, and why not?

On the other hand, if the world climate is changing, which it actually is, then we better awake to some serious thinking for action. Kenya’s own, Waangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Prize winner for peace, said something about global warming. She talked about the Congo forest and the Amazon forest being depleted, and how these forests bear heavily on the stability of the world climate, Kenya being part. Maybe then, my enthusiasm about snow falling in Kenya or the sun shining right through the winter season in the Midwest region of the United States of America, should wait indefinitely.

And so, as I sign off this writing, I am not wishing or praying for this and the other miracle, just like that, rather, I am nudged by the Great Wind of the never changing miracle of The Amazing grace; Who has been here with me all along. Thanks be to God!

Concordtastic

This Wednesday the third issue of this year's Concord will come out to a newsstand near you. Well, only near you if you come to chapel and have one handed to you.

This month's topic: Sabbath. Though we, the Concord Staff, did break the Sabbath to bring you this edition, we hope in no ways does it undermine our integrity as there are some mighty fine articles coming your way. And for those of you not on campus, you can link to it through Luther's Intranet. How's that for inclusive and tech-savvy?

Stay tuned for next month's Concord on Authority. (We'll gladly be taking submissions until December 3rd).

Let it snow!

I had a feeling that this past weekend was a harbinger of more snow to come. How beautiful. My dog really seems to love it. He can’t seem to eat enough of it! Could I be mistaken that I saw Christmas lights up and ready outside the Campus Center? I think not! If you are ever bored in the next few weeks to come—take a stroll down Como Avenue in the surrounding Saint Anthony Park area (visit some of the little shops while you are there!). You will witness something very simple, yet beautiful. It’s almost like a Christmas Card (well... when the snow doesn't melt right away). Unlike many other areas during Thanksgiving and beyond, there isn’t an overkill of Christmas décor. There are just a few lights here and there— with the occasional wreath. How wonderful! Take it in. Revel in its simplicity before the real commercial stuff hits. When I first started my Seminary experience at Luther I was working for a certain unnamed local “mega-market” (supercentre). Working until nearly 1:00 am as Christmas drew near actually (and unfortunately) turned me off to the holiday for some time. I realized the absolute commercialization of our Christian holiday. I know it is a while off— but I thought I would just extend a gentle invitation to “keep your eyes peeled” in the next few weeks to come. Remember the reason for the season! =]

-Dan

Do You Derby?

"Jesus Loves Derby" reads the helmet of Check Mate Cate, aka Luther Seminary Student and North Star Roller Girl Catie Luehr. This past Saturday Night brought live entertainment at the Minneapolis Convention Center: The North Star Roller Girl All-Stars vs. The Nap-Town All-Stars - Minneapolis' finest vs. Indianapolis' finest. The All-Star bout was a foregone conclusion with the score ending up in favor of our local sheroes 100-something to a much lower score with my favorites MEDUSA and tin lizzy leading the way.

This past Saturday night also brought the debut of Check Mate Cate. In between the All-Star Game, the other local girls formed two teams for a local bout. Cate's team won the first bout in the last moments with Cate using her best asset. In the second bout, when the chips were down, a win slipping away and energy draining, Cate stepped up to an unfamiliar position: jammer. A jammer is the point-scorer in Roller Derby. She must skate through all of the others once, lap around and then skate through all the others once more to gain points. That she did.

Cate was the first one through the crowd, becoming the lead jammer. Then, she lapped around and hit a grand slam, meaning that she made it through the rest of the pack, including their jammer. When she called the jam, she had gained 5 points for her team; the other scoring zero. Cate's team won by 2 points. It was pretty much awesome.

Thank-A-Thon

Thank you. We don't say it enough.

Last week we had a campus wide Thank-A-Thon. Students on campus were encouraged to write personal thank yous to the people who donate money for grants and scholarships. We even got to snap a Polaroid photo to place inside, before mailing our cards. I got the great opportunity to write 5 thank-yous to wonderful individuals and couples who's generosity has benefited me financially. Students who participated got their names put in a raffle for prizes, as well. (Here I am pictured with the Luther Seminary Official Director's Chair, which I used for my Youth Culture Precept discussing William Finnegan's Cold New World).

