Article
Welcome Runnells Summer Seminarian Fellows!
by St. John the Divine
The Church of St. John the Divine is grateful to be a church community where faith is nourished, and servant leaders are grown and sent out. Every summer, we look forward to hosting seminarians to learn and grow alongside us.
Because of a generous grant from the Runnells Foundation, St. John the Divine can house and host Episcopal seminarians to work and learn ministry alongside us. They have opportunities to preach and serve liturgically in our services, learn pastoral care from our gifted clergy and lay volunteers, teach our youth and young adults, discover how a large parish operates, and receive an inside look into the life of a healthy and vibrant Episcopal church.
Meet this year's Summer Seminarian Fellows: Melissa Robertson, Allie LaRue, Jackson LaRue, Matthew Lewis, and Jonathan Blackham. Melissa, Matthew, Allie, and Jackson will be with us through part of August; and Jonathan will join us in late July.
Melissa Robertson
May 24 through August 2
I grew up in the Seattle area and have spent most of my life there. I have two adult children who live in the area, and I love to be with family and friends as much as possible. I am an avid hiker, love to walk, and snow ski, and you will find me outdoors as much as possible! I also love to travel, read, and visit over great coffee. I value living a life marked by joy, faith, wholeheartedness, and love.
Professionally, I spent many years as a teacher and then as a director of special education in public school systems, and continue to do consulting work in leadership development. I have been involved in church for the majority of my life and have served there over the years in a wide variety of capacities. Most recently I have been serving in hospitality, teaching, altar guild, lay eucharistic ministries, women's ministry, breakfast ministry.
The Lord called me to seminary three years ago, much to my surprise and joy, and life is currently full with that! I spent the first part of my seminary experience at Nashotah House in their hybrid program and then God called me to Duke last fall as a residential student where I will finish my MDiv next Spring! After that, the Lord willing, I will be ordained to the transitional diaconate, in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, and then to the priesthood.
What are you most looking forward to this summer at St. John the Divine?
I am most looking forward to meeting everyone and the variety of experiences that will bring a lot of joy and learning!
Who is the most important theological influence on your life?
The gospel writer, John, continues to have a profound impact on my life as do Augustine and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one book, one movie, and one musical recording. What would you bring?
One book: My Bible
One movie: Persuasion or Little Women
One musical recording: Song: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Iris Dement. Album: Sandra McCracken: God's Highway (and if I could get away with it...Paul Zach: Fox, Palmer, Zach and Bruce Springsteen: Essentials)
Who is the most underrated biblical figure and why?
Phoebe. Paul writes of her in Romans 16:1-2: "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well." (NRSVUE)
Phoebe is mentioned very little, but what is mentioned about her is significant. Paul recommends Phoebe and uses the word diakonos (deacon or minister) here to refer to her, the same word that he uses to refer to himself or Timothy. She is also noted for being a patron, a woman of means, and an authority in the community at Cenchreae. Perhaps most notable as underrated is that she was the likely bearer of the letter to the Romans. In the ancient world, the courier of the letter was often the one who would read the letter aloud and interpret it for the recipients. In two small verses, Paul has a lot to say about this influential woman.
Allie LaRue
June 1 through August 19
I am the youngest in a family of four girls and was born and raised in California. I was baptized in the Lutheran Church, but spent time in Presbyterian and nondenominational contexts before I first encountered the Anglican/Episcopalian tradition at a church in Davis, CA where I met my husband Jackson. I studied Spanish literature at UC Davis and human osteoarcheology at the University of Edinburgh. Before going to Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin, I spent time at a private Christian school in California teaching Bible, English, and instrumental music. I am passionate about Christian education and while at Nashotah House had the opportunity to became involved in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. In my free time I enjoy reading, baking, playing piano, and hiking.
What are you most looking forward to this summer at St. John the Divine?
I am most looking forward to receiving mentorship from experienced leaders in the church, especially the women, lay and ordained, at St. John the Divine.
Who is the most important theological influence on your life?
My older sister Annie has been the most important theological influence on my life.
You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one book, one movie, and one musical recording. What would you bring?
I would bring The Face of the Deep by Christina Rossetti, The Sound of Music, and Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos 1/2 performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andre Previn, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Who is the most underrated biblical figure and why?
Joseph, husband of Mary, is an underrated biblical figure, partly because in scripture, he feels so quiet. We hear his actions, but not his words, as we do with Mary. Oftentimes, in focusing on the power of Mary's faith in responding to God's call with "Be it unto me according to Thy Word", it is easy for me to overlook how Joseph also lived this out, in taking Mary to be his wife and in protecting Mary and Jesus in the flight into Egypt. In seminary, a classmate read aloud how W.H. Auden imaged Joseph's experience in his Christmas oratorio For the Time Being during a presentation. This has stuck with me in looking to Joseph as an example of faith battling doubt in a person who listened closely for God's voice and responded in obedient action.
