Support My Journey to Seminary
Donation protected
This past year has been an interesting year indeed! I have faced incredible sorrow and incredible joy. One sorrow was the ending of my 10 year marriage. I certainly never expected to ever sit in a courtroom and ask a judge to legally end my union with my husband. But it happened. And the greatest thing about our union is that it produced two beautiful and charming children, who are now 5 years old and almost 2 years old.
Despite the divorce, my life has also been filled with great joy. Through my involvement over the past three years at The University Church, my depression and anxiety have greatly lessened, and I have stepped out of my comfort zone in huge ways. I was absolutely terrified the first time that I sang up front with the praise band, or when I led prayers, but I did it. As I became more involved at church, I began to discern that God may be calling me into ministry as an elder in the United Methodist Church. My heart is filled with such joy as I ponder what God has done in my own life and what he can and will do in others’ lives. I want to spread this joy and the love of God to everyone. I believe God is calling me to attend seminary and obtain a Master of Divinity degree.
While I have been offered a full tuition scholarship, I still have many expenses that are unaccounted for. My dream is to be able to devote myself fully to school and to being the best parent I can be. I want to spend as much time with my children as I can. I want them to have stability. But I am a single mother, so I am asking for your help. I have been approved for student loans, but I am very leery of going into debt. I’ve never been in debt before now, and I’d rather not start. I want to be able to provide a better future for my children, and that will be more difficult, not to mention stressful, if I have accumulated a mountain of debt.
The money that I raise will go to support my living expenses, such as rent, utilities, food, healthcare, etc. I am also saving up money for a car so that I can drive back to Toledo twice a month in order for the kids to see their father. Right now, I don’t believe my 2004 Chrysler Sebring will allow me to do that. As part of my separation agreement in the divorce, I have to refinance my mortgage, which will probably include a couple thousand dollars in closing costs. I am also planning to rent my house while in school, so I am updating the house a bit in order to make it more appealing to potential renters.
In addition to the above costs, I have the opportunity for a full tuition scholarship through the Ministry Partners Program, but in order to remain eligible for the scholarship, I am required to raise a certain amount of money every year, about $7,000. The idea is to get people to donate monthly pledges, but one time donations are welcome too. If you are interested in making a donation to my seminary, do NOT make the donation on this page. Instead, please contact me and I will give you the details of the program.
I am beyond thankful for all of the encouragement that I have received from my family, church family, and friends. You all are amazing. Your prayer support and emotional support during this time has lifted me up and helped me to realize this call on my life. If you do choose to support me financially as well, please know that you will be helping me to be the best student, future pastor, and parent that I can be. You will be making life a little easier for a single mother trying to make the world a better place and helping her children to have a more secure future. The kids will be spending the next three years living in a Christ-centered community with tons of other families and children. I can’t think of a better experience for my kids right now.
I will post more information in a few days, including my admissions essay, which describes my call story in a bit more detail, as well as my hopes for seminary.
Thank you so much!
Grace and Peace,
Heather
Despite the divorce, my life has also been filled with great joy. Through my involvement over the past three years at The University Church, my depression and anxiety have greatly lessened, and I have stepped out of my comfort zone in huge ways. I was absolutely terrified the first time that I sang up front with the praise band, or when I led prayers, but I did it. As I became more involved at church, I began to discern that God may be calling me into ministry as an elder in the United Methodist Church. My heart is filled with such joy as I ponder what God has done in my own life and what he can and will do in others’ lives. I want to spread this joy and the love of God to everyone. I believe God is calling me to attend seminary and obtain a Master of Divinity degree.
While I have been offered a full tuition scholarship, I still have many expenses that are unaccounted for. My dream is to be able to devote myself fully to school and to being the best parent I can be. I want to spend as much time with my children as I can. I want them to have stability. But I am a single mother, so I am asking for your help. I have been approved for student loans, but I am very leery of going into debt. I’ve never been in debt before now, and I’d rather not start. I want to be able to provide a better future for my children, and that will be more difficult, not to mention stressful, if I have accumulated a mountain of debt.
The money that I raise will go to support my living expenses, such as rent, utilities, food, healthcare, etc. I am also saving up money for a car so that I can drive back to Toledo twice a month in order for the kids to see their father. Right now, I don’t believe my 2004 Chrysler Sebring will allow me to do that. As part of my separation agreement in the divorce, I have to refinance my mortgage, which will probably include a couple thousand dollars in closing costs. I am also planning to rent my house while in school, so I am updating the house a bit in order to make it more appealing to potential renters.
In addition to the above costs, I have the opportunity for a full tuition scholarship through the Ministry Partners Program, but in order to remain eligible for the scholarship, I am required to raise a certain amount of money every year, about $7,000. The idea is to get people to donate monthly pledges, but one time donations are welcome too. If you are interested in making a donation to my seminary, do NOT make the donation on this page. Instead, please contact me and I will give you the details of the program.
I am beyond thankful for all of the encouragement that I have received from my family, church family, and friends. You all are amazing. Your prayer support and emotional support during this time has lifted me up and helped me to realize this call on my life. If you do choose to support me financially as well, please know that you will be helping me to be the best student, future pastor, and parent that I can be. You will be making life a little easier for a single mother trying to make the world a better place and helping her children to have a more secure future. The kids will be spending the next three years living in a Christ-centered community with tons of other families and children. I can’t think of a better experience for my kids right now.
I will post more information in a few days, including my admissions essay, which describes my call story in a bit more detail, as well as my hopes for seminary.
Thank you so much!
Grace and Peace,
Heather
Organizer
Heather Ann
Organizer
Maumee, OH
