Kairos Issue #184

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kairoj kairos Extensions of an Olive Branch

I was requested by my Committee on Preparation for Ministry to preach a sermon on Ephesians 2:11-22, this summer. Ironically enough this passage is about identity, peace and unity, three things that have plagued me everywhere I turn for the last year. I mean plague in the best sense possible.

After the trip to Egypt and Israel/Palestine, I wrote several articles about identity. Each explored how cultures and people define themselves and how often these identities come into conflict. Coupled with the request by my COPM to preach on peace and unity I feel I am being called to write for Kairos under the title Extensions of an Olive Branch.

After all, peace and unity are what help build community, help destroy walls between us, or the hostilities that divide us. Unity is not easy and olive branches, much less trees are not always the most beautiful plants in the world. In fact, olive trees are gnarled and mangled, twisted

An olive tree thought to be 1,500 years old in the Garden of Gethsemane .

and rough, so to talk about extending an olive branch in the name of peace is boldly risking unity in the midst of ugliness. Doing my PCUSA exegesis exam confirmed my calling to write about peace. I exegete-d Psalm

100 and came to the conclusion that God is no ordinary Shepherd. Likewise, God is no ordinary peacemaker. God in God’s sovereignty allows us to engage boldly and perhaps foolishly in acts of peace-making.

I hope to do this bold and foolish ministry by finding unity in the midst of division, peace in the midst of discord, and identity in the midst of mutual growth.

I hope to do these things by writing for Kairos about things I see on campus, in the community, and in the world. I hope to extend invitations to others to engage in the community. I hope to use “olive branches” to highlight unity while acknowledging differences. I hope to extend grace and hope where unity may seem impossible by writing about such events. I hope to invite others to reflect with me in this journey. Mary Elizabeth Prentice © 2009 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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ISSUE 184

W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L

For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ . . . APTS promotes and engages in critical theological thought and research; and strives to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

— Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Mission Statement

Fall Convocation

Worship

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

11:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

Shelton Chapel

Shelton Chapel

Faculty Address by

Preaching

Rev. Dr. Allan Cole

Rev. Dr. Ted Wardlaw

Entering students - please stay in the

Worship, Sacrament of the Lord s Supper,

Chapel following convocation in order to

Signing of The Declaration of Intent

receive instructions for the signing of The

Reception following the service at Vickery

Declaration of Intent during the evening

Atrium of McCord Center

worship service.

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary An Urban Ministry SPM Kate Loveless is a senior MDiv student and a Candidate for Minster of Word and Sacrament under care of Grace Presbytery. She has served as a Young Adult Volunteer in Liverpool, England and is engaged to be married.

Kate in the midst of the Urban GAP

This summer, I worked full-time at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth to fulfill my Supervised Practice of Ministry requirement. FPC has over 2000 members and is very involved in outreach to their community. They are a unique church for several reasons: all four pastors are under the age of 45; they have two different campuses, one being in a transitional neighborhood and the other the main traditional campus; they have four worship services on Sunday, ranging from traditional to contemporary and everything in between.

One of the reasons I chose to work at FPC was also their incredible generosity in mission and outreach. They have a social worker on staff, whose job is solely to coordinate the mission and outreach programs. My main responsibility was working with the social worker to help run the Urban GAPs program.

We had six different youth groups come from four different states to stay at the church for a mission trip and do ministry in an urban setting. They worked for agencies that addressed a variety of issues in the community, mainly people living with HIV and AIDS, hunger, and homelessness. While this was my main responsibility, I also preached, led worship, taught Sunday School, did pastoral visits, and helped with Vacation Bible School.

I learned so much – not only from the other pastors, but also from the staff and members. I had many chances to apply practically what I have learned theoretically in my classes in a church setting.

My call also seems to have been clarified; this is now the second time that I have been assigned to do urban ministry with youth. I was reminded how much I enjoyed being in relationship with youth, how passionate I am about their Christian education, and how grateful I am to be a part of their faith journey.

Ancient Greek Summer Day Camp for Adults Sally Wright is a Middler, MDiv student and an Inquirer for Minister of Word and Sacrament under care of New Covenant Presbytery. Sally spent his summer at Greek Camp and in the Wilderness. She is one of two Middler Senators and a Reyah Coordinator.

Beginning seminary is an exciting time. It is exciting to learn the different editions of the Pentateuch, the different sources of Matthew and the date of the Reformation.   But nothing brings quite as much excitement as learning Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek. Being able to read and translate the original languages of the Old 3

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary Cont. Testament and the New Testament reveal new insights into the scriptures.  You see first hand how the words directly translate and how the grammar actually renders a variety of interpretations.

Earlier this summer the Middler Class finished a six-week grammar course in Biblical Greek - dubbed "Greek Camp."  Camp it is.  After two semesters packed full of reading and writing, we entered into Greek Camp, a different class, a fun class. We ate chocolate, "Cowboy Cookies" and "Arkone" cake.  

