Aart: We are welcoming Veronica Gould, our new resident this month. Rola, you knew Veronica in seminary. What was your impression of her?

Rola: She is a great singer. And thinker. She’s a great theologian. We’ve discussed theology a lot.
Aart: Veronica, what do you love about theology?
Veronica: I love exploring questions that matter. Theology has real stakes– what does it mean to love one another?

Am I doing enough? Can I be forgiven for my past? I look to theology that is hopeful, which says there is good

news and we are all invited to be a part of it.
Aart: Are there any specific experiences in or outside church that drove you to consider ministry as a career? What is

it that touched you?
Veronica: I spent the summer after my first year of college in Sonoma. I joke that it was my study year abroad. For

the most part, I did not have a community of faith during that time. The very last Sunday I was in town, I found a church across town and walked almost an hour to go to worship. I arrived early, and there was one other homeless woman who was there. She shared some of her story with me, and her vulnerability and courage reminded me why I believe sharing our faith lives is so important. I believe you cannot be Christian alone. I have known the church was my home ever since.

Kris: There are people from a lot of religious backgrounds at Parkview. I’m curious what as a Lutheran interested you in applying for a Presbyterian residency?

Veronica: So my denomination is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We are in full communion with the PCUSA, which basically means we have agreed to certain ecumenical partnerships. We are both in the Protestant tradition, so there are far more theological similarities than differences among us.

Aart: So can you tell us about your family?
Veronica: Of course! As I mentioned, I do have some family in California,

but most of my family lives in New Jersey. My parents, my grandparents, and my two sisters live there, and my brother lives in Ohio. My family has been so supportive throughout my seminary education.

Aart: What are your long-term ministry goals?
Veronica: I am hoping to be ordained to the ministry of Word and

Sacrament in the ELCA (Lutheran church) to serve as a pastor in a congregation. I spent the last year serving in a campus ministry, and I am still open to working with students, but I believe I am being called to serve in a congregational context. This residency will hopefully offer me clarity in my call.

Aart: May God bless our ministry together.