Thanks be to God for those who include Luther Seminary in their contributions to the church. Recent numbers put 49% of Seminary support coming from gifts and grants. I think that is incredible. So, if you're among our generous contributors, Thank You!

My Life in the ELCA

Dedication: Terri, Tim, Beth
Soundtrack: "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" (#198 in LBW, #490 in ELW)

Veteran's Day

I knew exactly where to look for a speech passed on to me through letter: the pile of important papers that is both overwhelmingly large and yet so precious that I dare not move or organize. I zeroed in on the hand-written and thick envelope and took out its contents: 4 pages of a double-spaced, caps locked speech delivered at the retirement of my intern supervisor. Harl and Judy have four children, two of which are a set of twins. One of those twins is a Lutheran pastor in Southern California; the other is a military intelligence officer and instructor in the Army. The son who is a pastor delivered an incredible sermon at his retirement; the military officer, an incredible speech.

In honor of those whose vocation a soldier is, I pass on these words:

The first point is my world view, this is best illustrated by a story about a trip we took to Sfax, Tunisia, a Pike pilgrimage of sorts to see where our parents met. On this trip my dad went to get a haircut from the same barber he visited regularly while a Peace Corps volunteer. To my amazement, the barber, Twofeek, still remembered my father, 30 years later, and proceeded to give him a very nice haircut. This barber and the relationship my father shared with him was not markedly different from the relationship my dad had with Al the barber, to whom the Pike boys regularly went during our childhood in Sierra Vista. What I learned from this, which was reinforced throughout my Christian upbringing, my childhood travels and most poignantly during my time in Iraq, is that the vast majority of people, regardless of race, creed, gender and most ideologies are decent hard working individuals that just want to provide for their families and find meaning in their life. This was especially important to me in Iraq where I faced my own mortality and about the 3rd week in country through intense prayer and reflection realized that despite politics, the media, and even popular perception, it was worth my life to do everything I could to protect and help the Iraqis, the individuals who just wanted to live, provide for their families and had little true concern beyond their immediate area, for without question, I knew that they were people just like me, or Twofeek the barber or Al the barber and it was my duty and mission to help them. For in the end we are all God's children and as Jesus said and did, the greatest love is to lay down your life for another--which several of my friends have done.


Also, this photo taken today in a Veteran's Day Memorial speaks more than 1,000 words could possibly say.

May peace be found on earth and every good, faithful and dutiful soldier brought home with thanksgiving.

Order. Ordinary. Ordination.

Order.
Ordinary.
Ordination.

I was recently part of the congregation at the ordination of Noah William Johnson. This was my 3rd ordination service and a special one. Noah was ordained in his home church. His pastor of many years preached during the worship service, sharing stories of Noah as a small boy in the congregation. Friends and family, former youth group kids, congregation members, seminarians and professors, and area pastors all gathered to celebrate something out of the ordinary.

The celebration of one's ritual entrance into pastoral leadership is certainly not ordinary. The joy and pride by those present was awesome. A great cloud of witnesses showed up to continue being a part of Noah's life and God's work. It was a wonderful thing. If you get the chance to be part of an ordination, I highly recommend it.

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:18-19

Brrrrrr.... Winter is Coming!

