Internship reflections

This Kenyon Area Internship program, with eight congregations, is very unique. Most Luther interns (I can't speak for other seminaries) work with one congregation, maybe two. A few serve five-point parishes. Like any situation, this site has its pros and cons, and I'm finding my way through them now that I've got three months under my belt. (Holy buckets, that went fast!)

On the plus side, as I've said many times, I feel outrageously blessed to work with seven marvelous pastors who have widely varied backgrounds and a wealth of ministry experience to share. I love our monthly roundtable discussions and all the other learning I get to do with them!

Other aspects of the variety are also very beneficial. I get to experience different styles of worship and sacramental practices, enjoy different congregational personalities, and work with different hospitals, care centers, and funeral homes. Even preaching or leading worship from eight different pulpits and chancels is helpful...it forces me to think carefully about my every move!

I have an incredible degree of independence, and I love the flexibility. But I work from home, for several reasons, and it has proven difficult to transition from student hours to grown-up working hours, and to separate work and personal time so that each is as effective as possible. I'm gradually figuring out how this works for me, and I have a feeling it might be one of the most important things I learn this year.

The major drawback, of course, is that it's more difficult to get to know people when I'm not at any one church frequently. I especially miss out on getting to know the kids in my congregations. On Sunday mornings, I miss the Sunday school time because I'm either worshiping elsewhere or involved with the adult class. Instead, I form relationships with smaller groups with whom I interact more frequently, like my internship committee, the WELCA circles whose Bible studies I lead, and people I visit regularly.

And, as delightful as the variety is, it can also be challenging to get in a groove for worship when I can't rely on any consistent framework. There is enough similarity between all my congregations' worship patterns that I'm not in any danger of liturgical whiplash, but sometimes the details get a little tricky. For example, I've had to sing three different versions of the kyrie so far, and singing by myself is not my strong suit in the first place!

Anyway, a few thoughts at this point in the journey. It has been an adventure thus far and I look forward to seeing how the next several months unfold!