Greetings from Katie :)

Hello! My name is Katie. I'm one of the seminarians on this trip. I'm in my second year at Wartburg, pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with hopes to be a pastor.

I am from Iowa -- the only one in the group who can truly call Iowa home! :) I come from a large family, and enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephews, sisters and brother-in-laws, and parents. We're a pretty tight knit group of people, and even though I don't get to go home very often, I am always happy to see my family.

Previous to seminary, I was a graphic designer, among a few others things while discerning God's calling in my life.

I am excited to see what this journey holds. So far, the hospitality we've received has been immense. There's truly something to be said for the coffee, too!

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the journeys and paths to which you call us. Guide us on this journey as we learn about your work in the Nordic Lands. Open our hearts and our minds to the ways in which you work in these lands and these people. Help us to be good stewards of the gift that this experience is to us. Amen. 

A Whole New World

It is just before 9am here in Iceland, one would expect the sun to be up and the sky to be bright; however, the sky is dark and the city is bright via the artificial lights found on buildings. While I prefer to see the sun when I wake in the morning, there is beauty found all around.

The first several days were spent at Skalhot at the  Academy of Skalhot, which served two purposes in my mind. The first being a time of continuing education, Dr. Craig Nessan from Wartburg was the lecturer and spent time with the concept of Shalom Church. It was a powerful time learning from each other and it was a fruitful couple of days. The second purpose being a time of renewal for the pastors, it seemed as even though the lectures were thought-provoking, simply the time spent together with colleagues was even more life giving. It was neat to experience and reminds me of Theological Convention in the Nebraska Synod. 

From Skalhot, the trip took us south to visit the Geysir, which was beautiful to experience and learn about the history. A waterfall was also on the docket plus a church with a beautiful painting that pastors thought about while Dr. Nessan lectured. Dinner was soon arriving and the hospitality of Pastor Halldora was something unimaginable. The food was delicious  but the conversations is what I wanted second and thirds of. 

While the conversations ranged in talking about the volcano Hekla, which was close by, to the work of the church, one theme rang through the entirety that really struck me as powerful. The idea that the term parish is not talking about the individuals who are members in a specific church but rather the geographical area of the church and all who live in that area. Too often I have been apart of congregations that are focused solely on the the names on the roster and being blind to the community outside the church walls. While this model of congregation is widely used, I found deep comfort and joy in the idea that a parish is something much more then those in the pews each week. It is about being apart of the whole and being someone that is active and engaging. It really seeks the idea of "mission field" differently as the geographical area in which one resides is their community and church not their mission. 

Changing the way I think about the parish and the community has been fruitful and challenging. The next several days in Iceland will be filled with the same conversations that not only renew my call to ministry but also to serve as a model when I graduate from Wartburg and serve a place. The sun may not be up here for another couple of hours, God's light is shining bright in this place. 

Heavenly Father, my life sings praises to you for creating such a place as Iceland. Thank you for filling my heart with joy as I engage in conversations with those who have graciously opened not only their homes but their lives as well to the stranger among them. Continue to bless the time spent being present with your servants and learning how to live out our call in a fruitful way. Grant us good health and rest so we may not miss an opportunity to learn from others. Amen

Greetings from Kristi Grieder!

Hi, my name is Kristi Grieder and I will be participating in the J-term trip to Iceland and Norway!

I am originally from Mankato, Minnesota but I also call Omaha, Nebraska and Northeastern Iowa "home." I am a 2nd-year student pursuing my Master's of Divinity Degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary. I am married to my best friend, Jonathan. He is a high school social studies teacher. We enjoy reading, spending time in nature, playing cards and board games, and spending time with family and friends.

Before seminary, I worked at a nonprofit resource center that provided health services for people in need. I also worked as a cashier in retail department stores and therefore, can say I have worked with thousands of people. ;)

I am eager to see what this adventure will hold. I hope to be present to the people and places we meet, to pay attention to the beauty that I see, and to be open to the experiences that will challenge me and help me grow as a person and pastor. Please join us in this journey as we share our reflections and joys from the Nordic Lands!

Gracious God, Open our eyes so that we may see beauty and behold your presence. Open our hands to receive this gift of travel and connect to others. Open our hearts so that we may embrace new places and the journey to which we are called. Amen.

