by June Costa

In the words of one of the great gospel singers, Mahalia Jackson, "Then The Answer Came" aptly describes my journey to Shalem. It never ceases to amaze me how we as individuals, when given the opportunity to reflect in silence, can see how our journeys are really preparing us for new beginnings with inner strength and peace.

My journey began with my grandparents, who raised me through early childhood in a community environment of "the village helps raise the child." My family's roots continue to be steeped in the traditional Black Southern Baptist Church, and even though I profess to be African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) in practice today, the influences of that early Baptist training have shaped my spiritual life. It no longer amazes me how this foundation has become the rock of my endurance and fortitude throughout my life's journey.

What are the connecting links that have led me to Shalem? A year ago my answer would have been my professional career. Today, my answer is that my faith journey has been the navigator. Even when I tried to resist that compelling force to make a counter decision in my professional career, my faith journey stirred me in another direction.

Perhaps, then, the question becomes what are the connecting threads that make this patch quilt of my journey? One thread is my move into the nonprofit sector. This began with the Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island (my hometown) when I was manager of the Catholic Charities Appeal in 1974. It has been a long but most interesting journey since then! That position led me to the West Coast and the Archdiocese of San Francisco Catholic Charities, then to the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California, as the Director of Development.

It was the GTU that introduced me to theological education and ecumenism. The GTU is a theological consortium that consists of nine member schools (six Protestant and three Roman Catholic seminaries, including eleven affiliated centers [Judaic, Urban Black Studies, Buddhist, Women and Religion, and the Center for Ethics and Social Policy, to name a few]).

The GTU was the pathway that led me to Harvard University's School of Divinity as the Director of Development and Public Relations (1991/94). I did not seek that position; it found me. What can I say about being at Harvard? It was a rare opportunity to capture and absorb the surrounding knowledge- the cross-disciplinary debates, lectures, discussions and dissection of theological education-only to recognize years later that analytical process/discourse is not the only answer to our search for inner peace.

Many powerful dynamics shaped my thinking and life at Harvard. One event that greatly influenced me was the National University-Wide Conference, "The Black Churches' Economic Responsibility for a New Urban Agenda." It was under this umbrella of visioning and planning with key Harvard leadership, local and national theologians, religious leaders and academics, that I learned about and became an advocate for the integration of theology, faith and public policy. It also led to my present involvement on the board and executive committee of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, based at Wesley Seminary. More importantly, though, it brought me back to my spiritual base.

My next journey took me back to Oakland, California, and the Vesper Society (1994/96), again as Director of Development. The Vesper Society gave me the exceptional opportunity to participate in international projects/consultations with the World Council of Churches (Geneva, Switzerland) and the German Protestant Academies (Hamburg, Germany), and it provided the opportunity to see the international church at work through another lens.

In 1996, I decided to do consulting and branched out on my own. In 1998, the call came from the Alban Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, for the position of Director of Development. At first, I was not interested in leaving the San Francisco Bay Area. Well, the internal debate was awesome, but suffice it to say that God has a way of turning you around when He is ready to take over your life. My time had come. Six months later I had relocated to Maryland and bought a home.

In January 2000, I became a member of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, DC. I had joined a church where everyone was a stranger to me. Two years later, I have become an active member, but my first ten months of worshipping silently strengthened me spiritually.

My time at the Alban Institute became the discerning period of my mission in life. It was Alban's transitional period of visioning and planning on institutional growth that created my internal quest to seek out this special calling. The strategic planning retreats created the sacred space to blot out the loud noises of the business world that truly prevent us from listening and hearing God's voice.

I made a decision to leave Alban in April 2001 and spent nine months doing consulting work at home. I refer to this time as my incubation period of reflection and introspection. My home and church both became my sanctuaries for peace, calm and at times the discontent of not knowing and wondering. Unknowingly, I was becoming "contemplative." I began to wonder where I would find that special place of sustenance to continue this journey in my professional career and nurture my spiritual growth in my work environment. The answer came.

In September 2001, the Director of Admissions at Wesley Seminary sent me Shalem's job announcement. At first, I did not see the connection. But later I decided to submit my resume, only to then withdraw my application as a candidate. Well, my instincts were right! It was that special call from Shalem's new Executive Director, Nancy Eggert, the day after Thanksgiving, that changed my direction. I returned her call that Sunday evening, November 25th, and through her voice the message came to follow God's lead to Shalem. When will I finally learn who is truly in control?!

So, now you know my awesome journey to Shalem - The Beginning.

June, Shalem's Director of Institutional Advancement, began working at Shalem in December.