Jayme Kokkonen
she/her/hers
Master of Divinity
What is your favorite memory of your time at LSTC?
There are so many! The reprise of LSTC prom in 2023, the delightfully chaotic courtyard blessing of the animals, and the inaugural Queer Intersectionality & the Public Church Symposium, to name a few. Also, the 34th Annual LSTC Gospel Choir Benefit Concert with special honoree Doc Hampton was such a joyous day!
What was the most meaningful class you took?
Again, I can’t name just one. Sacramental Landscapes with Dr. Stewart, Theology of James Cone with Dr. Wickware, and Queer Hermenuetics with Dr. Alldredge are three that really shaped my own theology and continue to draw from often.
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?
It was a cherished thing to live surrounded by the community of LSTC students and families—it was by far the most uplifting aspect of my seminary journey. I was the recipient of Fund for Leaders as well as the Viljo I Heiman Scholarship fund. It was also a great support to have financial assistance from LSTC to put towards Spiritual Direction and Mental Health Counseling services throughout my program.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I’ll be looking for a first call! I’m seeking ordination to the roster of Word & Sacrament and I’m hoping for a call in a congregational setting.
How did LSTC shape you as a future leader of the public church?
LSTC shaped me as a leader of the Public Church by teaching me that ministry at its best doesn’t happen within institutional and denominational silos. I gained tools and experience for drawing on a wealth of knowledge in myself and in my community as a catalyst for transformation. Also, being a Public Church leader at this time demands that we have a gospel narrative of liberation that can sustain the church and offer a counter narrative in this era of White Christian Nationalism—LSTC helped foster that in me.
