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Friday, December 5, 2008

Leadership Candler


These days are exciting ones here at Candler and Emory. As of August of this year, we have a brand-new, state-of-the-art theology building as our home. It’s a LEED certified "green" building, meaning it’s one of the most environmentally friendly theology buildings in the world! Emory, by the way, has more square footage of LEED certified building space than any other university in the country. Go Emory!

Here in the Office of Admission and Financial Aid , the most exciting thing we have going on is the announcement of our Leadership Candler scholarship weekend coming up this March. The event will bring together top prospective Master of Divinity students from across the country and the world to Candler’s campus at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Prospective students will be considered for all of Candler’s top awards, including the Woodruff Fellowships and the Pitts Scholarships, among others. Scholarships range from full tuition awards to our tops awards, which include up to full tuition, fees, plus a $10,000 per year stipend!

Candler will pay all of your travel and accommodation expenses for Leadership Candler. So if you or someone you know is looking at a world-class theological education, have a record of academic excellence, service, and leadership, and are committed to being a leader in the church and the world in the 21st century, you’ve got to check out Leadership Candler!

A top-notch theological education just became more affordable! Come to Candler. Come to Emory.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 2:47 PM
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Friday, April 4, 2008

Women's Week

As Women’s Week comes to an end, Anjie Peek Woodworth, Master of Divinity senior, reflects on the significance of the relationships she has created and nurtured during her time at Candler School of Theology as she, and others here, there, and everywhere, prepare for life changes and transitions as graduation approaches.

Candler Women, a student organization that seeks to provide community support and advocacy for women, sponsors Women’s Week each spring. This year’s theme was “From Worship to the World,” and Sara Miles, author of Take This Bread and founder of the St. Gregory Food Pantry in San Francisco was the keynote speaker for the week. Sara Miles’ website describes the book as, “The story of an unexpected and terribly inconvenient Christian conversion, told by a very unlikely convert, Take This Bread is not only a spiritual memoir but a call to action.” She preached in chapel on Tuesday, and the Candler community was invited to a lunch discussion with her following worship and a workshop Tuesday evening that she facilitated. On Wednesday of Women’s Week, there was a Service Opportunities Fair and Thursday’s chapel service included creative expressions and liturgical arts from members of Candler Women. To close out the week, Candler Women offered a film screening and dialog of Stop the Violence.

On this day, when we remember the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., may we all be called out, as the theme of Women’s Week suggests, of our sanctuaries, worship services, desks, and comfort zones and into the world, offering hope and healing to this broken world. In his sermon entitled “The Drum Major Instinct,” Martin Luther King, Jr. preaches that,
…everyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.



Reflections, by Anjie Peek Woodworth

Women’s Week at Candler School of Theology is always a fun week for me. Last year I was able to help plan it and got to be involved in that way. This year I enjoyed being a participant. A wonderful team of women coordinated educational and mission events, planned food, and helped create worship services for the whole community that celebrate the ministry of women in the world.

Witnessing the gifts of all of these Candler women and celebrating the call and ministry of women in the world caused me to think about how much my life has changed by the women who have come into my life at Candler. I have developed a group of friends who are amazing! There are men and women in this group, for sure, but it is the women who show up for me whenever I need them.

I am in Atlanta this semester, finishing my Master of Divinity at Candler, while my husband, who graduated from Candler already, is in Virginia working at his new job. Most of the time, this means I am with my women friends a lot. I mean A LOT…and for that I am abundantly grateful!

One of my dearest friends was approved for commissioning yesterday, which means she is one more major step along her journey to ordination in The United Methodist Church. So, we gathered to celebrate. It didn't have to be fancy, just sitting the living room in our apartment, hearing the story of the day and laughing together. It was simple and wonderful.

I was reminded yet again what a gift this group of women is in my life. If things hadn't gone so well for my friend yesterday, we would have gathered to support her. It's simple...being together...feeding each other...food for our bodies...and nourishment for our souls...listening, sharing, and walking together. There's so much on the table right now in the lives of the women I love...huge life and vocational decisions about ordination, chaplaincy, and all the ways these women will serve God in the world, new jobs, upcoming moves to a variety of states, graduations, relationships in their joyful and fun times and relationships in their hard and sad times, struggles and joys with families, raising children or thinking about having children, planning weddings or considering the possibility of that life commitment. So much is piled on our table when we gather.

