Smorgasbord

I stood by a table beautifully appointed with the most exquisite desserts you can imagine - chocolate raspberry cake, cream puffs with real custard, lime cranberry cheesecake - things outside the realm of usual dessert fare. How to decide?

I stepped back to think it over, admiring the cream colored candles embracing the well arranged serving platters and fall decor so nicely draped and placed thoughtfully about, while others approached the table and gazed at the extraordinary confections. The tables were gracefully situated in the center of the room with lots of space on both sides of the two tables. Scattered about the room were smaller round tables and groupings of chairs for intimate conversation and comfort of chatting with friends or meeting new people. We had all just attended a delightful ten year celebration of the seminary I attend. We were not in a hurry to leave, preferring to bask in the candlelit glow of accomplishment of something greater than merely the sum of each of us.

Ten years ago, a handful of faculty (three to be exact) and an administrator got together with little more than a vision and a plan, and began Northeastern Seminary. Their first class was a small group of interested people who had no idea what they had signed up for. In ten years, they have graduated over 200 students who live across the world doing God's work of caring for the spiritual needs of people.

In celebration of ten years, the Seminary invited speaker Leith Anderson to bring words of encouragement in moving forward. This year we celebrate the appointment of a new Vice President and a new Dean along with a second round of accreditation approval. The foundation is solid, now its time to continue building.

The courses I have taken so far have been a delightful repast, the list of application to life long and enlightening. Artfully served in bite sized chunks, carefully thought out and gently presented, they too are a wonderful smorgasbord of learning and growth. I am working my way through the raspberry of history, the limelight of early writers, the chocolate of spiritual formation. It is enjoyable, this feast. While I know all good banquets come to an end, I shall relish every moment of this one, and not be in a hurry to leave.