Weekly post

March 31, 2008

Dear friends,

For several years, I have been exploring and praying about why it was that Jesus had to die. I was never satisfied with theories that insisted on God's exacting payment as the reason, that Jesus had to be crucified as a condition of our reconciliation with God. Instead, I believe, God offers reconciliation first, not as an "if ... therefore."

I have begun lately to believe that perhaps Jesus died to show that there are no limits to his love, or God's ... and therefore no limits to the love we can show each other in God's name. It is a way of looking at the crucifixion, in light of the recent celebration of the Resurrection, that brings me peace.

Academically, I have handed in the draft of my senior project and eagerly await getting it back with notes, edits, and comments from the faculty supervisor. I'm also enjoying my classes in contemplative life and liturgical theology ... and (slightly!) looking forward to graduation.

On Saturday, I had my second round of helping with a Habitat for Humanity house. It's just as well that I don't lay flooring for a living, but Habitat always makes sure there are competent supervisors helping so that the family will get a well-constructed house.

Easter blessings to you all.
Grace and peace,
Beth

Weeky post

March 24, 2008

Dear friends,

My senior project/thesis is at Kinko's, and I am trying to keep my mind off it for a couple of days. It is the culmination of a year's worth of work -- I began this project last May -- that is itself the culmination of three years at WFUDS.

Um, woohoo.

The 32-page introduction is in place, five pages of citations, 36 color illustrations, and the all-important actual devotional pages. Draft copy to be handed in Friday with a minimum of fanfare. To be honest, I'm feeling really good about meeting the deadlines.

What's much more important, though, is that as I look over the finished product, I'm feeling really good about the quality of the work. I'm pleased with it. I think, if I may say so, that it's good writing and that it has the potential down the road to make a difference.

I'm enjoying meeting the other people (and animals) who seem to live in the house. I'm thoroughly enjoying being able to pick up a book and read it with no motive other than enjoyment.

Of classwork, little remains. The liturgical theology class meets three more times, which means three more papers and a final paper, but there's truly nothing else on my plate, so ... WOOHOO.

Grace and peace,
Beth

Weekly post

March 17, 2008

Dear friends,
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spring "break" is over, and I promised I would tell you all about it this week. Last Sunday through Tuesday (March 9-11), I attended Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary's "Seminary Days," an orientation for incoming students and a presentation for prospective students. The 3 1/2-hour drive was not at all bad, and the visit was exhausting but very positive. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting students and faculty and seeing the small campus, which is about the size of the quad and surrounding buildings at Wake Forest. The person in charge very kindly made sure that I met with the financial and housing people and the adviser for Luther Year students (who just happens to be the dean). It looks as though I'll be taking Lutheran Confessions, Lutheranism in North America, parish administration, and a preaching elective in the fall, Theology of Martin Luther, senior worship practicum, and a biblical elective in the spring. And, the big plus, of course, is that after the two semesters, the school places me in a one-year associate's position. It lasts only a year ... but it's a lovely experience to add to the resume.

So I returned from that jaunt on Tuesday evening. On Friday morning early, we set out for Mark's regional dental lab association meeting at a hotel in North Myrtle Beach. Mark sat in meetings and got credit hours, while I supervised the children at the pool and beach. It was on the cool side for my taste part of the time, but I did spend some time playing with the children in the pool, and Mark did too on Saturday when he finished his obligations.

On Saturday evening, it looked as though rain were coming in (boy, did it!), so we went to a seafood buffet (our vegetarian had macaroni, green beans, and a roll) and then to a mall with a movie theater, where we window-shopped and then went to see "Horton Hears a Who." We left for home Sunday morning and arrived about noon, in time to watch the very exciting ACC final! Go Tar Heels!

I even got some work done over the weekend, completing an introduction for the senior project (required) ... it ended up being 17 double-spaced pages, and I'm rather pleased with it. I hope to get the illustrations scanned this week. On Sunday evening, I met up with a classmate in Greensboro to plan a presentation on "The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin" for class Tuesday evening.

The next couple of weeks bode busy for me, but truly, the end is in sight! I foresee me coasting to the finish line after another four weeks or so.

Grace and peace,
Beth

P.S. I expect to get the financial aid letter from Southern in about a month. Pray, hold your breath, and cross your fingers!

Weekly post

March 3, 2008

Dear friends,

How nice it is to be back among the living! I understand that an awful lot of people are getting the flu this season, and everyone so afflicted has my deepest sympathy. But the weather is turning springward and the calendar is marching relentlessly toward graduation!

I wrote two papers over the weekend, albeit short ones, and am therefore feeling pretty good about matters this Monday morning. One was an analysis of a book assigned for Readings in Liturgical Theology, the other an assignment for the one-credit pastoral preaching course I took last month. Last week I also preached a sermon for that course, which was duly recorded and will be forwarded to the professor. Several of us preached and cheered each other on, having far too much fun. I was pretty pleased with my efforts and am very interested in hearing what the professor will think.

The big thing this week is to prepare a presentation for the liturgical theology course, which I know I can do; it just wants doing. So does my senior project; the end is near (in a good way), but I need to keep plugging away at it.

Next week is spring break. I'll be going to the Lutheran seminary in Columbia for a visit the first part of the week, and hope to get some answers about what kind of financial aid I might expect. I will not be posting next week, since I'll be there instead of here, but will let you know about it once I return.

Grace and peace,
Beth