Warm welcomes to those who are joining me on this new adventure!
I am Amy Wills and I am a 21 year old, (first year) Senior year in college. Recently, I have begun the Candidacy process in the Capital Area North district of the West Ohio Conference, located in Columbus, Ohio. This past November I had the privilege of attending Exploration 2011, - an event that I would recommend to any young adult considering ordained ministry. During my time there I was able to get a better insight into the world of ministry as a young adult. From the workshops, the speakers, the company and the fair of the thirteen UMC seminaries, I was filled with more knowledge than I could have ever hoped to learn but I also found myself more than a little overwhelmed by all of the information that was coming at me at rapid speed! I began to seriously think about what my future holds in the way of seminaries and I knew that the seminary displays and the five minute general overviews were simply not enough to make an educated decision.
Since St. Louis, I have been planning something I like to call, "Seminary Tour 2012." With the support of many of my family, mentors and peers, I have decided to move forward with this year-long adventure. Each month I will be traveling to different parts of the country to one of the thirteen United Methodist seminaries with the hopes of learning more about each school has to offer and therefore making a decision of where I would like to continue my education. As of now, I am scheduled through May for visits!
Although the hope is to learn for myself, I also want to share what I experience during my time at each school with my fellow young adults who are also discerning their call to seminary. I will document my travels through this blog about not only the financial, academic side of seminary, but the parts that deal with our spirituality, sense of community and surrounding environment- aspects that are very important to consider when looking at a school but are often overlooked. Ultimately, when each individual person is deciding where they will go, their experiences will be different than my own, but I hope to shed some light on what each school is all about. I'll be updating from the school, after each visit, and periodically in between trips so be on the look out for my posts!
This is a wonderful (and a kind of exciting-terrifying hybrid) journey I am embarking on. It is a journey not only to further discern where God is leading me but also to grow in my relationship with God. I want so much for you to be a part of the adventure with me and I hope to hear your thoughts and opinions as the year goes on.
Here's to a new year and here's to Seminary Tour 2012!
Love & Joy
Seminary Tour 2012
I'm back up and running from Columbus, Ohio! Click for some "fun facts" ;)
Go Amy Go!
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see where God takes you this year.
I hope you learn lots!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started my seminary search I only considered UM seminaries in the South. Then I was encouraged to consider places like Vanderbilt, Princeton and Mercer (in Atlanta).
I ended up going to a school I hadn't heard of before I started the search: Asbury. Did you know that more UM Elders graduate from Asbury than any one of the 13?
Maybe you can schedule a visit here too. :)
I'd like to add one thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started visiting seminaries financial aid was probably at the top of my considerations, but that quickly fell. God has provided anyway. :)
I think the most important consideration is one that isn't available as an option on your poll. I suggest that you take care to consider spiritual formation at whichever school you end up at.
It's possible to be far more than more educated when you complete seminary. God would like to use this time as a time you grow closer.
It's entirely possible that with the right environment and humble spirit you will become more of what Wesley called the "Altogether Christian" which is of greatest importance to any congregation you may serve in the future.