Weekly post

November 20, 2007

Dear friends,

Instead of being on my way to class this morning, I'm typing this at home in my jammies. Because Thanksgiving week always overlaps with the two big annual meetings of religion academics, I have but one class meeting this week! That leaves me free to make progress on the term papers (I hope).

Had a busy weekend. I spent Friday and Saturday at Lutheridge at the fall seminarians' retreat. I enjoyed the fellowship greatly and had a developmental interview (not a decisive one, just a check-in). Arrived back home Saturday evening. On Sunday, I went to the early service, then straight over to Winston-Salem to see a friend confirmed into the Episcopal church. Unexpectedly, the service lasted almost two hours. That evening, George had confirmation. Whew!

One thing the seminarians' retreat did was straighten out the knowledge I had about the way the next couple of years will unfold. As it turns out, the committee at Southern seminary assigns the internships, which means the placement is not limited to North Carolina. It will likely be in the southeast, though.

The internship, which is akin to a year's full-time supervised associate pastorate, typically pays about $1,000 a month and will run from August '09 to August '10. I should have my approval interview toward the end of that period and then, if I receive approval, enter the call process. I know it sounds like a long time, but I am very much looking forward to the Luther year and the internship, and while I don't feel ready to be "turned loose" just yet, I suspect I might after those important steps.

In the mail when I arrived back home Saturday evening was a very nice announcement of my friend Trudy's ordination ceremony, to be held on November 30. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in May and got a call almost right away in Woodland, California (they've been living in Sacramento). It was exciting both to see what will be in store for me and, of course, exciting to know that Trudy is about to be ordained.

One of the questions in the interview was, "Where is your passion?" In answering, I found myself deeply moved about how much I am passionate about the faith community, and the way the liturgy strengthens that, as well as how worship in community prepares us for living outside the church walls. God has been so good in leading me to this place.

Traveling mercies for all on the road this week, and good fellowship.
Grace and peace,
Beth