Stephanie Backus

Hey @Digidave I have a location for the #ONA24 PJ party if you have the games!

Fun fact, I think "nebby" is my favorite #Pittsburgh word. I use it all the time.

I'm going to be at #ONA24! If you're here, come find me at the help desk near registration! Can't wait to see everyone.

Chinese fortune cookies sure have changed since I was a kid.

@WriterJane74 Still just Stephanie. No Rev or Pastor until I'm ordained.

@StephanieBackus What do we call you now? Rev. Stef? Pastor Stef? That lady who communicates with higher powers?

Officially graduated with my M.Div. So much more ahead but these three years were so incredibly formative. Happy to have received 3 awards as well - one for preaching and pastoral care, one for contributions in church music, and one for being Top 2 in Church History.

@SkinDawg1973 Thanks!

And just like that, 3 years of seminary is complete. When I said I was going to do this in 4 years while working FT, people thought I was crazy. And when I completed it in 3, they confirmed that. Hours of sleepless nights, writing papers and studying are now done. Grad is May 31.

I have three papers left to write in seminary. Really, two papers and an analysis, but let's call it three papers.

@mikeywaters3 I will be saying this on May 21.

τετέλεσται

@CQuillwitch @masonmennenga I think we traditionally view hosanna as this joyful exuberant shouting, but it means "Save us, we pray." It's a cry for deliverance. Still really powerful, just different.

@StephanieBackus @masonmennenga Do tell!

evangelicals: the bible is clear! seminary students taking biblical greek: I WISH THE BIBLE IS CLEAR!!!

@rob_backus81 It's not funny at all and I'm not old. I got carded at dinner last night.

@StephanieBackus It's funny because you're old.

That moment when you think "what was your first CD" might be good for a team icebreaker, but you are probably the only person who ever bought CDs.

@mikeywaters3 This game was invented by my cousin's grandfather (on the side of their dad, who married into our family).

@mikeywaters3 I think I'm going to submit my paper on trauma and John to the John section.

Lets gooooooooooooooooooo

@MeganCarolan My church is getting ready to start this one: amazon.com/Low-Honest-Dev… This one might also achieve what you're looking for: amazon.com/Dawn-Advent-De…

Growing up Catholic, I loved the feelings of awe and preparation of Advent. I'm again looking for a resource to connect with that where I am now - a sort of #Advent devotional with a progressive/social justice/unitarian vibe. Light on scripture, heavy on reflection. Ideas?

@sheetz They aren't your best fried food. But hate seems like a strong word to use. Your mozzarella sticks are better, though.

Someone said they hated mac and cheese bitez and we're still not over it.

With @StephanieBackus at @citywinerypgh to see @pattonoswalt.

@s_seglenieks Are you using a Greek textbook? (This isn’t to answer your original question but I’m hopes of helping with your Greek struggles) I struggled too in the early days but eventually, it clicked and now I’m tutoring Greek for this year’s class.

Does anyone have any good tips for not dropping your Hebrew skills while learning Greek? (Or vice versa.) How do you keep yourself accountable? I can feel my abilities slipping, but Greek requires a lot of work (& I’m struggling in it!) plus a lot of background life things.