‘‘Where’ve you Been?’‘ By Bill Walsh- one of our seminarians

Greetings! A few weeks ago, after several weeks away, it was my pleasure to have been able to join with you in worship. Several people commented on not having seen me for some time, and I have to admit that it felt like I hadn’t been around much these past months. That’s been one of the funny things about being in seminary. At a time when I would expect that as a seminarian I would be more involved in my church, I am drawn away and seemingly have less time to share with my church family on Sunday. In an effort to counter this feeling of disconnectedness, I thought I’d offer an update each month and share my experiences as a student at Bangor Theological Seminary.

This past semester has been an especially busy one for me. Since January, I’ve completed the following courses: Intro. to Preaching, Christian Doctrine, Small Church Ministry, Health Care Ethics, Pastoral Care from the Pulpit, Teaching Sexual Health, Justice, & Ethics, and a Mentored Practice Cohort Group. Yes, busy indeed. This past semester, I’ve completed 20 credit hours!

Outside the seminary, I’ve remained active in the UCC with the ME Conference and at the National Level. At the Conference level, I’ve continued my service as an Advisor to the ME State Youth Council. Last Fall, I traveled to Cleveland to be trained as an ONA (Open and Affirming) Consultant for the ME Conference. This past Winter and Spring, I have had the pleasure of working with several churches on their ONA process. I’ve also worked with the ME Conference Witness Life Commission and will be presenting a Resolution at Annual Meeting asking our Conference to consider beginning an ONA process as a Conference.

Heading out of the ME Conference Annual Meeting, I will travel to Dallas, TX, for training in the ASIST suicide intervention program. Wrapping up a week in Dallas will be my participation in ‘‘One Tribe, One Table’‘, the national gathering of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, where I will present a workshop, ‘‘ONA- Why and How’‘.

In July, I will have the good fortune to travel to Knoxville, TN, to participate in the National Youth Event. I will be representing Bangor Theological Seminary, speaking with youth about the benefits of a seminary education in the beautiful state of Maine. I also expect to connect with a lot of alumni who are serving UCC churches across the country. Wrapping up the Summer, in August I am enrolled in a course examining and studying the letters of Paul. I am looking forward to this with great anticipation.

So, where have I been on the Sundays when I haven’t been traveling? Oftentimes, I’ve been preaching. I’ve had a number of opportunities to lead worship and to preach in several local churches: Old South Congregational in Hallowell, South Parish Congregational in Augusta, and the Universalist-Unitarian Church in Waterville. It has been a real gift to have had this opportunity to share the Word of God and the power of the Spirit with these diverse congregations. I am looking forward to sharing with you here at First Congregational in July as Alice enjoys some vacation time. Be assured that wherever I find myself on Sunday morning, I am with you here in spirit. I hold you all in my thoughts and prayers each week. I feel nurtured and nourished in my studies and practice by the grace of God and by your support. Thank you!

In the next newsletter, I’ll share my plans for Fall. It looks like it will be another exciting and challenging season! Enjoy your Summer!!!