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 What the MARS Program Means to Me
I believe I am the first English, middle-aged widow to give a valedictory speech. My graduating colleagues are also unique, but in different ways.
Why did we choose to do the MARS program?
1. I had a busy job, my life was very full, and I already had an M.S. (Microbiology). It would not advance my career one bit.
I did this for my husband, David, who has been in the spiritual world for more than four years. He was delighted when I told him I planned to do this shortly before he died. He has been my inspiration, and has loved and supported me ever since he left this world.
I thought of doing this originally because I had read the entire Writings while attending college in London many years ago, but I had never attended a New Church school, so I wanted to do an orderly study of the Writings.
2. For Suzy Laidlaw, it was a logical extension of her undergraduate history and religion degree from the College, and she also wanted to study the teachings in a structured way.
3. Eun-Woo Lee has a strong affection for New Church teachings, developed from her early years learning about the Lord, and deepened during her time at Bryn Athyn College when she learned more deeply through the heavenly doctrine, so she also was drawn to the course.
The result?
This course changed my life. From being a lifelong scientist who has helped people with their physical microbes I realized I wanted to help others with their spiritual microbes.
Suzy developed a passion for church growth. She believes (as do we all) that the world desperately needs the New Church, which is why her thesis was about church growth. She also feels the College is the unsung hero of the New Church education system.
It was Suzy who noticed how well our theses fit together. She wrote about church growth, particularly the General Church in Bryn Athyn. I wrote about the way New Church beliefs help its widows and widowers. And Eun-Woo wrote about the gifts the New Church can give those who are depressed by bringing hope and meaning to their lives. Isn't it wonderful how well truths fit together, something I noticed when studying these last three-plus years? Suzy felt this indicated the richness our religion has to offer.
Eun-Woo felt the MARS program helped her more emotionally than academically. (I concur with that.) She flew through the program, and wonders if she might have missed some pondering time to appreciate it more academically. However, she loved interacting with us elderly (mature?) lady students, and listening to our conversations.
The future?
1. I would love to:
Help others with their marriages. David and I had 12-15 years of marriage enrichment, which I would love to share with others who need help understanding themselves and their spouses.
I could see helping others with loved ones exiting this world, primarily in hospice situations. I see this as comforting them by helping them see the reality of the spiritual world. I have had some experience with this, having visited four or five ALS patients over the last 2-3 years.
Helping those whose spouses are now in the spiritual world. It has meant a great deal to me to be able to attend the Bryn Athyn widows/widowers meetings. They have been a tremendous support helping me deal with the grief, and I would like to help others going through the same grief. I have always known I needed to help people, and this course has helped me see that. I have been thoroughly inspired by it.
2. Suzy would love to see a doctorate program here. She believes the New Church is a modern religion for modern times, and I assume she will continue to follow her passion.
3. Eun-Woo realized how much the Lord loves us, and wants to care and support others who need help through counseling. She thinks she can do this better having done the MARS program, as she can give people more warmth and spiritual hope.
Thank you Academy of the New Church Theological School for being our inspiration!
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