Fellows Blog: Zach Porter on the Necessity of Mentorship

Without further ado, Theological Horizons fellow Zach Porter shares his insights on Biblical origins of mentors and the power they have in achieving goals:

In a recent article on the popular website The Art of Manliness, “The Mentor” was listed as the first of the five types of friends every man needs. The article describes the mentor as “someone you can turn to when the goin’ gets tough,” emphasizing the need for men to have others who are older and wiser in their lives, who can relate to experiences and challenges and provide advice, perspective and constructive criticism.

“The Mentor” is a concept that has strong roots in the Christian tradition: Timothy and Paul, Joshua and Moses, Elisha and Elijah, all examples of strong followers of God sharing their wisdom, their faith and encouraging the whole-hearted pursuit of our Creator. The results of these relationships are noteworthy. Timothy led the church in Ephesus. Joshua led the nation of Israel to incredibly military victories and into the Promise Land. Elisha led Israel as a political intermediary and through demonstrations of the power of Yahweh. These historical figures demonstrate a correlation between active mentor/mentee relationships and successful careers and effective leadership.

This correlation ought provide ample incentive to engage in a relationship with a mentor. It certainly does for me, and I relish the opportunity I have been provided through Horizons Fellows.

Zach Porter, UVa 2014

Sister Simone: The Activist

The past 2 weeks at Vintage we've been talking about our "God Languages." That is, we've been discussing the ways in which we are naturally inclined to commune with God. During the first week we got an introduction to the "Naturalist": those who communicate with God in and through nature. I am quite ill-equipped to talk about the Naturalist, as I scored incredibly low on that section of the quiz.

In the second week - last Friday - we talked about the "Activist": someone who believes faith should be put into action. Fittingly, we were lucky enough to have Sister Simone Campbell visit Charlottesville last Sunday and Monday. You may know her as the witty and politically savvy nun from Nuns on the Bus, or the head of NETWORK, a Catholic lobbying group. But for 18 years, she was an attorney of family law, working especially for those in poverty within the justice system. After hearing her lead a discussion about how to talk with those that hold different opinions, it was evident that her very political actions -- lobbying for healthcare and immigration reform among the most recent -- are informed by her faithful beliefs. 

That is to say, she confronts injustice as an expression of her love for God. Similarly, Shane Claiborne, a religious activist and founding member of The Simple Way, promotes loving God through action. He states, "Those of us who yearn for the kingdom of God must follow in the steps of Jesus. Jesus was not 'in charge' of the poor. He was poor. The message of Christ from the manger to the cross is that the world is conquered through weakness, through leastness, through struggle." And in this way, we all are called to live lives of service in the name of Christ.

If I'm being honest, I didn't score very highly on the "Activist" portion of the quiz either. But I know that action is an important part of being human, and having that action informed by our faith makes it an important part of being a Christian.

Rhody Mastin

Theological Horizons Communications Intern

UVa 2015

Vintage 2014: What's Your God Language?

Vintage is back, friends! As a new Spring semester greets us again, students were happy to reconvene at the Bonhoeffer House last Friday to discuss the ways in which we talk about God. We began with an invitation from American philosopher Dallas Willard:

"We have received an invitation. We are invited to make a pilgrimage--into the heart and life of God. The invitation has long been on public record. You can hardly look anywhere across the human scene and not encounter it... God's desire for us is that we should live in Him... in the deepest nature and meaning our universe is a community of boundless and totally competent love."

On Friday we attempted to recognize and grapple with the magnitude of this invitation so that, in the coming weeks, we can fully understand the ways in which we uniquely respond to it.  Our response is driven by a search for who we are, but if we accept God's invitation to commune with Him, we can gracefully accept that who we are "is embedded in the heart of a holy God" (Calvin Miller).

Theological Horizons is excited to be a part of a semester aimed at individual growth through spiritual identity.

"To covet God's holiness is a righteous hunger. To lust for godliness is a glorious passion... Yet by what path can we arrive at such a center for our souls? How can I tell you? How shall I define it? Holy inwardness defies the laws of space and time. It fills us with a life too great to be our own. When he fills us, what we contain is ore than who we are. The indwelling Christ moves into us with a love beyond dimension; for all his vastness, God chooses to make his throne inside our fleshly frame. He pours his cosmic size into the thimblelike containers of our souls." - Calvin Miller (A Hunger for the Holy)

Beat the Rush talk online now

Sorority rush is an experience filled with uncertainty, hope, drama, anxiety and, too often, disappointment.  Each year we host a tea for women students--an hour to step out of the rush madness and hear from older, wiser women---loving mentors who remind us all that God's love is without limit and without conditions.

Hear Christian spiritual counselor Miska Collier's incredible talk and step into the presence of God with us.  You will be reminded that you are truly loved!  This talk is great not only for young women but for anyone who wonders,"Am I good enough?"

NEWS! Sister Simone is coming to the Bonhoeffer House February 10!

