I have now been in Omaha for a little over a month, although it feels like I have been here much longer (I mean that in the nicest way possible). The support network provided by the program has been fantastic. It is hard to believe how different my life was only two months ago. I was living in northern Virginia and working in Therapeutic Recreation, now I’m in a different time zone surrounded by people I have only known for a few weeks. I suppose the lesson is when you try to follow God you can end up in unexpected places, but if you have faith and a strong community then things will work out.
One of the highlights thus far was attending the consecration of the new Bishop of the Diocese of Nebraska, Joseph Scott Barker, on October 8th. The Resurrection House Interns were asked to help pass out nametags, which was fun and a good way to meet people. I had never been to a Bishops consecration before, and it was certainly an impressive ceremony. There was beautiful music, a great homily, and I was fascinated by the tradition and symbolism of the service. Not to mention the “tailgate” themed reception due to the Huskers taking on (and beating) The Ohio State Buckeyes that night. It was a great experience, and I even got to meet the both kind and dignified Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
My church placement at All Saints is going well. I am progressively getting more responsibilities, and they are diverse enough to give me a well rounded picture of what life as a Priest might look like. I have participated in services as a chalice bearer and reader, done administrative tasks such as editing the contemporary service power point, spoken to the 11th and 12th graders about college, been preparing to give an adult education presentation on two saints (Martin of Tours and Oscar Romero), and been assigned my first preaching date on November 16th. I am able to experience some of the challenging parts of the priesthood, such as tagging along on a hospital visit to a parishioner and serving people in need at a Mobile Food Pantry event. However, All Saints also knows how to have fun as evidenced by the “Raise the Roof” tent party featuring a live band and food provided by the wonderful people at Big Mama’s Kitchen.
For my non-profit placement I am currently working at the After School program at Miller Park Elementary School. I’ve been with the 5th and 6th graders, helping them with homework and assisting the staff as needed. So far it has been fun, but I forget how much energy Elementary School kids have. There are other programs in addition to Miller Park I want to volunteer with, but have not officially begun yet. My goal is to get experience working with, and finding Christ, in a variety people.
One of the things I am enjoying most is the leadership of people associated with the Resurrection House program. Fr. Jason Emerson clearly has a passion for helping my fellow interns and I discern God’s call in our lives, and his Thursday visits are both intellectually stimulating and fun. Our spiritual director Fr. Phil Chapman has vast amounts of life experience, as well as great jokes, and has generously agreed to spend time with us every other Monday. At All Saints I am benefiting from both the seasoned veteran Fr. Tom O’Dell and the Associate Rector Liz Easton, a young Priest who actually went through the Resurrection House program a few years ago. Both should be great resources throughout the year.
I would like to close with Psalm 131. The former Dean of the Washington National Cathedral, Sam Lloyd, once stated that reading this Psalm everyday is guaranteed to lower your blood pressure. As a naturally introspective person who is now doing more reflecting with regard to discernment, I can testify to the validity of Dean Lloyd’s claim.
“My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.”
-Psalm 131 (NIV)
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