2022 Seminarian Grant Recipients

Isaac Ackerman (he/him or they/them) attended Eureka College double majoring in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Spanish. They intended to study medicine after their time at Eureka but was convinced while volunteering at a hospital in rural India to first explore the world and other vocations before (possibly) taking another look at medicine. After college, he taught English to young learners in Incheon, South Korea for two years. He then returned to the United States to work with the National Benevolent Association’s Xplor program assisting a number of organizations around Cleveland, Ohio including college ministry at Kent State and providing support for adults with developmental disabilities at Hiram Farm. Seeing the wide work of the church in helping communities thrive, Isaac decided to pursue ordination with the Disciples of Christ and is entering his third year of divinity school at Vanderbilt.

Kerrigan is a longtime Disciple, a HELM Leadership Fellow alumnus (2016-2020), and a Global Mission Associate of Japan (2018-19). They are currently attending the University of Chicago Divinity School, where they were the Divinity Student Association Secretary (2021-22). They did their undergrad in Asian Studies, and their love of Japanese culture and history has continued an interest in Shintoism and Buddhism. Along with this focus, they are pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies. In the future, they hope to work with fellow LGBTQ+ people within affinity organizations. Kerrigan enjoys drinking tea and coffee while talking with their found-family about the books they all are reading.

My time at Vanderbilt Divinity School has allowed me to become incredibly interested in various forms of labor and economic justice. This fall I will be completing my thesis on emotional and spiritual labor– specifically from a feminine and queer perspective.

Graham is going through the ordination process accompanied by FCC in Abilene, TX. As of now, Graham’s professional curiosity relates to process thinking in ecumenical work and seminary preparation. During the school year, Graham attends Vanderbilt Divinity School and works at Woodmont Christian Church. This summer, Graham served at FCC Abilene, and last summer Graham served as a worship leader in Badlands National Park.

I’m entering my third year at Vanderbilt Divinity School with concentrations in Prison and Carceral Studies, and Spirituality and Social Activism. I grew up in Florida and graduated from Florida State University with a masters in criminology. The prison and carceral path offered by Vanderbilt was the biggest pull for me to pursue theological education. I grew up in a Disciples of Christ church and always, silently, imagined myself in some facet of the church, but never one that was on stage behind a pulpit. Instead, I found the work of non-profits and theological underpinnings to be what drew me in – to weave and recognize the Divine in the world around us, outside of “Church” walls. In coming to Vanderbilt, I started working at a local non-profit that is dedicated to disrupting systems of harm and providing educational opportunities to formerly incarcerated peoples. I work on the policy side of this field, engaging in state and regional level policy. When I’m not deep into legislative action or collective work, you can find me selling donuts at a Nashville bakery or cuddled up with my cats reading a good book. I am very thankful for this scholarship and the opportunity you have all provided me.

Wesley King is a seminarian finishing his final thesis and capstone project at Lexington Theological Seminary where he is pursuing his Master of Divinity. While at LTS he has received the HELM grant and Lovelace scholarship multiple times, the DHM scholarship, and the Walker Preaching Scholarship. He currently serves The Table Nashville, an ELCA queer-centric church plant on Sunday evenings as a ministerial intern to complete the requirements of his MDiv. In addition to his seminary studies, he works full-time for the denomination as Program Coordinator for New Church Ministry. In this position he plans trainings, webinars, events, and other programming that seeks to help new church pastors and all pastors seeking to learn, grow, and innovate. In addition to ministry, Wesley is a professional musician working as a performer, conductor, and composer in Nashville, TN. He is the Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony, an LGBTQ+ Ally chorus. He has also spent the last several years composing and developing a musical that he just produced in Nashville in June of 2022 titled, “Ten Year,” a musical about a man attending his 10-year high school reunion dealing with regret and being stuck in the past. He is also a songwriter and is currently working on a supplement to the Chalice Hymnal. Some of his songs and hymns have been published by The Hymn Society, The Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and Lorenz Publishing. After he finishes his MDiv, he plans to be ordained and continue his ministry work at the denominational level. He is also interested in the intersections of ministry and music, specifically new hymnody that reflect themes of Justice, Inclusion, and Equity. Wesley is a member of Vine Street Christian Church and resides in East Nashville with his husband, Tyler who is an accomplished architect, and their rescued racing greyhound, Fuel.