October 2016 came quickly during my fall semester, and it was time for me to travel up for my week long residential class. As usual, I rented a car to take up to Luther Seminary, but I was met at the rental place with bad news. Despite my reservation, there were no cars available, and … Continue reading Bonhoeffer: 2016 Trip to Luther
Study and Work at the Beach
All the advice that I read online about CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) kept mentioning that the student should take a vacation after completing an intensive unit of CPE. As my summer serving as a chaplain drew to a close, I imagined the wonderful vacation that my husband and I were planning to take in September. … Continue reading Study and Work at the Beach
Endorsement Interview
A year and a half ago I started my official journey towards ordination when I received a positive entrance decision to begin candidacy. There are a few major interviews in this process, which I am thankful for. The screening, background checks, reflective essay writing, and interviews with various people help us to really think seriously … Continue reading Endorsement Interview
Spring 2016 Trips to Luther
Once my first two trips to Luther were over I reflected that the drive there and back wasn't too difficult. Certainly it's long, but I enjoy podcasts so much that it seemed to make the time go by much more quickly. Couple that with my love of the Jennifer Fulwiler Show on the Catholic Channel … Continue reading Spring 2016 Trips to Luther
January 2016 Dismantling Racism
The first semester of school flew by. After I got home from my intensive I had many projects to work on for the four classes I was taking. While the class portion of the intensive was over, I still had essays to write for it. As Christmas break approached, I realized that I would not … Continue reading January 2016 Dismantling Racism
Home Office
Since 2012 I've been working online from home, but I didn't have an actual home office until I started seminary. Prior to this, we lived in small apartments, so there was no room for me to have a dedicated workspace. I have found that for me having a home office is crucial to succeeding in … Continue reading Home Office
Taking Classes Online
As evidenced by my B.A. in English and M.A. in English literature, I love studying. I study for fun, researching anything that I happen to be interested in at the moment through books and magazines. Given my desire to always be learning, taking classes online may seem to make a lot of sense. An online … Continue reading Taking Classes Online
October 2015 Campus Intensive
After checking for advice from my online classmates who had traveled this way many times before me, I felt confident about what to pack for my first trip to Luther Seminary. I stuffed an extension cord in my luggage, a coffeemaker for my room, and plenty of creative supplies for my evenings. My three cats … Continue reading October 2015 Campus Intensive
Fall 2015: Seminary Life at Home
What would it be like to take most of my classes online? As my first day of seminary approached I felt a combination of exhilaration and curiosity about doing coursework online. Although I had used an online component in my teaching of college writing, including the use of Blackboard, it had been about fifteen years … Continue reading Fall 2015: Seminary Life at Home
Candidacy Retreat
It was just a month until I would start seminary, and I was heading off to a candidacy retreat with members of my synod and other candidates for ministry. The retreat was being held at the same place my entrance interview took place. Pulling up to the grounds after a few months away was interesting because … Continue reading Candidacy Retreat
Emily McQuillan 