Kairos Issue #186

T

H

E

V

O

I

C

E

O

F

T

H

E

C

O

M

M

U

N

I

T

Y

kairoj kairos A Weekly Newspaper Spirituality & Spiritual Disciplines As a part of seminary, we try to develop spiritual disciplines that can be maintained “out there.” Read more about what A Still Small Voice does on campus.

Response to Invite to Write

Church Introductions

Middlers Kelly Updegraff and Tracey Beadle share their reflections.

Meet two churches which students from our campus are involved.

Page 1-3

Page 4

Meet the Juniors

After Seminary

Meet another set of Juniors and get to know them as vegetables.

The College of Pastoral Leaders and the Christian Leadership Education Department share the potentials for life after seminary.

Page 5

Weekly Reflections

Reflections from Paul Dubois, Christian Schmidt and Mary Elizabeth Prentice. Page 5

Page 7

Page 2

What I learned about Jesus from a nine-year old Buddhist Kelly Updegraff is a Middler MDiv PC(U.S.A) student and in the care of Presbytery of the Pines of Louisiana.

Let's set the scene. The year was 2008. The place was First Presbyterian Church Shreveport, Louisiana. The church was buzzing with those three letters that send pastors into a frenzy during the summer months. . . .V B S. It was finally here and since I would be leaving for seminary in just one month, I was determined to be the best drama leader the church had ever seen. My sister Amy and I piled into the car, ready to somehow connect faith and the rainforest, as the curriculum suggested. On the way we picked up my cousin Molly and her new stepsister, Jamie.

Jamie was 9 years old and we thought of her

more as a novelty than a new cousin. She, her mother and older brother had just recently arrived in the United States from Laos, where she had lived her entire life. Her English was minimal, and she wore a fleece hoodie, because she found the sweltering Louisiana heat to be unbearably cold. Her name wasn't really Jamie either, it was a name she'd chosen to sound more “American.” We enjoyed her exotic looks, her accent, and her obvious wonder at her new surroundings.

At VBS we went our separate ways and the children arrived, ready to hear about our story of the day, “Jesus and the Parable of the Mustard Seed.” Jamie enjoyed activities immensely, but seemed at times, a little confused. Then Molly decided to share a crucial fact. Jamie was a Buddhist. Her family was Buddhist and back in Laos everyone she knew was a Buddhist. She'd never been to a church and Christianity was an entirely new concept. © 2009 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

1

ISSUE 186

Energizers suddenly felt inappropriate. But when Jamie climbed into the car for the ride home she was all smiles and talking excitedly about returning the next day.

“And when I'm home,” she announced holding up her souvenir mustard seed, “I will plant Jesus!”

WHAT? Oh No.

Somehow, “the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed,” had become, “plant this in your backyard to enjoy the spiritual equivalent of sea monkeys!” This kid had no idea who Jesus was. I tried to explain. “No Jamie, Jesus was a man... err...God... Jesus was part of God. But he's God's son.” Amy slapped her hand to her forehead in exasperation.

I tried again. “Jesus died. He was murdered.” Did I really want to focus on death here? I thought. It didn't seem like the right way to start. “But he came back to life!” Amy chimed in. “How'd he do that?” Jamie asked looking bewildered. “Can we get sno-cones?” I wanted to yell, “No, we cannot stop for treats because you are failing to grasp the most important concept in the world because I am a failure and going to be the worst pastor ever! And the admissions office at Austin Seminary is going to find out that I can't explain Christianity to a child and revoke my acceptance letter!!!!” But I didn't.

“Can I still plant it?” She asked.

“Yes, you can plant it and grow a mustard tree.” I humbly replied.

“Will Jesus make it grow?” She held up her All Things Grow in Christ sticker. I nodded. She smiled. “Can He make people grow?”

“Yes,” Now we're getting somewhere.“ Jesus makes us grow in lots of ways. We can grow up but we can also grow to be better people.” But that was the end of it, because we'd arrived at her home. She ran up the driveway and my sister gave me a look. “You are really bad at that,” Amy laughed. “It's not my fault! Who doesn't know who Jesus is?” Umm ...Apparently me. So my fellow seminarians, what I learned from a 9

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

year old Buddhist is that you have to figure out who Jesus is because one day someone is going to ask.

