Classmate connections continue, virtually

The Revs. Julia Hendrix, Jonathan Mohler, and David Knox, ’21, experienced the abrupt transition in spring 2020 from in-person classes and residential community life to a virtual seminary experience.

Like many students, they embraced connection where they could find it, hopping on regular video calls during the early shutdown of the pandemic.

The video chats that once provided a touchpoint amid the isolation of COVID now provide Hendrix, Mohler, and Knox a source of mutual encouragement as they navigate ministry as new priests. Weekly, they continue to dedicate time to talking with each other about their ministries and lives. Here, Hendrix and Mohler discuss what the video calls mean to them.

HENDRIX: During the pandemic, when we were “locked” in our student housing, our class would get online and talk for a couple of hours. We called this “Middler Chat.” Then, of course, when we became seniors, it was “Senior Chat.” Those chats really got us through the stuff that we would normally talk about face-to-face. Then, as the pandemic eased up, and we were able to be in person again, we didn’t do it during our last semester.

When David Knox and Jonathan Mohler and I graduated, we kept up a weekly chat just because we, frankly, were terrified. And because the three of us were very close, we could be honest with each other about our weaknesses and our strengths.

Initially, we thought our chats were so amusing that we thought we’d do a podcast. But reality set in; we had no time to make it worth anyone’s time but our own.

In addition, Jon attended a clergy seminar in which it was highly recommended to have a group that you regularly checked in with. We congratulated ourselves for being so clever. Ha.

MOHLER: I saw Julie’s answers, and she’s probably right. We were used to Zooming with each other during COVID lockdowns. We also liked to discuss readings for the Sundays we were preaching. My preaching style is pretty different than either Julie’s or David’s, but I find a lot of value in their insights. Because we are different, they see things that I don’t. But our meetings quickly expanded beyond discussing the lectionary. I think we all found a lot of value in having a regular time together so we kept scheduling them.

HENDRIX: “Our weekly chats are perfect for us. We know each other very well, we serve in three different dioceses – so we can talk about “politics” – and each of us has very different calls in our parishes. We talk about everything – what has been frustrating, what has been encouraging, what our ideas for our parishes are, how our (ministry) calls are affecting us personally and how they affect our families.

MOHLER: Community. This list of people who know me to the degree that David and Julie know me is a very short list. I can be me – warts and all – and they love and support me regardless. It’s freeing and rejuvenating just to relax and hang out with them.

HENDRIX: Yes, because you don’t feel like you’re the only one facing those situations or dilemmas. And if we question ourselves, because we know each other so well, we can give really valuable feedback. We know our weaknesses and strengths, and we are not afraid to lovingly tell each other to look in the mirror.

MOHLER: It’s invaluable. Our ministry contexts are all different, but there is enough overlap that we mostly understand what each other is going through so we can support and advise one another. Just having someone to talk to and blow off steam would be enough, but, more than that, they are great advisors. As I said before, David and Julie know me better than most, so they can pick up nuances in my words and actions that others might miss.

Beyond that, they are also a set of outside eyes, so they often see things that I might miss as I navigate various situations in my ministry.

HENDRIX: It’s a commitment. Just like doing your prayers and your studying, having a group to talk to should be a commitment to your overall health as a priest. And doing it regularly is important. We do it weekly, but we also are flexible that if something comes up, we can go another week and talk to each other then. But, for me, being a successful priest means that I have my chat with David and Jon.

MOHLER: It’s worth the time and the effort. There are so many things tugging and pulling at our time, and I could see where people would struggle to make time for a regular meetup. It is worth the sacrifice. Regularly meeting with David and Julie makes me a better, happier, more well-adjusted priest. Beyond that, I would say that meetups must be regular but account for our hectic schedules. We have a standing appointment every Monday afternoon. Every so often, we move it to another day of the week or cancel it outright to account for one of our schedules. In some meetings, we have no time limits; other times, one of us sets a limit because we have other responsibilities.

The Rev. Julia Hendrix is Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

The Rev. Jonathan Mohler is Diocesan Curate at St. Vincent’s Cathedral Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Forth Worth, Texas.

The Rev. David Knox is Priest-in-Charge at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mattoon, Illinois. †