Branwen Jorenby ’23

Major: Biology, Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN

Being a Christensen Scholar is an amazing experience! As someone who is not religious but grew up in a Lutheran setting, participating in this program has challenged me to fully dive into questioning my own spiritual beliefs in multiple thought-provoking readings and conversations with my peers. Engaging in Augsburg Health Commons as a volunteer through this program has allowed me to see health and humanity in a new light that I will bring into the care plans of my future patients.

Tofunmi Oteju ’21

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýBiology
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

I have always been fascinated with Interfaith work and how our various beliefs intersect, with the sole purpose of maintaining some sort or unity between our different faith and non-faith traditions. I was able to explore my curiosity by being part of the 2019-2020 Interfaith Cohort. There I explored the religious diversity at Augsburg and the wider Twin Cities but also put on events that explore this diversity as it relates to various facets of our everyday lives (e.g. Faith and Science, Faith and Death). A revelation I had being an Interfaith Scholar, was that there is still so much work that has to be done within our various faith traditions. Currently, there is still not enough unity and understanding between different Christian denominations. Being an international student from Nigeria, I was not as exposed to the various protestant denominations till I started school at Augsburg. I was not even aware we had a wide variety of denominations within Protestantism. I was only familiar with mainly Catholicism and Pentecostalism (which I practice). Coming to a school built on the values of Lutheranism forced me to explore more denominations.
Being in the Christensen Scholars program has been a great way to cumulate my learning of the various ways of being a Christian.

Erik Garcia Gonzaga

Major: Communication Studies
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

My name is Erik Garcia Gonzaga, born in Morelos, Mexico and raised here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a student at Augsburg University studying Communication Studies. What I want to do with that major is to be in places where I can inspire and motivate teens and young adults to follow their career and educational goals.

Sarah Dorr ’21

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýTheology and Public Leadership and a Concentration in Youth Studies
±á´Ç³¾±ð³Ù´Ç·É²Ô:ÌýMahtomedi, Minnesota

Throughout my five semesters at Augsburg I have grown in so many ways. I have been able to challenge my beliefs, discern my vocational calling, connect with others who have a strong faith and learn through the many opportunities Augsburg has provided. Through my time at Augsburg I grew curious about my own faith and I questioned what I believed and why. Christensen Scholars was an opportunity for me to continue to discuss and share my faith and to also hear the faith of my peers.

Shevon Greene ’21

Major: Communication Studies, Minor: Religion and Leadership Studies
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

I was interested in Christensen Scholars because I wanted to have meaningful conversations with peers about topics that especially interested me and I want to delve deeper into. I also believe this is a great opportunity to explore my spirituality in a nonconventional way. Through this program, I hope to come out with a better sense of my self and the world around me. When I graduate this semester, I hope to bring these skills and knowledge with me and apply it to my vocation in whatever way that might be.

Nelago Tulela Nashandi ’21

Major: Biology
±á´Ç³¾±ð³Ù´Ç·É²Ô:ÌýWindhoek, Namibia

When I think about my first year at Augsburg, I remember being fascinated by our school mission statement. “Augsburg University educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” I had never thought of myself using any of those adjectives before. Augsburg has definitely taught me to question “the norm” and how society functions. I became a Christensen Scholar because I wanted to explore the church’s role in the community. Should the church be talking about social justice issues? (if you want to know my answer, it’s yes. ) I am passionate about leaving a space better than I found it, mostly for people who look and sound like me. If I can add insight that will make the next black/Afrikan person’s experience better I am achieving my vocation.Ìý

Isaac Tadé ’21

Major: Biology, Minor: Religion
Hometown: Windom, MN

My four years at Augsburg have brought numerous opportunities to grow in different areas of life. Among them, I’m proud of my spiritual growth through the Interfaith and Christensen Scholars Programs. Through Interfaith, I had the opportunity to challenge myself and my beliefs by learning from and engaging with people of different backgrounds and faiths. While in the Christensen Scholars program, I’ve come to appreciate the support of the Christian community at Augsburg. I’m very grateful for my Christensen Scholars internship at Augsburg Health Commons, which has allowed me to put my faith to work, and has helped prepare me to practice my values in my future health care career.

Grace Porter ’21

²Ñ²¹Âá´Ç°ù:ÌýTheology and Public Leadership with a concentration in Youth Studies, Minor: Music
±á´Ç³¾±ð³Ù´Ç·É²Ô:ÌýEden Prairie, MN

As someone who wants to work in the church, and change what that looks like (especially for youth), Augsburg was the no-brainer school to go to. I knew I could get an education that emphasized God’s love for everyone and God’s wish for God’s people to work for justice in the world! And now, as I am entering my fourth year, I know that is exactly what I have gotten. Through Christensen Scholars, the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute, Campus Ministries, and so much more, Augsburg has been a wonderful home and learning community for me.

The post 2020-2021 Christensen Scholars appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

Current Augsburg Students:

• Looking for a meaningful work experience for spring semester 2020?
• Are you curious aboutÌýhow you are called to serve your neighbors?
• WonderingÌýabout how your talents, skills, preferences, and passions can inform your career decision making?
• Do you have initiative and want to spend time learning and intentionally reflecting on experiences with others?

If yes to all of these, we invite you to apply to be a Christensen Vocation Intern.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CHRISTENSEN VOCATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Paid Internship at a faith-based nonprofitÌýor community-oriented congregation
• Gain relevant work experience and mentoring
• Reflect on experiences and assessments with a cohort of your peers
• Duration: 8-10 hours/week, PAID internship for up to 100 hours during Spring 2020 semester
• Current students from all majors and faith backgrounds are welcome to apply. Each site’s job description can be somewhat customized to the intern’s education and goals.

Potential Engagement/Focus Areas:

• Community organizing
• Youth and young adults
• Assisting people experiencing homelessness
• Interfaith dialogue and learning
• Environmental justice
• Anti-racism training/work
• Multi-media StorytellingÌý
• Public art
• Community meal

Apply through Handshake, Augsburg’s student employment platform.

Questions about the application platform?ÌýAsk the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work,Ìýcareers@augsburg.edu
Questions about the application process or positions?ÌýAsk the Christensen Center for Vocation,Ìýccv@augsburg.eduÌýor 612-330-1403

±·°¿°Õ·¡:ÌýPriority application deadline is November 13. Then applications will be accepted on rolling basis as the positions are still available.

The Christensen Vocation Interns will be selected based on initiative and strong interest in exploring vocational discernment with a faith-based organization partner site, as well as the potential match with the available partner sites’ engagement opportunities and needs.

The post 2020 Vocation Internship Opportunity appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

Christensen Vocation Interns intentionally explore how the conceptÌýWe are called to Service in the WorldÌýapplies in a work setting.Ìý

Each spring, Augsburg students serve at faith-based nonprofit organizations for 100 hours during the semester.ÌýThey also participate in a bi-weekly seminar where they reflect on vocation readings, assessments, and work site experiences together.

The 2017 Christensen Vocation Interns served at:
– Restoration Center at Central Lutheran Church, Downtown Minneapolis
– Trinity Lutheran Church/Safe Place, South Minneapolis
– Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Minneapolis

The Christensen Interns are selected based on strong interest in exploring vocation, call, and career interests in faith-based or service organizations, as well as potential match with the internship site’s needs.

Questions?ÌýContact Lonna Field at 612-330-1467 orÌýccv@augsburg.edu

The post Christensen Vocation Intern Overview appeared first on Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.