Monica Carlson, T'12

I am a senior at The School of Theology. Because I came to seminary from a large suburban parish, I wanted my Field Education experience to be in a smaller rural church.  I also wanted to stay in Sewanee so I could enjoy the beautiful summer here on the mountain. My internship consisted of a 2011 “summer immersion” working with the Rev. Dr. Linda A. Hutton, who leads St. James Church at Midway (midway between Sewanee and Monteagle) and Christ Church in Tracy City, both of which are in the diocese of Tennessee.

Between the generous teaching and counsel of the Rev. Dr. Hutton and the gracious hospitality of the two congregations, I quickly felt like a welcome addition to both of these small churches. In each intimate setting, I was invited to participate in the joy of their worship, preach on several Sundays, hear their stories at coffee hour, and observe the real affection and pastoral care that these close-knit members offered to each other.

My main project for the summer was to help with the planning and implementation of Vacation Bible School, which was sponsored by a number of local Episcopal churches. I witnessed smaller churches pool their resources to offer a program that served the greater community more effectively. Whether in the closeness of the members of each congregation or in the cooperation of churches working together, I was reminded last summer that living and sharing the Christian life involves much more than numbers or material resources.

 

Joseph Wallace, T'12

Wow, what a summer! I had the wonderful opportunity to do my field education immersion in two different congregations — Church of the Advent in Boston, Ma., and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Ga. I chose these two congregations because both are deeply committed to evangelism in their respective communities. But more specifically, I chose the Church of the Advent because of its rich history of Anglo-Catholic worship and evangelism. I chose St. Paul’s because it is perhaps one of the largest, and still growing, African-American/Afro Caribbean congregations in the Episcopal Church.

While at the Advent I had the opportunity to preach, administer pastoral care, and serve as sub deacon at the Feast of Corpus Christi, which included solemn benediction and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Boston with a brass band. My heart was lifted to heaven! During my time at the Advent I was impressed at the ability of the liturgy to change hearts and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through beauty and a warm welcome.

Although I am an African-American, I have never had an opportunity to truly worship in a predominantly African-American/Afro Caribbean environment. This for me was indeed a great joy and honor. During my time at St. Paul’s, I learned the importance of dynamic preaching and how to help a struggling congregation to grow not only in pledges, but also most importantly, how to spread the Word of God and equipped the saints for the work of ministry in an inner-city setting. In addition to honing my preaching skills, I was able to draw on all of my New Testament class notes and lectures to teach a five-week adult Christian education bible study. The best compliment I received from one of the participants was that in addition to my teaching the intellectual things, I made it relevant to their life’s issues. I thank God for such a wonderful opportunity to share my summer with two very wonderful congregations.

 

Evelyn Harris, T'13

I spent six weeks in Vienna, Austria, working full time as an intern at the English Speaking United Methodist Church. The congregation is made up of around 200 refugees, diplomats, contract workers, migrants, ex pats, students, and many others who come to Vienna from over 35 different countries, including other parts of Austria. The tie that binds this community together is that they are all strangers in a strange land who crave familial relationships with others, not only to worship and praise God, but also to rejoice, cry, hope, and dream together as a community.   

In my field education experience I was able to attend the Austrian Annual Conference and I learned how to conduct pre-marital counseling and a wedding.  I also helped lead confirmation classes, bible studies, and worship services. I also interviewed congregation members to examine how multicultural power dynamics played into congregational dynamics. Since this church is entirely self-funded, I am currently putting together videos to help the ESUMC share their story back here in the U.S.

 

Brandon Mozingo, T'12

As Christendom fades and the Church continues to lose membership, we must face the reality that the majority of those that need ministry exist out in the world, and not within the walls of our churches. If we wish to reach them, we must reach out to them. My field education experience as an internship with Seamen’s Church Institute allowed me to do this very thing.

I was honored to be the first River Chaplain Intern of an organization that has been supporting the Merchant Marine since 1834. Founded to offer hospitality and safety to sailors, it has since expanded to include professional education, legal support, and the outreach of chaplains.

Working along beside the crews of these boats, I rode the waters of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, as well as the Intercostal Waterway. Never spending more than two nights on any one craft, I hopped from boat to boat, attempting to maximize my contact with the over 100,000 members of the Merchant Marine. Making myself available to be whatever these people needed, I found myself engaged in pastoral care, theological discussion, christenings, cooking meals for the crew, Bible study, helping to load supplies, worship services, and assisting a painting work detail.

Somewhere on the Ohio River, a crew stands a little bit taller after their towboat is christened. Gathering together, the blessing they pray upon their boat gives their work and their life a heightened sense of purpose.