Carlin Van Schaik
Executive Summary 2012
This summer I performed my Lilly Summer Discernment Institute internship in a
twofold role. I worked exploring the realities of ordained parish ministry in the Episcopal
Church as well as working in youth ministry with an Episcopal run summer camp. For
both of these portions I worked the Reverend Jenni Liem, the vicar of St. Nicholas
Episcopal Church in Tahoe City and executive director of Noel Porter Camp and
Conference Center. I also worked with a group of 9 program staff members age 16-20.
In my work with St. Nick’s I participated in Sunday worship. This involved
setting up the outdoor chapel for church on Sunday mornings and being present for the
service. I also had the opportunity to preach on one of the Sundays. This was a very
exciting opportunity as I had never done this before and preaching was one of the things I
had worried the most about in discerning whether I wished to pursue parish ministry. I
loved it and it was wonderful to discover that when speaking about God, that I did have a
defined foundation, even if it is not yet fully developed. Additionally, I attended
community dinners for the church as was able to participate in fellowship of an
outstanding Christian community. I also looked into the financial and administrative
duties of running a church. It helped me to understand the utility and necessity of these
seemingly secular things for the life and health of the church and reconcile what I used to
view as a conflict between them.
Working with Camp Noel Porter was my favorite part of my internship
experience. I worked supervising the staff as they planned games and activities for the
campers, as well as helping with the book keeping and administrative tasks. It helped me
to understand the importance for people, and especially young people to live with one
another in Christian community, even if it is only for a week every summer. It was also
fantastic to see the church give young people the chance to become leaders with in their
communities as well as the church. Watching the staff grow and change and learn
throughout the summer was a great privilege for me. I also learned a great deal about the
hierarchy of the church. Watching decisions being made from the bishop, the board of
directors, the camp director, and even the staff was a truly fascinating process. It helped
me to understand what must be done to work within the system of the church. It also
helped me to understand that the work of the church is so much larger than one person.
As a result of this summer, I have decided to continue to follow the path of
service to God and the church. I am torn between my love of both parish ministry and
camping ministry. After the hard work of the summer, I don’t know if it will be possible
to do both of them at the same time, as I had dreamed of. I will continue to stay active in
both lines of service until I discover which I wish to pursue.