Why seminary?

It's difficult to give a short answer when I'm asked why I chose to attend seminary.  My response is really more of a story which includes many people, places and events. It's a story about my exploration of who I am and who I feel compelled to be in this world.  It's also been a story about where God has been present in my life and how I've chosen to respond, for better or worse.  In the church we often talk about a person's chosen path, vocation or purpose as a "call".  A pastor I know recently described a call as being where "your great joy and the needs of the world meet."  Amen!  That definition works for me!

Today especially, I am thankful that I will enjoy a warm meal and the company of friends and family.  A friend at school recently described the way he lives his life as being a "thank you note to God".  This has been a helpful notion on which to meditate.  In many ways, I think my life has been a response to abundance, even when it has also been marked by hardship or sorrow.  In other words, I have found God to be present in both the joys and sorrows.  This has been, for me, good news which I fell compelled to share.

The video below is an advertisement for the ELCA.  For me, this video conveys a piece of the gospel message that has so captured me.  It reminds me why I remain committed to the vocation of being Christian.  It provides a glimpse of what it means to participate in God's radically inclusive and loving desire for the world.  It also stirs in me a sense of excitement and hope, pushing me to be ever more actively grateful.  I pray that those who do not have warmth, food, shelter or companionship will still experience the transformational miracle of God's love.

What is seminary?

Just as a quick fyi, Anna and I have received a few suggestions for questions we might consider. So for a while we are going to both write on the same topics.

In Anna's post she provided great official information about seminary and I agree with everything she wrote. I will admit that when I read the comment exchange between Nan and Anna on the Latin root of seminary being "seed". My mind went in a completely different direction...I thought about seeds, "sem", life and then "Oh yeah, that makes sense as Latin was the language of academia when society definitely boasted a patriarchal hierarchy. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of an "ovanary" or a "semiovanary."

This week Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber was at PLTS. She is a pastor in Denver and writes a blog called the "sarcastic Lutheran". Check it out from the link on our blog site. She talked about how important seminary was for her and I resonated with what she shared. Paraphrasing her, seminary transforms you in your understanding of general theology, Lutheran theology (for Lutherans), biblical studies, worship and leadership with the desire that we will be trained to proclaim, guide and care for others as they respond to God's active encounter with them in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

The telling of the encounter of the two travelers on the way to Emmaus and their encounter with Christ in Luke 24:13-36 comes to mind as I think about what seminary is. I am one of those people on that road. My road is a long one. I think it started in 1976 and took a long detour before it rejoined the main road again in 2005. Most days I feel like a seminarian and minimal days I feel like a "Pastor In Training" or "PIT". I honestly share that I didn't really know what content looked like until now.

Next post: Why am I in seminary?

What is seminary?

A window view from campus.  

Those of us in seminary sometimes don't consider that others might not understand our fancy-schmancy lingo.  I sometimes say I'm a seminarian or a seminary student, forgetting to explain what that means.  The ELCA has an online Glossary of Terms which defines a seminary as, an institution that offers theological education and professional training for leaders in the church and others interested in graduate-level study of theology.  

I am training to become a pastor.  When explaining what it means, I often recall the following words from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, one of the earliest Christian communities:  Think of us this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (1 Cor. 4:1, NRSV)  In order to become such a pastor, I am studying scripture, philosophy, history, counseling, management, ethics, human behavior, worship planning, spiritual practice and more.  Almost 1.5 years into my 4 year seminary journey, I would already call it a transformational one.  There's nothing I'd rather be doing right now.  

I didn't always want to do this.  Stay tuned for my next post on why I chose to attend seminary.

One Midterm Down!

Greetings, friends.

It's been so busy down here over the last couple months that I hardly know where to start!  We've entered the second half of the semester already, which is hard to believe.  It has been true adventure getting acclimated to a new area, a new living situation and a new school.

First, let me give you a little explanation about where we are.   PLTS (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary) is located in Berkeley, which about 30 minutes (without traffic) from San Francisco. Berkeley itself is a really unique place.  I once heard that the area has a high tolerance for silly.  So far this appears to be true.  Evidence can be found in the local phenomenon of turning vehicles into art.  I recently saw this piece parked at the grocery story and spoke with the owner.  She turned me onto to Art Car Fest, a local annual gathering of art cars.  

My school work has resulted in some great new experiences.  For one course, Reading Congregations, we have visited a different congregation every Sunday.  The most recent visit was to St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland.  In front of their building, visible to the main thoroughfare,  is a memorial to all those who have died in Oakland from homicide.  Each cross bears a name and date.  This image is a striking reminder of the very real pain and suffering experienced in this community.  This alone, however, does not characterize the them.  I experienced worship in this place as joyful and uplifting.  The service is heavily influenced by African America tradition and was filled with voice, movement and many happy, smiling faces.  Even amidst the reality of pain and death, this community is vibrant and alive.  That's good news if I ever heard it.

Jeremy and I think of our friends and family often, especially all of you at Faith Lutheran Church, as we both maneuver through transition.  Now that I am studying to be a pastor, over 900 miles from the Pacific Northwest, I look forward to this unique opportunity to continue our conversations.  I find great comfort in the words of Paul to the Corinthians:  For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:21-22)  I hope that this letter finds you well and confident of God's promise of abundant life for you.  I give thanks for you every day.

Love and peace,
Anna

Weather, Politics and Religion

Today's topics are weather, politics and religion. Just think that we are at a dinner party and excepting bodily functions all the topics will be covered.

Today it is a rainy Sunday in Berkeley. It has been raining for almost 3 days and that is kind of weird. Usually rain comes and rain goes. It does not stick around. People here wear rain boots or galoshes. It must be because there isn't enough urban green to actually absorb rain run-off so instead we slosh through. The great thing is that the lettuce, pea and spinach starts we planted last weekend are taking off. Yep, planting lettuce and peas in OCTOBER.

Thanks to Lynn Nussle Krog for posting the Barack Obama Wedgwood visit video on facebook. It was nice to see Seattle and how polite people are. The secret service didn't look so secret, but then they should stick out. I wonder what it is like to have the President visit your house? What do you serve? What do you do with that pair of dirty socks that just magically appeared the second he walks through the door?

Okay, on to religion. We are half way through the semester. As I write this "Reading Week" as started. It is part a mid-semester break, time to get caught up on reading and/or do research for papers. I finished the last paper that was due (actually tomorrow) and emailed it so officially I am on break. You may be asking "What exactly is Gretchen doing down there? I will start by saying that I am very privileged to be here. I do not take this time or experience for granted and even though I grumble sometimes (Anna can confirm.) my time here fulfills me in ways I would never have expected. I am taking 5 classes: Living Traditions, Paul, Wisdom Literature, Christian History (0-1500 CE) and Public Ministry. I am also a student representative to the Faculty Academic committee. I drive the Looper (van) on Friday morning and occasionally I work with the kitchen staff. We also have worship opportunities every weekday and I work with the worship planning team for Thursdays. I will write more about my classes soon.

Welcome Letter

Helloooooo Out There,

Anna Rieke Paxton and I are joyfully responding to requests from friends and family to write a blog about our seminary studies, experiences and formation as Lutheran pastors. We have had long discussions about what being a blogger means. Just as we are "responses to God's love" in progress, so our blogging will also progress. Our intent is to share our experience. Sometimes it will be news, learnings, hopes, frustrations, joys and questions about topics we would like your opinion on. We are promising to blog weekly (each of us).

As we walk this journey, you are walking it with us.

Give and hold care faithfully,
Gretchen Wagner