Orientation

So much for the light schedule I described in my last blog post! The official length of orientation at the School of Theology, University of the South is two weeks, but it feels much longer. We spent all of last week learning about each professor, all our classes, campus histories, traditions and where to find a good cup of coffee (Stirling's Cafe, if they are open...)

This week we've spent every morning learning how to write. I mean this literally, no pun intended, because we've reviewed all the grammatical and stylistic errors and techniques that are common to high school term papers, collegiate papers and graduate level work. Jim Dunkly, our esteemed instructor, has reviewed topics, such as split infinitives, that I've not heard discussed since tenth grade, which for me was twenty-three years ago. I think that we have all done ok and I know that we have all benefited from the exercise.

We spend two hours each afternoon with a speech coach, Marcia Mary Cook, from the drama department and Dr. Bryan, who recently became semi-retired from the School of Theology. We are trying to learn proper liturgical speaking and this is not as easy as I thought it would be. During class time we each get a chance to stand at the lectern and take a shot at some scriptural reading. Some of my classmates are very good speakers and sound terrific. There are others, including me, who sound different every time we speak, moving too fast, pausing in the wrong places, neglecting emphasis where indicated (or not) in the text, etc. We all sound better now than we did at the beginning of the week, but most of us still have some work ahead.

Tonight is our last Friday cookout for the year. These summer barbeques have become a weekly event for our family and we have met most of our new friends this way. We will miss the cookouts! It seems like orientation started just yesterday, but it also seems like it has been months... I have a feeling that each new term will feel this way, but even more so. Every priest I've known has remembered their seminary experience as a significant time of formation and information, growing and learning their way into a new craft, while trying to remain available for the work of the Holy Spirit in themselves and others. Not all of the challenges of this place can be met head-on, because some of them come at you sideways and some of them simply refuse to be pinned down. I pray for all seminarians and the wonderful friends and families they left behind.


peace

Jon