Hello dear Friend/Reader/Viewer/Sharer/Carer/Contributor/Kin,

If you know me, or know who I am, you probably already know that I’m an outside the box type of person. That I do my best to give of myself freely, as my gifts were given to me. I have devoted my life to being in service and support; to show up for the communities and individuals I come in contact with, wherever, whatever, and whoever they may be. I offer my whole hearted support and service in whatever way I can, be it material/physical, temporal, emotional, spiritual, psychological, logistical, etc, etc, etc.

Since ritually dedicating myself to the great river, the primordial flow of life, three years ago; my journey down that river has accelerated. In that deluge, many experiences and evolutions, many lives and many selves have been carried down stream. I have careened -and sometimes rested, relaxed, and recharged- down many branching paths. Some have been dreams of my own making, many have been those of others. Regardless, they all take on the shapes of both to some degree. In these dream streams, I have offered my support in so many new, invaluable ways; and have learned so many new, invaluable skills.

Now, I find myself at a slow point between rapids where I can get a lay of the land. Surveying where I’ve been, and where I might go. How I feel, and what I need to keep going. What is clear is that my course is changing. The way I’ve been sailing is no longer sustainable. But good news, my friend! I see a way forward. A way I might flow in concert with my own path down the river, rather than struggling to navigate and fit within/between currents and embankments formed for, and by others. A different set of challenges, of teachers. Ones that appear -from this vantage point- to build the skills, and engage the world in the ways that are most called upon from me, that I am most drawn towards. The realms of engagement and service that when I touch feel immediately nourishing, rushing to meet me. Clearly, this stream, this current has been far from absent in my myriad travels. I find it, or it finds me among the other whorls and rushes. A thrill in the work, pulling me along. What I see now is this current broadening and deepening, where it is the primary flow, touching upon those others without being subsumed.

I can almost hear you, dear reader… “A nice story and all, but why am I here?! What is this mysterious, grand current, and what does it have to do with me?”

Well, those first steps on this mysterious, expansive, fraught, fantastical, sacred adventure is training. I want to deepen my ability to offer counsel in those spiritual, emotional, and psychological capacities. I want to deepen my own relationship with those qualities of life, spirit, feeling, thinking. In fact, it feels like a necessity, given the massive transformation underway in the world along with the uncertainty of what might come from it. As I spoke of personal sustainability, and nourishment, I feel the need to develop these qualities to weather the coming storm. To reinforce my own boat, and improve my ability to navigate troubled waters, both for my own well-being, and that of others. We will need, I think, as many sturdy life boats as possible to get through this great, transformational flood; and together, we might even come out the other side greater, brighter, stronger in ourselves, and our relations to each other and the world. I think I would do well in this role… Others have told me they think so too, which makes it seem much more likely, more true, and less like a delusion of saving the world.

Of all the interconnected roles in this vast current that I am following, there is one in particular with which I need assistance.

“Are they finally going to stop talking around the point and just say the thing!?”

I feel it is time to walk, or row, or sail, the path of community Ministry. One part of that training is attending seminary school, pursuing a Masters of Divinity, with the goal of seeking interfaith Chaplaincy ordination, with a strong focus on Liberation Theology.

I will also be undertaking what is called in our Sufi tradition “Cherag” training. An interreligious ministry role/skill suite specific to our tradition. This is already underway with help from a beloved family/friend on the path who has been one of my greatest champions encouraging me to pursue this stream.

“Thank you! No more riddles or metaphors, please!”

There are a number of Unitarian Universalist seminaries in the US that offer stunning programs centered around interfaith ministry, including how it can support social, ecological, and spiritual justice. I am currently in the process of applying to two of them, Starr King School for The Ministry in Oakland, California; and United Theological Seminary of The Twin Cities in, you guessed it, The Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St Paul!

But here’s the rub, and why we’re here. Higher education is expensive, increasingly so. Financial aid is harder and harder to access, with larger and larger burdens following program completion. And would you believe it? Going where I’m needed, supporting in whatever way I can, being in service to those around me, accepting whatever can be offered in return (monetary or otherwise), without over-burdening those I’m trying to uplift, doesn’t exactly rake in the big bucks. I live a life supporting, and supported by community, by relationship, and that is the only way this particular dream seems possible.

If I have touched your life, directly or indirectly, in a way that has lifted you up, and you’d like to spread that to others; If we share a community, where you see this as a valuable service; If you also think that the world needs more soul tenders, always, but especially right now; If you think of a reason that I haven’t; any support you can offer would be so deeply appreciated. You’re probably reading this on a fundraising page, so giving money is obvious. But if it wasn’t already clear, I live in a world where support is so much bigger than just money. If money is not where you can give, let’s get creative! Reach out! Or share, and comment, and tell people, and all that good stuff. If you would like to add an endorsement based on your experience with me and/or my work, or would simply like to advocate for this pursuit/path/project; please reach out, and I will add it to a living list at the bottom of the page (at my discretion).

Thank you for gifting me your time at the very least.

With humility and gratitude,

-Samuel Lee Zemke

Other avenues-

Venmo: @Sam-Balam

PayPal: @SamLZem

I am forever inspired by this quote from Fred Rogers, "My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world."