Confessions of a First Year MDiv Student

With the holiday season upon us, the Fall semester will be coming to an end in mere weeks. It seems like orientation was just yesterday. However, our newest students have survived their first Old Testament exam; can now define words like pneumatology; and fully understand how to switch from the Purple to the Red line at Howard. The first semester of seminary comes with a lot of transition so we caught up with Jenn Meadows, first-year M.Div. student, and asked her to share some reflections . . . or in Jenn's case, confessions.

I started my theological studies at Garrett-Evangelical this fall. I’m from the great state of Indiana (GO HOOSIERS!) and I’ve started the candidacy process to become an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church. Before coming to seminary, I spent my undergrad years at the University of Indianapolis studying public relations and communication. I had never studied theology before so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But after two Old Testament Exams, a paper about the Trinity, and a few mishaps on the ‘EL’, I’m still enjoying my time at Garrett-Evangelical.

Growing up in rural Indiana, there was a little bit of adjustment to Evanston and Chicago. I’m in love with cities, but my city of Indy doesn’t have a rail system like Chicago. When I first got to Evanston, people kept telling me about the Purple Line and the Red Line. I knew they were part of the rail system, but I did not have the slightest clue about how to use it. After a few mishaps of getting off at the wrong stop, I also learned you don’t make eye contact with strangers on the ‘EL’. That was difficult for this girl that was taught that Hoosier Hospitality. 

After a few weeks of Googling what ecclesiology, pneumatology, and Christology were, I started to get a grasp on the seminary lingo. Coming from my background in public relations, a lot of my work was less than 140 characters. I fell into a whole new world at seminary, but the professors were understanding and helped me figure out the waters of seminary. I’m also incredibly blessed to live among a community that is supportive and helps lift one another up during these difficult times. I’ll admit there were those moments where I found myself questioning why I though seminary was a good idea in the first place, but the transition flowed smoothly and I couldn’t be happier at Garrett-Evangelical!