Bonita Braun ’94: The impact of Summers at General

My desire to go to seminary and be God's (reluctant maybe) Servant began with a direct call by God to be "His" servant in 1952 when I was eleven years old. Being raised Presbyterian USA meant seminary after college. Always in my mind, however, life took many turns. Always attune to getting a theological education I was in one of the first TEE Groups In Chattanooga (now an Episcopalian) TEE is what it was called before it became EFM. It was so new that Charles "raced" to complete the next guidebook.  With a cross country move to Texas I was able to finish the four years in 1986. The small close group, reflections on scripture, ministry, prepared me well for teaching in the church. Seminary still loomed! While in Texas The Presbyterian Seminary in Austin sent Professors out to their churches if they could have a class of 15 people. We wrote papers, discussed theology. We were graded and commented on our work. This was the Midland Odessa area. Then I had a Priest out of General who recommended I come to Summers At General. I applied and was accepted. My first experience of being on the Close was the Saturday evening before the opening dinner for that 1991 Summer. The four years were extraordinary. Of course, I learned much from mostly excellent faculty. I was there with Margaret Guenther, Deirdre Good, the Koenigs and one spectacular small group leader that taught us so much and so humbly. Co-students were from around the world and Priests with varied ministries. Theology and Faith were tested as we became acquainted with NYC.  While I donated as an "alum" two or three things happened after I was there, 9/11 and then the Dean and faculty quarrel and the Pandemic.  The alumni, I included, stepped in via email to give suggestions and our chair responded to my suggestion. Positive. We not only survived but we were better!!!! During the Shutdown you reached out to alumni and that was very meaningful.  All these things supported and bolstered my ministry. I realized how grateful I am for General and the ethos I was and am a part of. While I did Hospital Chaplaincy after General, I find ministry even as I am retired.  My husband and I paid the full cost of my time at General.  Nuff said. The running of the Diocese of NW Texas at the time played a huge part in my now being a non-institutional Christian - attending again now a wonderful Episcopal Church.  And I have ironically enough, the Institution of General Seminary the alumni network to thank for that along with many other alums.