The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary is not an institution of higher learning that is merely in the education business. The seminary is made of people who are pastors, counselors, chaplains. We are in the people business– educating and ministering to said people is what we do.
At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seminary saw the need to form a support team to care for the mental, emotional, social, and financial needs of the seminary student family. Seminarians were experiencing the fear, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and overall stress that comes with isolation, bereavement, loss of income, and uncertainty.
The intent of the seminary administration was to pull together individuals and ministries that provide care and to coordinate their efforts in creating or developing educational and healing events for seminary students and their families. The Associate Dean of the Seminary (Dr. Teresa Reeve) was given the task of leading the effort supported by her Administrative Assistant and the Seminary Director of Finances. Seminary counselors, chaplains, the First the Blade team, and the co-directors of the Seminary Student Forum (SSF) were also asked to join the “Seminary Care Team” that meets every other week to discuss and plan together.
The Care Team responded to the massive needs by rallying financial and food support for those in need. Counselors and chaplains provided emotional support and facilitated student initiatives for spiritual and responsible social engagement.
Within 7 weeks of the pandemic shut-down, the realities of social injustice rocked the campus with the death of George Floyd. The Seminary Care Team immediately rallied and held 3 race forums/family meetings for faculty and student support.
The Team planned colloquia on mental health, trauma, and grief. They scheduled monthly hour-long seminars on topics such as financial health, anxiety and depression, and trauma. They also shared brief mental health nuggets during the seminary worship times.
First the Blade facilitated a gathering of seminary students and their families around a meal for the purpose of building connections between the families. This ministry also assisted in the reactivation of the Seminary Spouses Ministry (SSM) which is still quite active and has held two events for spouses with more planned in the near future.
Two years later, the worst of the pandemic is considered over; however, seminary students, like many others, are still dealing with the after-effects of the crisis. For this reason, the Seminary Care Team continues its ministry. We want our students and graduates to enter the field able to serve from a place of wellness and empowerment.
Dr. David Sedlacek
Esther Green
