"I am always thanking God for you. I thank God for the grace give to you in Christ Jesus. I thank God for all the enrichment that has come to you in Christ. You possess full knowledge and you can give full expressing to it, because in you the evidence for the truth of Christ has found confirmation. There is indeed no single gift you lack..." [I Cor.1:4-7]
Almost ninety strong, the Leadership Scholars of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary offer amazing gifts of leadership and service to the community. Coming from diverse backgrounds and places, they have a vast array of interests, experiences, skills and passions. These they offer in an amazing bounty of services which benefit the entire gathered community. While preparing to be bold leaders in the church and the world, they are modeling such leadership to Garrett-Evangelical. It is a sign of understanding that the significant scholarship award received due to their leadership potential is matched by equal gratitude; knowing that the ability to be and continue at Garrett-Evangelical is made possible by the largess of others, calls for reciprocity in sharing their gifts freely.
You will find Leadership Scholars active in the whole life of Garrett-Evangelical. This fall they gave, on average, more than 20 hours of volunteer service to the school. Hooray for them and for all of us who are the beneficiaries! While it is impossible to note every particular gift, these are the summarized areas where leadership was offered:
- Chapel as they serve as technicians, greeters, assistants, worship leaders, band members, bells, choir members and more.
- The Women's Center (WomenIMAGES) is strengthened by their leadership and innovation: establishing connections with students' spouses and children, offering story and play times, bringing speakers for bag lunch times, furthering the dialogue among women preparing for a variety of ministries, planning for women's worship, and more. Conversation partners with spouses of international students provided a unique opportunity for mutual learning; some 24 women are involved in this activity.
- The Center for the Church and the Black Experience finds extensive leadership offered in the development of programs and opportunities for dialogue and reflection.
- Leadership Scholars supported The Latin/a Hispanic Center as it hosted a human rights activist who spoke about her situation in Mexico.
- The Student Theological Conference relies on Leadership Scholars as they are critical to its success. An added benefit is the interaction it affords with student colleagues from other seminaries.
- The Admissions Office is blessed by the Admissions Ambassadors who offer hospitality to prospective students who visit campus. As well, the Recruitment Ambassadors connect with students from their undergraduate school who are considering seminary.
- The Student Council, in its year of reorganization, benefits from the leadership in revision of the constitution as well as in serving as officers and committee chairs. In a year of transition with the Student Center as it is housed off-campus in the Coffee Lab, Leadership Scholars folk offer leadership in the ongoing programming in that setting.
- Service projects such as Eliza Garrett Day are enhanced by the leadership of Leadership Scholars students. Others participate in Beatitudes Society as they explore the call to justice.
- The new "Let Us Pray" group enjoys leadership from Leadership Scholars. Another new venture begun (by the Women's Center) is that of knitting prayer shawls; the first was given to one going on active military duty.
- Leadership in the Christian Educators Fellowship group and preparing for the Deacon Week gathering is offered by Leadership Scholars.
- Hospitality at Garrett-Evangelical is strengthened by the gifts of Leadership Scholars who help with community meals, receptions and other occasions welcoming guests to the school.
- Technical gifts are plentiful with Leadership Scholars: photography, videotaping, web design and enhancement, barcoding and other library tasks, assisting faculty with materials are a few of the skills/gifts offered.
A common activity shared by all Leadership Scholars is the offering of time to participate in the Phonathon, sponsored by the Alumni Office. Leadership Scholars called alums to thank them for their ministry, pray with them, invite their prayers for the school, ask for continued financial support. Many noted how good it was to learn and enhance their skills in this area... one likely to be used in later ministerial efforts! Others offered the gift of working to update and enhance records.
Finally, all Leadership Scholars are careful to pen their appreciation to their specific donors who made their scholarships possible. This act of hospitality is incredibly important, not only to demonstrate gratitude, but to model an appropriate response to the Gospel precept that "to whom much is given, much will be required." [Luke 12:48] Our Leadership Scholar students give much... and Garrett-Evangelical is blessed. Thanks be to God for you all!
Dr. Elaine M. Amerson is the Special Assistant to the President at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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