Ministry Programs

Select Ministry Examples

Office of Worship Life

Serving Columbia Theological Seminary, the Office of Worship Life (OWL) offers worship services by and for students, faculty, and staff each week. My role as an intern was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which called for a creative license in online programming.

As an example, below are the offerings for the week-long Earth Day focused series I planned.

Earth Day Series:

The on-campus group SAGE (Shaping Attention to God's Earth) led us during Tuesday's pre-recorded go-at-your-own-pace service.

Old Testament professor Rev. Dr. William Brown led us in a live Zoom service on Wednesday.

(Recording is not public)

Following Friday's live Zoom service, the on-campus group FTD (Fellowship for Theological Discussion) had Rev. Dr. Brown as their guest speaker. Participants discussed the correlation between theology and environmental concerns. (Not recorded)

Accompanying the three services was a reflection guide that I crafted. Each of the three sessions contains two videos and a few reflection questions.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Located in Trenton, NJ, WPC is a small urban church with a 120-year history, serving a genuinely intercultural congregation. 

Rev. Karen Hernández-Granzen had been the pastor for twenty-five years and served as my mentor and supervisor.

During my twelve-week stay at WPC, I held leadership and participated in various ministries, including planning the worship bulletin and delivering liturgy each week.

You may watch some of my sermons online.

Louise, one of our teens and our Poet in Residence, delivers an original piece as part of our Sunday Worship service.
Assisting Rev. Karen and Elder Angie in serving communion.
Celebrating the end of the school year for our Get S.E.T. after-school program. Children were awarded for their achievements. They performed ethnic dances for their parents, and some even walked away with raffle prizes of toys and books to keep them busy over the summer.
On my first Sunday, Rev. Karen asked me if I would wear a silly hat and be a Fool for Christ. I said no. By my twelfth week, I was proudly stating that I am a Fool for Christ, sans the hat, of course.

Bethany House of Hospitality

A mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Bethany House of Hospitality (BHoH) was my home during my time with WPC.

Housing young adults who serve the region of Trenton in various ways, the house also serves the community through its garden, food-related programs, and other social-educational gatherings.

Vespers

Residents of BHoH and guests meet weekly to tend the house garden together, share a meal, and partake in a reflective activity. In a session I led, we engaged the practice of Lectio Divina with a photography book as a form of contemplation. Recognizing that not all residents and guests are Christian or religious, we could have a conversation with images that spoke to us, irrespective of doctrinal beliefs.

Suppers

Using ingredients from the garden paired with inexpensive options from the grocery store, BHoH resident and Suppers program facilitator Christina teaches local people how to cook and eat healthier.


LGBTQIA+ & Allies Reunion

It had been three years since BHoH and WPC hosted their LGBTQIA+ & Allies group gathering.

After fellowship and a meal, I led the group in conversation concerning the question: What does it mean when we are so inclusive that we become exclusive?

WPC Elder Cherry documented our conversation through a graphic recording.

San Francisco Night Ministry

Since 1964, San Francisco Night Ministry (SFNM) has been serving the city through a ministry of presence. Most of the work takes place between the hours of 10 pm and 4 am as Night Ministers walk the streets of the city, offering a listening ear and the occasional sock or food item to any person who needs a moment of companionship and compassion.

SFNM also offers a weekly Bible study and two street-side worship services, one on Sunday afternoon and the other on Thursday evening. Both services are followed by fellowship and a meal. SFNM is a training ground for seasoned and future pastors and chaplains alike as a clinical pastoral education site. Because the ministry has no walls, there is no distinction between who is part of the ministry and who is not. Everyone, including your colleagues, is your parishioner.

Preaching during a street-side Sunday worship service by Civic Center Plaza in the heart of the city.

Bonding with CPE teammates on a hike.

Leading prayers and reading scripture during a weekday evening service in the busy and crowded Mission district.  

Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, our worship professor, welcomes HSP faculty and students for our opening chapel service.

Hispanic Summer Program Chapel

As a team of four, my classmates and I organized and led daily chapel for the two-week intensive Hispanic Summer Program (HSP) in San Antonio, Texas.

Our theme was creation, which includes the lives and bodies of our siblings crossing the border into the United States. Over two weeks, our table evolved, collecting the elements of creation and the names of those who have perished crossing El Rio Grande. A memorial service was held to remember those who have lost their lives crossing into the United States and those who died in U.S. custody.

Over the weeks, our table evolved with additions of soil, rocks, water, leaves, flowers, and the names of those who perished. Lastly, oil was added to anoint attendees.
HSP professors bless students and fellow staff as we near the end of our time together. Above: I lead worshipers in prayer.

Hispanic and Latinx Association

The Hispanic and Latinx Association (HALA) at Columbia Theological Seminary is a seminarian-led group that provides care, education, and support to Hispanic and Latinx seminarians and their allies. The group also leads educational events on campus and leads worship services for the seminary chapel. 

You can hear my sermon for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Above: As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, HALA organized a book display on Latinx Ministry concerns by Latinx scholars for use at Columbia Theological Seminary's library. There was also a display of children's books.

Right: A table display for our closing chapel service celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

El Refugio Pastoral Care Trip

HALA makes an annual trip to Stewart Detention Center. With the guidance and support of the non-profit El Refugio, we offer pastoral care to men who have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.).

After speaking with the detainees, HALA members, El Refugio volunteers and staff, and families visiting their relatives at Stewart sit for a meal and fellowship.

Seminarians of Color Logo

An online ministry serving BIPOC students

Seminariansofcolor.com is a personal ministry project. My experience in seminary was harrowing and what I've learned is that I needed to expand my list of tools outside of what my particular seminary could offer. I traveled the country for internships and conferences, connecting with pastors of color and learning from their wisdom and support. The site contains resources and letters of support from current ministers to the newer and future BIPOC leaders of the Church.

Resource Hub

A significant facet of the seminarians of color project is a collection of applications, books, organizations, and other tools that may be helpful during seminary for people of color. The hub grows as pastors are called to share resources within their letters of support. 

Sample Letters

Rev. Fernando Rodríguez
A Beautiful Struggle

All photos courtesy of the respective ministries mentioned.