In 2016, I rejoined the Wesley Seminary family for a second Master’s Degree. My husband and I had previously planted a church, Freewill Christian Ministries, in 2009, and it closed in 2016. Upon joining WS that first week in July 2016, taking Dr. John Drury's weeklong class, it first slowed me down and helped me focus on where I go from here and where God was calling me to. By the time I finished that class on the Holy Spirit, I knew my first move was to join the IU Health chaplaincy program. A place where I could learn and deal with my stuff and be present with people, in the way that Dr. Drury, the class, and the Holy Spirit had been present with me as I began to grieve the closing of our church and daycare. My husband was already in the MDiv. Program at Wesley Seminary, and he was already an intern chaplain at IU Health. So, I knew that this was the road for me to begin, first deal with my stuff, and then learn how to walk beside those in physical pain, spiritual distress, and trauma.
In 2018, my father died, and this was at the end of my program. On Monday, January 9, 2018, I was set to begin my Capstone class and was happily looking toward graduation, as it had been a long couple of years. I had learned too much from my professors at Wesley Seminary, but tragedy struck my family that Sunday morning, January 8, 2018, my father had died. As I sat there that Sunday morning, I thought God, I know you did not bring me this far to leave me now. And those same questions arose, my father is dead, grief began to surround me, and I asked God, "Where do I go from here." On January 15, 2018, it was my father's funeral, and during the funeral, I turned around, and almost my whole MDiv class was present at the funeral. That week I had received calls., text, and emails from the president and the different professors I had. They loved me back to health. So, I went on and completed my capstone class and graduated with my class in April 2018.
Wesley Seminary has not only been present with me during the most challenging times of my life, but they have shown me how to love and indeed be present with others who are hurting, need encouragement, or need one word from the Lord. Wesley helped prepare me for chaplaincy by providing me a biblical foundation and a family that would support me and continue to stay connected throughout my journey. Wesley Seminary put tools in my tool belt and tools in my hands that I would need for my chaplaincy journey and my life journey.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to happen in the early part of the year, my first thought was research and the Bible. Where can I find research on past pandemics, and what does the scripture say about what is happening today. Which was one of the things that Dr. K. always reminded us of, "that we can always find in the Bible something that relates to what is going on or happening today." Wesley Seminary has provided me with the learning and tools that I needed to show up and be present with my patients and peers. WS has prepared and equipped me for ministry and servanthood. During my residency, I remember when we first heard about the virus and how we as a System and as a Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Department had to prepare. My first thoughts were, will I be safe, will my family be safe, and what does this mean for me as a chaplain. And because Wesley Seminary had given me the Biblical and Spiritual background that I needed, this time, I did not have to ask God what am I suppose to do or where do I go from here. I was right where I needed to be, walking alone patients, family members, and staff who were grieving, in spiritual distress, in pain, trauma, loneliness, family, and crisis distress. Or just needing someone to listen as they try to rationalize or make sense of COVID-19, why this is happening, or why I was given this cancer diagnosis, or being with end of life patients.
In August 2020, I started my Fellowship Program at IU Health. I am still carrying my Wesley Seminary foundation into this Fellowship Program and as a Womanist Theologian. One of the things I love about this Fellowship Program is that I can mix my love for Chaplaincy, Congregational Ministry, and Community together to walk with people as they leave the hospital and continue their healing process. I am thankful for my learning, my professors, and the love that I received from Wesley Seminary.
