Each class I take at United is another adventure into my religious, cultural, theological, social, and sometimes emotional self. Mostly I've felt that each class has so much to offer, especially to someone who loves to learn. My experience at United has resulted in honing, reaffirming, scratching, dismissing, questioning, doubting, rebuilding, and trusting my beliefs. Doesn't that sound like an almost perfect seminary experience...and by the way, I am aware of my social location and have learned to integrate. Most recently, I've learned to integrate world news, national news, local news, personal experiences, lectionary texts, worship elements, and multi-media formats.
This semester I have preached my first, 5-minute, practice sermon. I have the real ones to go. Anyone have a sermon they'd like to loan me. I never thought of myself as a preacher but hopefully I'll manage a couple of good enough sermons. Chaplaincy is my forte and I've been challenged to think about the difference between guilt and shame. I've always thought I'm very good and guilt...but maybe it's shame??? I've also been challenged to consider the value structure, longings, beliefs and maturity of anyone who may show up at the other end of my chaplaincy visit.
The thing that I like about seminary and the thing that's so frustrating it that one's sacred norms, codes and beliefs are thrown in the air like a clay pigeon, shot through with holes and then we're supposed to go pick up the pieces and make eagles out of them. It's tiring and it takes creativity and well worth it.
Blessings to all for a great Spring semester.
Donna Stucky
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