Pedagogical

My new word for the day:  Pedagogical.  I began my 8:00 AM Old Testament class today.  Thank goodness Professor/Dr. Lemone is engaging and commical.  He used the word Pedogical at least 10 times.  I broke the rules of not being on the internet to quickly google the word from my phone.  If he is using it that many times it must be an important word.  What does it mean?  Well here is a sentence it was used in loosely quoted:  "There will be great pedogical benefit for you to have the Eerdmens dictionary of the bible sitting right with your Bible."  See what you come up with readers......I want you to have to look as well.  Part of our grade from this class will come through doing 2 facebook posts a week.  How about that? 

My classes actually began yesterday with an elective I'm taking called Communalism in America.  It too was a great experience.  A funny encounter happened prior to the class as I sat outside.  I was approached by another 1st year student who asked me why I wanted to take this class.  I shared with her my desire to bring the church back to the community.  She then told me she had no idea why she was taking the class.  She went onto to tell me of her experience of researching a communal community and how she had to stop her study of them because she is just too conservative for that.  She stated for her Jesus is the only way to God and continued to talk about her conservative views.  I just sat and smiled.  She is a very nice and engaging lady full of enthusiasm.  I chuckled inside knowing that she was talking to someone whom she would probably view as quite liberal though I don't like the defining myself with such labels.  The story gets funnier.  We had to go around the class and introduce ourselves, our denominational affiliation and any experience we have had with community or what resonated with us about this course.  The very first student's response was that she had found community with the GLBT community.  Talk about polar opposites in the same class.  The class was about 1/3 white, 1/3 African American, and 1/3 international.  There were Pentecostals, Methodists, Presbyterians and catholics represented.  At break the "conservative" girl exclaimed her shock at how diverse the class was.  I shared with her that Emory's reputation for diversity is what drew me there and I was surprised she was surprised by the diversity.  It was a great exchange.  This past Sunday at Longs Chapel Chuck shared the story of the calling of both Simon and Matthew as disciples.  Simon, a zealot with little use for tax collectors and Matthew a tax collector.  Polar opposites chosen by Jesus to live life together.  Perhaps this lady is my Simon and I, her Matthew.  We shall see.  The best quote from this class by the professor was "you need to read religion and sexuality all the way through and do not skim it, a book about sex is not something you want to skim for you might miss something."    I also learned of the L'arche communities in this class and am intrigued to learn more. 

Today I also had my first history of Methodism class and history 501:  Introduction to Christian Thought.  I learned of some new resources.  Met some more people and came home with hundreds of pages of reading to do before I return on Tuesday. 

I'm home: tired and full but excited to discover the pedagogical benefits of this journey. 

Sandpaper Tounges and Nodding Off

I started this blog yesterday on the bus when I was supposed to be doing a "contemplative" exercise.  I "contemplated" on the bus and the train as I went to retrieve my car, realizing that I was not going to be finished at school until after the last shuttle left campus.  I gave myself an hour and a half to do that but realized that was not enough time due to traffic delays and waits at the shuttle stop and the train station.  What I've discovered is that the morning commute is much quicker than the afternoon commute.  I am only a block from the train station but have still chosen to drive there which seems somewhat silly being that I basically pull out of the driveway and make a u turn into the train station parking lot.  However, that is what I am comfortable with at the moment. 

Yesterday was a long day courtesy of my two new roomates Cuza and Inca.  They are my cousin's two Sphynx cats.  I have invaded their room and they are not too sure what to think of it.  Cuza seems pretty okay with it, he found a comfortable spot to rest upon my suitcase and was content.  Inca, however, had to explore this human invasion of his space from head to toe, many times.  He began his protest by crying very loudly and sounding quite like a baby who had just been pinched.  I ignored the cries and then he took to his exploration.  His nose is long and pointy and fits perfectly into my ear canal.  He explored my ear canal several times and inbetween I would feel sandpaper on my neck.  The last time I checked my clock the first night it was 1:40 AM.  I suppose she slept after that or I was just too tired to notice.  The sandpaper woke me up before the alarm went off at 6:00 AM and my first day began.

After a light breakfast the day began with a walk to Cannon Chapel where we would begin the day with worship.  The worship was awesome.  It was the perfect blend of the reverence of traditional and the joy of contemporary.  The energy was contagious.  I look forward to these experiences which I believe happen almost daily. 

