Coffee Houses Connect MTS Women

Written by: Bethany Reedy
January, 2009

Coffee houses are all the rage all across the country, anything from Starbucks to the locally owned establishment.  While America's need for caffeine is probably high on the list of the reasons for the success of the coffee house, I think that something else is at play here.  Coffee houses meet the deep felt need that many Americans have – the need for community.  When we think about coffee houses, we think about a warm and welcoming place to meet with friends, and delve into deep conversation for hours, leaving satiated both with a delicious beverage as well as a fulfilled soul that has connected with another.     

Being made in the image of God, we are in need of community; we need to connect with others in a deep and meaningful way.  This is always true, but the need becomes accentuated when tackling the huge privilege and responsibility of theological education.  New ideas are percolating in the student’s head, bubbling to come out in words that express the thoughts and emotions in the student’s heart.

Sisters in Training saw this need in the students of Michigan Theological Seminary, and especially in female students, who find themselves in the minority amongst seminary students.  So this year, we increased the amount of coffee houses that we facilitate in a year from one to five.  Our hope and prayer is that weary female students will come in and find a place to rest, connect, share their thoughts and feelings, and of course enjoy a great cup of coffee!

Sisters in Training is a community of women at Michigan Theological Seminary which complements the MTS mission statement by helping women to grow in maturity in Christ and to seek out their place in kingdom work.  The theme verses for our ministry are from Luke 10, where Mary SITS at the feet of Jesus, absorbing all that He is teaching.  We want women who are filling their heads with theological knowledge to be encouraged to connect with Jesus in the process, and hear from Him, to find rest in His presence.  We want them to find acceptance among their peers and comfort in the idea that someone has gone before and can help them find the way.

So if you are on campus, and you smell the coffee brewing, stop by and SIT down with us for coffee and conversation.  We hope that you will leave feeling renewed and encouraged by the other godly women that God has brought here to MTS.

Coffee House events are held throughout the academic year.  Watch for more information on the calendar and announcement presentations at the Seminary.