Resurrection people, I’m in the last week of preparation to leave for the academic year of 2010-2011. I will do the final year of education in residence at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, www.cdsp.edu/ that is part of the Graduate Theological Union, www.gtu.edu/.
The Graduate Theological Union is an ecumenical and interreligious institution that includes Christian denominations and other faith traditions. It is the largest partnership of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States. GTU describes itself as a haven for interdisciplinary religious thought, study, and practice, making a tangible difference for the greatest good – and serving as the place where religion meets the world.
CDSP and GTU are located in Berkeley, California on ‘Holy Hill’ adjacent to University of California Berkeley. I’ll have access to nine theological seminaries and eleven centers and affiliates in addition to one of the finest theological libraries in the world. Religious traditions represented at GTU include Episcopal, Baptist, L:utheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, and Buddhist—all working together for a common mission while maintaining the distinctiveness of their particular communities of faith. GTU’s curriculum has grown beyond the traditional strengths in Bible, history, theology, and ethics to include the arts, cultural and historical studies, spirituality, and interdisciplinary studies.
I leave Friday, August 27. On August 30, I’ll participate in orientation and then classes start the week after. During the four days of orientation I will be assigned an academic advisor and meet with her or him, meet with incoming seminarians, register for classes, worship, learn about how to access GTU’s great library, learn about how CDSP works, have photo id created, attend a welcoming tea, dinner with advisors, and two BBQs. Good thing these folks want us to come together each day for meals. I think that really creates community and I’ll find out if Berkeley’s foodie reputation is deserved. Orientation will also teach me how to make the most of my time at CDSP.
Since I leave in just a few days, my anxiety level is up again. July in Oakland and Berkeley answered many questions for me such as—will I be able to find my way around, where is the most convenient place to buy diet Pepsi, where will I sleep, will I be able to find a place to worship, can I manage to pump my own gas. Now that I know some of the basics that are ahead, I am turning to some interior work. I realize that I’m experiencing grief at letting go of my Eugene self. The change of identity seems to be at the core of my grieving. While I remain confident that this journey is the right journey for me, I know that this coming school year will change my life. Life changing events are difficult even when it is exactly what you want. Remember the weeks before your marriage or birth of a child. Perhaps this is harder when your former life was solid and good. I have been content in my work, my partner, and my community life. Spiritually I have been able to grow and learn over the years supported by you, our community, and wonderful teachers. Yet, off I go and I wonder if the disruption is worth it. Is this where Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship?
Somehow, I don’t think that ‘counting the cost’ can mean figuring out in advance how costly discipleship is. Who could? I didn’t have a clue what going to church would end up meaning to me. I didn’t understand those first times I came to church or even after several years. All of us seem to stumble into belief, naive and uninformed. How could we possibly know? I’m counting on God to take me through this process and fill me with what I need. I try not to look to far ahead since it looks too scary. I want to believe God can give me what it takes to make the journey. If Jesus is saying, "don't start something you can't finish”? I hope not since I’m unsure that I can finish. I can worry about the finish when I get there. I am sure that I don’t have what it takes. Since I don’t have what it takes to make my life and this journey successful, I’m going to try to turn in trust to the One who does.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Kamikaze Greek, Cold California, and Computer Challenges, July 2010
My dog and I packed up July 8 and had a leisurely trip to Oakland. Kathleen helped me pack up my little red Yaris, a small Toyota that resembles a roller skate. My dog, Lady, and I had not taken a long road trip together before so I was looking for an adventure. The trip was easy and we stopped at lots of rest areas. I knew the weather was going to be hot so I put bottles half filled with water in the freezer. When I filled them up with water, they stayed cool and provided us with chilled drinks. Silly, but I’m always so proud of myself when a good idea actually works.
I did almost turn off on the exit labeled ‘Easy Street, Shamrock Road’ that’s just before Yreka. Someday I’ll have to take that exit and see where it leads! A number of large trucks had two arrow shaped bumper stickers on their rear panel. The one on the left read “Passing Side” with the arrow pointing to side one would pass and the one arrow was labeled “Suicide” with a letter pointing to the right. Say it aloud and you’ll figure it out.
My friends, Sharon and Monza, welcomed Lady and me with a handmade sign [very sweet] and they are providing me with lovely accommodations. I have a large bedroom—bigger than any at our home—with a study attached and a walk in closet. The queen size bed is comfortable and there are many windows. As soon as Susan shows me how to do it, I’ll post pictures. They have a big lovely stucco Craftsman style home in the Rockridge area of Oakland. On College Avenue at the end of the block, there must be 40 restaurants within walking distance interspersed with hair salons, bookstores, bakeries, and bead shops. These restaurants range from Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, which often has a line out the door, to Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, pasta, crepes, yuppie elegance, and a greasy spoon. I think I’ll try one a week during the fall and spring semesters.
Cold California
I was shocked to find the weather rather chilly. I took tank tops and short sleeve blouses only to freeze in them. I only had one long sleeve shirt, one sweater, and one sweatshirt. They all saw double duty. Mornings at Pacific Lutheran Theological School were overcast, often misty marine air, and about 65 degrees and sometimes in the 50s.. Not what I expected. Many afternoons were sunny and lovely but in the low 70s. From my perspective, 72 is an ideal temperature for a light jacket and not tank top weather. I’m taking warmer clothes with me when I return at the end of August.