Yet, it doesn't have to be much. We just sit together, eat together, walk together, and journey with each other on this crazy adventure of our lives. And, thanks be to God for that!


Anjie Peek Woodworth is a graduating senior in the Master of Divinity program at Candler School of Theology. She is a certified candidate in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her passion for ministry lies in Christian education and spiritual formation. After graduation she will move to northern Virginia where her husband (MDiv '07) is the Program Director at Meadowkirk Camp and Retreat Center and continue to develop her ministry in retreat and workshop leading.


We hope you will consider Candler School of Theology in your discernment process, and invite to learn more about the Admissions process by visiting our website. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 1:47 PM
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Candler on Second Life

Just when I finally feel like I’m getting used to the life of the Candler School of Theology Admissions Office, I have entered into a whole new world through Second Life. The Candler admissions office has opened an office on Second Life, which is a virtually 3-dimensional chat world in which we can interact with people from across the world. It’s immersive, impressive, interactive, and just plan cool! Second Life, like other social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, are helping us connect and reconnect with people in ways we never could have imagined. Furthermore, through Second Life, people are able to interact in the moment with an Avatar profile that one has created to be a representation of one’s self. Creativity is key in Second Life, and it is opening up a whole new life of possibilities for us at Candler.

Kimberly Knight, a currentMaster of Divinity student at Candler, has started a church community, called Koinonia Congregational Church, which worships and gathers together on Second Life several times a week. On the church’s website, Kimberly shares, “Koinonia Congregation is an actual congregation meeting in an online space — a virtual reality world known as ‘Second Life.’ Koinonia uses the cutting-edge technology of Second Life to create a safe environment where people can learn about the Christian faith and experience a loving Christian community.” Through her ministry on Second Life with the Koinonia Community, Kimberly has helped envision, build, create, furnish, and maintain our newly opened Candler Admissions Office in Second Life.

For many of you, this must sound impressively cutting edge, but to be honest, there are plenty of other higher education institutes who have been on Second Life much longer. Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford all have virtual campuses on Second Life, and unlike Candler, yet, they host real classes on Second Life. Imagine undergraduate students at Harvard logging into freshman English class on Second Life, as they sit in their dorm room in their pajamas sipping coffee. This is happening on university campuses world wide, and it is so exciting that Candler is joining in!

Just as we host prospective students and campus visitors at our Admissions Office at Emory University in Atlanta, we will also host them at our office in Second Life. Our space on Second Life has rooms dedicated to learning about Pitts Theology Library; Candler’s faculty, degree programs, and curriculum; student and community life, and worship at Candler. We certainly believe that much of the seminary experience is about being in community with one another, therefore we will encourage visitors to our Second Life office to make a campus visit as well. It is our hope that Second Life will be another form of sharing Candler with people who are discerning a call in their lives and are exploring going to seminary.

If you are discerning a call to seminary and thinking about doing ministry, outreach, social justice work, and faith sharing, we hope that you will consider Candler as a next step on your journey. Please visit our office on Second Life or schedule a visit here in Atlanta. For more information about Candler School of Theology, visit our website at www.candler.emory.edu, or email the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at candleradmissions@emory.edu. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com. We recently started a group on MySpace too, so hopefully we’ll connect with you soon online or in person.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 2:35 PM
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Saturday, March 15, 2008

Concentrate on Concentrations

Though classes are not in session this week because it is spring break at Candler School of Theology, surprisingly, I’ve been thinking a lot about academics. While I thoroughly enjoyed—even loved—my classes, faculty interactions, assignments and studies during my time at Candler from 2004-2007, I think I would have really excelled and delighted in the new Master of Divinity curriculum that Candler launched this school year. If only my discernment and decision to attend seminary had happened a few years later! As I mentioned before, I have very few complaints about my own experience as a Candler student, but the interactive nature of the curriculum through Contextual Education, introductory Arts of Ministry classes, advising groups, reflection colloquies, and a plethora of Concentrations to choose from certainly sounds appealing to me, one who already is and has a “Master of Divinity.”

There is a strong interdisiplinary foundation to the degree program, which offers a core curriculum that is nurtured and grounded in Christian texts, traditions, theology and practices. All the elements of the curriculum foster courageous leadership and compassionate inquiry in the practices of ministry and theological reflection. If that doesn’t sound cool enough, this new curriculum allows each student to choose a Concentration that I like to think of and compare to a minor. Just like the Minor Prophets from Hebrew scripture, you will graduate as a Minor of Leadership in Church and Community (or something else from the list of concentrations), not to mention a Master of Divinity. This choose-your-own-adventure style of study allows students to develop their interests and passions through focused study in a particular area by engaging with other students and faculty with the same interests.