The answer you give a committee, or in a statement of faith, full of colorful language and rich metaphors, is not going to cut it for someone starting at step one. In case you're curious, Jamie is now a 10 year old Presbyterian, and next time I have to explain to someone who Jesus is, I'm starting with, “Jesus is proof that God loves us, and this is why.....” -Kelly Updegraff

The Existence of God: Confirmed Tracey Beadle is a Middler MDiv Student under care of the Southwest Texas Conference (United Methodist).




It’s times like these when I wish I knew what it was to live fully into me…newly created in Christ…who God created me to be. (You know what I mean, right?) I’d probably have no problem with dangling participles nor would double negatives plague me. (Do grammatical errors separate me from God’s love?)

I bet if Jesus were invited to write for Kairos he’d know exactly the right thing to say and exactly how to say it. He’d submit an article full of insight and wisdom, with (if he were particular to our context) just the right amount of self-effacing humor to qualify as humility.

Unfortunately, I’m still becoming. (γίνομαι for those of you who were in Greek camp.) I’m still being formed and molded, and it’s yet unclear whether or not a writer is emerging. Unclear to me, at least.

Which leads me to the whole question of discernment. How DOES one discern one’s calling? As I enter into my second year of seminary I’m stunned that this issue is not settled. Prior to moving to Austin, it was enough to know that I was called to seminary. The question of vocation could wait. It 2

ISSUE 186

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

took only a glance at my first collection of syllabi to wonder if I’d imagined the whole thing . . . the very existence of God.

Some thoughts on Spirituality and Spiritual Direction

Fortunately, I was so overwhelmed by the work load that I didn’t have time to worry about things like my destiny. I didn’t have time to live in the future. Unfortunately, this did not mean I’d become an expert at the spiritual discipline of living in the present either. I was too far behind for that.

Tina Broadway is the student leaders for A Still Small Voice, the student group on campus intentional about exploring Spiritual disciplines. She is a Senior MDiv student affiliated with the PC(U.S.A).

Eventually, (sometime around final exams) my despair about calling was so caught up in the whirlwind that is seminary’s first semester, that I began to wonder if my prayers had been answered and I’d been blessed with faith. Or, on second thought, maybe I’d been cursed with apathy. What’s the difference anyway? Faith and apathy share a sense of letting go. A sense of not worrying. That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Acknowledge the sovereignty of God and trust? But, once we’ve done that, what are we supposed to feel? Peace and apathy do share a lack of anxiety, though apathy implies a lack of regard that borders on contempt, in my view. Whatever.

The truly amazing thing…the thing that did re-establish my faith in, not only the existence of God, but the nature of God as loving (besides the fact that Christmas immediately follows finals) is this…I survived. I made it! And, at this point, I’m not only referring to the first semester. One whole year down…AND…I even learned a few things…that I still remember.

When I think about Spirituality it has this amorphous quality to it, a seeming inability to be defined. Yet in the presence of a Spiritual moment happening to others, my gut responds with a definite “Yes, amen!” When it occurs for me, sometimes I can grasp it and acknowledge God’s good grace in my life for this moment. It may be a simple recognition of peace, where a moment before there was only my anxiety, or an “aha”, as I understand in my gut a theological truth that previously was only in my head.

Two weeks ago, like many of you, my sleep was interrupted by excitement (or maybe anxiety!) at the thought of a new term with all its challenges and joys. As I lay there, more clarity came for me about some of what Spirituality maybe is; challenges/ clarifications/affirmations at specific moments in my life by the Holy Spirit about my relationship to God, neighbor and self. These invitations to go deeper in my walk with God seem to come constantly via all types of situations and folks. Yet so often I do not recognize the gentle nudges, or blow them off, as “Just me” or “Small stuff”. In this I am not paying due attention to God’s grace for me.

This is where I am so grateful to my Spiritual

God is definitely good! This may not be Direction group. Together we look at our lives and actual CONFIRMED proof of a living and loving discover in our problems and joys those same small God, but that’s what faith is all about, right? and sometimes big nudges of grace by our loving God, and can acknowledge and see them for what -Tracey Beadle they are; encouragements, affirmations and challenges in our continuing journey with our Lord. In doing so we learn how to respond thoughtfully to one another, and in the process establish good friendships.

