One day it's 66 degrees outside and people are running around in shorts and sandals and then, within 24 hours, we're bundled up like this
So when I found out that I was going to be able to retreat to the South, to North Carolina to visit Duke Divinity School, for ~30 hours, I was PUMPED. Anything to beat the bipolar weather we have been having around here.
OF COURSE we would get there and it would be 33 degrees, and a "blizzard" would be in the works (or to us MidWesterners, "flurries.")
Despite the weather, our visit to Duke was pleasant and informational.
We began our day with a worship service.
Always one of the best parts of these visits, this experience was quite different than what I've been a part of before. It was a very formal, morning prayer service that included sung call and response liturgy and Psalms. This service is held every morning and evening at Duke and they consider this to be an extremely important part of their seminary experience.
The structure of Goodson Chapel put us in the perfect mood to participate in a worship practice that was traditional and formal- it was a definitely different and almost intimidating; but isn't that how we grow? I enjoyed it very much.
After we finished with worship, we all gathered to meet with Dr. Robert Moses, the Admissions Recruiter for Duke Divinity. He welcomed us with warmth and hope and gave us so much information about Duke and the things that it has to offer.
While still a seminary, Duke should be known for its highly academic nature. Dr. Moses let us know that Duke is one of the only seminaries that turns people away, that they have limited spots within their Divinity school and it is a competitive journey to obtain one of those spots. From the beginning, they are very upfront about how their students are held to a higher standard and that with that comes a lot of work.
But they're not stiff, they like to have fun:
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| I don't know why, I think this is hysterical, though. |
One of the awesome things about being so integrated within the University's community is the opportunities for dual-degree options. It is possible for almost any degree program through the university to be worked into and beside your seminary degree.
Think about all of those possibilities to really hone in on a specific kind of of ministry!
Speaking of kinds of ministries, Duke has a hand in both rural and urban ministry opportunities which is one of the bonuses of being in the Durham area.
That was all in one sit-down session.
Wowza!
Next, we sat in on a class about the Exegesis of John.
It was an amazingly informational, discussion based, spirit-led session.
After the class was finished, a couple of the students came to us and introduced themselves.
The conversation that followed reinforced something inside of me;
It was as if a giant cloud that had been blocking my view had disappeared and everything was clear as crystal.
The point of this tour, the point of visiting all of these schools is not to find "the best one."
And this blog is not meant to be an outlet for me to "rank" them in any particular order. I've been asked this many different times by various faculty members, staff, students, prospectives, so I just want to clarify.
It's really important to me that you readers understand that I have been attempting to be as unbiased in these posts as possible.
If I have discovered anything in my travels, it is that the most beautiful, wonderful thing about these schools is that they each have their own identity.
Each school has amazing strengths.
They encourage the learning of the Word, a relationship with Christ, and facilitate the ability to grow in a healthy environment surrounded by people that will support them regardless of who they are, where they come from or where they are going.
And yes, each school also has things to work on.
But no one school is better than another and none of these schools are less than another.
There is a school made for each kind of person and it is not my job or my intention to mentally place anyone or tell you what school is best for you- only you can discern that for yourself.
My only hope is that my experiences can provide insight and just give you new information to chew on that you didn't know before.
I thank the student that initiated the conversation that prompted me to explain all of this;
and I'm grateful for the reminder that helped me see so clearly as to why I'm doing this.
John Wesley says it best in a quote that is proudly displayed in the halls of Duke:
And that is the best thing.
We got a tour after that for some decompression time.
Let me just tell you, the architecture alone is enough of a reason to visit Duke.
Even on a dreary day it was hard not to be amazed by the beauty in the campus.
So I'm giving you LOTS of pictures :)
After having to pry us away from the campus, Corey and I ate lunch with two current Duke Divinity students, one of which is part of an awesome FaceBook group that I'm a part of that serves as an open space to discuss our calls and ask any questions we might have.
UMC World = tiny.
Thanks for sharing your time with us, Darcy and John!
During the financial aid portion of the visit, we were able to discuss the normal things: scholarships, housing, etc, etc, etc.
However, I want to mention something that is important but might not be mentioned enough.
Certification.
Certification in the Candidacy program within your conference is a magical thing.
Not only will being an official Certified Candidate help to guide you through the important questions and thoughts that we should be asking ourselves as future/current seminarians, but it will also give you MONEY.
Yes. $$$$$.
The amount will vary from conference to conference but if you're looking to attend one of the official 13 United Methodist Seminaries, and you're Methodist, then this is totally worth it.
I highly encourage you to talk with someone about what the next step in the process is for you.
They also told us that Durham is one of the most affordable places to live and that because of their required field placements, everyone if guaranteed to receive money towards their education.
Duke is a place where those who seek further knowledge of Christ through rigorous academics and strong community can go and be successful.
Duke holds value in tradition; in the roots that we came from and the legacy that has been left for us as a Church.
Duke strongly believes in the integration of worship into the daily lives of their students and faculty.
Duke is a wonderful place :)
The plan for February is something new!
I've been asked about Asbury Theological Seminary many times by the people I've met during these visits.
Just a quick clarification, Asbury isn't one of the "Official 13."
Listen to me. I've definitely been around a Big 10 school for too long.... [GO BUCKS!]
When I was an intern with the West Ohio Conference, Asbury was one of our stops.
I don't think I retained enough information myself from the short visit there, so I've invited two of my favorite people to guest blog and give you some information about the school.
Reverend Brian Jones is the Associate Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Marble Cliff, OH. I have a super soft spot for this church and I'll tell y'all more as to why later.
Anyways, Pastor Jones is an Asbury grad and is definitely proud of it!
Katie Miller is a recent Ohio State graduate and a current seminarian at Asbury. Katie was an intern the same year I was and she also accompanied me to visit Garrett-Evangelical!
Two people, two perspectives, about the same school.
That post will be up in a couple weeks, so keep an eye out.
Blessings & peace to all :)