The following are Candler’s concentrations:
Formation and Witness
Leadership in Church and Community
Religion, Health and Science
Religion and Race
Scripture and Interpretation
Society and Personality
Theology and the Arts
Theology and Ethics
Traditions of the Church
Women and Religion

Just like many of us, I’m sure that before you reached the end of the list, there were at least one or two concentrations that sparked your interest, peaked your imagination, or made you run for your bookshelf in remembrance of a favorite author or writing. And though I can’t give you the full description of each and every concentration in this one little blog post (check with the Candler registrar’s office to read the Concentration Handbook), take my word for it, these classes are going to rock your world.

How do concentrations work, you might ask? Well, each concentration requires 12-15 hours of classes to complete, and each Master of Divinity student is required to complete a concentration in order to graduate. There is a handy-dandy Concentration Handbook that students have and will be made available online soon, which outlines the courses offered for each concentration. Because of the integrative nature of learning here, it is very likely that classes can overlap and count for various concentrations, so you could be sharing a classroom with students in the Religion and Race concentration as well as Society and Personality. Though not required, if you are so energized by the learning process here at Candler, you can complete more than one concentration during your degree program. This works well for someone with diverse passions and interests or for one who is trying to diversify one’s resume!

Now is the time to be studying at Candler, and we want you to be in academic study and play with us! I hope I didn’t make you “concentrate” too hard on the gory details, but we do hope you will seriously consider Candler when discerning about seminary education. For more information about Candler School of Theology, visit our website at http://www.candler.emory.edu/, or email the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at candleradmissions@emory.edu. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 11:50 AM
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Friday, February 29, 2008

Heritage Month

Though previous blog posts have shared a variety of events and happenings around campus this month, February has also been Heritage Month, co- sponsored by the Black Student Caucus (BSC) and the Black Church Studies Program of Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Mark Jefferson, Master of Divinity senior, is the president of Black Student Caucus, and in his writings below he takes us not only through the journey of this past month but also through his discernment journey that led him here to study at Candler.


By Mark Jefferson

I feel especially honored to be a guest blogger for Candler School of Theology at Emory University. My sojourn at Candler has been a “beautiful struggle.” I believe that Heritage Month has reflected that same theme. February, which is Heritage Month, provides the Black Student Caucus (BSC) the ability to reflect and commemorate our intentionally obscured yet luminous past as we find the courage to see the light that Christ casts upon our future. The Black Student Caucus, for over 20 years, provides African students across the Diaspora an opportunity for spiritual, cultural, educational, theological edification and exposure. This month the Caucus had the honor of inviting the esteemed poet, author, civil rights activist and lecturer Nikki Giovanni. With a standing-room only crowd, she gave gleanings on various issues and provided an ocular demonstration of the power of a committed life.

During one of the chapel services the BSC planned and led, Rev. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., the Pastor/Teacher of The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia preached about how not to “Corrupt Our Calling.” His homiletic prowess and passion for ministry has garnered him many accolades and honors. Each guest demonstrates the beauty that is blackness and the strength that has resonated in the souls of all those who have trodden those dusty pathways of freedom and justice.

The month concluded with the celebration of the work of our own beloved professor and new Director of Black Church Studies, Dr. Teresa Fry Brown. These events stand as bridgeheads of a wonderful journey that we have humbly and joyously embarked upon. With a wonderful month of celebration closing soon, I am able to see the seemingly dissonant sound of theological education has proven to be the sweetest sound I could have ever imagined.

I considered several schools before the God commissioned me to Candler. I must admit that the struggle seemed to stifle instead of strengthen me. I often dreamed of packing my belongings in my 1993 Dodge Dynasty and going back to the life I knew. The struggle of theological diversity and experiencing a new understanding of God overwhelmed me. Being malcontented and overly guarded of my own theological positions and presuppositions caused me to initially miss what God had for me to learn.

I would be less than authentic to say that theological education will be all honey and no bees, all sunshine and no rain, a bouquet of hellos and not a series of goodbyes. To accomplish any great task, fear is often the necessary prerequisite. Not fear as in paralysis, but fear as in a healthy respect for the call of theological education on our lives. I felt smothered by the mantle of learning and sharing with God’s people and creation at large.

