Schools Back in Session...

Schools Back in Session…

It has been a while since you have heard from me on this blog.  I was writing so much in Haiti that I thought I would give you all a little break J We are finishing our second full week of the semester here at the Seminary of the Southwest.  It is going to be a great semester-busy, fun, hard!  I am up for the challenge and I am also going to squeeze in as much time as I can with my sweet friends in the senior class who will be leaving me in a few short months for the next adventure in their lives.

I also love the season of Lent. I think it works nicely in that it coincides with the beginning of school.  Lent is about praying, meditating, letting go of those things that take us further away from God.  Well, seminary is certainly deepening my relationship with God, so for me, school and Lent go hand and hand.

I preached my first sermon in Chapel last week (It actually was in our dining hall versus the Chapel as an experiment).  I preached about the first African American Episcopal priest, Absalom Jones.  I really loved researching this sermon and discovering all the wonderful ways that Absalom served as a disciple of Christ.  I was also very appreciative of a few friends who gave me feedback after I preached.  It is wonderful to hear, you did a great job, great sermon.  But, it is more helpful to hear constructive thoughts about how my sermon could be improved.  I really love preaching and I want it to be a strong point of my ministry.  I need feedback for that to happen, so thank you friends for your guidance.

I pray for blessings for you all during this Lenten season.  I hope we can all reflect on how we show our love to our neighbors, give grace to one another, and remember we are loved beyond our understanding by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings as the ride continues…  Mary Balfour