So... What denomination are you?

This was probably the most frequently asked question at the Div School during the first week- What denomination are you? It's somewhat of an ice-breaker. You meet someone new, you tell them your name, you ask their denomination. It's the norm... and for me it's weird. Don't get me wrong, I'm UBER proud to be Episcopalian, but it seems funny to ask people about that when you first meet them. 

However, I see the usefulness of asking the question. Most of us are on the ordination track, so if the person you are meeting is in your denomination there is a whole new slew of questions you can then ask to get to know them. Also, denomination could tell you about the course of study- I'm Episcopalian, therefore I'm in the Anglican Studies Program. Baptists are usually in the Baptist House. Methodists are going to take over the world. Kidding. (Maybe they'll just take over the Duke Campus). :-P But with orientation happening this past weekend at my Alma Mater, I was thinking how funny it would be if one of the get to know you games in the OM groups involved saying your denomination. hahaha. 

Classes!

In other news, classes have begun! I had my first biblical Hebrew class yesterday- it's going to be awesome. And I had Church History today. Our professor is a phenomenal speaker. I absolutely LOVED class, and I was seriously worried about it. Early church history? Not really my thing. But somehow he made the early Christian/Roman relationships really interesting. All I can say is: Wabam!  

Also, my professor prayed before class. Public school Christa is not used to this! It's pretty cool though!

Still trudging through my reading for Thursday (really, I still don't understand why I have to read 2 books before the class even meets... oy). But I'm actually enjoying the Rule of Benedict and the commentaries we're reading. Am I officially a nerd? 

AEHS

Look at me, already using acronyms. AEHS is the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies, and we had our first event last night- a welcome Eucharist and dinner. It was a really nice service, and the dinner was awesome (Indian food!). My wonderful non-denominational-with-Episcopal-tendencies roommate Kat went with me, as did my friend Andrew, AKA Eucharist Boy (best super hero name ever??). And my beautiful British advisor sat next to me, and then of course he talked with us. Thus life is good. :-D

Church Hopping

So I may be done hopping/shopping (I've always called it hopping, is it supposed to be "shopping"? both make sense in my mind. anywho). I really like St. Luke's! They have a female rector who is awesome, an assistant rector who is a great preacher, Lauren Winner worships/works there, and they do a ton of stuff in the community. New church home? Hopefully! 

This past Sunday Kat went with me, and then we saw two of our other friends there too! It must be all my talk about how the Episcopal Church Welcomes You that gets everyone to come to things with me. hahaha. But after church we went to brunch (which is a HUGE thing here), and it was just wonderful. I am starting to get a nice group of friends, which is lovely. 

Convocation

Convocation was this morning, and I think it was the first time I was so truly homesick to be in Geneva. First of all, it was my first time singing with a choir other than the St. Peter's Mixed Choir in a LONG time. It was a fun song ("We Will Rejoice" David Haas) and I love to sing (especially in the amazing Duke Chapel!), so that was great, but I missed Wendy, Molly, Molly, Dave, Jim, Lynn, everyone from home. Merp. 

It's also the official start to the new year. Just in case I hadn't already realized it, I did today: this is happening. It's real. oy. 

At the end of the service, when the faculty were walking out of Duke Chapel, I got a flashback to the end of graduation when we all walked through the lines of professors as they clapped for us and hugged us. I almost cried (and I may or may not be shedding a tear right now). It's a weird feeling because I don't actually want to relive undergrad or my MAT year, and I am happy here. Yet I still feel this kind of longing to be in Geneva. (And of course now I feel bad because I'm not really homesick for Framingham... sorry parentals. lol) I'm sure it will pass eventually!

Putting the Jukebox here today:

If you have any interest in seeing part of the Convocation, they taped it and put it on youtube! Cool right? The anthem we sang is at the 21 minute mark. It's been stuck in my head ALL DAY! lol.  

Ministry Opportunity ;-)

My wonderful roommate T.J. provided me with this idea for an awesome future ministry: Have a time for pet therapy, specifically with dogs. And call it "EpiscoPuppies." 

And with that, my friends, I am going to read more about Benedict, or as I lovingly call him, Benny. 

Peace, Love, and Smiles y'all

Christa