Passing Our Intern

Over a salad lunch and a good bit of Diet Pepsi, we met, discussed, laughed, and 'passed the intern' in her Christian Vocation Internship. At least that was our intent. Shelly survived her semester of learning about the pastoral office, local church ministry and her time 'in my shadow'. She passed.

The afternoon she graduates from University of Indianapolis is the same afternoon she will help baptize three confirmation students in our creek. Sounds like a successful experience doesn't it?!

Shelly wrote in her first journal entry dated 1/13/10: "...I can not only learn from Calvary but hopefully I can bring them something as well." Here is what Shelly brought to Calvary:

• passion for Christ and His good news
• opportunity for our congregation to 'own' our role as both a "teaching and calling" church
• reminder that the lost matter to God
• was a role model for our children and 6th grade confirmands
• fresh perspective from the outside looking in on our community, ministry and work together
• her faith in Jesus

Shelly brought me, her supervisor/mentor, many gifts as well:

• her keen sense of humor
• a wonder and enthusiasm for the pastoral office
• joyful celebration that comes from when the church is being/doing what Jesus intended for it to be/do
• someone to attentively listen to my story of call, ministry, family and vocational life

And no, Shelly did not bring me coffee, sweep the floors, photo copy papers or clean my house. She was a slave only to the Gospel message. :) [The rest I still do myself.]

Thank you Dr. Lang Brownlee, for asking Calvary UMC to host an intern this semester!

Thank you Calvary UMC, for being the terrific teaching/calling congregation that you are!

Thank you University of Indianapolis, for offering students an opportunity to reflect on their vocational calling.

Thanks Shelly, for being you! You passed- but mostly God succeeded through all our efforts! Congrats everyone!