Weekly post

Oct. 22, 2007

Dear friends,

I supplied yesterday for a small (really small) church in Gibsonville, my second time, and have already been scheduled for Dec. 30 there as well. Under a dozen in attendance, but I've changed my views about such turnouts. I used to complain about how hard it was to preach to such a small gathering. I find that now I view it more like a house church, and the affirmation of community through Word and Sacrament becomes very special indeed. I preached from the Old Testament text, on Jacob wrestling with the angel, and it was well received, and afterward we all had lunch together.

This is a busy week for me academically, four study sessions for an exam, as well as a couple of papers. (Either two or three, which is less cavalier than it sounds, because two are connected.)

Now, on to news of the spring semester: registration forms came out today, and by Wednesday I will be registered.

My plan, should it unfold the way I want it to, is as follows:

1. Art of Ministry III, which is my senior project (2 credits, meeting occasional Fridays)
2. "Readings in Liturgical Theology" (2 credits, meeting Thursday afternoons)
3. "Pastoral Preaching," rescheduled from this semester, but without Gardner Taylor, who is ill (1 credit, meeting one Friday and Saturday)
4. An Independent Study in prayer practices to integrate into my senior project
(3 credits, meeting at our mutual convenience)
5. "Contemplative Life Practices," taught by the same professor (1 credit, seven Thursday evenings, March 6-April 24)

I know it's hard to visualize in this format, but see what this works out to: At most, Thursdays and Fridays on campus, and huge blocks of time during the week to write my devotional. YAY!!


Result: 9 credits, primary focus on senior project, plus a course in liturgical theology that will really stoke my engine! Beautiful.

Grace and peace,
Beth