For the past several years, I have heard God's call to seminary, and like many others before me, had put it off and put it off. I wasn't sure what God's plan for me was post seminary,and I was quite content and fulfilled serving in Student Ministry...so I waited, and I waited, and I waited. In the summer of 2009, I was asked: "If you could do anything you wanted--and money was no object, what would you do?" In a strange instant--without a lot of thought or consideration--I answered, "I would go to seminary, then teach theology and world religions on a university or seminary level." I was surprised when I heard my answer. For the first time in my life, I felt I had chosen a career path, instead of the path choosing me. I felt assured that God has and had led me to this moment. I am passionate about working with students, about learning, and about God…it seems to be a perfect vocation for me.
After applying and being accepted to three United Methodist Seminaries, I chose Claremont School of Theology/Claremont Lincoln University...and it chose me. I am absolutely loving my life, and I am so amazed EVERY day at this blessing! I love my fellow seminarians. I love southern California. I love what I've learned so far. And, I love the possibilities for peace, justice and reconciliation in our broken and beautiful world.
I strongly believe that the most important theological issue of our time is theology itself. I am fascinated by people and the way they love, worship and serve God. We all have a need for something greater than ourselves, and in our search for significance, and meaning, and order, we find a God who answers, who loves and who is faithful. Our understanding of God leads us to behave in ways that bring peace or destruction, bring comfort or condemnation, bring justice or war. Everything is theology. All of life and all of our actions can be connected to our theology--in fact, are intertwined completely. We can learn a lot from one another: Muslims, Jews, Christians (and others) about the ways we practice our faith and about a God who can not be contained.