Computer Challenges
Susan was still working on my computer when I left and she couldn’t send it to me until mid-July. I was without internet connection, e-mail, or the ability to work. Over my first weekend there, this was not a problem as I had plenty to occupy me just settling in. As Greek started I was captivated by the homework. Yet it was worrisome. I was stunned to find out that I am really dependent on the internet and my computer. I’ve joked that I could do just fine if you plunked me down in an English speaking town and I had hot running water and a way to make heat [for warmth and cooking food]. These seemed to be the bare essentials. I now have to add high-speed internet connection! I ended up going 30 days without access to my e-mail. I hated it. Lucky for me, Sharon had two people to recommend and they are working with Susan to create a VPN, which stands for virtual private network. This is a very secure remote access to our local intranet at the office. The VPN is not yet up and running. I think we should create a series of prayers for computer systems, computer wizards and the people that have to interface with them. Please hold my computer problems in your prayers.
Kamikaze Greek is a good description of the biblical Greek class. We were in class from 8.45 until 12.00 everyday with daily quizzes. The homework was thorough which is not exactly my favorite type of homework. It was hard. Very hard. Gary Pence, our professor, was supportive and encouraging but for some reason he couldn’t help me actually memorize the 40 forms of you, he, she, it, and I. I’m so glad that I took the summer class. If I had taken it during the year, I would have found other homework and studies to do and I would have never done the homework. It was the hardest class in my entire life! I did learn the basics of translation. I know how to use the tools available but I did not memorize well. I was sorry not to discover some hidden talent for language acquisition. And the class is over and I don’t think I have any more requirements in Greek. Maybe down the road I’ll be part of a group that would like to learn Greek for New Testament studies.
I did almost turn off on the exit labeled ‘Easy Street, Shamrock Road’ that’s just before Yreka. Someday I’ll have to take that exit and see where it leads! A number of large trucks had two arrow shaped bumper stickers on their rear panel. The one on the left read “Passing Side” with the arrow pointing to side one would pass and the one arrow was labeled “Suicide” with a letter pointing to the right. Say it aloud and you’ll figure it out.
My friends, Sharon and Monza, welcomed Lady and me with a handmade sign [very sweet] and they are providing me with lovely accommodations. I have a large bedroom—bigger than any at our home—with a study attached and a walk in closet. The queen size bed is comfortable and there are many windows. As soon as Susan shows me how to do it, I’ll post pictures. They have a big lovely stucco Craftsman style home in the Rockridge area of Oakland. On College Avenue at the end of the block, there must be 40 restaurants within walking distance interspersed with hair salons, bookstores, bakeries, and bead shops. These restaurants range from Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, which often has a line out the door, to Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, pasta, crepes, yuppie elegance, and a greasy spoon. I think I’ll try one a week during the fall and spring semesters.
Cold California
I was shocked to find the weather rather chilly. I took tank tops and short sleeve blouses only to freeze in them. I only had one long sleeve shirt, one sweater, and one sweatshirt. They all saw double duty. Mornings at Pacific Lutheran Theological School were overcast, often misty marine air, and about 65 degrees and sometimes in the 50s.. Not what I expected. Many afternoons were sunny and lovely but in the low 70s. From my perspective, 72 is an ideal temperature for a light jacket and not tank top weather. I’m taking warmer clothes with me when I return at the end of August.
Computer Challenges
Susan was still working on my computer when I left and she couldn’t send it to me until mid-July. I was without internet connection, e-mail, or the ability to work. Over my first weekend there, this was not a problem as I had plenty to occupy me just settling in. As Greek started I was captivated by the homework. Yet it was worrisome. I was stunned to find out that I am really dependent on the internet and my computer. I’ve joked that I could do just fine if you plunked me down in an English speaking town and I had hot running water and a way to make heat [for warmth and cooking food]. These seemed to be the bare essentials. I now have to add high-speed internet connection! I ended up going 30 days without access to my e-mail. I hated it. Lucky for me, Sharon had two people to recommend and they are working with Susan to create a VPN, which stands for virtual private network. This is a very secure remote access to our local intranet at the office. The VPN is not yet up and running. I think we should create a series of prayers for computer systems, computer wizards and the people that have to interface with them. Please hold my computer problems in your prayers.
Kamikaze Greek is a good description of the biblical Greek class. We were in class from 8.45 until 12.00 everyday with daily quizzes. The homework was thorough which is not exactly my favorite type of homework. It was hard. Very hard. Gary Pence, our professor, was supportive and encouraging but for some reason he couldn’t help me actually memorize the 40 forms of you, he, she, it, and I. I’m so glad that I took the summer class. If I had taken it during the year, I would have found other homework and studies to do and I would have never done the homework. It was the hardest class in my entire life! I did learn the basics of translation. I know how to use the tools available but I did not memorize well. I was sorry not to discover some hidden talent for language acquisition. And the class is over and I don’t think I have any more requirements in Greek. Maybe down the road I’ll be part of a group that would like to learn Greek for New Testament studies.
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