By Sarah Frances Smith
The last week or so has been overflowing with relationships for the Capital Fellows. Many of us spent time catching up and visiting with family, significant others, and best friends. Last weekend Brian visited NYC to attend an RUF reunion and Amy drove to Pittsburgh to spend quality time with college community. My friend Michelle was visiting from Jordan and over the weekend we took a road trip to Durham. Nathalie’s family visited DC, Carter Rief’s girlfriend Grace came into town, and Laura’s boyfriend Andrew orchestrated a surprise visit all the way from California. Esther spent last weekend in Kentucky for a wedding. Mollie’s cousin Addie is currently visiting from Columbia, Carter Berry’s parents are visiting from Charlottesville, Rachel’s mentor KK is visiting from Auburn, and next week my friend Madi is flying in from Singapore. It’s not an understatement to say the Capital Fellows are joyfully overwhelmed by relationships!
Getting to know the fellows deeply means, in a grand sense, getting to know the people who have shaped our faith up to this point. Among the fellows there’s a sense of “we’re in this together” and that means that your people are my people.
Several of these friends have joined us in classes over the past few weeks. Others have tagged along to weekend hangouts or dinners in the city. Getting to meet the friends and family that formed other fellows into who they are today is fascinating to me. These are relationships that we praise the Lord for - people who keep us grounded while we stretch our wings here in DC, people whom we trust to advise and critique us. Many of them fill the role of a spiritual mentor, a sweet friend, or a trusted family member. They are people to whom we’ve given significant time and with whom we’ve laughed and cried during life’s big moments.
In her book “Latina Evangelicas: a Theological Survey from the Margins,” Loida Martell-Otero writes that “What defines us are the theologies that we have inherited from our abuelas, madres, comadres, and tías - that is to say, the wise women of our faith communities who gave us a firm foundation of the Gospel, and taught us to love the Lord and to demonstrate that love in the world.” Getting to know the fellows deeply means, in a grand sense, getting to know the people who have shaped our faith up to this point. Among the fellows there’s a sense of “we’re in this together” and that means that your people are my people. Our people cross country borders, party lines, church denominations, and even sports allegiances. What a beautiful picture of the family of God!
For photos this week, I chose to include snapshots of our time with friends. I think it’s sweet to look at the faces and know that we’re all on the same team, even if we don’t personally know each other. Even our prayers extend over one another - if you’ve ever prayed comfort or guidance over a fellow, there’s a good chance it was answered through one of the people pictured here. We fellows are so grateful for your prayers and for these friendships. Praise God for community!
Pictures from the Week
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Capital Fellows is a leadership and vocational development program for recent college graduates. It's a 9-month program that includes a paid job in your field of interest, service in the church and city, a personal mentor, vocational coaching, life with a host family, and customized seminary courses to help you grow in your walk with the Lord in all areas of life.
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