I believe the turning point in my theological education came finding a church that supported theological maturation. The aforementioned Pastor Smith afforded me the opportunity to ask the tough theological question, use the theoretical frameworks that I have learned, and to find a harmony between academia and the church. I would advise anyone to pray about a person to assist you in discerning the voice and vision of God. This will allow you a concrete manner to see God’s movement in your life.

I find this blog humorous because I went from being ready to go and quit it all to thanking God for every moment. Christ granted me the maturity to aggregate what I learn with my love for him. I was afforded the opportunity to preach in chapel last week. I found it strange because I was able to see a marked sense of growth. It is often ironic that the person who felt like the most unlikely and chronically overwhelmed, ended up technologically testifying to you. There may be someone who may be wondering about this next step. There may be extreme trepidation and turmoil but I assure you that the same God that led you to read this blog is the same God that will give you the strength to endure, enjoy, and appreciate this journey so that you may blog to students like yourself three years from now.

I am bowing out, my time is far spent but I thank you for considering Candler School of Theology. I pray that God will lead you in all you do. I am looking forward to see how you impact the world for Christ. If you are on campus, please shake my hand.

Graciously,

Mark A. Jefferson
Black Student Caucus, President

Mark Jefferson is a third year Master of Divinity student from Hampton, Virginia. He graduated from Norfolk State University where he was four year letterman on the football team. He currently serves as the Director of Christian Education for the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.


Are you thinking about taking the next steps towards theological education or interested in seminary? For more information about Candler School of Theology, visit our website at www.candler.emory.edu, or email the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at candleradmissions@emory.edu. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 1:23 PM
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Friday, February 22, 2008

Candler Mustache Society

The Candler Mustache Society, the newest addition to Candler School of Theology’s community, is on a unique and hairy campaign to end domestic violence this month. This new society, with some of its members pictured to the right with Dean Jan Love, has invited all Candler-associated men to grow a mustache for the month of February, or Febru-Hairy as they call it, to raise awareness about domestic violence as well as money for the Dekalb County Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.

Mustache-growers are asked to collect pledges for their superior ‘staches. The end of the month will culminate in a “Stache Bash” where the person who has raised the most money and the one with the most luxurious locks will each win a prize. In this inaugural hair growth period, there are about 16 active mustache society members, including one faculty member and one spouse of a Candler student. The husband of Whitney Walton, 1st year Master of Divinity student is participating, and Whitney says, “It wasn't hard to convince Brandon to participate - this fundraiser gives both of us an opportunity to contribute creatively to a cause that we think is important. Plus, it gave him an excuse to rock out some crazy facial hair! It's really exciting how his participation in the project has involved non-Candler people and generated awareness beyond the campus.”

The mastermind behind the Candler Mustache Society is Elizabeth Wilson, 1st year MDiv student. Elizabeth shares, “When I got here, I noticed an abundance of facial hair, met some big-hearted philanthropic men, and recognized a way to mobilize people to help a marginalized group. Growing a mustache costs nothing, but has a big visual impact.”

The Candler Mustache Society has partnered with the Dekalb County Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence in this fundraiser. Elizabeth tells me that, “The WRCEDV was thrilled to have a group of men supporting their cause and I've been pleased with how our community has started to support the society.” The WRCEDV helps victims of Domestic Violence in a variety of ways, from their 24-hour hotline support and counseling center to their safehouse for victims who need a place to reside while they transition into stable living environments. Legal advocates are provided to assist women, and support groups meet weekly, which are led by trained staff.

The WRCEDV also provides childcare and child and youth advocacy for the children living in the safehouse. They also serve the larger community by offering community education to local organizations and schools about domestic and dating violence. Not only is this a fun and humorous way to raise money for a great non-profit, it is also raising awareness about domestic violence.
Chad McGinnis, 3rd year MDiv pictured to the right, says, “I usually like to change up my facial hair periodically, though mustaches are typically not on my rotation. But it makes it worthwhile knowing that whatever proceeds we raise go to helping prevent and educate about domestic violence.”

The Candler Mustache Society gathered some statistics from the Dekalb County Women's Resource Center to teach the Candler community the reality and truth about domestic abuse. Did you know that over 100 Georgians are killed every year in domestic violence related incidents? Children living in violent homes have higher school dropout rates, increased incidence of teen pregnancy and lower-self esteem than children raised in non-violent homes. And the FBI reports that a woman is beaten every nine seconds in the United States.

