I was recently asked why I did my theological education at
United Theological Seminary. Here are
some of my reflections about my education:
United Theological Seminary is a seminary sponsored by the United Church of Christ and
provides theological education for a wide variety of denominations and belief
systems. My choice of seminaries was
very limited in the Twin Cities. Both
Luther Seminary and United Theological Seminary
are sanctioned by The Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN) and have been used for decades to prepare folks for ordination. For many years ECMN required that even if
students attended United or Luther they would have to spend one year in an
Anglican or Episcopal seminary (located out East and in CA). This created a hardship for many people who
have families, so ECMN changed the way they require students to receive their
education, providing the Episcopal training in a variety of ways that is now
offered through the School for Formation.
For my husband, Jeff, and I, it was important for me to be
educated here, where I could be a part of our kids’ lives as they were
finishing high school. I started my
formal education in September of 2011 and will graduate on April 19, 2015 with my
Masters of Divinity with a Pastoral Care Concentration. We are blessed to have United as an option,
have a bishop who supported and encouraged my education to occur as it has and
to be ready to move forward in ministry.
I chose United over Luther for a couple of reasons. One is its proximity. It’s about 20 minutes from home and had easy
access and one building to navigate.
Their classes meet only once a week, where Luther’s classes sometimes
meet more frequently. To make the most
of my time and of natural resources, it was important to me to limit my time on
the road. Also, after singing with the
Twin Cities Women’s Choir for a number of years, and becoming more familiar
with and friends with many lesbians, I felt United met my theological
understanding of gender equality better than Luther. And … I didn't want to take Greek or Hebrew
to simply be admitted into Luther!
When I entered United I was surprised at the ecumenism I
found there. To be honest, it was a bit
disconcerting to meet people who did not have any Biblical experience and who
did not have a relationship with Jesus.
I mean, wasn’t this a Christian institution? (YES, it is.)
I met people who were struggling with their sexual identity as well as
their relationship with their Holy. I
met people who are Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Methodist, American
Baptist, Old Catholic, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, AME (African
American Methodist Episcopal), Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and some who worship the Earth; gay, straight, transgender, lesbian, queer and
questioning; African American, European American, African, and Madagascar
natives; scholars, artists, musicians, social justice minded and spirit-filled
folks. I had a Mormon teacher, a Rabbi
and instructors from nearly every denomination. It was a frightening place for that first
year because I'm a bit conservative, but I am actually more liberal than many
conservatives, did not feel well accepted by some people. I strongly considered changing my education
path, but opted to finish what I started at United.
Things I have learned?
That people see and experience God or a Higher Power in a variety of
ways that ground them into a faith community that matters to them. I may not agree with them, I may not
understand them, but I can see them as children of God.
Ecumenism is a strong word that describes
United. People can believe in doctrines
and worship styles and find God in a Christian environment, but start talking
about denominations and you begin to learn what is most important: creating a community of believers. Each Christian denomination comes to
understand Jesus and Eucharist in unique ways—consubstantiation? Transubstantiation? it really doesn't matter in the end. But ultimately, I can learn from all the
people I encountered at United.
One of the biggest things I've learned is to understand that
when I accept the variety of ways people come to God, and I don’t condemn,
there is a better chance at peace in this world.
In our world were the majority of people who answer survey
questions respond to their religion as “NONE” or “Spiritual but not religious,”
instead of affiliating themselves with a specific faith, it is important to
have the language to be able to understand what they mean. At United, we spent a lot of time exploring
what it is about worship, church, faith and the like that causes so many people
to flee the pews. We talk a lot about
social justice issues. Having the
opportunity to learn in an ecumenical environment and experience the way
students develop and change through their education has helped me find language
that will help me communicate with others about their faith journey. Limiting myself to only Episcopal language
would limit my ministry.
The Episcopal Church is a church with many people who come
from a wide variety of church or no church experience. We welcome people who are seeking something,
but may not be able to articulate what that something is. We have people, like Jeff and I, who have
always been and will always be Episcopalian.
There are those who have left the church of their parents and find
refuge in the Episcopal Church. Some
choose to compromise with a spouse to find a church they can both agree
to. Some are beaten and bullied by other
denominations that condemn them for any number of reasons. The world of faith is changing. I disagree with the belief that the Church is dying, but I do
believe it is moving forward into the next phase of understanding God.
How did I get to this place?
My life of service for God began when I was a child. I have used my spiritual gifts throughout my
life. I understood that I was supposed
to do more—in a more formal way—many years ago, but life was a
distraction. Marriage, kids, work…I have
always been active in church, but ordained
leadership? One day I had lunch with someone who was
preparing for her ordination to become a Deacon. She asked me if I had ever considered being
ordained. During that four hour lunch I
explored my life experience and could honestly say that, yes, I had, but I
never felt like I was good enough or ready enough or smart enough. But I have envisioned myself standing at the
altar, doing the Eucharistic Prayer and giving communion. It’s a vision that has stuck with me and I
know in my heart of hearts that this is what God called me to do.
United has provided me the theological education I needed to
get to this point. There are many days I
wish I had more formal Episcopal/Anglican training, or that I was more
entrenched in a community of Episcopal learners, but I have a cohort here of
people I trust. My leadership roles
within the Episcopal Church have provided much of my administrative
foundation. I have relationships with a
number of Episcopal clergy and laity across the state. I have studied hard and I think the education
I have had has given me language to meet people where they are instead of
expecting them to be where I am. God is
so much bigger than a church or a denomination.
I believe it is my call to help people know who God is to them and who
they are to God.
I really haven’t changed all that much when it comes to my
faith in God. I have chosen to follow
Jesus. I listen intently to and for the
Holy Spirit. I pray…a lot. I study Scripture and learn a lot from many
sources. I trust that I have been called to do this work and that I have been
provided the educational experience (and aggravation…and fear…and doubt…and
friendships…and mentors…and prayer partners…and diocesan support…and love) to
do it.
United has given me a huge gift in all the complexities of a
pluralistic religious world: the grounding of my faith. A grounding that is so solid that other
students have told me they envy it. I
support my church. I stand up for
Jesus. I talk about what is Holy for
me. I use God language and talk about
what God means to me. Even in a place
where God is not to be identified as Father, God is still Father to me. There are certain things that cannot be taken
away, even in a place where individual theologies are deconstructed. What is important in all of this is that I
can reconstruct my theology with better language and with more conviction, even
though it really hasn't changed all that much.
I have a broader understanding of humanity and of the way others are in
relationship with their Holy and of the complexities of being human in a really
messed up world. Knowing that I can
depend on God to be God is really important to my faith. As much as I want to control things, there
are so many things that are beyond my ability.
Jeff is an amazing partner in all of this. He has affirmed my call and looks forward to
our next adventure doing God’s work. We
are prepared to move to wherever we are called by God. The possibilities are in God’s hands.
Dear God, I thank you
for giving me an opportunity to reflect upon my education—to see that even in
the complex emotions of seminary, I learned much more than the things in
books. I learned to trust you more
fully. For these things, I am grateful. Amen.