3

ISSUE 186

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

So in this new term, I invite us all to consider three lives of ministers were in all time lows. If they were things; not dying from obesity or stress related illnesses they were leaving ministry within the first six years of 1. Maybe joining a Spiritual Direction group. ordination. If they stayed, they were fat, sick, 2. Coming to hear Professor David White speak depressed, and lonely. The needs were bigger than about what Spirituality is on September 25th, noon- anything a workshop could fix. 1pm in the John Knox dinning room. 3. Paying attention to the “Small stuff.” -Tina Broadway

Catering to our lives after seminary: Christian Leadership Education at Austin Seminary, Part I Janet Maykus is the Director of Christian Leadership Education and Principal of the College of Pastoral Leaders.

Christian Leadership Education, Continuing education, Life-Long Learning, Leadership Education, Non-Degree Education, Adult Education…these are terms used by seminaries and divinity schools that offer educational opportunities that are not on a path toward a degree.

For decades, these schools approached continuing education with pedagogies mimicking traditional classes in degree programs. More likely than not, the course offerings were “mini” versions of semester-long courses taught by beloved professors or well-known experts from far-off places who came to lead a short class, and whom were certain to draw a crowd.

About ten years ago, the face of theological continuing education changed, abruptly. Across the nation, leaders of institutions wrung their hands wondering where their constituencies went. Classes were arranged, marketing planned, and fewer and fewer people registered. Simultaneously, studies revealed that the physical, emotional, and spiritual

Numerous institutions and individuals investigated the changing situation of the church and ministry. It was apparent that ministers in the twenty-first century face a new frontier of leadership for which seminaries and divinity schools cannot completely prepare them, but no one seemed to know how to address the identified needs.

The Lilly Endowment, Inc. wanted to help the church in the U.S. find ways to ameliorate the drastic problems ministers face. To that end, they created the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program. The invitation to participate in this program allowed institutions, such as Austin Seminary, freedom to create bold programs that had not been tested. Since no one had “the” answer to the situation, the Endowment welcomed “failures” as well as “successes”. No institution was punished if a program did not gel; it was encouraged to recalibrate and make changes.

In this hit or miss manner, judicatories, seminaries, divinity schools, retreat centers, and counseling centers have been working to provide places of education, recreation, friendship, accountability, spiritual renewal and solace to ministers.

SPE is one of the largest endeavors of its sort ever created for ministers. In the past seven years more than twelve thousand ministers have participated in a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence project. Austin Seminary has been involved in SPE since its beginning. An innovative proposal submitted by Michael Jinkins, Tim Lincoln, and our former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Tim Kubatzky, was accepted in the first round of SPE grants the Lilly Endowment, Inc. offered. The most daring aspect of Austin’s proposal was that it gave 4

ISSUE 186

ministers the opportunity to design their own twoyear collegial program with the caveat that each program must address the whole person, not simply the mind.

What does this have to do with you the M.Div or MATS student? Everything. By nature of where you are and what you are doing, you are engaging in continuing education! During your time here, pay attention to the ideas that come to mind while in conversation with others, while reading a compelling text, or listening to your professors.

You will be inspired to imagine numerous “what ifs”: What if a congregation began a community garden? What if we had an intergenerational Sunday School

and did not segregate according to age? What if a youth group created a weekly podcast on a

subject of their choosing? What if I had a group of people that practiced

Sabbath keeping with me?, etc.

Some of these things you will not be able to pursue while you are in this season of coursework. But don’t loose those threads. Keep them tucked away in your mind or in a journal. These threads of inspiration will prove to be opportunities for creative learning long after you leave this campus.

Pay attention to your friends. Note who inspires, invigorates, challenges and amuses you. These people are flint to your steel. Keep the conversations alive after you graduate. Most of the groups in the College of Pastoral Leaders are comprised of people who live more than two hours away from one another.

Technology has made distance a mute point. Groups arrange regularly scheduled chats or Skype discussions that supplement face to face gatherings. Belonging to a group of clergy colleagues who hold one another accountable, who are friends, and who support each other seems to be an essential key to a long and meaningful life as a minister. Begin your intentional times now.

