From The Most Unexpected Places ...

I received a text this weekend from a friend; a new friend really, someone with whom I never shared social circles with but whose way of embracing challenges has been life-giving for me. A portion of the text read, "I believe in you."

As I work through my Pastoral Care course at Iliff, I am reminded that though we have journeyed beyond some of the challenges in our lives, and the wounds have healed, the scars remain as a constant reminder. For me, this text was the water I have thirsted for. I believe in the human connection and that we are all intertwined. It is in our differences that we are tempted with judgement. Social narratives are embedded in us and blur the lens with which we see others. When we succumb to that judgement we then evoke a reaction from another person which is in and of itself, often painful.

As I have been reflecting upon the blessings I have received over the past couple of months I began to see that intrinsic human connection - a thin, brittle, thread woven by conversation, a memory shared, an encouraging word, an act of kindness, even a simple smile. When you start receiving blessings from places you never imagined you can't help but pause for a moment, embrace life and feel connected to the Divine. 

"I've known you were destined for great things since our friendship began 36 years ago. I look forward to seeing you achieve your calling and will be here to offer support when the task in front of you seems impossible. Remember God never closes a door without opening another. You just had to be brave enough to walk through it. I am so proud of you for taking that step."

This was an email attached to a financial gift from a childhood friend whom I had the privilege of knowing since 1979 with whom I was fortunate enough to reconnect with 36 years later. Just as a gift comes in all shapes and sizes, so too does a blessing. Count your blessings. Write them down. Give thanks for them. Receive them gracefully. And then when the dust settles, use them to bless someone else.

Peace be with you!
Cheryl

Let the Journey Begin ...

Time has flown by this summer. It feels likes just a couple weeks ago that we were relaxing in the ray of the sun at a quaint boutique cafe on Bainbridge Island west of downtown Seattle enjoying a crisp Pinot Grigo accompanied by bacon wrapped figs ... Sigh! I remember imagining this day and it is actually here. I am so grateful and humbled returning to the halls of Iliff and hearing "You did it, you really did it. You made it back. You said you would. Awesome!" Thank you Vince Tango.

This week marks my first of nine quarters of study at Iliff School of Theology. By the end of May 2016 I will be 1/3 of my way through this journey for a Master of Divinity and ordination with the UCC (United Church of Christ) http://www.ucc.org/. The time will go fast so hang on for the ride with me. This blog is intended to share my journey as well as my challenges as Iliff will certainly deconstruct my past and present faith beliefs and prompt me to re-frame them over the course of the next few years. I pledge to be open and ever present through this process and I invite you to ask questions, leave comments or simply evaluate your own positions as we dealve into some complicated and vulnerable material.

Fall Quarter Courses:

Professional Formation Phase 1 - The exploration of personality, vocation and leadership through a battery of personality and apptitude tests and guided in depth exploration of vocational interests.

Vocation & Orientation - The course allows students to explore the ongoing process of vocational discernment, with particular attention to how vocational journeys intersect with the experience of formal theological education.

Imagining Christian Practice - This course explores Christian practices across times and places, examining Christian lives in bodily practices, and the ways in which Christian identity is created in art, architecture, and other media. Examining both ancient and contemporary contexts through lenses both visual and lived, this course also intends to introduce the graduate study of religion and scholarly practices. Students will be invited to explore Christian practice with the study of art, architecture, worship spaces, reading, and written and shared reflection.

Pastoral Care - An introduction to theories of care, counseling, and psychotherapy in relation to theories of humanity and personhood. Special attention will be given to theological, psychological and ethical perspectives.

 Implementing Institutional Social Change - How does one facilitate social change in large organizations? Based on the professor’s personal experiences as a writer of the 2010 Pentagon Study that preceded the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2011, this seminar encourages participants to examine their personal roles in fostering social change at the institutional level. Participants will analyze the pros and cons of being a radical versus a more tempered agent for change and will reflect on how they can be an effective agent for change in their respective organizations.

This will prove to be a challenging quarter as I learn to balance school, family life, volunteer obligations, denominational requirements, financial responsibilities and self care. Your prayers and thoughts would be so helpful for me along the way. Thank you, in advance for those, and I look forward to sharing and exploring with you in the future.

Peace.

FANTASTIC NEWS - SCHOLARSHIP FUND NOW OPEN!

I am so grateful for the powers that be at Columbine United Church in Littleton, Colorado for approving a scholarship fund to assist me on my journey toward my Master of Divinity. Once I move on from Iliff it is my desire to work with CUC to develop and administer an ongoing scholarship fund for those seeking a career in ministry. I am incredibly grateful for their help. That being said, the fund doesn't fund itself ...

Over the course of the next few years I will be undertaking a few large fundraisers to help me secure the $3,500/year that I need for Iliff School of Theology to match toward my annual tuition. This is an opportunity to decrease my overall cost of my education by one third. However, the 2015/16 school year is upon us and I am currently $2,900 shy of this $3,500 mark.

For every dollar you donate, Iliff will match that 100% up to a maximum of $3,500 per year. Today I humbly request your help. Your donation, be it $25 or $500, will impact my situation tremendously. In return I can off you prayers, encouragement and acknowledgement of your support. Please prayerfully consider my request.

Please make your checks out to: Columbine United Church (note Cheryl Swing scholarship fund in the Memo section). Please mail them to 6375 S Platte Canyon Rd. Littleton, Colorado 80123. Or you may also donate at http://de.gofund.me/cswingseminary.



*Anonymous donations are NOT eligible for the matching scholarship program. Due to guidelines established by the IRS Tax Code, funds for specific individuals are not tax deductible, even if paid directly through a non-profit such as Columbine United. However, for funds to be matched your check must be made out to Columbine United Church.