pre-Deacon, so, like, a preacon?
Hey y’all! My name is Alyssa (she/her) and I am a candidate for the Word and Service Roster of the ELCA, currently attending Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa through their distance program. I am the current Director of Congregational Ministries and Deacon Intern at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Fairfax, VA, where I live with my spouse, Vinny, and our rescue-pup, Murphy.
Why Word & Service, Alyssa?
I was immediately drawn to the word ‘service;’ finding that my passions for advocacy and love of the church could be used in way that advances the Gospel and the ELCA made so much sense to me. As much as I love the sacraments and the liturgy of the ELCA, I don’t feel a strong calling to them. I truly believe that my call is to the diakonia and meeting people where they are at in this big, beautiful, messy world on level ground.
Isn't the Church messy?
Yup. The church as an institution is incredibly messy and the people who make up the church are also just beautifully-messy-diverse human beings. I am a big believer that you can love something and still be able to criticize it, while you are trying to make that thing better. I love the ELCA and through that love I am called to do everything in my power to improve it. I love people and I am called to meet them exactly where they are.
So what do you Believe?
I believe in the Triune God - Parent, Rebel, Spirit. I believe that Black Lives Matter, that no human being is illegal, and that love in all its forms is right, good, and sacred. I believe in Liberation Theology - that Jesus was an oppressed person and therefore is inherently for the the oppressed. I believe in being a Theologian of the Cross so I am going to name the evils of this world for what they are - racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, ageism (just to name a few). I believe that people are good. I believe that a cup of coffee or tea has healing powers. I believe in a better tomorrow.