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

Make time with your peers a spiritual/ educational/vocational practice. For those graduating this year, commit to meet with your group within a year. If you take a call, tell your session, board of elders, bishop, etc. that you have committed to life-long learning and growth and that you have a scheduled conference once a year with your clergy peer group, and that this is continuing education, not vacation.

Numerous CPL members and CPL “graduates” report that they make such statements when they take new calls. Each one reports a great deal of fear and trepidation when they state their commitment and no one has yet to have this stipulation denied. I am reminded of Stanley Hauerwas’ statement that today’s ministers are “quivering masses of availability.”

Your congregations cannot know what you need to be a vital minister. You must tell them, and you must follow through.

The Christian Leadership Education department at Austin Seminary keeps abreast of the various ways that today’s leaders of the church find refreshment and inspiration. The methods are as diverse as the church. Most of our work is done off campus…from Maine to Hawaii, and some is conducted here. Once a month, I will tell you more about what we know and about what happens in our department. If you have a compelling interest, or if you want to talk to a minister in a particular denomination or someone who lives in a certain area of the U.S., let me know. Perhaps I can introduce you to someone doing the work you wonder about or might find inspiring. Editors note: The most recent trip APTS supported for pastors was a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Funded by the Cousins Foundation, mid-career pastors applied for the trip and then were treated to a journey of a lifetime. The most common thread among the pastors was the need for rest. While traveling these pastors got rest, education, and renewal. Tuck this nugget of knowledge away for your impending ministry.

5

ISSUE 186

Denver Dolman Retired and commutes from Elgin. First United Methodist Church, Elgin, Texas. He would be a habanero pepper if he were a vegetable because they are spicy. And if he could only eat one food for the rest of his life it would be milk.

Lauren Vernon

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

Becca Weaver BA in Sociology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Great Mount Zion Baptist Church, Austin, TX.

Central Presbyterian Church, Longmont, CO.

She went to the Inauguration in DC and works at the City of Austin as a Project Manager.

If she were a vegetable she would be a tomato because she sunburns easily. She is afraid of Precious Moment Dolls, so don’t show her your collection!

John Stanger

BA - Political Science, Auburn University

BA - Religion, Schreiner University.

Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX.

Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Columbia Texas.

If she could be a vegetable she would be edamame, because it is what is inside that counts. The last book she read was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson who is coming to PHPC in December.

Cyrenthia Ellis

Eric Gates Manchaca United Methodist Church, Manchaca, Tx.

He is excited about the growth opportunities while here at seminary and would take a dog, If he were a vegetable he would be sunscreen and water to a deserted brussels sprouts, because he does island. (smart man) not want to be eaten. He just returned from India serving as a Young Adult Volunteer.

ISSUE 186

Time isn’t on my side Christian Schmidt is a Junior MDiv student from Bryan/College Station and under care of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

Was orientation really only two weeks ago? Wow. I was pretty certain this semester started a few months ago. And my fellow juniors agree, if a brief survey conducted very unscientifically a few nights ago is any indication. Brittany Harvey seemed to think it was at least six months ago that school began, and Bart Smith had his money on six years ago. In any case, time definitely seems to be a relative thing when one is starting seminary. Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here, right? You folks out there remember this, don’t you? You remember reading 200 pages a night, writing a paper on soteriology, talking a friend through a personal struggle, going to two club meetings, working four hours, cooking a gourmet dinner and practicing guitar/cello/piano/singing in the evening, right? We’re all superheroes here, after all.

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

The voices in my head have definitely been talking, but not just the ones that make me sound crazy. It’s been the voices of all those seminarians and ministers who had told me to get my stuff together before I started seminary. Get your self-care and your support system in order, they said. Seminary is tough for all of us, they said. Make sure you aren’t left behind when things get tough, they said. Man, were they right, as much as I hate to admit it. This is tough. Real tough. But I feel like Austin Seminary is the kind of place where people will pick me up when I’m not feeling my best, where they might carry me when the spirit or the flesh is lagging a bit on any given day. Abbey, Bart, Brittany, Doug, Eric, Holly, Kaci, Katherine, Sudie, etc., I’m talking to you here, and thanks be to God for you and for all of the other people who have supported me in these first two weeks and who will continue to support me for the next three years. (And especially thank Mom and Dad. I couldn’t have done this without you.) So OK, these first couple weeks have been a blur, a blur in which I’ve fallen far short of the ideals I had in mind. I’ll try to do better.

