Getting to know Diaconal Intern Sylvia Johnston

Hello St. Luke’s,

My name is Sylvia Johnston.

 I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina with my younger brother, Thomas, he is also in seminary and serving as an intern at a church in Fort Worth Texas. 

I was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Lutheran in Charlotte. I enjoyed growing up in the church, I was heavily involved in Youth Group, Sunday school and any volunteer opportunity I could do at church. 

I obtained my Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Art from Lenoir Rhyne. I spent my summers in the woods at a small Lutheran Camp, Agape Kure Beach Ministries and my winter breaks working at the daycare at my home congregation. 

During my time in undergraduate education, I enjoyed learning about liberation theology and being able to experience meeting people in Costa Rica. I felt a call to go back to Costa Rica and I was able to go back after graduation with a group called Experience Mission. I lived an intentional life in the city with my team before moving to the indigenous village in Talamanca. While I was living there, I felt affirmed in my call to the ministry as well as working with people to gain resources through social work. 

I moved to Chicago for seminary during the height of the pandemic in 2020. I was able to find my true self and become confident in my identity. In 2021 I applied to Loyola for Social work. During the summer of 2021 I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education and felt a passion for sitting with families while their loved one died. It was a special place to be in.

A big thing during the big part of the move to Chicago is I adopted an older cat, Raven. She is a big part of my life, and I am always happy to show off pictures of her. I enjoy taking her on walks, cooking with her and cooking for her, we also enjoy Netflix. 

I am excited to embark on this creative journey of internship. Being part of this congregation and jumping into different roles in congregation feels already like a perfect fit. I am excited to learn more about this congregation and see where the spirit takes us this year of many unknowns but plenty of welcoming hands.