  Sister Simone Campbell has been the Executive Director of NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobbying group, since 2004; she is an attorney, a poet, and has experience in public policy lobbying for immigration reform, peace-buildng, and economic justice. Indeed, after writing her famous "nuns' letter" during the 2010 congressional debate on healthcare reform and getting 59 Catholic Sisters to give support in favor of the Affordable Care Act, she was thanked by President Obama and invited to attend the ceremony that celebrated the passing of the ACA.

She was also one of the key organizers of the "Nuns on the Bus" tour, a tour across nine states that opposed the "Ryan Budget" that was approved by the House of Representatives. The budget planned to cut welfare programs that would give to people in need, and the bus tour helped garner support of communities, government officials, and the media. Her most recent Nuns on the Bus tour was in May and June of 2013, and focused on immigration reform. For much of her work in politics she has received the "Defender of Democracy Award" from the International Parliamentarians for Global Action and the "Health Care Heroes Award" from Families USA.

Finally, Sister Simone is no stranger to the media, and can be seen on 60 Minutes, The Colbert Report, and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. You can check out her Stephen Colbert interview here: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/422223/december-13-2012/simone-campbell.

For all of these reasons and more, Theological Horizons is thrilled to host Sister Simone Campbell on Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Bonhoeffer House! She will be speaking and discussing important topics relating to our faith and social action from 3:00-4:30 on February 10, as well as preaching at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Charlottesville on Sunday February 9. Both events are open to the public, and more information will be given in the coming days! We can't wait to see you there.

"Beat the Rush" event on January 14

• Who are my friends?
• What is important to me?
• Am I beautiful?
• Where do I find my identity?
• How do I deal with disappointment? with judgement?
• Where is God in all of this?

These questions come forward with particular urgency during sorority rush -- whether you are going Greek or not! -- as the drama in the dorms heats up.

Step into the Bonhoeffer House for an hour with older women who have wisdom to share!

Join us for our annual BEAT THE RUSH tea on Tuesday afternoon, January 14 at 4 pm.

RSVP via facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/599771766761993/

We'll have a panel discussion, including Christian counselor Miska Collier, pastor Saranell Hartman, and several UVa alumni (both Greek and nonGreek) who have experienced all you're going through right now...

The UVa inner loop bus stops close by on Rugby Road. We will also be offering rides, especially for you if you've never been to the Bonhoeffer House.  Want more information or a ride?  Call or text Karen Marsh at 434-466-1342 or email karen@theologicalhorizons.org.

Bring your friends!  All are welcome.

Now you can listen to the 2013 "BEAT THE RUSH" TALK by psychologist Susan Cunningham!  And see photos of last year's event...

Horizons Fellow Maria Maguire reflects on Joy

I am very thankful to be a Fellow with Theological Horizons. I am a fourth year here at U.Va.  I’m studying studio art and religious studies.  This past spring I spent a semester in Italy.  Though I experienced great joy in that new place, I also missed my community of U.Va.  When I reflected on what exactly it was that I missed—when I tried to identify a physical place where I felt I belonged, where I felt peace—it was the Bonhoeffer House.

Throughout my time at U.Va., the cozy living room of the Bonhoeffer House has been a place of refuge from the pressures of university life.  Though it is deeply connected to The University, it has been for me a place apart.  At Friday Vintage lunches, I have often felt the Holy Spirit that it is dwelling within me come alive through creative realizations sparked by theological readings and discussions.  Walking home from Vintage on a beautiful Fridayautumn afternoon, I feel invigorated and alive—even more alive than usual.  That is the Holy Spirit.

So unquestionably when I got the e-mail from Karen announcing that there would be a new Fellows program for fourth years, I jumped with joy.  An opportunity to get even more involved with the Bonhoeffer house?! I thought with a huge grin.

I was content with simply being more connected with the Bonhoeffer house—that was enough.  I was very excited to help out by volunteering at guest lectures.  I love simply being present, helping out in whatever way I can, so that I can be exposed to the stimulating conversations of faith, thought, and life.

I later found out that the focal point of this fellowship was a relationship with a mentor.  I didn’t expect, and couldn’t possibly forsee, the gift of this program.

Throughout my time at U.Va., I’ve meandered between the disciplines of studio art and religious studies.  I have found that the study of each has provoked discoveries and realizations in the other.   Theological Horizons found a perfect match for me in the community:  my current mentor, who is a liturgical artist.  I was blessed to attend a recent Mini-Retreat of hers, at which we attendees made art as a form of prayer, a way to connect with God.  She is a pastor, and she is extremely gifted at helping others listen deeply to the Holy Spirit.  People who are trying to discern the next step in their lives often come to her with questions—how do I do what God wants me to do?

What gives you delight?  She says.  What better of a way to glorify God is there than to do what gives you joy?  God is at the heart of that.  God is where your heart is.

And so I go forth, discerning questions of what gives me joy, and how I can do whatever that is to glorify God.

I look forward to the blossoming of this mentoring relationship, which has been a true gift from God through Theological Horizons.

-Maria Maguire, UVa 2014