Craig Newman, 3rd year MDiv student, pictured on the left, tells me, “I chose to join the group for two reasons: I have no problem growing facial hair, and I wanted to contribute to a worthy cause. Some of the participants look pretty ridiculous, myself included, but the whole thing's been a lot of fun.”

I, personally, am impressed with these men’s commitments to helping end the cycle of domestic abuse, and to show my support and solidarity for this noble endeavor, I, myself, have taken a hiatus from shaving my legs this month, and hope the women of Candler will find further creative ways to join this hairy society.

There’s a lot growing around here at Candler, particularly as spring begins to bloom. I hope you will consider planting roots here at Candler, and invite you to learn more about the Admissions process by visiting our website. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 9:37 AM
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Friday, January 25, 2008

Who'll Be a Witness For My Lord?

Daniel Ogle, Master of Divinity senior, our guest blogger this week, paints a picture of the great diversity of the Candler School of Theology community. As he names the great cloud of witnesses that surround him and continue to encourage him during his time at Candler, there are bound to be individuals that come to mind who have helped you in your discernment process, been supporters along the journey, and have lifted your spirits or your name in prayer. Who are your witnesses? When have you been a witness? Please journey with Daniel as he introduces you to his community of witnesses, pastors, professors, and proclaimers who have made his Candler experience one he will never forget.

One of my favorite moments at Candler is when the Candler Singers, one of our choirs, which sing weekly in chapel, perform the song, “Witness”. The singers ask the question, “Who’ll be a witness for my Lord?,” and then they begin randomly pointing, first at one student, and then at another, and then a faculty member, and another student, and on it goes as they point out the witnesses within our community in a contemporary rendering of the listing of Great Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews 11.

And although the song can be, and is, sung in many places, I am continually impressed and blessed by the great cloud of witnesses that surround me here at Candler. There are faithful pastors in training like Lance Presley and Julie Songer, who are committed to developing and nurturing believers in the church. We are surrounded by Christian scholars and leaders in waiting like Joshua Ralston and Lauren Henricksen, who show us that discipleship demands our minds. Powerful preachers like Mark Jefferson and Conitras Houston proclaim the Gospel with passion and fire, giving us glimpses of the Kingdom while showing us that what we do matters, and matters greatly. Professors like Brooks Holifield, the C.H. Candler professor of American church history, and Tom Long, the Bandy professor of preaching, and Mary Elizabeth Moore, director of the program for women in theology and ministry and professor of religion and education, witness by combining academic excellence with a profound commitment to the Church. Students like Mary Messara-Redman and Clayton Smith, who juggle school and family while serving as student pastors, show us their faith and commitment by bringing the real life concerns of people in the pews into our community.

Seminary, like the Christian life, is not a solo journey but is a trip that takes a village. These witnesses and so many more like them at Candler have enriched my life and helped me become a more faithful Christian as I have tried to follow Jesus. Who will be a witness for My Lord? Whether in structured classroom discussions, impromptu table talk in Brooks Commons, worship in Cannon Chapel or in service throughout the community, we can proudly say that the great cloud of witnesses is all around us and among us. Thanks be to God.


Daniel Ogle is a third-year Master of Divinity student from Sevierville, Tennessee. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 2001 and should have done so with a minor in religion, but dropped the minor his last semester because he thought, “I’ll never need that again.” Oops. Prior to attending Candler, Daniel analyzed religion on Saturday afternoons by covering the Clemson football team for the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail newspaper. After graduation, he hopes to actually practice religion and help others do so too by serving as an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church.

Would you like to be a witness for a fellow peer in seminary? Are you searching for a cloud of witnesses to support and encourage you in your discernment process? Candler School of Theology is preparing witnesses, pastors, professors, and proclaimers for service in the Church and the world. We want to be part of your journey, and if you would like more information about Candler, please visit our website, email us at candleradmissions@emory.edu, or call us at 404.727.6326. We are also on Facebook, and you are welcome to join the Candler School of Theology Facebook group.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 12:02 PM
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Friday, January 18, 2008

You Can Do This

There is snow falling outside and students buying textbooks at the Cokesbury Bookstore inside. On the eve of the first day of classes for the spring semester at Candler, deep in the south, here in Atlanta, Georgia, as kids rejoice at the possibility of a snow day, Candler students pack their schoolbags, finalize their schedules, and prepare for the semester. Candler School of Theology is back in business. Classes resumed on Thursday, January 17, 2008, and seniors could not be more thrilled! They are two days closer to graduation.

