Grace LaTourelle-
This school year has been marked with a plethora of changes. One of these is the ending of the Chaplain’s 2-year interim period, installed after Chaplain Maggie Falenschek left Gustavus following the 2022-2023 school year.
“The interim position for the past two years was something I asked President Bergman for so that the College could have time to assess the Chaplain role and develop a student-centered search process that would occur during the academic year,” Executive Chaplain Grady St. Dennis said.
The Dean of Christ Chapel is responsible for providing pastoral care, student support, giving the sermon at Sunday Worship Community & Chapel Break services, and advising United Christian Ministries.
“Having a Chaplain on campus is essential. Not only are they a lead for spiritual life, whatever that may look like for you, on campus, but they are also a confidential resource and can be a liaison to higher administration. They are someone you can trust to be on your side, someone to find counsel in, and someone who is constantly rooting for you in all that you pursue,” Junior Eva McClelland said.
The Chaplain Search Committee was created this fall to call a chaplain into a more permanent position. The Committee adopted a multi-phased plan consisting of both faculty and student input.
McClelland and Sophomore Mohammed Mohammed were the student representatives for the student search committee, meeting with a group of 50 students from different areas across campus. This first group identified six key characteristics they wanted from a Chaplain: “Rooted and Open Leader, Collaborative, Authenticity, Spiritual Leader, Justice Advocate, and Wise Companion/Emotional Intelligence.”
“…it feels like our voices matter. There are so many decisions that get made with “students’ opinions in mind,” but most don’t feel like that. This was one of those cases where we could actually see the things we deemed important and at the forefront of our minds as the highest priority,” Member of the Student Search Committee and Junior Brynn Johnson explained.
From there, one student from each organization formed the student executive committee, comprised of eight students, who they looked over the submitted applications for the position and decided on the top five options based on the qualities the first committee established.
McClelland and Mohammed brought the five options to the faculty-led search committee, which had previously identified their own top options, to finalize the candidates they would extend an interview to. Finally, in March, three applicants came to Gustavus and were interviewed.
The Chaplain Search Committee reached a decision, and on Monday, April 21st, the committee announced that Pastors Ben and Alicia Hilding would be co-serving in the Dean of Christ Chapel position.
The Hildings, who met and “fell in love” at Gustavus, currently serve as Co-Pastors at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague, MN. They have two daughters, Miriam and Joanna, who are nine and six years old. Both expressed excitement for being able to raise their daughters on a college campus, surrounded by a different community of people. Besides an internship during seminary, the pair has worked together at two churches prior to Trinity Lutheran.
“Each time we’ve been able to be together…we’ve had the joy to work together in different ministry settings, and we feel it’s kind of a distinctive aspect of how God has called us to be. We have complimentary gift sets, and we just love working together and so we’ve been really grateful for each chance that we’ve had to do that,” Ben explained.
Ben labeled three aspects that made them consider and want to serve at Gustavus. The first of these was the “internal pull”: how much they have loved and continue to love Gustavus.
“I feel like every time I’ve had breakfast with someone or been at a meeting and heard people speak about their leadership on campus or what they’re going through…I always just feel eager to spend more time in the community and to be more a part of the day-to-day life of campus,” Alicia said.
Ben also explained that they received “external nudges” from people whom they loved and trusted, urging them to apply for the position. These, through “collective discernment, prayer, and conversations,” helped them to realize that the change would be conducive for their lives.
“What I love about the concept of vocation is that it’s not something that you’re just supposed to figure out on your own…it’s always changing and evolving,” Ben said. “We knew that no matter who Gustavus would pick, the process would be one of integrity, and we would be excited for the future, but we felt like, ‘well, we’d be curious to be a part of that process,’ and the collective discernment will lead to something beautiful.”
In the past, the Dean of Christ Chapel role has been filled by a single Chaplain. The Hildings have met with St. Dennis on how the work will be split amongst them.
“As Alicia and Ben settle into the joint role, the areas each will focus upon will be tailored to their unique interests and skills,” St. Dennis explained. “I think we will see a synergy and more expansive reach of services for students by having two chaplains.”
Apart from the day-to-day responsibilities of pastoral leadership within the Chaplains’ Office, the Hildings are excited about the aspects of engaging with and meeting the needs of the community as well as cultivating relationships.
“I got to study leadership at Augsburg after seminary, and that was really fun because I think it’s so important for the future of the church because I think the church is changing, it’s evolving, in some ways in a sad way and in some ways in a great way,” Ben said. “God is doing something new and that’s our hope and our belief that we get to be a part of that. So, I think developing leaders and supporting leaders and empowering leaders…I feel like that’s really something I can’t wait to wake up to do each day.”
Alicia and Ben both noted that Gustavus is a community of learners, which lends itself to a growing and evolving campus.
“I’m drawn to the concept of a community of learners, because there’s this posture of humility that’s assumed,” Ben said. “I hope Gustavus knows that we’re in the process of becoming. We don’t bring all the things that we want to provide, we want you to help us become the chaplains we’re called to be.”
As is a constant invitation, students are welcomed and encouraged to meet the Chaplains next school year. As part of their duties, Chaplains are open to confidential and heartfelt conversations with students.
“We want to get to know you. Every single student that’s open to it. We care about the dignity of each person on campus and are eager to hear who they are and value them and…be a source of support and share life,” Alicia said.
The Chaplain Search Committee celebrated the announcement of the decision on Thursday, April 24th, with a meet-and-greet with Ben and Alicia. Everyone was able to celebrate the hard work that went into the decision-making and calling process.
“Yeah, we really appreciated how Chaplain Grady and the chaplain’s office team, and I’m sure others, had such a kind of widespread process, involving a lot of people. It gave us confidence because we felt like the current community knows what it needs best,” Alicia said.
Alicia and Ben will begin June 1, working in the office this summer to prepare for the coming school year.
“We’re new and yet we feel already home,” Ben said.