I have officially survived my first year at seminary. It is almost unreal now, nearly ten months removed from the start of my fall courses, when I remember the fears and anxieties I had during my first week. Reading through my written journal dated the evening before Orientation Day 2007, I was struck by my peaceful countenance in these words: “Starting tomorrow, things will never be the same. But I know this is where God has called me, and I rest on that promise.”

 

Throughout the school year, it has been precisely this promise that has seen me through. Wesley’s character as one of the most diverse seminaries in the country carries the ups and downs of diversity in community. As I met, for the first time, Christians from other denominations and theological backgrounds, my faith was rocked and my pre-existing notions were challenged. I can remember many instances when my new peers and I would spend many sleepless nights discussing theology, faith and beliefs, or class lectures when professors would deconstruct an idea that I’ve always believed. I would always subsequently find myself reaching out to a friend and mentor from home as I struggled to reconcile the things I’m hearing for the first time with the things I’ve always believed. Over time, I came to realize how valuable these learning moments were. My faith is only so strong and steadfast today because of all the struggles I’ve had to overcome. The widening of my understanding of Christian faith and expression has already proven to be extremely essential as a young adult Christian in a time when the Church is becoming more and more global.

 

One of the most remarkable things about my first year is the community of which I’ve come to be a part. As an on-campus resident, living on the 2^nd floor of Straughn (the unmarried, non-family housing option on campus) has been one of the highlights of my experience. It has provided many fun and exciting distractions, ranging from birthday parties in the common lounge, cookouts, and Frisbee in the lawn.  During our spring semester, we were joined by students from affiliate seminaries who participated in our National Capital Semester for Seminarians. They quickly became a part of this community and it felt as though they had been with us the previous semester as well. In March, a group of us spent our Reading Days in the mountains of West Virginia as we sought a retreat from the busyness of campus and the metropolis. In early May, we spent a relaxing Friday on the river, capped with a night game at Nationals Park. The long, sad goodbyes at the close of the semester were indicative of the strong, tight-knit bonds that developed over the first school year. Indeed, all the history-giving and life-sharing that had happened throughout the semester made the ten months feel more like an entire lifetime (in a good way).

The resident community has become some sort of family.  This community is often my reprieve from the hectic schedule and demands of classes.  Impromptu discussions that happen in the lounge or kitchen, usually progressing late into the night, invaluably supplement the dialogues that occur within the classrooms.  Living on campus is one of my favorite aspects of being a student at Wesley.  Sometimes the experience can be detrimental to anyone's study schedule (like when two of our neighbors decide to roll a softball from one end of the hall to the other), but more often, the convenience of walking down the hall to drop in and say hi to a friend is precisely the refreshing study break needed before hitting the books again.

Are you seeking a place where community shapes and informs your spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth? Whether you're living on campus, residing elsewhere in the DC area, or are commuting to Wesley from another location, the diverse community of Wesley provides a unique opportunity to form friendships, learn, and grow together. Find out more about our mission to live into the ideals of beloved community at www.wesleyseminary.edu, or contact Beth in the Admissions Office at bludlum@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659.

Elaine deLeon is preparing to enter her second year of the Master of Theological Studies program at Wesley this fall. Having completed her undergraduate degree at Drew University in New Jersey, Elaine moved to DC to focus on theological studies with an emphasis on social justice. She is a member of the United Methodist Church.

 

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