Shemiah K. Curry
she/her
Master of Divinity
What is your favorite memory of your time at LSTC?
Attending gatherings in student housing and hanging with my classmates at Jimmy’s. (Oh! And there was that one time Kylee hosted a Bridgerton watch party.) Another favorite memory of mine is attending the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference in Atlanta, Georgia through Dean Linda E. Thomas’s public church course.
What was the most meaningful class you took?
Well, the most recent class I’ve taken has been the most meaningful one because it’s the final course before graduation. I’ve really enjoyed the Ministry of Administration taught by Dr. Craig Mueller. The course taught me a lot about first call and administrative tasks for pastoral leaders.
How did you feel supported during your seminary journey? Were you the recipient of any major scholarships? What communities or people uplifted you during your studies?
Throughout my four years I have been supported by institutional scholarships such as Rev. Carole Burns Scholarship and Fund for Leaders. I have also been supported by my cohort members who have shared resources relating to MIC, internships, and personal development opportunities in the ELCA ecosystem. Lastly, working as a student worker in the MarComm department at LSTC has provided me with a tremendous amount of support. I’ve learned so much about collaboration, professionalism, and digital storytelling. In so many ways, working in MarComm was the final piece I needed on this four-year journey.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Travel, attend concerts, and hang out with friends on the east coast.
How did LSTC shape you as a future leader of the public church?
LSTC created a curriculum that forced me to confront the healthiest and most wounded parts of myself before entering full-time ministry. On this path, I was invited to explore the meaning of church within my own urban context and outside of it as well. Additionally, I learned a great deal about allyship, self-reflection, and resources that can only enhance the work I am called to do. Public church is about meeting the needs of the community. Sometimes that’s within the four walls of a typical church building and other times it might be at the nail salon as you wait for your appointment.
