Master of Divinity Archives - ��Ƶ of Theology & Psychology

Underrepresented Voices Art Gallery 2024: Liminality

��Ƶ — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 14:30:12 +0000

In spring 2024, the BIPOC, Access (students with neurodiversity, chronic pain, and/or disability), LGBTQIA+, and QT BIPOC student groups collaborated to create an on-campus art show with the theme of “Liminality.” ��Ƶ students and alumni who identify as underrepresented within the context of ��Ƶ and/or within their profession had the opportunity to share their artistic and creative work together. The concept of the Underrepresented Voices art gallery began in 2023 when student groups co-sponsored the inaugural show.

Organizers described this year’s theme: “‘Liminality’ could be as broad as anything you, as an underrepresented student, would like to express about yourself. Or, it could be as specific as invisibility, minoritized experiences, subjugated knowledge, or beauty in the margins, the sacred mystery in your culture or identity, etc.” In addition to representing the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, QT BIPOC, and Access student groups, the students who participated were also representative of the three degree programs: Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP), Master of Arts in Theology & Culture (MATC), and Master of Divinity (MDiv).

As artist Roy Mong commented, the diversity expressed within the “Liminality” show extended to the wide variety of media and art forms represented as well. Artists displayed works with acrylic paint, oil paint, oil pastels, gold leaf, watercolors, cardboard, wood, and various fabrics. Some of the pieces in the show had been created as final projects for the Winter 2024 course titled “Narrative, Identity & Asian American Experiences,” taught by Dr. Jermaine Ma.

The “Liminality” show launched during spring residency, and the artists had the opportunity on Friday afternoon to share their experiences and insights with their classmates, both related to making the pieces as well as sharing them publicly. Students discussed themes such as courage and vulnerability. Artists shared their anxieties about visible imperfections, and wrestling with the felt need to justify or explain their work. They also described how they challenged themselves and learned through the creative process from exploring cultural identities to understanding and practicing new techniques. For example, Sunghee Kim used watercolor painting to display Jo-kak-bo, a traditional Korean patchwork technique, and Ryan Ho shaped bass and walnut wood into Kumiko patterns, a Japanese art style from the 7th century. Roy Mong described how the use of different colors helped him to integrate and appreciate different aspects of himself and his experiences.

Inspiration was another theme. The 2023 gallery had encouraged this year’s artists: in seeing the work of others they were inspired to share their work as well, to continue inspiration and conversation for future generations of students. The 2024 show also continued the themes of collaboration and engagement: two artists invited interaction and responses through a QR code while other artists invited sensory engagement through touch. Students at the reception expressed their gratitude and wonder to the artists for the depth of expansion and interconnection with the works.

Another theme that emerged was how uniqueness and individuality were expressed within the diversity of the art and media on display in the gallery. “By being significantly and uniquely you, you can encourage and uplift others. You are helping further the conversation,” said Roy Mong. As in 2023, belonging emerged as a theme as well. Natalie Ng described feeling “Not Chinese enough. Not white enough…With liminality, I’ve learned to somehow embrace it and be ok in the uncomfortable spots.” Describing liminality, Mong shared, “The edge is where you live.” “Making the unseen seen is the whole point of the gallery,” said Ng.

The post Underrepresented Voices Art Gallery 2024: Liminality appeared first on ��Ƶ of Theology & Psychology.

Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Jana Peterson, MDiv ‘21

��Ƶ — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 18:57:19 +0000

Few students who complete a Master of Divinity graduate program at ��Ƶ remain unchanged. A natural consequence of a program that integrates theology with psychology and culture, our students become uniquely equipped to enter communities with greater depth and understanding of who they are in the story of God, how to practice faithful presence, and how to lead others with integrity and compassion.

Earlier this year we spoke with Jana Peterson (MDiv ‘21) to learn more about why she chose to pursue a Master of Divinity degree and her vision for ministry post-graduation. Keep reading to learn more about what Jana encountered in her courses and her Integrated Project—an in-depth dissertation each theology student completes as a culmination of their studies.

What initially drew you to ��Ƶ’s Master of Divinity graduate program?

