Testimonials
JANICE WALLS, MASL, MDiv ('05)
"St. Andrew's College is more than just a learning site, it brings the sacred into the midst of everything that happens in the life of a student."
Nicole Imgrund
Sturgeon Valley Pastoral Charge
Gibbons and Coronado, Alberta
At St. Andrew’s College, I experienced a respectful and supportive community in which to learn and grow. In addition to setting exceptional academic standards through teaching and research, the faculty nurture the pastoral and personal development of the diverse student body. Their genuine care and respect for students is evident both inside and outside of the classroom and it is mirrored in the relationships that develop among the students.
While enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at St. Andrew’s, I appreciated the flexibility in learning that the program offered to me. I felt that the staff and faculty worked with me to create a program that not only met the basic academic criteria, but that seriously took into account my own learning style, experience, expectations and needs. I also pursued a graduate degree in pastoral psychology from another institution during this time. This was only possible because of the flexibility of my program at St. Andrew’s. Another example of the flexibility and creativity of the college in meeting students’ learning goals, was a conference I attended in Belgium with one of the faculty members, Nettie Wiebe. The purpose of the trip was to fulfill the requirements of cross-cultural studies for my third learning circle. This was an exciting and transformative learning experience for me, which was made possible because of the ongoing engagement of faculty in research and social justice work outside the college. It was also possible because of the college’s emphasis on the integration of theory and practice.
It is this focus on integration that I valued most about my education at St. Andrew’s College. In my courses, I was encouraged to integrate my learning in theology and psychology. I felt challenged to integrate my theoretical understanding of ministry with my experience of ministry on internship. Throughout my program, I was given both the grace and the space to reflect on my own spirituality and growing sense of self, and to integrate this with my understanding and practice of ministry.
I feel that my education at St. Andrew’s College prepared me well for the challenges of ministry. It instilled in me a commitment to lifelong learning, a passion for social justice, a strong sense of community, an appreciation for diversity, and a desire to continue to integrate my experiences in ministry with the knowledge I gained while in seminary.
Leigh Sinclair
Intern at Wawanesa Pastoral Charge,
Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario
In choosing a seminary and College I tried to balance my needs to be close to home and my desires for an adventure and a great education. I hoped to be somewhere with a diverse faculty as well as relationships with other denominational training centres. I wanted to be in a location where everything I would need is available and yet somewhere I could focus on my education and growth without distraction. Lastly, I wanted a program that I could help create, where I could continue learning in the areas of pastoral ministry that scare and challenge me.
In Saskatoon I found a city with a small-town feel that focuses much of its energy and culture on campus life. In the Saskatoon Theological Union I found highly skilled and dynamic faculty and student community where I could experience incredible worship times and support while being challenged to learn and grow. At St. Andrew’s College I found a flexible program I created in team with the faculty, staff and colleagues to learn as much as we could while staying healthy and whole. All this is surrounded by a library that filled my mind (and warmed my soul on winter nights of studying), a faculty team that supported our current academic strivings and build an ever-responsive curriculum, hospitals that welcomed listening ears and social agencies that kindled my passion for justice. Throughout it all the students created a learning environment that called for the best in me and for God’s presence in all we did.
One gift of St. Andrew’s College Masters of Divinity program is the 16-month internship. This length of internship not only allows for higher amounts of integration to occur between the practical and the theoretical aspects of ministry and learning, it also allows for greater trust, and thus ministry, to grow within your internship sites. While working part-time (and thus learning the very vital skills of accountability, self-care and time management) we are present in the lives of these communities for at least 16 months. This forges relationships more in line with what you experience in ministry (full- or part-time). Thus the internship is an invaluable opportunity to be oneself as learner and child of God as well as a minister in a setting of faith. The College helps maintain communities of care among the students during this time as well as maintaining a high level of academic learning.
A degree from St. Andrew’s College is an experience in God’s wondrous power in change and community building. It is something that becomes as unique as you are while being a highly respected academic achievement. I highly recommend learning at St. Andrew’s College!
Deborah Doan
MTS Student at St. Andrew’s
Upon completing my degree in psychology I knew that I wanted to continue to study. In researching graduate courses, I was looking for a program that recognizes our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Somehow, a calendar of the Saskatoon Theological Union came into my possession. When I read the description of the pastoral care classes, I knew I had found what I was looking for.
Being a student at St. Andrew’s College is a challenging and wonderful growing experience. Studying the development of the Jewish Bible, the New Testament, the history of the Church; visiting people in the hospital (hands on experience in caring for people as they encounter a crisis in their lives); and attending spiritual formation classes which nurture the soul — all of this is fascinating, exciting and demanding.
This College, along with the faculty, staff, and students of Emmanuel and St. Chad and the Lutheran Theological Seminary, provides a supportive yet challenging environment for developing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. I am proud to be a theological student of St. Andrew’s and within the STU.
At university, my experience was one of being taught; at St. Andrew’s and within the STU, my experience is one of being prepared. As I work my way through the classes I know that I am being prepared to care for people.
