Friday, January 14, 2011

Arrived safely in India and am having a wonderful time. So far, no problems adjusting to traveling, time changes, or the food. Attended three fantastic lectures this morning and will be visiting two Hindu statues this afternoon. Much more to come in the next two weeks. The weather is beautiful as is the United Theological College Campus.

More later as time allows.
Peace and blessing from India
Cindy

December 21^st, 2010

The midpoint of my seminary experience has arrived!

As of December 21st, I have completed three semesters with three more to go with a projected graduation date of May 19, 2012. I have completed 54 credits towards the 92 needed to complete a Masters of Divinity (MDiv). It never fails, the more I learn the more I want to know.

During the second and third year of study, I am required to participate in a Field Education (Internship) experience. For this year, I have chosen the non-profit Leadership Now. The organization is affiliated with the seminary and works with youth. I have participated in three youth retreats this semester and have been exploring the inner workings of the non-profit. During the last retreat I taught the group how to make prayer boxes. The group worked through the frustration of learning to make the correct folds in the paper and was quite amazed when the pieces created the prayer box. I have enjoyed meeting the youth involved in the program and being a part of the team putting on the retreats. The retreats vary including ½ day, weekend, week, and trips to other countries. www.leadershipnow.org

This summer I took a six week intensive course learning biblical Greek. This Fall: History of Christianity Part I, Paul and the Early Church, Worship, Ministerial Formation, and a preparatory course for travel to India (Jan 11-26). The seminary requires all students in the MDiv program to participate in a cross-cultural experience which is why I am traveling to India during the January Term. While in India we will be using Bangalore as our base. I will share the experience with you when I return.

I have taken on an interesting side project for next semester. I was asked by the Dean of the Seminary to create a prayer practice based on Praying the Hours using inclusive language. I have been recruiting a small team to support my endeavors and the response has been overwhelming. The project is to include four weeks of Ordinary Time prayers with supplements for Lent and Advent to be completed by May. I ask for your prayers for the project and its many volunteers.

On December 21^st my Grandmother passed away. At 93, she had outlived her husband, son (my father), 2 siblings, and most of her friends. She lived a full and amazing life, she will be missed. I stayed in Lancaster for Christmas allowing travel to NY for the funeral December 26^th. She was proud of my attending seminary and had requested in her arrangements to have me co-officiate her funeral. It was a surprise I learned days before the funeral and a special honor.

As the New Year begins, I ask for your prayers for those of us traveling to India for our cross cultural experience. Thank you for your support as I continue this amazing journey. You are what keeps me grounded and I am blessed to have you on this adventure with me.

Peace and Blessings,

Cindy

561 College Ave B203

Lancaster, PA 17603

September 12, 2009

As I was informed on Friday in Orientation, I am now officially a Seminarian! Although a lifelong dream, I never thought it would become a reality. I made the final move to Lancaster on Wednesday the 9^th after bringing most of my things the week before. I have a second level campus apartment with only stair access; I was blessed with several friends who made the trip from NC and VA to assist with moving in.

My plan is to make St James’ Episcopal Church my home while in Lancaster. They have a Saturday evening Eucharist service which, if I attend, will allow me to church hop on Sundays. I am very much out of my comfort zone in Lancaster and the familiarity of the Episcopal service is much needed. Lancaster has a rich variety of churches in the city and I hope to visit them all to get a taste of what they are like. The Seminary also holds chapel Mon-Thurs following a variety of traditions which sounds promising. I understand I will be expected to participate in organizing and putting on such services, yikes!

I start classes Monday the 14^th. I will be taking Intro to Old Testament, Biblical Interpretation, Theology and Ethics, and Ministry-Bereaved, Dying & Families. I have already started working on reading assignments for the first day of class. Tuesday is the only day I have a class before 1pm, now that is spoiled!

I want to thank each of you for your prayers as I begin this journey. Having you as part of my spiritual family has been a blessing.

Peace and Grace,

Cindy

561 College Ave B203

Lancaster, PA 17603

January 19, 2010

The first semester of my journey has come to a close. Since September I have had to deal with many guilty pleasures. Having my time filled with biblical studies and being on the campus of a seminary has far exceeded any and all of my expectations. The most challenging part has been finding enough time to devote to the enjoyment of the material being introduced. The more I do, the more I want to do. If only everything in life was like this!

The classes this semester ranged from a writing class to ministering the bereaved and dying. For those of us counting, I have completed 17 course hours towards the needed 92 for the Masters in Divinity. I will be returning to campus late in January to begin classes for the next semester. I have enrolled in seven classes and am excited about each one of them.

I had hoped to get into a 10 week Hospital Chaplaincy program during the summer, but it looks like I will be taking Biblical Greek for 6 weeks instead. Thanks to my mathematics background and being in a sorority during my undergrad years, I am familiar with some of the symbols but otherwise will be building from a blank slate. I look forward to being able to read the Greek New Testament instead of a translation.

The highlight of the second year is the International Cross-Cultural trip in January. I eagerly await the official announcement letting me know where my class will be going next January. The trip is a requirement for graduation, but I would eagerly sign up either way. I will have a class in the Fall Semester that will involve making preparations for the trip.

I was fortunate to be hired to work at the Seminary Library to work one day a week. I had considered going off campus for employment but was concerned with an employer’s willingness to work with my class schedule and semester breaks. I worked in the library while working on my undergraduate degree, but that was so many years ago, much has changed.

I will be back on the Outer Banks for Spring Break at the end of March.

Cindy L Bovee

561 College Ave B203

Lancaster, PA 17603

cbovee3227@yahoo.com