Having encountered traumatic themes in my personal story, I believed a deeper relationship with ��Ƶ and ��Ƶ community to be the next step toward healing. I was inspired by Dr. Dan Allender’s approach to trauma work as well as Dr. Dwight Friesen’s vision for doing church in the context of the local neighborhood. Coming from a conservative background, I thought that meant I could not be a pastor. So while I had a thirst for a fresh relationship with the Bible, I applied to ��Ƶ as a counseling student. My first healing choice once accepted and in the building was to enroll in the appropriate program as a Master of Divinity student.

What have you been surprised by in this MDiv program?

I knew that studying toward a MDiv would mean learning the languages and cultures of the Biblical text, but I did not quite realize that I would also have to learn to read my own culture and my own (English) language in a more in-depth way. I feel more prepared to interact with current events because of my MDiv studies, which is something I did not expect going into the program four years ago.

In what ways has your story impacted, shaped, or inspired your studies?
��Ƶ gives students ample opportunities to reflectively respond to the material they learn in class. We do not simply learn facts and figures. Instead, we are invited to respond to, push back on, and wholeheartedly interact with class content. Because of this, I have a deeper understanding of the themes of my life story, how these themes shape my understanding of vocation and feel empowered to relate to my world in a more embodied way. My story (past) has deeper meaning since it has been given space to inform my story (future).

Tell us about the Integrative Project. What topic did you choose and why? What did you learn from the process, and how have you applied it to your work?

In my Integrative Project, I attempted to create a new hermeneutic, particularly for white Americans, that is both inclusive and anticolonial. As my classes at ��Ƶ helped me better understand the themes of my own life that contributed to the trauma I hold in my body, I began to realize the wideness of harm wielded throughout history by those who claimed to speak in the name of God. I believe we have a choice in how we interpret our sacred texts and that it is possible to read them unto the flourishing of all people rather than to perpetuate harmful hierarchies. Throughout the process, I gained a deeper appreciation for the unique intersectional and interdisciplinary ways each person approaches the text. Our individual experiences are invaluable as we read together in community.

What are your hopes, dreams, and desires as they relate to your future vocation?

I hope to continue the work I began at ��Ƶ, to step into a vocation that empowers others to discover their voice in the way that ��Ƶ has helped me hear my own. And I long to be a part of a faith community that values the multiplicity of voices and experiences. With graduation still in the recent past, I’m still discovering the particulars of what this means for me, but I’m okay with that!

How has your time at ��Ƶ prepared you for what’s next?

In a field that is still male-dominated, my MDiv degree in and of itself is a stepping stone toward my future work. Beyond this, the way ��Ƶ uniquely teaches at the intersection of theology and psychology makes space for unique kinds of learning that I don’t think I would have received elsewhere. As I leave ��Ƶ, I am more grounded and have tools to be personally more faithfully present to myself and to my world than I had four years ago. I’ve learned to attune to my own heart and, in the process, have grown in my ability to give that gift to others. It’s a process and the learning continues after graduation, but I could not do the work I am doing now without the training I received at ��Ƶ.

What drives you to continue in ministry?

My hope lies in my belief that death is never the end and the promise of life abounds. We see this in creation almost anywhere we look. I see it in the saplings that grow up around the tree in my back yard that died in the wind storm last summer. I see it in the way composting gives us nutrient-rich soil. This is the earth’s witness of the life Spirit is birthing in our world. In addition to this, it is helpful to know that I am not alone in this work. I formed deep relationships during my time at ��Ƶ with people who will always be colleagues.

What advice would you give someone who’s interested in our Master of Divinity program?

Getting an MDiv at ��Ƶ is a life-changing proposition. You and your community will be challenged as you do the work asked of you in your classes. Your relationships will not be the same ~ in a good way. The work is hard. It is personally and emotionally challenging. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. The benefits of this program go far beyond learning a new way to engage Bible to learning new ways of living with others in mutual, collaborative community. Rest into the work ahead of you. Trust the learning process created for you by professors who love you. I hope these years of play lead you to incredible discoveries.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Jana Peterson, MDiv ‘21 appeared first on ��Ƶ of Theology & Psychology.

Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Millicent Haase, MDiv ‘21

��Ƶ — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:38:17 +0000

Earlier this year we spoke with Millicent Haase (MDiv ‘21) to learn more about why she chose to pursue a Master of Divinity degree and her vision for ministry post-graduation. Keep reading to learn more about what Milli encountered in her courses and her Integrative Project—an in-depth dissertation each theology student completes as a culmination of their studies.

What drew you to ��Ƶ’s Master of Divinity graduate program?

Seminary had been on my mind for a while before pursuing my Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree at ��Ƶ. Before coming to the red brick building, I had completed my MA in Comparative Religion at the University of Washington and had taught undergraduate religion courses—both as a Teaching Assistant and then as a Faculty Liaison. I was trained to look at religion secularly—as a human, social phenomenon with quantifiable data points—that considering seminary was initially easily dismissed as “no, I’m too academic for that.” I grew up in Hawai’i with a fusion of progressive, non-denominational Christian theologies and indigenous worldviews, and felt comfortable taking a critical look at religion. What I found I was missing at UW, though, was the permission to both critically examine and engage religion—because I do believe religion is the most fascinating subject and the Bible is the greatest story ever told (especially if you read it in Hebrew and Greek!)—and also be in conversation with God. Because when I am honest with myself, I am not just an academic, I am a fully embodied, believing, spiritual, soulful person looking for smart and alternative ways to engage the Divine in community. ��Ƶ balanced both of these impulses, and today I feel like a more well-rounded and robust Christian scholar-practitioner.

My coming to ��Ƶ was slightly serendipitous – or Spirit lead – in that I had a co-worker enrolled in the MACP program at the time I began looking at seminaries, and my mentor (Dr. James Wellman, UW) casually looped me in that his wife attended ��Ƶ and he absolutely saw me attending. Upon arriving on campus for my initial campus tour and exploration with Ashlee Knight, Dr. Ron Ruthruff greeted me at the front desk, and I must say, his down-to-earth, real, no-nonsense welcome sealed it for me. I thought to myself: “What is this rugged, progressive, red-brick building of a school?” And: “If Dr. Ruthruff is the kind of faculty that’s here, I’m in.” Dr. Ruthruff would go on to become my Integrative Project advisor and biggest source of understanding, support, and encouragement throughout my time at ��Ƶ.

What have you been surprised by in this MDiv program?

What’s so great about ��Ƶ is its multi-denominational aspect. What surprised me was that, while a lot of my peers were deconstructing their long-held theologies—and I was as well, to be sure—I found myself falling into theologies in a way that amazed me. I never felt indoctrinated, but the more we dug deep into the Bible, various historical translations, and how various translations have shifted through time, I didn’t find myself falling away from Christianity, but rather, falling deeper into Christianity in a more multifaceted way. And I feel tremendously hopeful in this. The time has long come for the deconstruction of calcified systems and patterns, and rather than feeling at a loss, I feel encouraged that something new and beautiful and Spirit lead is being birthed, and I’m thrilled to be part of the conversations.

In what ways has your story impacted, shaped, or inspired your studies?

My growing up in Hawai’i shaped my theologies, and my lived experiences bubbled up so powerfully that for my final Integrated Project, I researched Hawaiian de-colonial and anti-colonial theologies and practices. For my first Master’s degree (MA in Comparative Religion at UW), I spent considerable time on location in Israel and the Occupied Territories studying Modern Hebrew and Arabic and researching the ways the religious courts are modernizing, rendering religion a considerable part of human social change and influence. I’m absolutely in love with the Middle East and thought I might continue looking towards that region of the world in my research. But my story turned me around – literally – towards my Pacific context, a place which deeply informed me, a prophetic place that has claimed Jesus as their own to powerfully and radically undermine empire – and everything clicked into place. Of course, I see the world the way I do, and what’s more: there’s value to my perspective. So, I leaned into my story.

Tell us about the Integrative Project. What topic did you choose and why? What did you learn from the process, and how have you applied it to your work?