Introduction to Sarah Wyatt

Hello!  My name is Sarah Wyatt and I am currently a first-year Masters of Divinity student at Wartburg Theological Seminary.  I am from a suburb of Kansas City called Overland Park in Kansas.  This adventure of going to Iceland and Norway is exciting for me and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can during this trip.  While I have visited Canada and Mexico before, this trip is going to be my first trip off the North American continent.  I am looking forward to the experience of being in a completely different culture and land.

Before I entered seminary in July 2015, I was working full time in a call center and going to school full time for my undergraduate work.  I have attended five different colleges and changed my major over thirty time over my nine years of undergraduate work.  After all of those changes, I am excited to be on the right path in seminary.

O Lord,

We praise your name for all you have done for us.  Thank you for a safe closure for 2015 and an exciting beginning of 2016.  Be with our group as we prepare for this journey.  Be with the other Wartburgers as they prepare for their J-Terms.  Please allow everyone to arrive safely and have a fulfilling experience.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.   

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

My name is Robin Luckey, and I am grateful to be part of the January, 2016 Wartburg Seminary cohort traveling to Iceland and Norway. 

I grew up near Chicago and moved to Seattle after college. I spent the last 25 years in the mountains, rainforest, and high desert of the west coast of the U.S., in Washington State.  I’m married to Michael, and we have a 14 year-old son named Jackson. They are amazing and very funny people! 

Before entering seminary, I worked as a funeral director. I never imagined I would like to care for the dead and their families, but listening to people tell stories about their loved ones, and helping families to mourn was wonderful work. Before that, I worked as a social worker and a studio assistant for artists. I am not a musician, but I enjoy music, and I’m slowly learning to play the ukulele. I enjoy looking for what God is doing in the church and in the world.  

In two days we will leave for our grand adventure to Iceland and Norway. What a wonderful way to begin this new year! I’m thankful to God for this opportunity. I’m excited for good conversation, new food, and experiencing the beauty of the people and places we will meet! 

Gracious God, You give us everything we need and more. Thank you for the ways You surprise us with Your love. Bless our conversations and our interactions with each other.  Prepare our hearts to meet You in unexpected places in the days to come and the year ahead. Amen.

From The Mountain Tops to The Corn Fields: Mack Patrick

Hello There Readers from Around the World! 

This is my family, my sister Brandi, my mom Bridget,
me, and my dad Tim. It was great being home for Christmas
this year. 

I am Mack Patrick and I am a second-year student at Wartburg Theological Seminary participating in the Iceland/Norway J-Term Immersion. Throughout the trip I will be one of the students who will be sharing their experiences with y'all. 

A little introduction to who I am before I head over. Originally I come from the great state of Colorado where I found my home amongst the mountains working at several different camps and being involved in the church. After graduating high school, I headed out East to Fremont, Nebraska and did my undergraduate studies there focusing on Youth and Family Ministry and Computer Science. I enjoyed the small town feel and felt my call to ordained ministry while doing a J-Term in Central America. 

After the few weeks I spent in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, I know that ordained ministry was for me and I discovered the Castle in Dubuque and found a new home at Wartburg Theological Seminary. I am currently a second-year student in the M.Div program and a candidate through the Nebraska Synod. I look forward to exploring Iceland and Norway and seeing how this cross-cultural immersion will benefit my ministry. 

As I leave this post and resume the packing circus that has taken over my room, I will leave you with a prayer: 

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (ELW)

Iceland & Norway - January 2016

J-Term 2016 is right around the bend - just past Christmas and New Years.  This year marks the fifth group from Wartburg Theological Seminary heading to Iceland for a January-Term Cross-Cultural immersion.  
We're delighted to be heading East!  So delighted that we're going to head even further East to hang out in Norway for a few days.

Josh, Sarah, Mack, Katie, Robin, and Kristi (r to l)

Our deep gratitude to the many folks who help make this happen, especially in Iceland Pastor Gunnar Sigurjónsson, Digraneskirkja, and Dr. Arnfríður Guðmundsdóttir, Háskóli Íslands, and in Norway Pastor Sunniva Gylver and Bjørn Lyngroth, Menighetsfakultet, Oslo, and Pastor Øystein Aronsen, Gjerpen Menighet, Skien.
We're looking forward to fellowship with and learning from friends old and new!
More details and introductions to come.
Peace in Christ.
Sam