by First Liberty Institute – 3 minutes
Our Shaftesbury Fellows recently traveled to Boston as part of their summer program with the Center for Religion Culture & Democracy. They participated in a reading seminar in one of our country’s most historic settings and had an incredible opportunity to explore the city.
Alba B.—one of our Fellows—wanted to share her experience with you and why she’s found the Shaftesbury Fellowship to have a tremendous impact. Here’s what she had to say.
As a first-time visitor to Boston, I was pleasantly surprised at how history lives and breathes in this city. My experience on this trip has been nothing short of wonderful!
On Sunday, all the fellows and friends of First Liberty attended Park Street Church. This Church is a beacon of steadfastness, preaching the Gospel since the very beginnings of America. Remembering the importance of honoring God has been a big part of my experience in the Shaftesbury Fellowship, and visiting this historic church reminded me of the importance of institutions like the CRDC.
After the service, I enjoyed good conversations with some friends and fellows. Much of our conversations centered around how our research projects as Shaftesbury Fellows will have an impact.
Later, both friends and fellows visited the iconic Fenway Park to watch a baseball game. The stadium had a life of its own. The people of Boston were so expressive and supportive. Everyone cheered and booed passionately. I am a huge baseball fanatic, and watching the Red Sox win at a home game was a dream come true. One of the Shaftesbury fellows even made a brief appearance on the TV!
The following day, fellows and friends walked part of the Freedom Trail. The sights of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House, the Boston Latin School, and much more made me realize the importance of tangible signs of history. As a Shaftesbury Fellow, I have plans to dedicate my life to studying and teaching. Moreover, being a Philosophy and Religion student, I often hear my field of study is “too abstract” or not truly useful in the “real world.”
This trip to Boston, however, has shown me the real impact my intellectual life can have. The monuments that we have gotten to see remind me once again that ideas have consequences. I can see how those great ideas of the American Founding still resound across the city today. What a blessing!
The Shaftesbury Fellowship—and by extension this trip—has been a great experience for me. It has convicted me that the work of thinking well is as meaningful and necessary today as it has ever been. I am thankful for the dialogue and debates that occur during our seminars and dinner conversations because in the struggle of thinking together the Truth shines through. I have renewed my passion for learning as the weeks go by. Grappling with research and writing, re-reading articles and books; it will all be worth the time and effort that takes to produce a well thought out argument.
As my time in the fellowship comes closer to its end, I am especially thankful for all the time that I have been able to dedicate to what I love—philosophy—because of the Shaftesbury Fellowship. I will look back on these memories fondly, and I hope this is not the last time I get to engage in and be a part of the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy.
— Alba B.
 |
|
|