At least, that’s the assumption I was working under, in the back of my mind, anyway. The idea that I May God grant me the strength me to do better, to be might just be another lost soul making his way in more compassionate in community, to devote myself more to my friends, to allow me time for both my this existence, well, that was slow to set in. classes and my community, to give thanks for my Well, friends, reality is coming fast now. A few days limits and rejoice that in the both the gifts I have and ago, I told a friend that she was doing too much in those I don’t, that I may more clearly live as I should. her life and not taking time to take care of herself. Amen. Her time was occupied entirely in taking care of - Christian Schmidt other people, even to the exclusion of herself, I said. Hypocrisy, thy name is Christian Schmidt. It’s not as if I’ve been doing some fantastic job taking care of myself. My workout regimen – in theory, it’s three times weekly, with my exercise partner spurring me on -- has fallen by the wayside, as have some of my daily spiritual disciplines.

7

ISSUE 186

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

Church Introductions Grace Presbyterian Church Round Rock, Texas Grace Happens--Whether you are a student, staff, or faculty of APTS, if you have not yet found a church to call home while you are in Austin, Kevin and I would like to invite you to visit our church.  Grace Presbyterian in Round Rock is relatively young--we were chartered in 1999. We follow a traditional reformed order of worship, but a praise band leads us in (mostly) contemporary music.   Our pastors (both APTS graduates)--Nancy Reeves and Mark Tarrant--encourage and nurture lay leadership and lay participation in all areas of our congregational life.   Dress comfortably and don't expect to blend into the scenery or be a wallflower.   Even though we've grown to almost 300 members, there is still the family feel about our congregation.   Although our church is in Round Rock, we participate in serving meals and distributing clothing and other essentials to homeless men through Angel House in east Austin.



• Small groups meeting Mon., Tues., Wed. and

Thurs. evenings or Fri. mornings (pick

the day you want to come and join us!) • Emmaus reunion groups • Youth group activities after Sunday worship

and on Wednesday evenings • Praise Band practice Wed. evenings Opportunities for service through • Stephens Ministry • Round Rock Serving Center • Trinity Nursing Care • Angel House

Journey Imperfect Faith Community An open, inclusive, eclectic, artistic, and experimental faith community that centers itself on the Great Commandment to love God and love others with our whole selves.

Sunday Worship: 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Grace Presbyterian Church is only 25 minutes away Bible Study/Discussion Sunday: 9:30 a.m. (at 1705 Gattis School Road in Round Rock), and the Located at: 3009 Industrial Joneses will give you a ride if you'd like. Terrace, Austin, TX. Check out http://www.gracepresrr.org/ for more Visit http://journeyifc.com/ or info about our church.  Call 512-473-8553 to chat with contact the church at (512) Kevin and Mari Lyn Jones about Grace. 439-7410 or [email protected] for Grace Presbyterian Activities: more information (or talk to Weekly Mike Clawson or Laurel Dixon). • Sunday worship services at 9 am & 11 am • Sunday School for all ages  10:10 - 10:50 8

ISSUE 186

What I Learned at My SPM Today: Free Food Paul Dubois is a Senior MDiv student completing his SPM at University United Methodist Church in Austin. He is under care of the Southwest Texas Conference.

If there’s a sure way to get someone’s attention, it’s to offer free food; the seminary announcement of free barbeque following Manna on Wednesday was graciously received. While walking from the church where I work towards campus, I began to ponder free food, and in the last few months I’ve had some experience in offering free food.

So I got to campus just in time for the lunch, and already the line stretched across half of the dining hall. As with many things, the time of preparation is to be enjoyed as much as the food. The time in line was the appetizer, being present to friends, chatting, smiling, and laughing. Spying new faces. It’s about more than just the food. And at the table I met three new friends, new students just beginning an adventure that I am winding down. The food was good, but it’s about more than just the food.

Food so often seems to be a catalyst, an impetus for gathering, something that is shared and enjoyed, and out of which community is born, nurtured, and nourished. Of course, essential nutrients are found in food (good food, at least), and so food is necessary for the physical health—for life —of the individual. And I suspect that it is because of this nexus between the physical and communal importance of food, that food is also a spiritual necessity.

During Lent of 1991 or so, a Sunday School class at University UMC began a project. I can’t speak for why the project was undertaken, but members of this class decided that on each of the six Saturdays of Lent they would prepare sandwiches for homeless persons. They fed about 35 people each week. On first glance, one might think that the

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

primary emphasis of the project was to serve people in need by providing food. But another need was discovered—the need for the class members to serve. In the encounter between those who are hungry and those who have the means to alleviate hunger, the reality of our connectedness to one another in Christ was realized. It was a physical reality, a spiritual reality, and a communal reality. It was more than a Lenten service project; it was a calling, a calling centered on the sharing of food. Last Saturday, after 18 years, the heirs of this simple Lenten service project served 441 meals and provided free clothing to 121 people. It was a typical Saturday, albeit a little on the light side.

On Friday, September 11, 2008, for the second time in three years, Central Texas Muslimaat (an organization providing a collective voice for Muslim women, dedicated to promoting the Islamic values of community, charity, education, and peace http:// www.ctmaustin.org/) used our church’s fellowship hall to serve an Iftar, the feast that breaks the Ramadan fast, to more than 200 hungry people. The sharing of food became an encounter not only between those with and those without, but also between people from different cultures and faiths. It’s about more than just the food, especially on that date.

As each Saturday morning unfolds, I thank God for the privilege I have been given to do this work, to be present in this place, and to be humbled by so many of God’s children. One of my favorite things to do on Saturday morning is to stand by the busing station at lunch time and receive the dirty plates. It’s a position where I can serve yet also observe. This whole work of Saturday morning involves the coordination of a couple dozen ‘church’ volunteers, but also a dozen or so regular ‘guest’ volunteers (for it is their work, too). It involves the purchasing of food. It requires that we remain flexible and able to respond quickly to problems— everything from personality conflicts (more often than not among the volunteers!) to a botched batch of food. Two meals, breakfast and lunch, are prepared, and between the two there’s a big push to 9

ISSUE 186

get the kitchen ready for the next meal. Saturday morning borders on chaos, usually in a good way, but not always. From my busing station I am always amazed at how easy it is to serve people, to feed them, to see them as children of God, to see them as my brothers and sisters, and to see myself as really no different, just, perhaps (and this is debatable), more fortunate. It really is easy. And it is about more than just the food. -Paul Dubois

Extensions of an Olive Branch Reflections about Unity and Peace Mary Elizabeth Prentice is a Senior MDiv student and Candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament under care of Grace Presbytery.

This week I celebrated the one year anniversary of my first shoulder surgery (on my right side). Sadly enough I am still doing physical therapy; however, it is the left shoulder that is being rehabilitated. I am a regular at Physical Therapy and they joke about how large my chart is, but after a year how could they not! So, I was at PT on Tuesday and my regular crowd wasn’t there, partly because I normally go at 7:15 a.m. Since school started I have had to change to the afternoon, so I am getting use to the Tuesday afternoon crowd. There were four of us shoulder patients and each was doing the exercises on the heels of one another. I was on the arm bike, pushing away and “Doug” came up and started his exercises on a machine nearby.

We compared surgery stories, laughed about how idiotic we look at drive-thru ATMs because our left arms just can’t quite make it out the window to the buttons. We empathized with each other about the pain we had been through and then it was on to how we injured our shoulders.

My time was done on the arm bike and I moved over to the pulleys. Shortly he followed. My therapist, Smokey (yes that is his name), asked why I was being quiet and I told him it had been a long day of classes. Doug pipes in “Are you a teacher?”

“No.” I replied. (I think he was trying to assume I was older than a UT student).

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

“Oh, so are you a student?”

I paused. This is always the moment I debate internally every time I am asked by a stranger what I “do.” Do I extend the olive branch and inform them of my studies or do I cop out with an answer like “I’m in ‘life’ insurance” or “I study ancient languages?” You never know if you are going to be a conversation killer or enter into confession time. (I remember specifically being at a bachelorette party and I was asked the same question. Suddenly the party became confession about how often people did not attend church and looked to me for forgiveness. Talk about buzz kill!) But I decided to go for it again.

“I am a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.” I replied.

“You can’t have long days there can you?” he exclaimed. I laughed and said, “You can have long days anywhere!”

