March - A Month in the Life of a Seminarian

[Philip Mayer]

Alleluia! He is Risen!

Melissa and I hope that you are having a blessed Easter season. This
semester has been a challenge between school demands and time spent
seeking a position so that I will have a place to go when I graduate
next month (May 22). My bishop has released me and his other
seminarians to look outside of the diocese for positions. I've spent
hours on the phone talking to people around the Church about possible
leads and openings, networking and gathering contacts of those who
would be willing to bring on a young, go-getter deacon, soon to be
priest who is fired up about preaching the gospel. This whole process
is pushing me to trust fully in God, as graduation creeps ever
closer.

This week at the seminary I'm in charge of leading our chapel services--
which includes singing some of the prayers--solo, an activity that
brings on a feeling somewhere between thrill, terror and great
humility as I lead God's people in worship. I could feel myself
shaking up there, but I made it through without the becoming the
target of rotten fruit. I have a few more days yet to go, but so far
everyone has said "You're doing an excellent job." I also preached my
senior sermon in chapel a few weeks ago and received strong feedback,
even from people who weren't there: "Hey Phil, I wasn't in chapel on
that day but someone told me that your sermon was really good."

Melissa has been working hard, but feeling somewhat down. Her time is
spent at home sitting on the couch (or at Starbucks) reading theology
and drafting the chapters of her master's thesis. As you know, Melissa
is energized by being out and about with other people and so this
introverted solo pattern of studying and writing is demanding on her
extroverted personality. The professor who is overseeing her writing
is pleased with her accomplishments on the thesis. Once that is
finished she will be granted her master's degree in religion. The
work, though draining will soon be done.

Please keep us in your prayers as our time at seminary draws to a
close. After graduation we will be returning to Florida for my
ordination to the transitional diaconate (May 31). If you are in the
area, the service is at three o'clock at the Cathedral in Orlando and
we would love to see you. We know that God already knows where we will
best serve Him, he just hasn't revealed it to us yet. Please pray for
us as we discern God's leading for our ministry in the Episcopal
Church.