My Integrative Project—S—is one example of an anticolonial engagement with a decolonial theologian for the shared venture of prophetically undermining empire as contextually located, fully embodied Jesus followers.

Eurocentric churches have attempted programs of racial reconciliation to varying degrees of success, most of which are left wanting. Our task as white Christians seeking appropriate antiracist and anticolonial ally-ship is to listen and to be changed by story. Rather than fit indigenous narratives into our own, for example, how can we be changed – seriously theologically and systemically changed? This project is an anticolonial project – one from within the dominating majority seeking to undermine power – that seeks to unsettle Eurocentric theologies. Decolonial theologians – theologians from the margins – are illuminating biblical motifs and theologies in nuanced ways, and these are the voices we need to guide us into more complete and unfolding ethics of Jesus if we are to advance the broader postcolonial project of dismantling systems of white supremacy.

By looking to Rev. Dr. Kaleo Patterson as one example of an indigenous decolonial theologian nuancing Eurocentric theologies, practitioners are invited to consider the ways the Hawaiian demigod Kukailimoku illuminates: 1. God’s desire to simply be with us; 2. The invitation to re-image the Cross; 3. The shortcomings of atonement theories and the invitation to something new. Drawing upon social anthropology, theology, biblical studies, and history, I excavate Patterson’s sermons, take us to the biblical motifs Patterson himself highlights, and then explore what indigenously nuanced theologies look like and what this means for anticolonial allies. While I am drawing heavily on the work of Rev. Dr. Patterson as one example of a decolonial indigenous theologian, I am not merely reporting his words and ideas. Rather, I am accepting Patterson’s invitation, among other decolonial theologians, to poke holes in Eurocentric theologies, and modeling ways by which our theological imaginations can play and expand in liberating ways.

What are your hopes, dreams, and desires as they relate to your future vocation?

I accepted the position of Assistant Instructor for ��Ƶ and I am honored and thrilled to continue in this project of robust engagement with the Divine in such a life-giving community. Coaching graduate-level writing and research in the seminary classroom pulls on both parts of me: one comfortable with critically interrogating religion—Christian missions in Hawai’i have a lot to answer to—and also one deeply engaged with the Divine all around me. I’d love to keep working with religion in academic settings, perhaps even continue my research in a doctoral program? Dr. Ruthruff held strong to Integrative Project page limit because I was ready to write another 100 pages more, so there’s so much more for me to say and learn and experience and challenge.

How has your time at ��Ƶ prepared you for what’s next?

I thought I was too academic for seminary, but while at ��Ƶ I have pastored my peers and teachers. I have co-facilitated communion for our community in ways that challenge traditional church hierarchies. I have preached on campus and for an urban church community. I have broken bread with our unhoused neighbors, prayed with them, laughed and cried with them, and have been taught by them. I belong to a cohort of peers and teachers that have journeyed alongside me and will no doubt be with me through every next stage (my baby shower was even on campus!). I have co-hosted campus vespers services, vigils, celebrations, and banquets alongside student leadership. I was chosen to be our graduation student speaker. I have practiced pastoring in a safe space, and now I’m ready for more.

What drives you to continue in ministry?

This is such a robust field bursting forth with new life and potential. This is especially felt in the Pacific Northwest, a place of church “nones,” who aren’t “none” as initially thought, but are looking for – and bringing forth – alternatives. This is absolutely the place to be at the most exciting time.

What advice would you give someone who’s interested in our Master of Divinity program?

I was tucked in a corner on campus once, reading, and President Dr. Derek McNeil paused while passing by to tell me to look up every now and then. Yes, so much learning comes from our books, and for a theology student, our reading lists are like gift lists, but what we will remember most comes from our experiences in community. ��Ƶ is a special place. You will be challenged, to be sure, you will learn, and you will grow, but it’s the people who make this place what it is. If Spirit is wooing you, like she did me, come and experience.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Millicent Haase, MDiv ‘21 appeared first on ��Ƶ of Theology & Psychology.

Master of Divinity Archives - ������Ƶ of Theology & Psychology