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1701 North State Street Jackson, MS 39210-0001 (800)352-1050 (601)974-1000
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Katie O'Neal Sorey, a senior at Millsaps College, is the recipient of a 2010 Fund for Theological Education Undergraduate Fellowship. The fellowship recognizes students who have gifts for leadership and are exploring ministry as a vocation. Sorey will receive $2,000 for tuition, other educational expenses or a self-designed experience related to ministry.
She will be among 40 fellows who will attend the 2010 FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference at Boston University School of Theology that is scheduled from Wednesday through June 20.
"I'll attend workshops about spiritual development and leadership in the church," she said. "The conference is an opportunity to see the breadth and depth of Christian ministry and how young people can engage."
Dr. James E. Bowley, professor of religious studies at Millsaps, nominated Sorey for the fellowship award that is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. "Katie's remarkable devotion to her church and her commitment to service of others are wonderfully matched by her joy of learning and desire for true academic scholarship," he said.
FTE Undergraduate Fellows are selected by a national committee of theological educators and church leaders. Students must be nominated by a professor, school administrator, pastor or campus minister; hold a minimum 3.0 grade point average; have an interest in pastoral ministry and demonstrate leadership in a church or school community. FTE awards the fellowships to help ensure quality leadership and inclusive excellence in pastoral ministry. Fewer than seven percent of clergy in most denominations today are under age 35, and interest among seminary students in congregational ministry has declined in recent years, underscoring the need for leadership development among students from diverse backgrounds.
"These exceptional students see ministry as a compelling path to serve others, to renew the church and to create change in the world," said Kim Hearn, director of FTE Ministry Fellowships. "They bring intellect and compassion to community challenges of every type -spiritual, educational, social and economic."
Sorey, daughter of Will and Marti Sorey of Brandon, is majoring in religious studies with a pre-ministerial concentration. Her minor is in education. "I've learned a lot in education classes that can apply to ministry," she said.
She is working this summer at the Mississippi United Methodist Conference in the Connectional Ministries Office. She assisted with logistics for the Mississippi Youth Annual Conference. "There were great worship opportunities that were able to take place because everything ran smoothly," she said.
Sorey interned last year at Alta Woods United Methodist Church in Jackson. She worked with the Rev. Eric Sanford, senior minister at the church, and the Rev. Jake Wilson, a Millsaps graduate and associate pastor at the church. She assisted with the church's ministry to the homeless, preached twice and taught a Wednesday night Bible study.
She has also interned at her home church, Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, where she worked with the Rev. Emily Sanford, pastor to students. There, Sorey wrote the Bible study curriculum used during the 2009 Mission Fest, a week when youth from grades seven through 12 and adults from churches across the state come together for inner-city service, Bible Study, worship, and fellowship. Participants are housed at Millsaps.
Sorey traveled to Honduras as part of a Galloway mission trip in January. She was among participants who built a house, worked in a soup kitchen and led a vacation Bible School. "It was an eye-opening experience," she said.
At Millsaps, Sorey is a member of the Campus Ministry Team and co-chairs the Chapel Committee. She led a morning Bible study last semester and has preached at the contemporary worship opportunity, SoulFood, and at the Wesley Connection. She is president of CALLS (Considering a Life of Ministry and Service).
As a freshman at Millsaps, Sorey attended an Interfaith Youth Conference in Chicago. "That experience has been a springboard for me into the interfaith experience at Millsaps," she said. "Millsaps has been a blessing in terms of the opportunity and experiences provided."
Sorey said she's interested in working with racial reconciliation ministries and plans to attend seminary after graduation in May.
"All the religious studies professors have been encouraging," she said. "They've encouraged me to grow in what I believe and learn new things. I've been challenged, and I've been supported and encouraged by professors in other departments at Millsaps, too."
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