Disciples Divinity House

She was observing the congregation's happy celebration of Simchat Torah, which marks the end of one year's cycle of reading the Torah. People were dancing with and unfurling the Torah scrolls. And then, incredibly, a scroll was placed in her arms, and she began to dance....

rachel_rabbiDennisHouse Scholar Rachel Abdoler is interning in Indianapolis this year, exploring models for interfaith cooperation and how preparation for Christian ministry can be formed by deep engagement with other religious communities. At Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, a synagogue affiliated with both the Conservative and Reconstructionist movements in Judaism, she is mentored by Senior Rabbi Dennis Sasso and being invited into congregational life and worship. During the other half of her week, Ms. Abdoler also works with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, which seeks to foster interfaith connections and opportunities. She participates in staff meetings and works with Executive Director Charlie Wiles and the CIC Board. She is developing dialogue groups among Muslim, Christian, and Jewish youth from three selected communities and also among area college students. The internship allows her "...the opportunity not only to gain experience in basic ministerial skills but also to think deeply about the tension involved in becoming part of a community outside of one's own tradition while simultaneously remaining distinct," she says.

Rachel Abdoler's internship is one of two that DDH has arranged and funded this year. The aim is to situate students in exceptional settings of ministry where they can explore their vocations and hone their abilities.

House Scholar Danielle Cox is in Orange, California, at Disciples-related Chapman University. At the Fish Interfaith Center, she is learning about campus ministry with Director of Church Relations Nancy Brink, Associate Director Cisa Payuyo, and Gail Stearns, Dean of Wallace All Faiths Chapel. Ms. Cox focuses on empowering students to organize events, service projects, and other faith programming, and recently facilitated student participation in an interfaith celebration at Homecoming. She works with the Interfaith Council, Disciples on Campus, and serves as a resource for seventeen other spiritual and religious groups. She also hopes to enhance programming for progressive Christians. "I love the work I'm doing," she says of her time so far, "and I'm certainly grateful for the opportunity to do it in such a supportive environment while I continue to learn, read, reflect, and grow."

Both scholars have completed two years of their MDiv studies and will return for their third year of study in 2015-16. In the meanwhile, they visit DDH once a quarter to keep up with their peers and advisers.