Brrrr. The first real snow of the year fell this weekend. How was it real? It stuck. That’s how! I always get kind of get this nervous-excited feeling in my stomach when the first real snow falls. I have ever since I was a little kid. I had to dig my old long-coat out of my closet. I can’t find gloves or hats or anything that I had last year. I’m pretty sure that I end up buying a new pair each year—and when I finally FIND the old ones from the previous year sometime in the middle of June or July... I end up giving them away to Goodwill. At leas they go to a good cause. It’s been interesting going outside this weekend to take my puppy for walks and potty breaks. I didn’t really take the Minnesota winter into consideration when I got him. Oh well! It will toughen me up. Speaking of said puppy – we have obedience training tonight at the local Pet’s Mart. They do a good job and its pretty fun to see some other dogs. It’s a refreshing break from homework. Speaking of "refreshing breaks"...I do need to work again. Since my thesis is handed in and I am eagerly awaiting a response from my readers – I figure I can get back to work on campus again. I will be heading back and talking to Dennis, my grounds crew boss (a truly awesome fellow!) to see if he needs help with the impending snow removal and such. Who knows how the winter will be this year? Anyhow, I hope everyone is having a good week. Best of luck to everyone with school, work, and Church. =]

-Dan

CSYLOPs

I am sitting in a parliamentary procedure run meeting of high school and early college youth, who are leaders in the LYO (Lutheran Youth Organization). Here in the hills of Arkansas, youth and adults from 38 of the 65 ELCA synods in the US are gathered. We are focusing on leadership, diversity (of all kinds), dialogue, and the implementation of change, as leaders in the church. There are young people gathered from New Hampshire and southern California - and everywhere in between. The adults who've come along as advisers are youth ministers, parents, synodical youth leaders, camp directors, pastors, and interns in synod offices.

The youth I brought from the St. Paul Area Synod and I are meeting and re-meeting friends from all over the country. We are enjoying the sunny autumn weather of a (more) southern climate and the joy of soft serve ice cream. We are learning about the Board of the LYO and its responsibilities. We are discussing Churchwide Assembly, Youth Convocation, the LYO convention and the National Youth Gathering. Although our gathering is called CSYLOPs (pronounced Cyclops), which stands for Council of Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents, I have not spotted any mythological, one-eyed monsters in the woods....yet.

Proud to be an American (God Bless the U.S.A.)

Another song that I'd stop doing anything for might actually surprise you. It's Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." but I prefer to call it "Proud to be an American". I sang it in Catie's car to my friends on the way to my bachelorette party when the mood so struck, tears filled my eyes when I heard the song choreographed to lighted fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas this summer (very cheesy). Last night, on the way home from an election night party, I broke out in song and sang it in Catie's car once again. Catie and Colin joined in and though it didn't sound awesome, it was still pretty sweet.

So, in a cheesy country (U.S.A) way and in a cheesy Country (music) way, I am proud to be an America.

The speeches that both candidates gave last night were quite notable. The tears running down the face of the often stern Jesse Jackson were remarkable and humbling. What does this mean to so many people? What will happen next? Who will we be in the eyes of the world? What in incredible opportunity.

Of course there are many for whom the song "Proud to be an American" did not come to mind or lips or ear; many for whom the direction of the country is now scary and worrisome. In the years to come it will be important to listen to and live with those voices (however sharp they might be) for they are valid, honest, real and if we fail to listen, we will fail to move on as a nation.

What does this have to do with Life at Luther? Well, it probably shouldn't. I probably shouldn't write about this in such a public forum. I should keep my opinions and feelings and hopefulness to myself. But I just can't. I'm too proud, too excited and too exhausted to be as wise as a serpent or innocent as a dove.

And Justin 5-Penny, you have awful taste in music for not liking this great, great song.

Well, maybe not, after all. Le sigh.

Happy Democracy Day!

Well, the day has come. The ballots are printed, the lines are filling and people across America are waking up to a new day that is full of possibilities. I dragged my husband out of bed to stand in line and vote with the promise that we'd go to Starbucks and get a free cup of coffee which I haven't yet lived up to.

It's been a long time coming, November 4th--election day--democracy day as I like to call it. I've taken time to watch debates, speeches and political commentary; I've made my donations and have made my support known. I'm wondering what I'll do starting tomorrow. Will Chris Matthews be as interesting? Will my conversations trend towards more mundane things? Will I become a citizen empowered by tonight's winner?