For the next two weeks, the blog will feature two of our graduating Master of Divinity seniors as they begin their final semester of seminary. I hope you will hear and feel the celebration in Sheila Elliott's words as you read below.


Everything is in. All of my commissioning papers, Bible study, sermon, security check, credit check, applications for CPE, and a fall semester full of take homes, sermons, and papers. I am surrounded by piles of paper and there are various books strewn about. As I prepare to leave Candler I am reminded of my first semester and how long three years seemed at the time. I was financially, socially, and personally looking into the unknown. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown, Associate Professor of Homiletics, preached during worship at my Candler orientation, and even now, her words ring in my ears – “you can do this!” Her words soothed my uncertainty and gave me the lift I needed to begin the journey. I contemplated returning to my home and career during the spring semester of my first year, but the words of my pastor prepared me to remain for the duration. So, I stayed, and I am incredibly glad and thankful that I did.

A famous player in the Negro Baseball League once said that it’s alright to look back just don’t stare. Pursuing theological education and accepting one’s call into the ministry requires looking down the road that is ahead, not staring at what was left behind. I decided to commit to the journey and to the Candler community, opting not to squint in order to see the end. I decided instead to focus on where I was at the time. A good look at Candler revealed challenges, of course, but what I have seen and experienced at Candler has truly blessed me. I have enjoyed the fellowship and friendship.

The thought that there will come a day when I won’t see Maxine, Wilbur, Kirstyn, Steve, Sarah, Marlo, Anna, Greg and others or say something sassy to Sonja is almost unimaginable. I will miss worship and to some extent community lunch, but I know that my journey here is coming to an end and I’m ready. I know that I am leaving a place I have come to cherish and folks I have grown to love. But I’m ready. Being ready isn’t primarily about no longer wanting to be a student or having grown weary of papers and exams. Readiness is about the pull of what one is being called to do. I don’t feel as if I’m being pushed out of Candler, but drawn into that which I have been prepared and called to do. I know that there are lessons still to learn, and leaving is bittersweet, I’m just thankful that I was able to come to a place that now feels like home.


Sheila Elliott was born into a military family in South Carolina, and she has lived aboard since she was four years old. Sheila has a PhD in International Relations from the University of South Carolina, and she taught in higher education for 20 years both at Columbia College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sheila is currently a graduating senior Master of Divinity student at Candler School of Theology, and she hopes to get commissioned as a probationary elder in the South Carolina Annual Conference in June, 2008.

Just as Dr. Teresa Fry Brown preached, you can do this; you can go to seminary; you can come to Candler. For more information about Candler School of Theology, visit our website at www.candler.emory.edu, or email the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at candleradmissions@emory.edu. In addition, you can call us at 404.727.6326, or learn more about the admissions process at Candler by clicking here. Look for my profile on Facebook (Candler Intern-Theology) and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 10:26 AM
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Friday, December 21, 2007

Halfway to Graduation

What moments can you remember from your life’s journey in which you were halfway finished completing something? Some moments will certainly be more significant than others. You may remember being halfway through a candy bar; halfway through a good book; halfway to your destination; halfway through your Candler School of Theology admissions application or perhaps a research paper. There is an entire class of second year students, which we call Middlers, here at Candler who can celebrate the fact that they are halfway through their seminary career as Master of Divinity students. Three semesters down—three semester yet to go. This week, we have invited two of those Middlers to blog about their experiences here at Candler as they reflect upon being at the center of their seminary careers. Please continue reading below for the words of Lauren Lobenhofer and Jonathan Tompkins, two of our halfway to graduation students.


Brooks Commons at the Center
By Lauren Lobenhofer

Brooks Commons is the center of our everyday liturgy at Candler School of Theology. As I’ve learned in the first half of my time at Candler, worship consists of four parts: gathering, Word, meal, and sending forth. In reflecting on my time at Candler, I realized that liturgy is lived out every day in Brooks Commons, in the rhythms of our daily lives.

In the early morning, small clusters of sleepy students gather around the room, imbibing mass amounts of coffee. It is a time of fellowship, of rehashing the previous evening’s reading assignments, and of saying a quick “hello” between early morning prayer and the start of class. I see my friends, grab a snack from the vending machine, and head to class.