Following worship there was a plenery session about thinking theologically.   Four professors took a passage of scripture and illlustrated how they would think about that passage theologically from their particular area of expertise.  A very interesting exercise, I believe.  I spent most of the hour and a half fighting the sleeplessness effects from the night before.  You know that moment when you feel like you are falling only to be stopped by the jerk of your nodding head.  Yep, that was me.  Fortunately lunch time gave me the opportunity to refuel and I had enough energy to engage in the rest of the day. 

The most helpful of the orientation thusfar were sessions today regarding the use of the library and a brief workshop on writing.  We were fed well again today and even given ice-cream.  They have let us know the feeding stops next week.  

I have read my first syllabus and began to feel a tad bit overwhelmed.  I've met many people.  I've reflected on the passage of scripture when Jesus tells Peter that he is going to make him a fisher of people.  A few things struck me as I reflected.  1.  Jesus used what was immediately available to him when he had a need.  2.  Peter immediately followed Jesus.  3.  Peter left all that he had.  Guilt came over me for not immediatley following God's call on my own life.  I sit here 30 years later just starting toward the realization of the dream.  I can honestly say though that I believe those 30 years have shaped me into a very different minister than I would have been had I not had the life experiences the last 30 years have brought me.  I believe when I've needed to, I have used what was immediately availalbe to me through the lay speaking program and the online ordination.  I feel guilt as well over my lack of faith shown by trying to find the easy way out, trying to avoid seminary all together.  I'm thankful for the pushes that I recieved.  I am excited to be living this dream.  

I can tell that this is going to be life changing in more ways than one.  It appears likely with all the walking that I am going to have to be healthier.  My friend, Marlboro, is not even welcome on campus so that is another plus. 

I think back on my first seminary experience and the friendships that were made and I look forward to the people this experience is bringing into my life.  

David has done well with the person who is caring for him this week and for that I am most grateful! 

Another "scholarship"  surprise came to me today through the major generosity of a friend.  I am feeling blessed, overwhelmed, tired and excited all at once.  Tomorrow afternoon I return home to NC for the weekend.  I'm ready to see my family.  I am ready to plug into them so that I have the energy for another week. 

Stay tuned......

Breaking up is hard to do.......

As I begin this new journey today I am breaking up with a friend I've had for nearly 30 years.  He has been both a good friend and a bad friend.  He has provided comfort through the hard times.  He has provided conversation starters in the awkward times.   In the beginning of our relationship I thought he was very cool.  Not so much anymore, the days of him looking cool have slowly died away.  I met him through my grandmother.  She had quite a fondness for him too.  Our mutual admiration of him made she and I that much closer.  My grandfather thought she had given him up but I would bring him around to see her when she asked for him.  I came to realize he wasn't good for me.  This realization came several years ago when I realized that I didn't want the preacher to see me with him.  I broke up with him then.  We stayed apart for 3 years, 4 months and 30 days.  I let him back in my life when my nephew died.  He was there for me and provided me comfort through the night.  I thought I would just keep him around until I got through Jax's death but here it is 3 years and 22 days later and he's still with me every day.  He is not good for me though and we must part ways.  He stinks.  He does not respect my health.  He is not a good example to my son or my nieces and nephews.  So, today is the day.  A new day, a new journey, a new life.  A lifegiving life rather than a lifetaking life.  So long Marlboro.  Breaking up is hard to do but I know with God's strength I can do it and this time you won't be let back in. 

Thankful

I got the best quote from a friend today: It always takes a step of faith to get to the Promised Land. Always. And if you wait until you're unafraid, you'll never cross. Go for your Promised Land, friend. Let nothing hold you back. Put your feet into that water and feel the dry ground of God's goodness. You can do this with Him-one step at a time. "With God all things are possible." ~Holley Gerth~

I have so much to be thankful for as I embark on this midlife journey to Emory.

