It seems impossible that my internship year, which began at the end of August, will come to a close on Friday. A school year can seem long at the onset, and yet its passing occurs as time tends to: in slow-rapid unfolding. This year and internship experience have been a tremendous and personally transformative gift, difficult to sum up in a blog post, though I will attempt it.
I began the year nursing decades-old “church wounds” and hesitant to participate in congregational ministry. After significant push from seminary advisors, I was initially open to a pastoral internship placement primarily because it was coupled with social justice organizing through The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. Though my experiences with both CMC and the Coalition have been nourishing, I was taken by surprise to discover I came alive in the pastoral setting (right here at CMC, with all of you!)! I did not anticipate that the congregational placement to which I was initially resistant would most fully fit my strengths and passions, and that it would allow for seemingly disparate facets of myself to come together and “breathe” within and alongside community.
Both the CMC staff team and each of you welcomed me as your pastoral intern with enthusiasm and warmth, and so I felt amply supported as I engaged new and familiar experiences. The commitment and care of CMC staff and my beloved Teaching Committee* enabled me to reflect honestly about instances of difficulty and those of ease, and aided me in receiving their curious questions and gentle guidance. Held by webs of support—from all of you, from staff, my Teaching Committee, my seminary peer cohort—increased my willingness to experiment and take risks, and aided in growing my creativity, imagination and follow-through. To be the recipient of such consideration and support has been a tremendous gift that I will carry with me beyond this experience.
I am deeply grateful for this internship year, which has been made possible by the deep care and encouragement of this CMC community. I experienced a beautiful, collaborative, growth-filled, nourishing individual and communal season. My heart is full as the semester—and these experiences—come to a close.
Joel’s description of sabbaticals applies to internships as well: “[Internships] are an act of community. When done well, the whole community is renewed over time.”
May it be so.
Bethany Davey
*Heartfelt thanks to my Teaching Committee: Marty T, Robin W, Shakita K, Cindy F and Kevin S, who journeyed with me throughout my internship year! Deep gratitude to Joel, who acted as my site mentor with beautiful intentionality! To the CMC staff team: your welcome and company brought joy to my heart! Adam G, I couldn’t have co-taught without your brilliant and passionate research skills; I appreciate you! And, to Josh, Oliver, Anna and Eva: your love and cheer have sustained me. Kids, you have only complained a moderate amount about attending church every single Sunday, and early, and for that I thank you.
