Kristin Bennett will begin seminary at General Theological Seminary in August. She will be in the fourth cohort of students in a hybrid Master of Divinity program as part of her formation leading to ordination as a transitional deacon and then to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC. As part of her studies, she will attend several weeklong intensive classes in NY and VA each year, while most of her learning will be conducted remotely. This will allow her to remain in Greenville with her husband, Eddie, and their 16-year-old daughter, Emily. Another benefit of the hybrid learning program is that she will be able to continue in her role as Director of Resource Development at Christ Church.
Kristin has been a member of this parish since 2000, when she transferred in as a teenager who was involved in the youth program. She participated in a youth mission trip to La Gonave, Haiti in 1998 and was very active in EYC during her middle and high school years. After attending college at USC in Columbia, Kristin returned to Greenville and participated in church life in various ways as her family grew. Four years ago, she joined the church staff as Director of Resource Development, leading church fundraising efforts for Annual Giving and the Vardry McBee Society. She serves as a Lay Reader and Lay Eucharistic Minister during worship and as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor taking communion to homebound church members. This past spring she was the Lay Rector for Cursillo #148, a diocesan spiritual renewal weekend for adults at Camp Gravatt (Cursillo EDUSC.)
Q: What role has Christ Church played in your call to ministry?
A: Christ Church has given me countless opportunities to learn, lead, and serve God beginning in my youth and now in my adulthood as a staff member and a lay person. This parish has loved me and formed me and it’s through that incredible relationship that I’ve been able to hear and answer a call to His service.
Q: What excites you most about attending seminary?
A: I’m most excited for the opportunity to build my theological knowledge and pastoral skills that will prepare me for parish ministry. Being a “people person,” befriending other seminarians in this process excites me, too. I've already connected with a classmate who lives in Asheville, NC.
Q: What scares you most about attending seminary?
A: I graduated from college 20 years ago, so it has been a while since I was a full-time student. I’m nervous about taking tests and writing papers after so much time has passed. I will need to re-learn how to be a student and re-establish good study behaviors!
Q: What advice do you have for someone who may feel called to ministry but is not sure what to do next?
A: You’re not crazy! You’re not alone! Find someone you trust and talk to them about what you are feeling called to do. Talk to clergy. Pray a lot! Ask God to guide you on this path. Study scripture. Attend a Day of Discernment that is hosted by our diocese each March in Columbia. Pray some more! Volunteer in the ministries you are most interested in serving. Finally, and most importantly, trust in God and move forward in faith. (I'm grateful for my mentors here who encouraged me to do just that!)
Q: How can Christ Church support you in this new adventure?
A: I know this church family and I know how loving and supportive everyone is when there is a need. I would like to ask for prayers during this process. Prayers for my family, prayers for my formation, and prayers for me! Prayers are the best support I could ask for!
