Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Endgame by Matt Voytek
With the loss of an hour also comes the loss of the illusion that we have a lot of time left before the end of the semester, before the coming of that dreaded beast: finals.
As the semester draws to a close, deadlines draw near, and the nature of the beast means that the deadlines come closer together, if not (Heaven forbid!) overlapping.
But it is survivable, with effort and dedication, and we come out the other end with knowledge about ourselves and our traditions, knowledge that will serve us well however we choose to minister to the universe. These trials can be overcome.
This is not just the case in terms of a seminary education; just last week Professor Paul Capetz's quest to be reinstated as an openly gay clergyperson in the Presbyterian Church (USA) came to a successful conclusion.
God be with you in your struggles.
As the semester draws to a close, deadlines draw near, and the nature of the beast means that the deadlines come closer together, if not (Heaven forbid!) overlapping.
But it is survivable, with effort and dedication, and we come out the other end with knowledge about ourselves and our traditions, knowledge that will serve us well however we choose to minister to the universe. These trials can be overcome.
This is not just the case in terms of a seminary education; just last week Professor Paul Capetz's quest to be reinstated as an openly gay clergyperson in the Presbyterian Church (USA) came to a successful conclusion.
God be with you in your struggles.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Ron Kendzierski
Entering what will be my last year at United, I've spent no small amount of
time reflecting on the many ways in which I have been formed here. To be
sure, those who have entered my life through this experience have forever
changed the way I look at the world, and I am hopeful that all of our
experiences here will make us good stewards of those under our care.
One of the events which will forever remain branded on my forehead is that
first student-led chapel service in which I said what I thought to be on the
minds of many. "Well, here we are," I had said, "about to take a dive into
a pool when we don't even know if there's any water." Over these past three
years, I've found this to be true many times, and as this year speeds along
toward graduation, I suspect I'll feel this way again. Only something huge
has changed. Something truly monumental. Indeed, though all of us came
from different places, with differing life experiences, all of us now have
had the wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from the sharing. Blending
together as we have inside these four walls, my hope is that we can take
that broadened outlook back out into the world, so as to embrace all of
those we meet, no matter how different they might seem to us. Indeed, if
God loves us all, than God loves the great diversity among our ranks, and
presumably wants us to do the same. Building the church as we've built our
community here, let us jump at the chance to do something truly wonderful,
truly magical, truly lovely!!!
time reflecting on the many ways in which I have been formed here. To be
sure, those who have entered my life through this experience have forever
changed the way I look at the world, and I am hopeful that all of our
experiences here will make us good stewards of those under our care.
One of the events which will forever remain branded on my forehead is that
first student-led chapel service in which I said what I thought to be on the
minds of many. "Well, here we are," I had said, "about to take a dive into
a pool when we don't even know if there's any water." Over these past three
years, I've found this to be true many times, and as this year speeds along
toward graduation, I suspect I'll feel this way again. Only something huge
has changed. Something truly monumental. Indeed, though all of us came
from different places, with differing life experiences, all of us now have
had the wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from the sharing. Blending
together as we have inside these four walls, my hope is that we can take
that broadened outlook back out into the world, so as to embrace all of
those we meet, no matter how different they might seem to us. Indeed, if
God loves us all, than God loves the great diversity among our ranks, and
presumably wants us to do the same. Building the church as we've built our
community here, let us jump at the chance to do something truly wonderful,
truly magical, truly lovely!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thoughts from student Shai Wise
United has changed a lot over the time that I have been here. This isn’t to say that I have been at UTS for a long time (although at 5 years it seems that way). When I enrolled in the summer of 2004 there were no student e-mail accounts, the website was .org and at 26 I was one of the youngest students in my classes. The student body was primarily older, second career, individuals looking at pastoral ministry. It was an amazing space for learning from people with wide ranging experiences and for realizing that education can cross generations and that experience is the true teacher.
After being gone the campus I have returned to feels different.. Each incoming student has a campus e-mail address and the school’s website is no longer .org but .edu. The website has become a center of information for not only prospective students but current students. Online learning has become much more present and is a part of many of the courses offered. Most noticeable the student body is much younger. It is still primarily white, primarily midwestern but the age range has increased and the numebrs are starting to shift towards younger students just out of college.
It will be interesting to see over the next semester how the change in student population impacts courses and the campus community. Hopefully with the increased number of young students, but a remaining majority of second career and older students, the interaction of diverse age ranges will allow for ministerial development and create a chance for older students to learn from recent college graduates and younger students to connect with and learn from the mentorship, experience and knowledge present with second career and older students. It also is a hope that the shifting population will soon be reflected in a more diverse student body, not simply in regards to age but in areas of race, ethnicity and region. It is also a hope that United will maintain its gifts for second career ministry while looking for ways to broaden the insititutions appeal.
After being gone the campus I have returned to feels different.. Each incoming student has a campus e-mail address and the school’s website is no longer .org but .edu. The website has become a center of information for not only prospective students but current students. Online learning has become much more present and is a part of many of the courses offered. Most noticeable the student body is much younger. It is still primarily white, primarily midwestern but the age range has increased and the numebrs are starting to shift towards younger students just out of college.
It will be interesting to see over the next semester how the change in student population impacts courses and the campus community. Hopefully with the increased number of young students, but a remaining majority of second career and older students, the interaction of diverse age ranges will allow for ministerial development and create a chance for older students to learn from recent college graduates and younger students to connect with and learn from the mentorship, experience and knowledge present with second career and older students. It also is a hope that the shifting population will soon be reflected in a more diverse student body, not simply in regards to age but in areas of race, ethnicity and region. It is also a hope that United will maintain its gifts for second career ministry while looking for ways to broaden the insititutions appeal.
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