“I was thrilled to be accepted,” Elliott said. “I had been seriously considering ministry, and the fellowship was just what I needed to steer me in the right direction.

“Educationally, I really wanted to do an internship in Wittenberg, Germany, the hometown of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation, and the FTE fellowship will help me to pursue this goal. Also, the fellowship is encouraging me to continue my studies past the undergraduate degree.”
Nominated by David B. and Carol Matevia Endowed University Pastor, The Reverend Rachel S. Tune, Elliott will receive $2,000 for tuition, other educational expenses or a self-designed experience related to ministry. She attended this week’s 2010 FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference at Boston University School of Theology, June 16-20.

“Natasha is a bright student who has a strong interest in and ability for theology,” Tune said. “She is active in campus ministries, waas an RA (resident assistant), and has a heart for service both here in Springfield and back home, particularly with kids in an urban environment. Graduate study in theology is one of the fields that the FTE award seeks to encourage, along with parish ministry.”

“I have performed community service at HeadStart, an organization that prepares young children for kindergarten,” Elliott said. “I have also volunteered with The Ark, a branch of Springfield’s Children’s Rescue Center, and worked during the summer as an assistant coach for the Say Yes to Tennis (No to Drugs) organization in Akron, Ohio. I hope to one day teach and write about theology. I also enjoy working with youth, so I want to help develop the youth and young adult ministries in the future.”

Students who maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average, have an interest in pastoral ministry and display leadership skills are nominated by a professor, school administrator, pastor or campus minister. The selection of FTE Undergraduate Fellows is made by a national committee of theological educators and church leaders.

Dan Jacob, class of 2010, Christina Fetherolf, class of 2008, and Mark Huber, class of 2004, also received FTE Undergraduate Fellowships during the Tune’s tenure at Wittenberg. Jacob currently works with Tune in Wittenberg’s Weaver Chapel. In the fall, he will start courses for a master’s in divinity at Yale Divinity School.

“The conference was an excellent experience,” Jacob said. “I made new friends and met pastors from all denominations who were doing really cool stuff. It helped me learn how to use my interests and abilities to connect to the right people and places.”

Fetherolf recently completed her second year of seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and she presented a paper at the regional meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. She will study at the Rothberg International School, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, for the 2010-2011 school year. Fetherolf plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the Hebrew Bible upon graduation
Huber attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated with a master of divinity degree last year. He began serving in a mission site near Boston last fall, and is currently starting a church called Sanctuary, a mission development (new start) of the ELCA in Marshfield, Mass. For more information about Sanctuary, log on to: http://www.sanctuarymarshfield.org.