Gradulation

I have graduated seminary! At least I think I have. I don't have a degree in hand (or on wall) yet, but I believe I have completed all of the requirements. I now have a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary (highly recommended if you've ever felt a little more liberal than your conservative surroundings or a little more conservative than your liberal surroundings).

For the past five months, I interned as a chaplain at Children's Hospital Los Angeles in order to complete requirements for my degree, as well as for future ordination. It was, as you might guess, an amazing and challenging experience, which can be briefly summarized in this way: I know I do not want to be a chaplain, but I do feel like I am becoming a pastor.

What's next, you might ask? Well, Becky and I plan on living here in Thousand Oaks for another year or so before moving to Chicago, where I will be doing my "Lutheran year" for ordination in the Lutheran church. For now, I am back to working at Starbucks (Ventu Park & Hillcrest in Newbury Park - come and visit) close to full time, while also continuing my job as coordinator of the contemporary worship service (11:00 Sunday) at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks (www.alcto.org), as well as various musical endeavors (www.myspace.com/poiesis). Becky is working as a bank teller at Chase Bank (formerly Washington Mutual) in Westlake Village, and also continuing as director of some of the children's and teen choirs at Ascension.

Hooray for summer!