Attention, Ministry Explorer! Fall Events, Paid Seminary Visits & Internships, Oh My!


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Still, Small Voices and Burning Bushes: September 2021 Updates from the CCCL

A Refresher/What the Heck is This Newsletter Doing in My Inbox?

The Center for Calling is made possible by the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. Its mission is to create and support programs for young people (ages 12 and up), especially Methodists, to discern their vocations, and to explore options for lay and ordained ministry and church leadership. It is based at Hendrix College, but its programs are intended for young people across the state.

You are receiving this newsletter because you are an active participant in the Center's programs, or signed up (at Veritas or a similar event) to request information about exploring ministry!

What You'll Find if You Keep Reading...

Words from Eva (Program Director) our new amazing intern, Andrea Stitt (Hendrix '21)
Fall 2021 programs for multiple ages groups-- including Exploring Ministry Together, seminary visit funding, fall internship information, and more
Where We've Been

We're Back!

After 18+ long months of limited travel and in-person activities, I am SO excited to be back with students and young folks across Arkansas who are exploring calling & vocation in such a challenging season.

I'm excited to visit seminaries, be on retreat together, and share big questions over coffee-- as we continue to prioritize health and safety through mask-wearing and vaccination.

The longer I'm engaged in this work, the more committed I am to creating space for folks to understand that calling and vocation are not only about conversations about seminary and ordination (though we absolutely want and work towards new, young leadership in these areas).

Jesus calls us in the midst of everyday life; in the midst of all of its ordinariness. Classroom learning, laughter and hard talks with friends and family, lunchroom feasts, a short but meaningful prayer whispered before bed or a meal, even things that make us fired up about the world... it's all fodder for discerning who God has made us to be, as we are. May you know, trust, and listen to the wisdom within you and in your experiences of living life each day.

With gratitude,

Rev. Eva Englert-Jessen

Center Director

Meet Our New Intern!

Andrea Stitt, Hendrix '20

Hello, Center for Calling and Christian Leadership! My name is Andrea Stitt and I am beyond thrilled to be the Religious Life Office intern at Hendrix this fall!

I just graduated from Hendrix College last semester with a degree in Psychology. Over this past summer I worked with Ozark Mission Project as one of their college staff and I was able to serve the community of Arkansas while also building relationships across the state! I am also following my calling into youth ministries at my home church, Vilonia UMC. I am excited to continue to explore my calling with the Center for Calling and Christian Leadership.

I am looking forward to gaining new perspectives from peers, understanding the differences that make us important to the whole, and walking in fellowship with my siblings in Christ throughout our faith journeys. I am so thankful that I was given this opportunity and I cannot wait to see where it leads me.

Blessings, Andrea

Fall Opportunities by Age Group

Seeking churches who are interested in "piloting" Confirmation curriculum related to calling & vocational discernment!

When: 2-3 Sundays during the 2021-2022 School Year, incorporated into Confirmation schedule that works best for each church

What: 2-3 sessions for confirmands in 2-3 different churches, with themes connecting confirmation & calling written by Center staff. Curriculum includes scripture, interactive lessons, and suggestions for how confirmands can begin applying a "discernment lens" in their daily lives.

Who: Eva Englert-Jessen of the Center is happy to teach session; can also provide curriculum for confirmation teachers to lead (Center will request feedback from the teachers on how the class was received).

Interested in learning more? Email englert-jessen@hendrix.edu!

Also, look for us at other midyouth & Confirmation-age events across the Arkansas Conference!

High School

HYI 2021 participants, be on the lookout for information about the January reunion!
We also have curriculum and are happy to offer coaching/mentoring for high school students. Email englert-jessen@hendrix.edu to get connected!

College & Young Adult

Exploring Ministry Together

What is EMT?: A place to hear stories, be in community with peers, and discern calling. If you are new to EMT or need a refresher, read more on p. 3 (“Philosophy of EMT”) or in the letter at linktr.ee/CCCL.

These activities are geared towards any college student or young adult (young adult includes post-college and seminarians or anyone between 18 and 26ish) in Arkansas- especially but not exclusively if you’re a Hendrix student, and if you’re Methodist!

How/where: In person in the Hendrix Religious Life Office OR on Zoom, except for monthly in-person only gathering at Purple Cow (see schedule)

Zoom link (Also check Hdx Today or your email for the link, sent out every week. Email englert-jessen@hendrix.edu to be added to the email list!)

See the full schedule of topics for this fall HERE

Apply for the Fall Break trip to Duke Divinity School, October 13-16! ⁣

We will have a full day to learn about the school (including degree programs, financial aid, life at Duke & in Durham, and a chance to meet students & faculty) and a full day to explore Durham. ⁣
⁣
Why? Seminary is for both folks feeling called to “traditional” parish ministry and ordination, and to all sorts of ministry vocations! Visiting with a group is a fun & helpful way to ask questions you might not otherwise think of, process what you’re discovering, and make new friends who may someday be your ministry colleagues! ⁣
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Trip logistics and how to apply: All expenses except airport food are paid. Applications due Monday, September 13! See link below for application or stop by Hendrix Religious Life to pick one up. Up to 8 students will be invited to attend. ⁣
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Individual funding also available: If you want to visit a different seminary on your own time this semester, you can apply for funding to reimburse you up to $600 for travel or housing expenses. Use the same application as below.

APPLY HERE

Watch Emily Autry's Testimonial: Why Go on a Seminary Visit?

Fall 2021 Internships!

Are you a UMC pastor, church staffperson, or on staff at a faith-based organization or nonprofit in Arkansas?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Would you and your congregation/site be interested in hosting a part-time intern in Fall 2021? (Between end of Sept./early October-mid-November)

⁣⁣OR

Are you a college student or young adult who is thinking about ministry and want an opportunity to gain some leadership and ministry experiences in a church and/or a ministry setting outside the church? ⁣
⁣⁣
The Center for Calling is seeking up to 3 part-time interns this semester! The program is paid and includes built-in components for discernment and support.

Learn more & apply by September 20 HERE

For All Ages

Ongoing Support

Questions about the ordination process?
Trying to find balance or make sense of life?

Please let me know! I'm here to be a supporter & resource for you. I'm happy to have virtual tea, take a socially distanced walk (if you're in Conway) or be on a phone call with you.

-Eva

Check out photos from our recent happenings on Instagram at @center_for_ccl!

Ways to Pray, Play and Care for Yourself When the World Feels Hard

Some suggestions for spiritual practices and fun, and opportunities to sign off the internet for a while!

Prayer: tell your requests to a mentor or pastor; journal your prayers; breath prayer (breathing in half a phrase and breathing out the other half); silent prayer; singing prayer
Daily examen: reflect on the most life-giving and most life-draining aspects of your days
Take note of small things that make you think of God's love, peace, or presence
Name your feelings
Ask for help: with your homework, with difficult emotions, with parenting, cooking, cleaning
Dance in the mirror to your favorite songs
Play music
Play board games
Nap
Call a friend or family member you haven't checked in on in a while
Make things: food, crafts, letters
Take a bath
Pamper your body: use a favorite body wash, wear favorite and comfortable clothes
Take a walk
Work on homework 30 minutes at a time
Do things and repeat mantras that help you stay connected to who you really are: things you really love, things you're good at, things that you could do forever without pay or regardless of others' perceptions
Repeat mantras like "I can do this," "This will pass," "I am not only my thoughts or feelings"
If you have time and energy to get plugged into social action or community service, there are so many ways to do so

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Center for Calling & Christian Leadership

1600 Washington Ave, Religious Life Office, Conway
AR 72032 United States

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