Shalom, my friends!

Oh man.  Life has been pretty amazing lately.  I finished classes on May 11 and I loved my classes, but I was ready for summer.  Or, at least as ready as I can be for a crazy-busy summer.

So here are the important things to know:
I was asked to intern for the Communities of Shalom.  Yay!!  And I was asked to serve in Memphis, TN.  I'm working in the Center for Transforming Communities, but I'll be doing actual work with several different Shalom sites around Memphis.  It's interesting, I get to learn about different areas within Memphis and the different types for work that are necessary.  I'm here in Memphis now, and I will be here until July 16, and I will be updating with a lot more information as I go.  (I promise!!)

I was also asked to lead new student orientation for our Theo school in August.  Basically, this means I help run the welcome week for everyone who will be joining our community next year.  I'm really excited that I was asked to do this, and I cannot wait to start working on how to make everyone fall in love with Drew Theo the way I did.

In final fun news, I tentatively have my supervised ministry assignment for next year.  As an M.Div, I have to do a year long internship.  Most students work at churches as assistant student pastors or, more often, youth leaders.  I have had amazing opportunities both in youth leadership and as a student pastor, so I was hoping for something a little different.  I interviewed with the Church Center for the United Nations.  It's located right across the street from the U.N., which is pretty amazing.  I would be working with the Chaplain, who in turn works with groups like the United Methodist Women, the Committee on Religion Non-Government Organizations, and an ecumenical women's organization.  She also provides hospitality for any groups visiting the UN and runs a weekly prayer service out of the chapel.  The chapel is beautiful.  It has a giant stained glass window that depicts the eye of God, looking out on the UN and into the chapel.

I would be working there twice a week, taking a class for the internship, and then still taking regular classes and working at my student job.  Sounds like a relaxing year!!

I don't get to go back west at all this summer, but I think it's well worth if for everything I get to do.  I am loving Memphis so far (although I've only been here for 24 hours) and I think I'm going to have some pretty fantastic opportunities.  I'm really trying to be involved in everything I can, because the "real world" doesn't offer experiences quite the way that school can.

In non-me related news, Hillview UMC just became the first reconciling United Methodist Church in the whole state of Idaho!  They have now affirmed that We are a Reconciling Congregation, welcoming all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, family configuration, racial or ethnic background, economic status, or mental or physical abilities.  As we journey to the reconciliation of all persons as children of God, we celebrate our human family's diversity.  I am really proud to be sponsored by a Reconciling congregation, and I will continue to hope that more churches take this stand.  Hopefully someday this will be a standard for all UMChurches rather than a statement that sets a church apart.