As I make my way to my classes, other students trickle into Brooks, lounging on the couches to read or setting up laptops on the tables around the room. The laughter and conversations from the early morning fade into quiet studying, and the only sounds that break the dense quiet are the noises and giggles of the youngest member of the Candler community, the seven-month-old child of two Candler students, who greets the entering students with her bright smiles.

But as the middle of the day approaches, the decibel level rises again as students gather around the tables to eat lunch. When chapel ends at noon, we crowd in to share the table together. Students heat packed lunches in the microwaves, purchase food from community lunch provided through the Office of Student Programming (OSP), and bring in food from the food court in Cox Hall. We overflow the room, crowding around the tables and forming clusters on the floor to share our meals, converse, and laugh together. It’s my favorite time of day at Candler. I love to eat with my friends as we laugh about ridiculous theological jokes and share our desserts.

As the clock ticks towards 1:00 p.m., most of us pour out the double doors of Brooks on our way to afternoon classes. Some remain behind, however, to meet with study groups and even professors during their open office hours. Students remain around the tables together to exegete texts and discuss theological ideas together.

Toward dinnertime, though, the students begin to depart. I usually stop into Brooks Commons before I leave for the day, just to see if anyone is still around, but I usually find it empty. The first few times that I saw Brooks Commons without students, it seemed sad to me. But when I started thinking about it, I realized that the absence of the community here means that they’re out doing ministry elsewhere. They have left behind this place of everyday worship and gone out to work in the world. So Brooks Commons sits empty, waiting for us to gather again the next day.

Lauren Lobenhofer is a originally from Ada, Ohio, a town with only four stoplights. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, combining Religious Studies, Sociology, and History. She is a certified candidate in the United Methodist ministry process and hopes to become an Elder and serve in a parish setting, since she has been unable to achieve her childhood dream of becoming the quarterback of the Denver Broncos.


“Whoa, We’re Halfway There!”
by Jonathan Tompkins

I ran the Mardi Gras marathon in New Orleans a few years ago. During our training, I joked with my running mates that when we reached mile thirteen on the big day of the race, I was going to sing out “Whoa, we’re halfway there!” ala Bon Jovi’s song “Livin’ on a Prayer.” I am currently a year and a half into my “Candler marathon” and can sing this out as well.

This theological race I’m running resembles the Mardi Gras run in many ways (minus the beads and what some folks do to get them). Each involves much more than “livin’ on a prayer.” They require a deep sense of motivation, the proper training, the presence of running buddies, perseverance through pain, and a finish line. I came to Candler School of Theology after finally, with much weeping and gnashing of teeth, consenting to God’s call into ordained ministry. Since making that decision, I have continually been motivated by my Candler experience.

The theological and practical aspects of my education here have reaffirmed my call and have trained me in the ways of the servant-leader. I have met some wonderful and interesting people who have affirmed me, challenged me, and have kept me laughing as we run the race together. I have continued worshipping the God who loves me, sometimes in new and different ways, even when some aspects of my education have painfully shaken my faith. I keep my eyes on the finish line of graduation and entrance into the ministry while still thinking about the race so far and embracing the course ahead.

“Whoa, we’re halfway there…”, but we’re living on much, much more than a prayer. Thanks be to God for that.

Jonathan Tompkins is a second-year Master of Divinity student at Candler School of Theology. He grew up in upstate New York but relocated to Columbia, South Carolina after graduating from college. He taught middle school English for three years followed by five years as Director of Youth and College Ministries at a large United Methodist church. He has been married to his lovely wife Rebecca since August 12, 2006—two weeks before he started at Candler School of Theology. He is not singing “Whoa, we’re halfway there” when it comes to that.

Maybe halfway through reading this blog, you realized that you’d like to visit Candler to check out the atmosphere that Lauren describes about Brooks Commons, or perhaps Jonathan has encouraged you to run towards your calling. We would love to talk to you more about your call and where you feel your life and God may be leading you. If you are currently discerning if seminary is the next step in your faith journey, I hope you will consider Candler as a community for you to live into your calling. You should also consider visiting campus for the day so you can meet with an Admissions Advisor, attend class, participate in worship in Cannon Chapel, and eat lunch with current students. Please contact us in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at candleradmissions@emory.edu, call us at 404.727.6326, check us out online at www.candler.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/. In addition, look for my profile on Facebook, named Candler Intern-Theology, and the Candler School of Theology Group at www.facebook.com.

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posted by Candler Admissions at 9:35 AM
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