We had cheerleaders of the stuffed kind who included Doughboy, Doughgirl and Hippos, the horse, who taught us prepositions.  Dr. John Alsup, our professor, invited us to his ranch where we spent a Saturday on hayrides, petting horses and enjoying a picnic. And, the best cheerleaders, our TAs worked very hard to ensure we knew our endings and our definite article.  We could not have made it through Greek Camp without the assistance and guidance of the TAs.

The last week of the course, the week when we were preparing to take the final, the class played a game called "Marley and Me." Similar to the movie of the same name, John gave us a grammatical construction to find in the text of the day. We proceeded to go "fetch" it. It was a unique way to allow us to use the skills we learned throughout the previous five weeks.

We are now poised to begin Bi. 216 Introduction to Greek Exegesis with a solid knowledge of Greek grammatical constructions.  We are looking forward to translating parts of the Book of Mark in its original language.

If you listen carefully in McMillan you might still be able to hear echoes of "If you are happy to be in Greek Camp.... Clap your Hands...."

A Personal Experience Ron Phares is a Senior MDiv Student and under care the Unitarian Universalist Church. Originally from Arizona, Ron has lived in Austin for six years. He spent his summer in the depths of many hospitals doing Clinical Pastoral Education.

CPE is personal. It is unavoidably and intentionally so. The difference between coursework here on campus and CPE is that, while many of the classes we take in lecture halls and seminar rooms leave us challenged and changed by our engagement with the subject matter, few do so with explicit purpose. What’s more, if coursework changes and challenges us, it is often on an intellectual level. This may change our faith and perhaps even our behavior, but it does not change who we are. CPE does.

Five APTS current or former students were in this summer’s CPE group hosted by Seton Hospital: Laurel Dixon, John Pflug, Jason Webster, Renee Roederer and Ron Phares.

How? CPE involves interning as a chaplain in the field (a hospital or prison system, etc.). This requires students to interact with people in excessively dire circumstances, people who are hurting and angry or despondent, people who are wailing or denying their predicament and (sometimes) people who’s disposition and outlook are attuned to frequencies such that they have something to give to us.

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary Cont. These encounters, several times a day, would be enough to call most of us into a fit of introspection. But they are the tip of the iceberg. After all, then there’s death. So that’s a big deal. You might say that. Death. I’d never seen a person freshly dead before. It is a vision I will never forget. And that vision was part of an overall experience in the moment that was astounding, fascinating, horrifying, tragic, and stupefying, flush with too much context to reveal in this space. Kaleidoscopic. That experience was one of a few (and for some of my fellow CPE classmates – MANY) similar such experiences. Yet, even death was just the tip of the ice berg as well.

CPE is all about going underwater. It is about investigating the whole of the ice berg that lies beneath the surface. And do you know what lies beneath the surface? You do.

Much of CPE is spent in a small group setting facilitated by a professional trained in such matters. I can not speak for everyone’s experience, but our groups stated intent was to uncover blind spots in our self conceptions, to reveal the ways we hide from ourselves and thus do disservice to our life and the lives around us. We sought out our pain in order to help us identify with the pain of our patients as well as to help us deal with the sources of this pain in our own lives.

Such a process is grueling. It is frightening. And it is beautiful. CPE will test you in ways you likely have not been tested. It will challenge your theology, your self-conception, and your faith. Everyday I reported to CPE excited for what the day would bring. Every evening I was so glad the day was over. Even now, I am relieved that such an intense experience is behind me. But I miss it.

Introduction to an Zambian Experience Clare Lozano is a Senior MDiv student and a Candidate for Minister of the Word and Sacrament under care of Mission Presbytery. Clare began her summer escorting Melea White to our sister seminary in Lusaka, Zambia. Melea White is a Senior dual degree MDiv/MSSW student currently studying at Justo Mwale Theological University College in Lusaka, Zambia. Her interest lies in breaking down barriers through cross-cultural work.

Unfortunately the summer trip to Zambia with the seminary did not make, but Melea White had already committed to going to Zambia and what better way to go then travel with her good friend Clare Lozano and get acquainted with Lusaka and the community.

Clare and Melea shared a variety of experiences. Everything from worshiping in Westminster Abbey in London during their 12 hour layover to meeting the first two women ordained in the Reformed Church in Zambia. They experienced the absolute beauty and majesty of Zambia with a trip to Victoria Falls, but contrasted that with poverty of a nation in the Global South.

It was an experience of contrasts and similarities. It was an experience of goodbyes and hellos. It is an experience of a lifetime.

Over the course of the semester, Clare will share her reflections of the trip and Melea will contribute reflections of her experiences as she remains in Lusaka at Justo Mwale Theological University College.

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ISSUE 184

INVITE

W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L

TO

Lunch with the President

WRITE!

It is my goal to invite every student, including special students, to write for Kairos throughout the year. I am currently working on a method to invite students to write.

President Ted Wardlaw would like to have lunch with students once a month throughout this academic year.  There is no agenda for these lunch visits, no preparation is needed, and no quizzes will be given.  The intent is getting to know us and spending a little fun and informal time with us.    Listed below are the dates for Lunch with the President. Sign up at the McCord Desk and you will receive an email from Nancy Reese, Ted’s assistant, to remind you of your commitment.  Join Ted in the Knox Dining Room at noon with a BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) and have a chance to get to know President Ted and to voice your joys and your concerns as students of Austin Seminary. Sign up now!

