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A LETTER FROM TOM EKLO ...
Dear friends at St.
John's,
Greetings to all of
you! It seems like we have been in New York for some time now, and yet the time
has flown by. In mid-May I finished the Easter term and my first year of
seminary education. Seniors at the seminary keep saying that the three years come
and go before you know it, and I am beginning to believe their wisdom in this
matter.
It was an
exceptionally full semester, with classes in Old Testament, Theology, Church
History (through the patristic period), Greek, and a course called
Proclamation, which was an introductory class to church music, preaching and
pastoral concerns. The studies consume a great deal of my life - both days and
evenings (I seem to have a reserved space in the library), but I have found them
to be extraordinary, and I would be hard pressed to say which was my favorite
subject of study. It continues to amaze me how blessed I feel to be in this
place, and to have this time in my life to study. Steve has been a part of the
"Schola" (a musical ensemble) here at the seminary under the
direction of David Hurd throughout the year. They sing some very interesting
and challenging music at the community Eucharist each week. The schola gave a
concert in May in the chapel here at the seminary that was filled with a
wonderful variety of music. He also sings each Sunday in a church choir at St.
Ann and the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn Heights. Both experiences have been
fulfilling and challenging for one who loves choral music.
The seminary
continued to participate in the relief efforts at ground zero here in
Manhattan. St. Paul's chapel, a chapel affiliated with Trinity Wall Street and
across the street from ground zero (miraculously not destroyed), serves as a
continuing nerve center for the relief workers, with supplies, meals,
counseling, etc. The seminary often takes 12-hour shifts at the chapel to help
with the relief efforts. I have been able to participate on occasion, and it
continues to amaze me how these men and women continue on in their fatigue and
their despair to search for the bodies of their fellow firefighters and police,
as well as others. In their weariness, however, they always find within
themselves a smile and a thank you for the help that is given them. Their story
continues to be an incredible testimony to the human spirit and the precious
gift that life is.
Steve and I will
continue to be in New York for the summer. Steve continues in his work at
Janovic Paint. He has been relocated to their busiest store on the Upper East
Side, and seems to be in high demand as a color specialist. "Minnesota
Nice" has proven to be a marketable commodity here as many people find his
customer service skills to be quite extraordinary and quite unusual for New
York. I will be doing my Clinical Pastoral Education during the summer. I will
be a chaplaincy intern at Beth Israel Hospital here in Manhattan for 10 weeks beginning
May 28th and finishing sometime around the 8th of August.
It is apparently an exhausting experience, but also one which most seminarians
have found to be profoundly valuable. It not only teaches you about pastoral
care in a hospital setting, but in the process, tends to teach you a great deal
about yourself.
Steve and I will
both be back in Minnesota sometime in the middle of August. We look forward to
seeing you and worshipping with you at that time. We miss all of you greatly,
and look forward each month for the arrival of "The Voice" which
helps on some level to keep us connected with what's going on there. Our
prayers of thanksgiving are always with you as you continue to do the marvelous
work of God in that place. Many thanks also as you continue to pray for us. May
each of you have a blessed and restful summer.
Sincerely,
Tom
Eklo
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