An interview with Joshua

by Jean Gillespie

Joshua Bruner came to St. Paul's last year to serve as an intern.  He is a student at Yale Divinity School, which he says is a phenomenal experience, working with his professors and clergy administrators.  An important part of the preparation for becoming a priest is to serve as an intern in a parish.  In seminary he gets the academic knowledge.  As an intern he learns about and experiences parish administration and leading worship, which is a vital part of the role of parish priest. Joshua is thankful that he can serve as intern at St. Paul's, in his sponsoring diocese.

At St. Paul's he is working with the Sr. High youth, as well as preaching and leading worship, and serving as a mentor in one of our EfM groups.  He is grateful for all the help he receives here.  He says Kate has been an excellent supervisor, mentor and friend, and Sarah has been a wonderful resource in his work with the youth.  He appreciates the help from Keith and Brother Charles in liturgical matters and all the help he gets from Kristin.  He is thankful for all the parishioners who have made him feel at home here at St. Paul's.  He says "I am extremely grateful to have found this wonderful place to do ministry while I complete my requirements for my degree and move along in my discernment process related to the ordination to the priesthood."

The people of St. Paul's are thankful for Joshua's willingness to share himself with us.  His intelligence, his kind listening ear, and his gift for sharing God's message in a truly personal way that many feel speaks directly to them and their own experiences has been a blessing.

Joshua's internship at St. Paul's will end soon, but I hope that won't end our relationship with him.  He will graduate from Yale in May 2016, and he hopes to find a call to a parish in Central or Southern New Hampshire, as that is where his family will be.  We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers as he finishes his requirements for graduation and ordination to the priesthood, and seeks a parish in New Hampshire.  He has contributed so much to our life at St. Paul's.