We continued through our exercises and he became more jovial. Since our injuries are different he can do things I cannot and I can do things he cannot. He was jealous of my range, I was jealous of his strength. I got the special shock treatment, he did not. In the end he had help lift my mood and I am sure next week will be another entertaining hour.

I walked away reflecting on my experience. My extension of an olive branch made a “friend” of sorts out of a stranger. We connected in sharing the commonality of shoulder rehabilitation and will meet each other again (Next Tuesday at 3:15 to be exact). But I also questioned why I hesitated.

I realized once again it is the tension that we live in that made me pause. As ministers (or ministers-to-be) we live public lives, but also need privacy. As ministers we want to help others, but also must maintain boundaries to take care of ourselves. As ministers we enter into situations of anxiety and are called to be a non-anxious presence. This is the tension we are called to enter into. This is the church.

10

ISSUE 186

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

News from the community Congratulations are in order for: Senior MDiv Student Dedurie Kirk will be licensed to preach at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 6:00pm. Next time you see Dedurie tell her congratulations! 2008 graduate Jonathan Murray (MDiv 2008) accepted a call as designated pastor to St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Needville, Texas beginning October 1st.

Matt, Lauren and Lucas Falco would like to announce that they are expected an addition to their family in March. Baby Falco will be arriving just in time for Spring Break! Congratulations to the Falcos!

Kairos Guidelines

Editorial Guidelines 1. Kairos is the voice of students at Austin Seminary. 2.Kairos generally carries no advertisements for sale of goods or services by individuals. An exception is the sale of a student or professor’s library or other study aids. 3.It is not possible to make all program announcements which are submitted by individual church. Kairos is more likely to be able to run announcements which apply to ecumenical or interfaith groups or groups of churches. 4.No letters which attack individuals or groups will be run in Kairos. This is to be distinguished from letter which might criticize the actions of individuals or groups. 5.Kairos will publish letter to the editor that contribute to Christian conversation on the APTS campus. All letters must be signed. Submission Guidelines: Email submissions to the editor, Mary Elizabeth Prentice, at [email protected]. Editorial decisions are based on urgency, availability of space and editorial guidelines. Deadline is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Submissions made after the deadline must be accompanied by a dunkel or a bribe.

APTS Choir The APTS Choir is a group of students and faculty who join together to proclaim God's love through song. The group is open to all who love music and would enjoy having a musical outlet for worship-no previous choral experience is necessary, we welcome all who love to sing! We practice once a week in the chapel and prepare songs to share during chapel worship. We seek to use our musical gifts during special times of the liturgical year such as the Service of Lessons and Carols and the Easter Vigil.   We are looking forward to hopefully being under new direction this year as Carol Tate takes over as organist and choir director. Meeting times are TBA. contact Caitlin Thomas if interested. ([email protected]) 11

ISSUE 186

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

Campus Happenings Chapel Schedule Monday, September 21: 11 a.m. Daily Prayer Tuesday, September 22: 11 a.m. Rev. Dr. John Ahn The Lord s Supper & a Reflection on the Psalms

Volunteer Opportunity

Flu Shots offered by Seminary

The annual Alumni Phonathon is coming and you can make it a success by volunteering a little bit of your time.   You’ll be calling Seminary graduates and encouraging them to make their annual gift to support the Seminary.  We offer free food and drink and fellowship for Phonathon volunteers, too.

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.

Wednesday, September 23: Community Wide Manna

Tuesday, September 29 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 24: 11 a.m. Daily Prayer

Wednesday, September 30 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, October 5 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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

Student Body Meeting A student body meeting will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (during Manna) Student Representatives to Faculty Committees will make reports and the Senate will report on its activity.

Tuesday, October 6 During the day Wednesday, October 7 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Manna From Heaven... or, Manna from the community.

All calling takes place in Trull. Friday, September 25: 11 a.m. Chapel Open for Prayer Next week senior sermons begin! Watch here for the schedule and come support our seniors.

RSVP to Sandy Wilder at 404-4806 or [email protected] to let us know which time(s) you can help.

Senate asks for students, faculty and staff to bring refreshments to Manna on Wednesdays. Sign up as an individual or sign up as a group.  Look for the large Post-It Board in Stotts and choose a Wednesday.

12