Lock-In

I had forgotten what a wonderful time a Junior High Lock-In could be. Staying up all night. Playing games. Eating lots of junk food. Playing "Sardines" and "Capture the Flag" in a darkened church (the sanctuary was off-limits [which if you think about it, it doesn't make a lot of sense. Why else call it a sanctuary]). Having "God Time". In short getting to know these young adults in way that doesn't happen in ordinary church or Sunday school.

The group playing "Hit man" . This is a game of intrigue and suspense where people continually get "knocked" off until the detective(s) can figure out who the hit man is. One might ask: is this an appropriate game to be playing in church? I am not going to answer that.

Some of our fearless leaders taking an eat break.

Surprise!! This was taken of one of the participants during Capture the Flag when the building was pitch black. Neither of us could see for the next ten minutes.

I appreciated this time, not only too be able to get to know these young adults better and to tap into their energy and enthusiasm, but also as a release from the day to day stuff at seminary. So, when is the next Lock-In?

Middler Life Crisis

Given my age you might think at first glance that this meant I was having a mid-life crisis. Although that may be possible, this actually refers to the internship selection process, which I have successfully completed. Let me explain...
First, the term "Middler" is one used by the seminary to denote a person who is in their second year of the MDiv program. This is preceded by the "Junior" year and followed by the "Intern" and "Senior" years. Do not ask me how or why these particular terms are used. they make no sense to me.
Second the internship selection process is one which creates a lot of angst, sleeplessness, and bouts of indecision. In addition there are feelings of wanting to support fellow seminarians, all the while knowing they are competing for some of the same intern sites. The process is one where a lot of paperwork needs to be filled out, sites to be looked at or reviewed, interviews with the pastors and internship committees of the prospective churches ( I knew of one person who had 10 interviews), six classes to be attended that explain the internship process, the selection of the top 4 sites that look most promising, and then the waiting ("Will I get my first choice?" "Will I get a site at all?"). All the while the folks at the seminary keep reiterating: "Trust the process!", which sounds a lot like Obi- Wan-Kanobi telling Luke to "Use the Force!"
Well the day finally came, and I know where I will be assigned next year. There is a medium size church (about the same size as Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Puyallup) in Dresser, Wisconsin that has been hosting interns for the last 20 years. As it is about 45 miles northeast of The Cities, I will be commuting there daily, starting in September. It looks like it will be a good site. There are no special programs, but rather it is a site that allows the intern to experience parish life on a day-by-day basis.
So endeth this "crisis". Now if I can just keep up with my homework!