Graduation Day!

Today is my graduation day. After today I will join the noble ranks of those who hold Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degrees from Western Theological Seminary. In a couple of hours I will be finishing a journey that has taken me four years to complete.

I came to Seminary because at the time I began my courses I was in a position that was flexible enough to allow me to register for a couple classes. This I did. I didn't want to look back in six years and think to myself, "If only I'd taken a couple of classes, I'd have a degree." I had no plans to actually use a theological degree, but I figured it would be nice to have.

I enjoyed my courses (for the most part- for my classmates I have two words "Learning" "Web") and I signed up for more. I only took one semester at full-time, a couple of summer classes (not as many as I would have thought) and still finished a three-year program, in only four.

Many things have changed over four years. I have been met a lot of new people, some interesting, some forgettable, some regrettably unforgettable (you know who you are). I have been exposed to ideas and information that I never would have come across any other place. I have had to shift my ideas about God, faith, and religion. I have questioned my place at seminary (as well as others places) and also thought that everyone of faith should attend seminary. I have grown more comfortable with who I am and who I am not. I have tried to let people tell me who they are (and who they are not).

To sum up four years in a few words. On this graduation day, I know what I don't know. There is so much to learn, so much to read, to take in, that if my formal education has taught me anything, it is that this is only the beginning.


Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me to get through school. I could not have done it alone. A special thanks to Caryn, without which I would probably attend the school of Sitina Corner Andcry. Love you.