One thing I'm excited to see end is the political squawking that has gone on between friends and acquaintances, myself included. Democrats and Republicans getting pot shots in via Facebook, pub conversations, buttons and bumper stickers, each side defending their thoughts and opinions boldly. I know my candidate and believe in what he has proposed, believe he can achieve it and believe he will move our country forward. I know I'm right in my voting because it just makes sense to me. But, doesn't it make just as much sense for you in whomever you are voting for even if it's not who I am voting for? It's not because I'm not reading all the facts or am just plain dumb (or vice versa), I just resonate with the way my candidate and party operates.

Dan Rather calls today the dance of democracy. Get your dancing shoes on, get on the dance floor (the polls), and vote!

The World Spins Madly On....

I got a reality check this week.
Life caught up with me.
Life is hard to balance.

In the midst of class, CPE, my other (youth ministry) internship, trying to make and sustain relationships, dealing with family crises, the political situation, and feeling alone in the world...it all just seemed to crumble. (I honestly have no idea how anyone with children makes it through seminary).

I got sent home from CPE today.
It wasn't because I was naughty.
I did not get suspended.

I was stressed and emotional. My supervisor was worried about me and thought it wouldn't be wise, helpful, or healthy to be around kids (who have enough stress and emotion of their own - they don't need to deal with mine). Today, I am reminded that whether I'm ready for it or not...Mondays happen. The world just keeps on spinning, without my permission or endorsement. But, I am reminded - Jesus Happens too. (Thanks, Tim)




P.S. I heart the Weepies

Life at Luther Seminary...

Comment: "Why don't any of you write about your classes, theology or how seminary is shaping you to become a pastor?"
Dedication: to Anonymous
*Anonymous posted this comment on one of my blogs. As I assume that 1.) not all of the Luther Seminary bloggers read the comments posted on each other's blogs and 2.) this comment is addressed to all of us bloggers, I am posting it here in its own space and encourage fellow Luther bloggers to feel free to make comments.

Anonymous, I guess I would have to disagree with you. I think we, bloggers, write about classes, theology, and pastoral formation on a regular basis. While I acknowledge that not every blog I write does, these subjects are at the heart of many of the writings posted by myself and the other bloggers.

My current coursework for the semester is this Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which I write about on a regular basis. CPE is about pastoral formation and it is a class (and a pretty significant one). Others write about the pastoral challenges of leading weddings, or the importance of preaching in their theology, or the journey and struggle of writing an MA thesis. There are posts about serving the church and specific scriptural passages (with interpretation even). There are posts about community and relationships and what we are passionate about. I would argue all these things powerfully influence our personal and pastoral identity.

Anonymous (and others), I would encourage you to make specific requests if you do have questions about the academic requirements, or our theological opinion of Karl Barth, or what it's like to grow into being a pastoral figure as a woman, or even asking us to comment on something we've recently read for class. I would gladly address such suggestions. But, please don't disrespect our experiences or boldness in sharing our theology, faith, and formation as Christian public leaders.

Thanks for reading the Life at Luther blog.

Spoooooky!

Trick-or-treat? October has come its official close. I’ve never been a fan of Halloween in the past – but this year it was especially eerie: it was the day before my thesis project was due! I’ve been working my tail off all October and finally the time has come to reap the fruits of my labor. If you aren’t familiar with the thesis – it’s a time consuming project. Here’s the deal: the fun doesn’t end when you hand it in. Your primary and secondary readers help you perfect the paper until it is worthy of being ‘publishable’ material =] Great stuff! I’m looking forward to defending the thesis. It’s kind of funny… you learn so much from doing this project that you get really excited about it. A lot of my buddies aren’t especially interested in the topic—so I’m looking forward to sharing everything that I have learned with some folks who are interested in the ‘craft’! What a great month. Well, I’m off to get some sleep. Yes… its Saturday night…but its been a long, long, month. Take it easy! =]

-Dan