The invitation will be extended on Friday and you will have until Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. to submit a 250-300 word essay on whatever the Spirit leads you to write about. I would love to have repeat contributors, but understand that writing a weekly column is a daunting commitment, so I want people to know writing once is great! I will begin to invite Juniors to write after Fall Break, so that you all can get into the swing of the community and not feel overwhelmed. I look forward to your contributions.

SHARE YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURES! Do you have pictures? Random Stories? Fun adventures? from your summer away from school or at Greek Camp? Please send pictures, short stories or artwork in digital form to [email protected]

Dates of Lunch with the President







September 22 October 13 November 11 December 16







January 20 February 24 March 24 April 20 May 11

Getting to know the Junior Class With orientation out of the way and the new semester about to begin in full force, Kairos will be introducing the new Junior class over the next few weeks. Using the FUN FACT SHEET and general information about you we will introduce you to the community. If you would not like to participate in this introduction to the community please contact Kairos immediately. By submitting the FUN FACT SHEET, I understand you are in agreement to this, but please let me know if this is not the case. Next edition will be introducing: Gail Yarborough

Whitney Payne

Molly Hatchell Holly Clark Kristi Click Laura Westerlage

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Announcements Advice from classmates

Manna

This year we are inviting students, faculty and staff to “Seize the day,” make the most of help provide refreshments for every day and every moment on our weekly community event this campus and in this called Manna. If you are community. Truly it will fly by and interested in baking or bringing I urge you to be active and involved food look for a sign-up at in the life of the community. Manna. Cherish the opportunity to be in seminary - growing and being equipped to better serve the world and God’s people through Christ. Drink margaritas.

Eat

chocolate, relax - you will survive. Be sure to join a study group for each class, even though you study well alone. There are terms that can be shared with the group and the work load divided. We need each other and no one graduates without someone’s help. Getting involved in groups and committees is good, but don’t over-do it.

Pick one and do

Recycling Batteries are recycled in Dr. David Jones’ Office (Office of the Doctors of Ministry Program - Near Cokesbury.) Can, Paper & Plastic bins are outside McMillan classrooms and in Stotts dining hall. Bins for housing are located in central locations.

Winsome Walkers

that one well. If you can still Who: Winsome Students, Staff & do another, well Ok. Just don’t Faculty stretch yourself too far. Make up your own opinions about classes, professors community events, etc. Do not put too much weight or power into the advice/ statements you hear other students say. Most likely, you will experience the event or the professor’s class differently.

What: Walking When: Tuesday & Thursday 12:15 p.m. Why: Hang out and exercise. Where: Meet at McCord for a 30-40 min walk.

Clothes Closet The seminary has a closet in Currie dorm. If you want to go “shopping” go to the McCord desk and ask for a key. Please leave it as neatly as you find it.

Episco-pool The Seminary of the Southwest allows us to use their pool. It is located at the corner of 30th and Duvual. (Right across the street from Double Dave’s) All are welcome, but children MUST be supervised. If you are asked for ID - tell them you are from APTS

Last day to drop classes Monday, September 21, 2009. Talk to your advisor and Jacqueline Heffley for more information. If you have announcements to make please submit them by 5 p.m. on Wednesday to [email protected]. Large submission & pictures, please send to: 7

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Announcements Cont. Chapel Schedule Tuesday, September 8: 11 a.m. Convocation 7 p.m. Signing of Declaration of Intent, Lord s Supper, Reception to follow. Wednesday, September 9: Community Wide Manna Thursday, September 10: 11 a.m. Daily Prayer

Volunteer Opportunity A volunteer is needed to work 2-3 hours a month updating a new web site for the Jeremiah Project. The launch date for the web site is mid-September.

If you have pictures of community events and life in general on campus, Randal Whittington in the Communications Office would appreciate receiving such pictures. Austin Seminary graduate Linda Email them to her at: Reinhart (MDiv'96), started [email protected] Jeremiah Project to build a community of faith for those living in isolation due to chronic illness caused by environmental toxins. Call Linda at 830-935-4618 and leave a message if you are If you are a member of a church or interested in helping. attend a church regularly in the

Introduction of Churches

Flu Shots offered by Seminary The seminary will be bringing in people to vaccinate the community for the flu season. Shots are $25 and all members of the community, including family are welcome. This fall Tuesday services in Chapel faculty will be preaching from a Psalm and presiding at the table. Starting the week of September 22, Monday and Thursday services will be led by our Senior Preaching classes.

Communication Department Request

Date: Friday, October 16, 2009 Time: 11 a.m to 1 p.m.

area, please submit a brief description of your church, its activities, and your contact information so that we can publish a “Church Directory” for new students looking for worship opportunities. Please submit them by Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Student Group Introductions If you are part of a student group on campus, Kairos will be featuring all student groups in a “Student Group Digest.” Please submit information by Wed, Sept 9 at 5 p.m.

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