1.  Parents who raised me in the faith and planted those seeds. I've often said I exited the womb singing Hymns.
2.  Siblings who put up with me "baptizing" them in the bath-tub.
3.  Sunday School teachers who committed their lives to teaching.
4.  An Uncle who taught me the social gospel and who has been my number one mentor and cheerleader all in one among so many other things. Stan has also agreed to jump in and take care of David until I can find respite in Haywood County.
5.  Nancy Sehested who recognized in me a gift she trusted enough to allow me to preach my first sermon from her pulpit.
6.  Children's church teachers who tolerated my "mini hell-fire and brimstone sermons."
7.  School friends who allowed me to "witness to them" and quote "Here's hope" to them.
8. Rob Fuquay who encouraged me to go to lay speaking training.
9. The pastors who trusted me to call me to fill in for them once I received the training
10.  Al Ward who encouraged me to not take the "easy" way out but to consider finding a way to go back to seminary.
11. Chuck Wilson who had the courage to encourage me.
12. Alan Mears who gave me opportunities to minister alongside of him.
13.  Caroline Merrell whose smile and words always lifted me up.
14.  Ken Carter who suggested I consider Emory, a dream that I didn't believe was attainable and told me how it was attainable.
15. The friendship class who always honors their name in being some of the best friends I've ever had.
16. A friend who trusted me enough to call on me regarding her spiritual life which sparked off a set of events that have me where I am today.
17. Dana Trull who is brave enough to say yes to taking care of David the week of orientation.
18.  My cousin Jessica and her husband Donald who are making room for me in their home.
19.  A couple from my new church who are going to provide short term care for David on Thursday evenings until I get home from Atlanta.
20. Amy Spivey for mentoring me and encouraging me and supporting me.
21. Rennie Salata for welcoming me into his congregation with open arms.
22. The biggest Thanks of all in human form goes to my room-mate and my son who have had very little say in this decision and are probably scared to death with all the changes that are resulting in their lives for the next 3 years.
23. Finally the grandest of them all go to my great, awesome, magnificent GOD! Who woke me up from my sleep and told me to get to work!

New Beginnings

Beginning next week I take another step on this long Journey I call THE CALL. 30 years ago I felt God's call on my life to enter into full time ministry. Along the way I've allowed obstacles to knock me off the path. In 2005 God awoke me from my sleep with the scripture reference revelation 3:2 on my mind. I had not recently read revelation and this was not a passage of scripture I had studied or put to memory so I knew it was not coming from my sub-conscious but from God. I got up and read it. It read: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” I can’t imagine a clearer message. I got up and emailed my pastor the next morning. God had given me urgency about finishing what he had started in me as a pre-teen. Here we are 7 years later and I have been climbing this mountain one small foothold at a time since. I have been certified as a lay speaker, I received an online ordination in order to accommodate requests from people for me to do their weddings and such. I’ve put myself before committees. I’ve endured disappointments; I’ve received advice and encouragements. I tried to find easy routes. I tried to keep things safe and comfortable not only for myself but for my family as well. Then it happened. In September of 2011 I lost my job. The job that granted me all that safety and comfort. The career that I had built for the last 18 years. I was now faced with a choice. Do, I stay on the same career path or do I take a major leap of faith. I began researching both paths and as a result of that research here is where I am today. On Tuesday, August 21st I will arrive on campus of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology will I will begin orientation as an incoming Master of Divinity Student. I will be commuting back and forth each week from my home in Canton, NC to Emory in Atlanta. While in Atlanta I will be staying with my very gracious cousin, Jessica and her husband Donald. I am currently in the candidacy process for the United Methodist Church and am in hopes that I will be a certified candidate by June of 2013 so that I can participate in the Teaching Parish Program which will enable me to do my contextual education through a paid appointment as pastor of a local church. I’ve put all of this in God’s hand and God has provided well. Not only did I get accepted into the program but I also received a Sherman Scholarship covering all of my tuition. I have also received a scholarship from the WNC Emory Club that will cover my books. I am hopeful that other scholarships will come next year that will cover all of my expenses. This year I am praying for the funding for my health insurance, my living expenses, food, and gas. For those who feel called to support me in those areas I will be posting information on how soon. This blog is being created as my way of journaling my seminary experience. I will continue to post sermons and reflections on scripture in the Daily Ponderings in the Word Blog but this blog will be where you can track my seminary experiences if you so desire. Your prayers for me and my family during this major time of transition are greatly appreciated. Look for the next post on Tuesday the 21st.