I am now a fourth year student. I no longer cry as much. I have bled out much of my grief, and what remains I have tempered into my very being鈥攁 deep core within myself that I know to be strong and true.

Last term on Wednesdays I arrived at the building to attend Case Conference. Have you ever attended a case conference? They are all different, but mine goes something like this: someone presents a case from their internship that is going particularly messy, we talk about it, then we take a break, after which someone else presents a case. During the break between the presentations, I walk two doors down to the chapel and take pictures with my phone.

I鈥檝e learned that the process of creating comforts me. Creation is grounding because only I see what I see. If you were here and you had a camera, you would take a different picture. After all, as therapists, priests, and artists, all we have to offer each other is ourselves. I don鈥檛 see what you see and you don鈥檛 see what I see. Case conference always makes me feel feelings about the way I see that others don鈥檛. Taking a picture and naming what I see as me helps reconnect me with the goodness at the root of myself.

Three years ago I took pictures of our chapel and published them on this blog. The pictures I show you today are very different than those ones. These are weirder, better, and changed. The reason is because I am different than I was three years ago. I have learned invaluable skills as a photographer, person, and therapist. I have learned to know myself clearly and with less fear, in a way I never thought possible.

But it鈥檚 more than that; I am changed.

This school does that. Being cracked open does that. It changes us.

Read Leanna’s story from her first year, “Communion.”

The post Communion & Difference: 天美视频 Through My Lens appeared first on 天美视频 of Theology & Psychology.

A different 3rd year MDiv student facilitates our time every week.

It’s always different and always a little clumsy and very heartfelt. I’m a crier so I usually cry. We sit on the floor or on benches. 聽We put a prayer in the wall or light a candle. We gaze upon the icons and breath deeply.聽 We exchange the peace and read outloud. We talk or listen, drink and eat.

Then we leave.
We walk downstairs and heat up our lunch.
We head to the classroom or library.
We go on about our day.

Read Leanna’s follow-up story from her fourth year, “Communion & Difference.”

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