Celebrating Our Final Residential Students

In our most recent issue of Crossings magazine, we invited members of the Class of ‘24 and Class of ‘25 to reflect about living and learning on the CDSP campus.

Here’s some of what they said.

Briefly share the story of a favorite campus memory…

For the Feast of the Presentation, Chaplain Steve Hassett needed an icon of the Holy Family. He asked a group of students if we had one, and no one did. We decided to create one ourselves. Several of us collaborated, each drawing a different figure, finding joy working together to write our impromptu icon. We processed it from Denniston to the chapel as we sang a Taizé chant together. This memory of faithful creativity and exuberant fellowship will remain with me always.

– The Rev. Calvin Payne-Taylor ‘24, Diocese of California

Photo of hand-drawn icon on easel paper in front of table covered in lit candles — An impromptu DIY Holy Family icon in All Saints Chapel. | Photo courtesy of the Rev. **Robert G. Stevens ‘24**

Karla Koon poses with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry — **Karla Koon ‘25** with the Most Rev. Michael Curry during his February 2023 pastoral visit to campus. | Photo courtesy of Koon

My favorite campus memory was meeting Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. I was able to participate in webinars with him prior to seminary and during the pandemic, but I never thought our paths would cross. It was a joy and delight to be in conversation with him. PB Curry blew the roof off our chapel during his sermon. I will always take with me his message: “The church is not dying. It is transforming.”

– Karla Koon ‘25, Diocese of Olympia

Many of my most meaningful memories on the CDSP campus took place in our chapel. Regular services punctuated our busy academic schedules and allowed us the opportunity to connect with the community, bring theory into practice, and worship God with our entire beings. Our uniquely beautiful worship space and the gathered community within have been a touchstone of faith, expression, and joy for me in both easy and challenging times. Each time I leave that space, I experience an increase in joy, wonder, and peace.

– John McLean Wolff ‘24, Diocese of California

Seminarians standing in chapel practicing liturgy — *Seminarians participate in a practice wedding liturgy. From left:*
*the Rev. **Brad Gough ‘24**, **John McLean Wolff ‘24**, and **Michael Drell ‘25**.* *| Photo courtesy of Gough*

Schola singers gathered around a piano singing from paper music scores — *Schola sings at the Baccalaureate service in May 2022. | Photo by Richard Wheeler*

I loved back when Schola choir still existed and chapel was full on Thursday evenings. We sang James MacMillan’s“O Radiant Dawn,” and it was stunning.

– Michael Drell ‘25, Diocese of Cuernavaca

What’s one takeaway from a class that you hope you’ll still be guided by regularly in five years?

My biggest takeaway from seminary was learning Kathryn Tanner’s ideas on soteriology in Dr. MacDougall’s Theology I course. It was the first time I encountered the idea that the incarnation, rather than solely the cross, was the salvific act. She put forth the idea that Christ made our entire lives holy, in each and every element, connecting our humanity to his Divinity in his very body. This idea made a major impact on me that I think will continue throughout my ministry.

– The Rev. Erin Wiens St. John ‘24, Diocese of California

What’s one way you’ve changed in your time in seminary? What do you think led to this change?

Members of the Class of 2024 pose in front of gold backdrop and large red Celtic cross — Several members of the Class of 2024. From left: the Rev. **Phillip Lienau ‘24**, the Rev. **Calvin Payne-Taylor ‘24**, **Weston Morris ‘24**, the Rev. **Erin Wiens St. John ‘24**, the Rev. **Emily Hyberg ‘24**, the Rev. **Toby Darrah ‘24**, the Rev. **Robert G. Stevens ‘24**. | Photo courtesy of Stevens

People told me I would be different when I finished seminary. I was suspicious, but they were correct. Looking back, it is challenging to identify just one way that I have changed. I can say that my theological imagination has become more expansive, and I appreciate that the body of Christ goes beyond the four walls of a church. I attribute this to studying a wide diversity of theologians from antiquity to today—and not just theologians but people doing the ministry of God in the world.

– The Rev. Robert G. Stevens ‘24, Diocese of Olympia

I entered seminary unaware of disagreements (and agreements!) about issues dear to me within the Anglican Communion. I now know so much more, and yet have so much more to learn, about the wider Anglican world. This expansion of view, opening up of possibilities and perspectives, is directly thanks to the teaching and scholarship of the CDSP faculty, including especially Dr. Snow.

– The Rev. Phillip Lienau ‘24, Diocese of Olympia

What’s something about living in Berkeley that you didn’t expect but know you’ll miss?

Pink and yellow flower bloom in front of chapel — Photo courtesy of the Rev. **Toby Darrah ‘24**

I don’t think I expected Berkeley to be as charming as it actually is, and I definitely didn’t expect it to be so breath-takingly beautiful here between the hills and the sea. I didn’t expect or want it to feel like a place where I belonged. I was coming out here for school and that was it—check seminary off my list and go home for ordination. Instead, I found that out here with so many spiritual seekers, mystic visioners, and people on journeys of discovery about self and other, I was actually very much at home.

– The Rev. Toby Darrah ‘24, Diocese of Michigan

What’s a message of good news or encouragement you’d like to share with the Church?

Amid all the fear that the Church is shrinking, or even dying, my time at CDSP has convinced me otherwise. The old model of Church that can be measured by ASA or pledges is what is dying. The Church as the expression of God’s work in the world is not going away. We have the great pleasure of figuring out what it looks like in its next expression.

– The Rev. Brad Gough ‘24, Diocese of Southern Ohio

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Julian of Norwich