This is my McCormick Story...

04-27-2022

By Rhonda G. Hoskins

Which McCormick tradition/practice/activity/ policy are you most proud of?

I am proud of a tradition that I have only seen and experienced at McCormick. It involves the way that the McCormick community wraps themselves around a student who is sick, grieving, dropping out, experiencing financial difficulty or any other difficulties in life, and the McCormick Family will support that student in every way. From the President Crawford down to beginning level students, many who don’t even know you, they show empathy, compassion and the caring. They will email, call, text, send gifts and follow-up with you until you are back in place. If you are a McCormick student, you feel the support and you know that you are part of something special!

What was your most difficult in-seminary memory? What happened and did you learn anything from it?

There really have not been any difficult “in-seminary” moments. I remember when I learned something during my first semester of seminary that was “shocking”. As a member of a traditional Missionary Baptist Church, in my limited experiences, it was difficult to accept that the “King James Version” of the Bible was not well respected by theologians and was considered a version of the Bible that was inaccurate and not highly reliable. After a number of professors spent time explaining why and sharing their favorite translations, I learned to accept that there was so much more to learn outside of the KJV. Now, I usually begin scripture interpretation by reading to recall scripture, what words are used in the KJV but I add additional translations for research and for the preparation of class papers and sermons.

What is your most memorable McCormick event?

My Field Studies Final Project was a memorable event. My project was a movie that I created featuring faculty, staff and students describing their favorite text, article or quote by author James Baldwin and what it means to them. Along with one of my Field Studies Supervisors from Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, Tim Frakes, we shot video inside the McCormick Building during COVID, using two cameras, a camera trolley and a teleprompter. Organizing dates and times, scheduling each presenter into finite spaces to avoid physical contact with others was a memorable but fun task. All went well and the movie is excellent. The title of the film is “James Baldwin & Me!”

What was the most enjoyable book you had to read for seminary work?

There were many but I found this book which was used as a supplementary source, one of my favorite books: “Reasoning with the Foxes: Female Wit in a World of Male Power” - Editors: J. Cheryl Exum and Joshua W.H. Bos.

What was your most favorite class and why?

There were many but I must say that I have an extra class credit toward graduation because I refused to miss the opportunity to take the class entitled: “Judges and Women” with Dr. Steed Davidson. The Judges and Women class has not only focused my attention to the contribution of women throughout the bible, it has changed my preaching style and focus to preaching only women and teaching anyone who will listen (my church family, participants in my bible studies, and via preaching engagements), about the named and unnamed women of the Bible and how God uses them to teach us and share wisdom with us through their stories and their struggles.

In retrospect, do you think the expectations you had when you began seminary have been met?

My expectations for seminary have been exceeded.

What is your advice for continuing students?

Have a conversation with other students whose journey may be encouraging. Listen to the wisdom of graduating seniors and others who have spent a few years on this journey and are determined to finish. They will have the most information and wisdom to share.

Any parting shots?

Nope! Throughout my tenure at McCormick, any information important to share enough to share with McCormick was shared privately with those who need to hear it, as it should be.

Photo by Dose Media on Unsplash

Rhonda G. Hoskins, MDiv class of 2022