Katie Jensen MDiv, 2024 and Eric Jensen MDiv, 2024 on Finding Love in Seminary Quarantine
Katie Jensen MDiv, 2024 and Eric Jensen MDiv, 2024 both never imagined they would end up in a clergy couple. And yet, after meeting during Zoom orientation in 2020, they say they got to know each other “really fast.” With both starting their Master of Divinity programs at LSTC in the height of the pandemic, they quickly formed a bubble with some of their classmates to help dispel isolation. It wasn’t long, however, before their relationship started to grow into something deeper.
Having both served with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program prior to starting seminary, they had endless stories to share with each other and deep commonalities. Then, as they progressed through their degree programs, they started creating memories together of their own. The Jensens cite campfires in a student housing courtyard and board game nights with friends as some of their favorite LSTC memories. Their “mountaintop” seminary moment, however, was traveling to Holden Village in January 2022 for a J-term class. “From learning to split firewood, to cross country skiing, to assisting with a baptism and daily Matins worship on top of Chalet Hill, our time at Holden was transformative for us as individuals and as a couple,” they said.
After three blessed and cherished years in Hyde Park, the couple packed a U-Haul and moved to the Boston area to complete their internships at two respective ELCA congregations. “It was such a joy to watch each other grow into our own ministerial identities and finally do the thing that we have been preparing for,” they say. “From Christmas parties with each other’s congregations, to fall leaves and retreats in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, to experiencing the solar eclipse from a hilltop in Canada, New England was such an amazing place to spend our year.”
While in New England, the Jensens also planned their wedding, tying the knot on November 9, 2024, at Katie’s home church, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Urbandale, Iowa. Despite not thinking they would meet their life partner at seminary, they say they couldn’t imagine it any other way. “While we don’t envision serving in the same congregation, we deeply appreciate being able to lean on each other for support and to have someone that just gets what it’s like to do this weirdly wonderful work,” the Jensens say.
Their support and love for one another is evident to anyone who knows them. When asked her favorite thing about Eric, Katie says, “My favorite thing about Eric is their passion and enthusiasm for anything and everything. Whether it’s learning about the nuances of the Hebrew in the creation story, whatever space thing is going on this week, or the new recipe they tried from the New York Times. Eric loves to learn everything they can about the thing in front of them and it is a beautiful thing to witness.” And when asked their favorite about Katie, Eric says, “I think what I appreciate most about Katie is her deep thoughtfulness. Whether it’s celebrating a small but important occasion in the life of one of our friends, creating a crocheted or knitted gift for a loved one, or voicing the needs of a neighbor near or far, Katie thinks deeply about how those around her are cared for. She’s a wonderful example to learn from and share life with, both in our ministry and beyond.” Passion and enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and care: all qualities that make for great pastors, as well as great partners. Thanks be to God.