Good Evening All,

Well the semester is coming to a close and the old saying of “it feels like just yesterday” is ever so true. Throughout the semester I have been posting my thoughts and struggles on this blog and I thank all or any who have read them for yielding to my psyche. Throughout the semester I have grown, made mistakes, felt as if I was on top of the world, and felt as if I was on the bottom which is to say I am human. During this first step I must realize it is just that a first step that must be taken. Seminary to say the least is nothing of what I had expected given I had no expectations when coming to this place. In this I do not want to portray that my expectations of growing in faith, community and learning more about myself were not there but rather I had no idea what to expect out of a graduate program especially of this nature. When saying this it simply can be stated that there are many graduate schools around the country and therefore many degrees. My cousin is in graduate school as well with the intent of becoming a lawyer and I have faith that he will make an excellent one at that however his schooling cannot be compared to mine beyond the obvious differing of degrees sought after and in the same light mine cannot be compared to his either. Our program here at LTSS encompasses not only academics but also practical work. The academics speak for themselves: introduction to the Bible, Christian history, a basic worship course, Biblical Greek and pastoral care. The practical work however ranges from community, worship at chapel, visitations and assisting in worship on Sunday’s. As many know and at one time a reference was made to my yet still rough working hands that I tend to yield more on the side of “hands on learning.” This is truly where I strive, not that my actions are always correct or doings perfect but rather where I can see the classroom come to life. Both aspects of my education have become woven in such a way they almost at times become indistinguishable. By far the best example of this would be pastoral care in which instead of memorizing models of the theology that support it but rather using it during visitations and working at the parish. Another prime example would be my Greek lesson with the senior Bible study class at the parish. In theory I am not supposed to teach Sunday school until my middler year however it was asked of me to teach a few times this semester. The emphasis of the Greek of the passage we were studying became very significant. For those who are not closet nerds maybe not as much but rather those who are looking to deepen their faith it does. A course which is difficult for me in the minute details of grammar( which has never been my forte) had come to life in a meaningful way for not only myself but also a small group of parishioners who’s age more than tripled my own. This type of experience has been my formation throughout this semester and the close of 2009. Another way that I would like to lift up formation this semester involves worship. Again returning to the hands on approach I have made it a point to when assisting with worship to dive into areas I feel intimidated by. This intimidation is not the kind of a bully or brute but rather an area that when confronted with in essence would make ones palms sweat and butterflies as can be said form in ones stomach. Prior to entering seminary I had preached several times, lead worship in various forms many times, been involved in the technology side of worship, even sat down with strangers who were marginalized for their lack of housing i.e. homeless and ministered to them. When faced with worship there should be nothing to fear with this sort of background, wrong! I will take the example of communion in order to portray my point. Serving in my home congregation and my previous congregation to that I had assisted in communion bearing the blood of Christ/wine which seemed in these previous settings something one would simply just do if asked. In my position now however communion has taken on a much different role. On Christ the King Sunday I was asked by my field education supervisor to set the table. Needless to say I was apprehensive to do this given a) no experience in doing such an activity b) the significance of this responsibility. The significance of this responsibility had not taken a grasp of me until a Sunday or two prior. Much to my surprise at the later service I was to be a communion assistant and thus for the first time administered the body of Christ alongside my field education supervisor. In essence when doing this one is saying this is my body given for you. Literally it is not your body but at that moment you are representing Christ just as the presiding minister does during the words on institution and blessing of the table. With this significance in the aft part of my mind I approached our as I call it walter( wall alter) and prepared the table with shaking hands. I was approaching the same table Jesus was at, in reality I was in the room in which Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper. I was in all other words blown away at the essence of my duty and responsibility. With all these events is my journey so far, incomplete yet still walking along the path to Emmaus hoping to recognize Christ wherever I go.

Peace,

Jason