Senior Year So Far

Dear St. Peter’s Ohana,

  I can hardly believe months have passed since I was in the islands finishing up my chaplain internship at Queens Hospital. My third and final year of seminary has been full and rewarding. Looking back now, it hardly seems possible that my time on the East Coast is starting to wrap up.
 
 My classes are going well. I am currently taking Christian Ethics (my toughest class), Liturgics, Introduction to Singing, a seminar on the Gospel of Luke, Ministry of money, and Field education. I have a few more credits to take, but I will finish most of my required classes this semester.
 
 I have been working off-campus a few mornings a week at a preschool. It has been a great joy. Some weeks I have found it hard to balance school and work, but I continue to work at it.

  In  September, I coordinated the Episcopal Relief & Development 75th Anniversary Photo Exhibition for VTS. It went fabulously. I was so pleased to share the amazing work that organization is doing, and has done, with my community. I love working with Episcopal Relief & Development. I hope to extend that work beyond my time at seminary.

  The Virginia Theological Seminary community was a buzz in October as we consecrated our new chapel. We had over a thousand visitors on campus. We hosted the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Presiding Bishop, The Presiding Bishop Elect and so many others. I was honored to serve as an oblation bearer and to help distribute communion at the consecration service. The students got to have a question and answer session with the Presiding Bishop and Presiding Bishop Elect at our own dinner. It was a special time that I will never forget.

 Personally, I had the opportunity to travel back to Oregon and celebrate my younger sister’s wedding in early October. It was ridiculously busy and full of joy. Many of you know that I am the oldest of three girls. We were excited to welcome our very first brother into the family. I couldn’t be happier for my sister and brother-in-law. It has been a very special season for family, and I am grateful for that.

 As you can likely tell, these past two months have been a whirlwind. I am looking forward to things settling down in November. I am hoping to really focus on school, maybe even taking on some extra reading. I would also like to focus on my prayer life more intentionally. One of the most important lessons I have learned at school is that it is impossible to have a successful ministry and sense of personal well being without prayer!

  I hope all is well at home, and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

                     Blessings, Annalise