I Know This…

I am going to go completely out of my comfort zone on this post, but something in side of me is saying to write, so I will.

Yesterday, a group of students at SSW hosted a workshop called Sexuality and Ministry. The purpose of the workshop was to learn how to have a meaningful and informed conversation about sexuality and ministry. In July, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church could pass an amendment supporting same sex blessings. What does this mean? It means that a Diocese that wants to bless same sex marriages would have the authority to do so through the Episcopal Church.

I am very appreciative of my fellow seminarians that took the initiative to start this conversation. As leaders in the Church, it will be up to us to help our brothers and sisters to have fruitful conversations about this sensitive topic. We have to learn to worship together, accept each other and most importantly love one another.

One of the presenters at the workshop said this, “we are called to minister to people, not ideologies and causes.” I really think that sums up what ministry is truly about. No matter what the issue is, it is God’s people that matter. What I do know is that we have to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are all God’s precious children, without regard to the color of our skin, our gender or our sexual orientation.

I also know this; it takes all of us to make up the Body of Christ. I encourage us all to be a part of this conversation and to remember that we are all God’s people. Thank you for letting me get out of my comfort zone and speak from my heart.

Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour

My Theology...

My Theology…

As you might imagine, in seminary you not only learn about theology but you try to make sense of what your own theology is. I have always said that my theology is that God is love. I still believe that, but I want to go deeper with that statement. How do we know God’s love? How do we know when God is speaking to us and is showing His love for us through others? What does the word love mean? I don’t have the answers to the questions, but I am certainly thinking about them. I am also becoming more aware of my gifts - and issues that I need to work on!

I have always been a “doer.” You know, the person who volunteers, steps in, organizes events; this was my world for eleven years as a development officer. I am learning how to keep my “doer” personality while letting others shine as well. One hundred forty two amazing leaders surround me at SSW and many of them are “doers” as well. I have told you all this before, but this seminary is producing fabulous priests, counselors and chaplains. We are all in for a treat! How do I fit in to this group of one hundred forty two great people? How do I strengthen my gifts but also allowing for growing edges, edges that often hurt? These are the questions that I ponder often. These are the questions that I process with my classmates. In addition, how do I continue to remind myself that it is usually not about me?

This blog update isn’t a negative update; it is just real and what I am feeling. So, don’t get me wrong, I am still happy as a lark and I am enjoying every minute of seminary. I am also growing and sometimes growing hurts. I will admit having my Mom and Aunt Jane visit over Spring Break was a shot in the arm of goodness for me. I will be happy to be with my family this summer. In turn, I will be happy to come back to Austin in August.

So what is my theology? It is still God is love and I hope it always will be. But I am going to continue to ask myself what does that really mean and how does it strengthen our relationship with God. How are we creating space for Christ to show up in our lives? How are we letting God love us?

I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am also praying for all of you that I love deeply. You are often in my thoughts and are very missed.

Blessings as the ride continues…

Mary Balfour

Spring Break 2012...

Spring Break 2012…

I am going to scale back my blogpost writing to every two weeks. As you can imagine, my schoolwork is getting harder and I don’t have as much time as I would like to devote to blogging. With that being said, Spring Break 2012 is here!!! I am excited to have a week off and even more thrilled that Mom and Aunt Jane are coming on Monday. We are planning on eating great meals, visiting Lady Bird Johnson’s wildflower reserve, shopping on South Congress and possibly a trip to San Antonio.

The last two weeks have been busy with Visitor’s Weekend, midterms and the daily activities of the life of a seminarian. Visitor’s Weekend was a huge success and it was a joy to participate in the event. I think we recruited some wonderful people to be a part of our community. I am already so excited about seeing them again in the fall. I took several tests this past week. They were challenging to say the least! I am trying to be positive and remind myself I gave them my best effort. I do put a lot of time and effort into my studies because this information is so important! I want to retain every bit of it. It is still very exciting to sit in class and devour the Bible, ponder the thoughts of prominent theologians and learn to chant our beautiful services.

I am excited to tell you that I will be going to the Episcopal Church’s General Convention this summer in Indianapolis. I will be traveling with other SSW students to be a part of the seminary’s social media team. We will be tweeting, facebooking, and blogging about the event. If you are on twitter, please follow me: marybalfourvz. I look forward to sharing with you all the important decisions that will be made this summer in Indianapolis.

I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am always amazed by the amount of healing that happens. God is working on my heart in this area. I think I will keep this up way past Lent!!!

Please know that I am praying for those that I can’t see and touch everyday. You are in my thoughts and prayers as the ride continues…

Mary Balfour