Encouraged in Heart, United in Love

Damen Heitmann '09 Reflects on His Recent Call to Ministry

2010-05-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

The evening before my candidacy sermon there was to be an “informal gathering” at the church. The idea was that I could meet a few folks so that when I led worship the following morning I would see some people I knew instead of an entire group of strangers. I considered this to be a good idea and consented to the whole thing. So on that Saturday, in my Super 8 hotel bathroom, I found myself looking into the mirror. I was preening my hair, brushing my teeth and making sure my clothes were properly aligned. I wanted to look formal in a casual way. I needed to be funny yet serious. What would make me seem approachably smart? How could I be solemnly silly? What is the theological reason for wearing jeans to such an event? Somewhere in the midst of the preening and grooming, sometime between checking and rechecking the zipper on my pants I realized that I was going through a familiar check-list. Rather unintentionally I was reenacting the final moments before a middle school dance.

For those who are not familiar with these rituals, let me assure you that they inevitably lead to the following series of questions. How do you dance? Will I make a fool of myself? Who will dance with me? Will I be brave enough to ask anyone to dance? These are the same questions I asked myself the night before my candidacy sermon. They are questions that sprang forth throughout my search process. And, I suspect, as graduation season draws to a close they may be the same questions you are asking yourself.

Fortunately for me I managed to find someone to dance with as the fine folks at First United Church in Little Falls, MN have called me to serve as their pastor. However, I’ve discovered that while this does answer some of my questions and concerns it also opens and entirely new series of questions. How exactly does one do the dance of ministry? What do people expect me to do? How do I structure my day and manage my time?

As I begin my first call I realize that I don’t know what the dance will look like. Of course I have a great number of expectations but I really have no clue as to what I am getting myself into. The prospect of going to this dance, of beginning my ministry, is frighteningly enticing. It fills me with equal parts trepidation and eagerness. There is

much I don’t know about what lies ahead, but this much I do know; I’m ready. I’m ready to begin. I’m ready to feel the music and join in the dance of ministry.

Peace and all good,

Damen

Alum Lindsey Kluver on Art, Theology, and Discernment

2010-05-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

“We want life to have meaning, we want fulfillment, healing and even ecstasy, but the human paradox is that we find these things by starting where we are, not where we wish we were.” – Kathleen Norris The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and “Women’s Work”

I first read these words by Kathleen Norris the summer before entering undergrad. At the time I was filled with both excitement and mystery, not knowing what the next 4 years would bring. What would I end up doing with my life? Discernment for me has developed into a persistent endeavor.

In undergrad I focused on my passions: art and religion, and ended up majoring in both. As I moved through college, these areas of my life developed an uncomfortable level of separation from each other. Try as I might, I lacked the language to name the connections between my study of religion and creation of art. Nearing graduation I learned about United Theological Seminary and discovered a place where the two paths merge.

After graduation, I was, again, at a place of wondering what I was going to do. The answer for the next two years would be to attend a place where thoughtful integration of theology and the arts can occur. During my time at UTS I was allowed to develop a language for my art and its theological significance. My study culminated in my thesis project on art, theology, ecology and the rural church. I created a series of collaged images that explore through art the connections between rural churches and ecology through farming. It wasn’t just the knowledge gained in the classroom that allowed this project to develop but also the friendships and work relationships with fellow artists at the seminary that allowed me to develop a language and skill for integration of my passions.

Since graduating from United Theological Seminary I often still have moments where I wonder “what’s next?” It is because I attended UTS that I am able to approach the question with a new language and refined sense of self.

MATA Student Bundy Trinz "My Loss, Your Loss...Grief, Healing and Hope."

2010-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

The first of three different videos showcasing the Theology and the Arts Thesis Projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedTheological#p/a/u/1/hTrSCQTVuiE

Graduating Senior Leslie Johnson

2010-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

I originally came to study at a Christian seminary because I felt it was essential to learn, in part, the theological language of such a powerful world religion. My own spiritual connection with the divine is a love for nature. I consider myself a non-theistic nature mystic with a Pagan-based liturgical expression of faith. This expression draws upon traditions that have suffered damaging oppression by culturally dominant religious forces. I made a vocational promise long ago that I would endeavor to be a voice for the sacred immanent source of pantheistic inspiration. My desire to study a dominant theological language is based on a decision to seek dialogue concerning the, seemingly misunderstood, faith connection with nature. Within the dialogue I seek reconciliation; a form of ecumenical inclusivity which would act as a dominant culture validation for the long-oppressed spiritual expression of such ecological connection.