Jackson LaRue
June 1 through August 19
I was born in Jacksonville, FL to a Navy family with roots in the Episcopal Church. My father was a career Naval Aviator. While he was Airboss aboard the USS Trenton, I was baptized on the top deck of the vessel in the ship’s bell by an Episcopal Navy chaplain. Much of my early childhood was spent in Florida, and I have many fond memories of collecting seashells, catching crabs, identifying shorebirds, and sailing with my family. My father died when I was young, and my mother, my brother, and I moved back to my parents’ birthplace in Kansas City to be near extended family. We became involved at a non-denominational baptist church during my middle school and high school years. Much of my early development in Christian theology took place in the context of its youth group and summer retreats. I enlisted in the Marine Corps out of high school and was stationed as an Infantry Mortarman at 1st Battalion, 1st Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, Ca. I was deployed on two (non-combat) tours in the West Pacific, spending time in Okinawa, mainland Japan, Thailand, and Australia. For much of my four-year enlistment, when I was stateside in California, I drove to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest on Thursday and Sunday evenings. After I was discharged, I began taking classes at MiraCosta college in Oceanside, Ca. I majored in Biology, and intended to transfer to a research University, and continue with graduate school and a career in Biology research. I eventually transferred to and graduated from UC Davis, and worked there as a research lab tech for some time following graduation. I had started attending an Anglican church again during my undergraduate years, where I met my wife Allie, and where the rector and congregation eventually convinced Allie and I to go to seminary. We married and moved to Nashotah House during the summer of 2023.
What are you most looking forward to this summer at St. John the Divine?
I’m looking forward to serving in a community with a diversity of roles, lay and ordained. I’m excited to learn more about the various ways people are serving God and I hope that this will help me discern where I am called to serve.
Who is the most important theological influence on your life?
Apart from the collective influence of the faculty of Nashotah House, the basic foundations of my theological reflection have been significantly influenced by John Behr’s synthesis of early Christian proclamation. The themes addressed in Behr’s writing are deeply consonant with much of the theological formation I’ve received at Nashotah House.
You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one book, one movie, and one musical recording. What would you bring?
Moby Dick, the Lion King, and Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest
Who is the most underrated biblical figure and why?
I’m not sure if he’s underrated, but I continue to find Balaam a fascinating and perplexing figure throughout the narrative of Numbers 22-24, in Micah’s interpretation of the narrative, and the description of his death in Joshua. From the narrative in Numbers with the Angel blocking the path of Balaam’s Donkey, the text isn’t exactly clear why God is angry with Balaam. It seems that he has done something other than what God has bidden him to do, but we aren’t told what. Also, in his continual blessing of Israel against Balak’s wishes, Balaam appears to be acting as an obedient prophet of God, but references to him in Joshua describe him as an enemy of Israel and their God. Also, in Numbers 31 and in Revelation 2, he’s described as advising Balak to entice Israel to immorality and idolatry with Midian, because he was unable to curse them. He’s an altogether enigmatic figure. In this context, interpreting the figure of Balaam in Micah 6 is a rich theological exercise and may be underdiscussed.
Matthew Lewis
June 1 through August 9
My name is Matthew Lewis, and I am a seminary student from Wycliffe College in Toronto. I grew up in the Baptist church, but over the last few years, I have been drawn towards the deep liturgical and sacramental roots of the Anglican tradition. I have a bachelor’s degree specializing in Urban and Intercultural Ministry and hope to be able to use some of my knowledge for the church. When I’m not engaged in my master’s program, I can be found hanging out with my wife, Johanna, and our dog, Apollo. We like to rock climb, play games, and watch movies.
What are you most looking forward to this summer at St. John the Divine?
I’m most looking forward to meeting all of you! As an extrovert, I love to connect with people and get excited and/or inspired by what drives them.
Who is the most important theological influence on your life?
It’s hard to pick anyone other than C.S. Lewis, even if only from his work in The Great Divorce.
You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one book, one movie, and one musical recording. What would you bring?
Book: Assuming the Bible is excluded, East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Movie: The Seventh Seal (1957) dir. by Ingmar Bergman
Musical Recording: Too many to choose from…I’ll say Grace by Jeff Buckley
Who is the most underrated biblical figure and why?
Elisha. Elijah gets all the fanfare, but think of it this way: If Elijah prefigures John the Baptist, then Elisha prefigures Christ himself.
Jonathan Blackham
July 20 – September 21
Hello everyone, my name is Jonathan! I'm an Anglican Ordinand currently in my 2nd of 3 years studying Theology at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. My call to ministry came while I was studying my Mechanical Engineering Degree. I found myself being more and more drawn to service with the minister of the Church at the time.
After an internship at a church plant, I felt strongly led to pursue discernment.
I was born in London, and was in All Souls Langham Place until I was 11. After then, my family was Church planting around the country for the next 15 years.
So, I got to encounter many different church situations (from non-denom/independant all the way to Greek Orthodox!) and got to see such great hearts for Jesus and His Word!
I love to video-game (PC mostly), draw, take walks with my girlfriend Michèle, and enjoy quiet time in nature!
What are you most looking forward to this summer at St. John the Divine?
Everyone I've talked to about SJD has said how friendly the people are! I am excited to meet you all, and to see and grow from your journey with Jesus too.
I am also quite excited to explore Houston!
Who is the most important theological influence on your life?
Probably my parents and my family. Around our family dining table, we would throw out all sorts of theological, philosophical, or biblical questions. Outside of my family, I really enjoy reading through the Early Church thinkers, Athanasius and the Cappadocian Fathers are my favourites!
You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one book, one movie, and one musical recording. What would you bring?
The book would have to be (assuming I have the Bible!) my favourite theological book: Jungel's God's Being in Becoming. But I'm also tempted by The Silmarillion! Film might have to be The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship or Kung Fu Panda! (Can you tell I'm a little indecisive!) But musical recording for me would be Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo!
Who is the most underrated biblical figure and why?
Elihu from the Book of Job! He has one of my favourite Gospel descriptions in the bible from Job 33 (My favourite is from Zechariah 3!), and I personally would argue that he is not classed with Job's other friends. He doesn't have to repent at the end like the other three, he also knows that the Lord is coming to speak to Job in the whirlwind, and he speaks a great truth which I have found so comforting about God helping us hear Him in our toughest moments: in Job 36:15 (NIV) "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction."