You did not choose me but I chose you.  And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name - John 15: 16

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Last May, the Candidacy Committee approved my entrance to seminary, and from that point my life changed forever.  I had been hearing God’s call for a long time, and now this call was actually being affirmed.  Much had to be done in order to prepare for seminary.  There were applications to fill out, essays to write, not to mention the introductory visit/to the seminary.   It was during the seminary visit that I was told that I was accepted as a seminarian at LTSP. I truly felt affirmed that God has chosen me.

Speaking of preparations, I worked hard to pay off bills so that I could enter seminary with no debt.  Let’s face it, at 57 years old, it didn’t make sense to go to seminary part-time with online/distance learning.  It would just take much too long.  So I decided that I would resign my job in Syracuse NY and go to seminary full-time. I thank God for the foresight to pay down debt prior to seminary. 

So, as I reflect on this past year, I realize how much God has blessed me.  I am receiving an education that is world-class, at a beautiful seminary with professors that are personable and who truly care about each student.    The lectures and classes are engaging and relevant to practical ministry.  I’ve met colleagues with whom I will continue contact well beyond seminary.   I am serving on the Education Committee for the seminary, as well as serving as an auditor for the Student Body books.  One of the gifts God has blessed me with is the gift of music, so I enjoy singing with the Chapel Choir.  The first year field education rotation to 10 different churches over the year has been eye opening and so valuable to my seminary education.  This coming summer, I will be doing my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at St. Luke’s in Bethlehem, PA.  There’s never a dull moment!

However, there is one thing that makes me pause, and that is the staggering cost.  Tuition, books, living expenses, car and health insurance are just a few things that tend to distract me from the main goal.  Even after a scholarship from the seminary, I am facing debt building up over the next four years that will be around $20,000 for each year at the seminary.    Unfortunately, my home congregation has not been able to subsidize a portion of the load, and the synod provided only a very modest scholarship which incidentally will almost pay the tuition for this summer’s CPE program.

I am so grateful for the help I have received.  I am also humbled that Bishop Marie, the Candidacy Committee and the entire Synod staff hold each of the Upstate NY seminarians in prayer.  This inspires and energizes me on so many levels.  I am thankful to those who support the “Feed the Roots of Leadership” appeal by contributing to the capital appeal of the Upstate NY Synod.  Supporting this program is so vital for the raising up of new leaders for the church by helping them to discern God’s will and to learn and grow.   For those of you who are on the proverbial fence trying to decide whether or not to share your gifts, I hope that this testimony will demonstrate how much your contribution will impact a seminarian’s education.

This year has changed me.  As I read chapter 15 of John, I am reminded that God is preparing me to bear fruit.  This is a time of growing and cultivation as I gain a deeper understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  God is so extravagant with love, and wants us to share that love with one another.  When the Rev. Mary Lee Johnson visited the seminary just before Thanksgiving, I told her that the seminary experience has made me come alive.  God has indeed chosen me to learn, grow and share the Word that I might bear fruit, fruit that will last. I pray that you too will be moved to share the gifts with which you have been blessed.

Go in peace, share the good news!

Jay Berry
LTSP Seminarian, Class of 2015

By Rev. Jim Slater, St. Luke's and Emanuel Lutheran Churches, Valatie, NY

Conference camping programs are getting in gear for this coming summer. In the Hudson/Mohawk Conference, a week of camp is offered for Senior High youth and for Confirmation aged youth. Senior High Camp will be held June 24-29 at Syke Farm, a camp of the United Methodist Church located near Warrensburg, NY. Those who have completed 9th-12th grades at the end of this school year may register with Pastor Jim Slater (jhsiii@fairpoint.net). Confirmation Camp, generally serving 6th-8th graders will be held the following week (July 1-7) at Camp Fowler, a ministry of the Reformed Church located near Speculator.

Post-graduates are able to apply for staff positions at Senior High camp and are asked to reflect on the meaning of their camp experiences in the faith life. Here are some responses:

I have been through a lot of difficulties. Because of this, I have had struggles with my relationship with God. Even though I have had my problems, God has always helped me get through. I hope camp can have the same impact on a camper's life that it had on mine.

