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Greetings Friends and Family,
Many of you followed along with us as we traveled to New York last summer for Brandon to begin the process of becoming a certified chaplain. In New York Brandon completed his first unit of CPE (clinical pastoral education). Upon completing the summer program, Brandon was accepted into the CPE residency program at St. Luke’s in Boise, Idaho. This was a one-year paid residency program. He will be graduating from the CPE residency program on August 13th, this summer.
After graduation, we will be embarking on our next great adventure… a move across the country to Ambridge, PA. Brandon has been accepted to Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA where he will work towards completing his Master’s of Divinity. The Master’s of Divinity degree is a 3-year full time program. Upon completion of the M.Div. program at Trinity, Brandon will have completed all of the education requirements to be a certified chaplain, as well as, the education requirements to be an Ordained Priest in the Episcopal Church.
We are excited about this journey. This is where we feel God has called our family, and we feel that this is the path we are intended to take at this point in our lives. God has provided through friends, family, and even strangers to get us this far, and to help make this possible.
Both Rachel and Brandon had to take out a mountain of loans to fund their undergraduate degrees, and then Brandon taking even more loans out to fund his Masters from NNU. We’ve ended up with a really nice house worth of school debt ($100,000+). We want to do our best to avoid taking out any more school loans to fund our seminary/M.Div. chapter. We received some scholarships and help from the diocese of Idaho. However, there are still many expenses not covered. One major expense is the cost of relocation from Boise, Idaho to Ambridge, Pennsylvania. We’ve estimated that move will cost roughly $4,500. Other expenses include: books/course materials, fees, and academic supplies, totaling over $3,000 for 1 year. In addition to the relocation costs and school expenses, there are rent and living expenses to consider. Rachel has a promising part time opportunity to provide childcare for some families in the area, and Brandon will be looking to secure a part time job when we get to the area. Brandon will only be able to work limited hours while in seminary, so housing, and living costs will continue to be a large expense throughout the 3-year program.
It is often difficult to ask for money and help, and we fully understand that many people are not in a financial position to give. We wanted to share with you our plans, hopes, goals, and our needs, to give you the opportunity to help us out financially if you can.
We are reaching out to all of you to ask for your support on our journey. Any financial contribution is immensely appreciated. As well as, prayers, positive vibes, and words of encouragement as we set out on this adventure.
THANK YOU!
With Love,
Brandon, Rachel, and Cormac Wickstrom
Many of you followed along with us as we traveled to New York last summer for Brandon to begin the process of becoming a certified chaplain. In New York Brandon completed his first unit of CPE (clinical pastoral education). Upon completing the summer program, Brandon was accepted into the CPE residency program at St. Luke’s in Boise, Idaho. This was a one-year paid residency program. He will be graduating from the CPE residency program on August 13th, this summer.
After graduation, we will be embarking on our next great adventure… a move across the country to Ambridge, PA. Brandon has been accepted to Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA where he will work towards completing his Master’s of Divinity. The Master’s of Divinity degree is a 3-year full time program. Upon completion of the M.Div. program at Trinity, Brandon will have completed all of the education requirements to be a certified chaplain, as well as, the education requirements to be an Ordained Priest in the Episcopal Church.
We are excited about this journey. This is where we feel God has called our family, and we feel that this is the path we are intended to take at this point in our lives. God has provided through friends, family, and even strangers to get us this far, and to help make this possible.
Both Rachel and Brandon had to take out a mountain of loans to fund their undergraduate degrees, and then Brandon taking even more loans out to fund his Masters from NNU. We’ve ended up with a really nice house worth of school debt ($100,000+). We want to do our best to avoid taking out any more school loans to fund our seminary/M.Div. chapter. We received some scholarships and help from the diocese of Idaho. However, there are still many expenses not covered. One major expense is the cost of relocation from Boise, Idaho to Ambridge, Pennsylvania. We’ve estimated that move will cost roughly $4,500. Other expenses include: books/course materials, fees, and academic supplies, totaling over $3,000 for 1 year. In addition to the relocation costs and school expenses, there are rent and living expenses to consider. Rachel has a promising part time opportunity to provide childcare for some families in the area, and Brandon will be looking to secure a part time job when we get to the area. Brandon will only be able to work limited hours while in seminary, so housing, and living costs will continue to be a large expense throughout the 3-year program.
It is often difficult to ask for money and help, and we fully understand that many people are not in a financial position to give. We wanted to share with you our plans, hopes, goals, and our needs, to give you the opportunity to help us out financially if you can.
We are reaching out to all of you to ask for your support on our journey. Any financial contribution is immensely appreciated. As well as, prayers, positive vibes, and words of encouragement as we set out on this adventure.
THANK YOU!
With Love,
Brandon, Rachel, and Cormac Wickstrom
Organizer
Rachel Wickstrom
Organizer
Nampa, ID