Letter from Seminarian Erik Evenson

Erik Evenson is a Seminarian from the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac. His sponsoring congregation is St. John the Baptist, Wausau. He recently sent this letter to update the diocese about his seminarian experience. Please keep Erik and our other seminarians in your prayers.

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Erik Evenson is attending Seminary of the Southwest

Dear Diocese of Fond du Lac,

It’s the start of my middler year here at Seminary of the Southwest. We miss being with all of you back in the Diocese of Fond du Lac but are happy the process is moving forward. We are just getting out of the hot summer temperatures here is Austin. During August we had a string of 20 days that the temperatures were over 100 degrees. The positive of that is that I am loosing weight. I have almost 80 pounds lost since I left for Seminary last year. Amy is doing well with her job she works as the marketing and creative manager for Diamondback branding. And our wonder pup Gus is a positive member of the community (our cook saves scraps for Gus, and he is officially allowed in the buildings on campus. 

This semester my study load is very big, the positive of that is that I am very interested in my course work so it is not a burden. I am taking the following classes:

1. Theological Ethics
2. Bible (The Prophets and John and Revelations)
3. Preaching
4. Bible In Spiritual Practice
5. Christology 
6. Middler Field Parish

The classes have been very challenging and we are only just started! But I am really starting to develop my own voice again which is very empowering. I am learning the art of journaling this year as most of my classes require weekly journal entrees. This is something that I have avoided doing prior, but is becoming a nice way to review my day and what I have learned. My most challenging class is the Christology class. This professor Anthony Baker is an incredibly intelligent theologian and the information is incredible. I would say more about the of information I am getting but I am still formulating it as writing of this note. 

My field parish work officially began. I will be robed and serving at the altar each Sunday. My supervisor said this is the best way to get comfortable behind the altar. I am really looking forward to this part of my formation. The school aspect is of course important, but the field parish (and participating in CPE) is where the rubber meets the road. My work study this year is in the Library I try and pick up as many shifts as they let me to help make ends meet. 

I look forward to getting to see you at the Diocesan Convention in October. I will be flying back to attend convention and preach at St John's. 

Thank you all so much for all your help guidance and prayers. I/we could not do this without you and you mean the world to us. 

Take Care and God Bless from Austin
Yours in Christ 
Erik

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If you would like to provide financial support for Erik, you may send a check payable to Seminary of the Southwest, 501 East 32nd, Austin, TX 78705 with "Erik Evenson" in the memo and a note to add it to his educational expenses account.