I arrived at seminary with this assumption: that many mainline faiths did not revere nature as religiously valuable; and that in being debased within an overtly transcendent faith perspective Earth suffered as a result of its dislocation from the theological realm of sacred. I reasoned that eco-abusive behavior of popular consumer culture was, in a subtle and long-standing somewhat insidious sense, endorsed by many mainline religious expressions which partnered with popular politics. I believed this partnership created leadership of a national market which is rapidly transforming into a global enterprise—fed by the rapacious use of these “profane” natural resources.

While many of my assumptions remain true some have been proven wrong. It has been a truly great privilege to attend United Theological Seminary. I am especially inspired by the strength of its mission to educate and promote faith and action concerning progressive social justice. I have been taught patiently to open and express my voice by representatives of a faith that I once considered more of an antagonist than a source of spiritual mentorship. I have been deeply humbled by the humanistic and religious commitment of Christians whom I have encountered at this seminary, and have been deeply impressed by the strength of the movement of Green Christianity which I hadn’t known existed. The program of study has had the affect of altering my perspective and refocusing the intended thesis with which I began this educational journey.

Previous to my enrollment I had practiced spiritual attunement, studied comparative theology, and created ceremony for many who are outside the church. I believed that engaging in a degree program would allow me to better communicate my spiritual perspective through learning the specificity of theological language. I was not fully aware of the powerful gift of guidance and insight that I would receive through the curriculum and community at United Theological Seminary.

At UTS I have been instructed in the ways of discerning my true voice; to decipher and create theological language that best expresses my deepest vocation. Mine has been a consistent calling to give voice to the expression of spirit on behalf of ecology. The ecological crisis we currently face, and the ways in which we can move into the future with hope and healing, depends in part upon our spiritual strength and consideration of Earth as sacred ground. I believe that diversity is absolutely essential in this growing global discourse, and the ethos of UTS encourages this critical inclusivity. It is my hope that the growth of ecologically based spiritual language will contribute to inspiring community involvement in the movement toward a greener communion with creation.

Alumni Update: Dixie Laube

2010-03-29T11:40:00.001-07:00

Well, friends and colleagues of United Theological Seminary, it is my turn to write for the blog. Are you excited? Some of you have not heard from me since I graduated and left UTS back in July of 2009. I have been on an exciting journey since graduation and I will try to include some of that here. I know…I know…you don’t want to read a book.

Anyway, when I packed everything up on July 2, 2009, I moved down to Rochester, MN into a newly constructed town-home. I am renting it, because my length of stay in Rochester (at this point and time) was only a year. I have been working on my carbon-footprint this year, too. If Dwight Wagenius is reading this, he would be so proud to know, that I am taking the City bus to and from work—everyday! For those of you who don’t know, I was accepted into the Residency Clinical Pastoral Education program at Mayo Clinic and Hospitals shortly before graduation. CPE started on August 21, 2009.

I was ordained into the United Church of Christ on October 4, 2009 and have been walking on cloud 9 since then. I will be with Mayo until August 25, 2010. Along with 4 other residents, whom Gage Church and I met, I am enjoying my time down here. Though there are some days (and weeks) that Gage and I reminisce about how wonderful it would be to have a Reading Week or Vacation to help us catch up!

Follow the UTS Global Justice Immersion Trip to El Salvador! March 18-26

2010-03-16T12:08:00.001-07:00

http://utsglobaltrips.com/

UTS Alum Peg Chemberlin Responds to Glenn Beck

2010-03-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

UTS Alum Peg Chemberlin responds to recent comments by Glenn Beck about the role of social justice in the Christian tradition. Check it out!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peg-chemberlin/christians-run-as-fast-as_b_495166.html

Notes from a Second Year MDiv by Donna Stucky

2010-03-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

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

What do today's seminarians look like?

2009-12-28T12:21:00.001-08:00

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/economic_squeeze_produces_a_new_kind_of_seminarian

Endgame by Matt Voytek

2009-11-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

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.

The Star-Tribune reports on faith and the health care debate, featuring UTS alum and Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches Rev. Peg Chamberlain

2009-10-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.startribune.com/local/65954447.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

First Snow at UTS

2009-10-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ron Kendzierski

2009-10-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Thoughts from student Shai Wise

2009-09-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

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.