I am continuously questioning what spirituality is, and what role religion plays in my personal spirituality and my growth as a human being. Each year I learn things from the campers and the staff at camp that are like big leaps ahead in my otherwise steady path of spiritual understanding. They're really kind of amazing.

I have been partaking in camp ever since the first year of confirmation camp. I've met people from all different backgrounds who have shared their life events with me and have shared mine with them. I have been through a lot in my life and camp has grounded me each year, giving me a place to recharge, surrounded by a spiritual, judgment-free zone. My faith throughout the year tends to dwindle based on things that happen to me and around me, but is always refocused upon my return to camp each year.

Attending a public school means that Jesus is never brought into the school setting. Because of this, it was easy to detach myself from God during the school year. Camp, however, was my jetpack back to God. During the week of camp I was able to let my school stresses aside and let the atmosphere and people around me reestablish my relationship with God.

Sounds like some great reasons to make camp part of your faith experience!

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Help us Feed the Roots of Leadership by supporting our capital appeal for outdoor ministry, campus ministry and seminary scholarships. 

New and exciting things are happening at our camps! Recently the Walmarts of Cicero and East Syracuse donated $4,000 to help Vanderkamp get their Community Farm Project off the ground! The camp will start by planting one acre of land with organically grown vegetables - using 1/2 to supplement their own kitchen, and half to give to people in need in this area. Seedlings from C & J Farms, seeds from Matthew 25 farm, and fertilizer from North Riding have been pledged, and offers to help with garden construction. There is plenty of work still to do! Walmarts' money will be put towards fencing and irrigation systems, and a shed to house the supplies for maintenance. Volunteers will be needed to help with planting, weeding, and harvesting. Read more: http://www.vk.org/wpsite/farm.

This is an example of how our camps are growing leaders who will be aware of the importance of caring for God's creation. You can help to grow leaders by supporting the Upstate New York Synod's Feed the Roots of Leadership campaign.

My name is Kristine Jaunzeme. I am Hubert H.Humphrey Fellow from Latvia in 2011/12 academic year in Syracuse University, Maxwell school. Back home in Latvia I work as a lawyer for local governments and serve in my church in Bible study groups, prison and social house ministries. My church is Riga Old St.Gertrude Evangelic Lutheran Church. I've been member of Old St.Gertrude since 2001. I am  so very happy that I found a place to worship  and a community to  fellowship with while I am studying here in Syracuse.

To learn more about Kristine and the exciting things happening in campus ministry at Syracuse University, read more...

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The Feed the Roots of Leadership Campaign is underway. Already we have received over $500,000 in donations and pledges. Many congregations will begin the three year drive in January 2012. If your congregation has not participated, now is the time. Donations support Outdoor Ministries, Campus Ministries, and Seminary Scholarships in our synod. Speakers are ready to meet with congregations, church councils, and pastors to share the Feed the Roots of Leadership story. Contact Pastor Joe McGarry (pastormcgarry@gmail.com) for information or see the synod website for more details.

Pastor Sandy Damhof is the Protestant Campus Pastor at SUNY Albany with Jessica Vermilyea, State Director, LDR Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response, Louisiana Help us Feed the Roots of Leadership Today

October is Feed the Roots of Leadership month. We are confident that most every congregation should be able to find a way to participate that matches their congregation's commitment to feeding the roots of leadership for the future of our synod's ministries and the church.

Pastor Sandy Damhof is the Protestant Campus Pastor at SUNY Albany. That ministry is a supported by the ELCA and several ecumenical partners. For the last six years Sandy has been taking groups of students to New Orleans to help with disaster relief and rebuilding efforts following Katrina. When floods came to Upstate New York she organized a group to work in Schoharie, one of the areas hardest hit. But that wasn't enough, so she invited SUNY Albany students to join in the effort and on Oct. 8 she brought 78 students to Schoharie to help with the cleanup. Campus ministry does more than Feed the Roots of Leadership for the future, it's making a difference now.