I am really surprised that it has been almost a year since my last post. I guess the most recent post I should have shared would have been the accident, which most everyone knows about. I guess I have not felt completely ready to share all that on my post. I mean, even to this day, just thinking about that day, losing Patrick, and just various results of that day makes me tear up, so hopefully, once I return to the United States, I will be ready and willing to share my testimony of the accident on my blog.
Until then, I will share about my current experience here in Switzerland! First and foremost, I would like to say, if you get a chance to visit Switzerland, I HIGHLY encourage you to do so! Switzerland is so beautiful, and I cannot get over the natural state of this great country.
Earlier this year, the Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church, North America & Europe Diocese sent me and a few others an email about a program that was going on in Switzerland in the month of August. Unfortunately for my colleagues, they had classes during the month of August, and since I graduated with my BA in May, and I was about to begin my one year field training (kind of like an internship with the MTC), the month of August was basically free. I agreed to attend, but the cost was enormous. By God's grace, the Diocese and my church family were able to fund the trip. The program is known as the InterFaith Seminar conducted by the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The Ecumenical Institute works hand in hand with the World Council of Churches headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Also, they are accredited by the University of Geneva. I was so elated to attend this seminar, because I had known about the beauty of Switzerland, and I was also looking forward to learning more about Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
After arriving here, I can truly say that I received more than I bargained for. The first week is coming to an end, and in the first week, I have built strong bonds with people from all over the world, and I have also learned so much in our sessions. I believe that my experience is definitely an opportunity of a lifetime and simply by the grace of God, was I able to attend.
Sunday, we all just hung out. I was quite a bit tired, so of course I took a nap, and I was able to prepare myself for the next day.
Monday, we began our day with some really delicious breakfast, and a get to know each other session after the breakfast where we shared each other's faith journeys. Just as there are different "flavors" (denominations) of Christianity, so too there are different faith expressions with Judaism and Islam. I knew that there were various views of each religion before coming here, but I did not realize how different the religions are until we began talking about our faith journeys.
Tuesday, we had the General Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation come spend time with us. She gave me several good ideas of ice breakers that I hope to use in the future. After our ice breaker sessions, we spent time drawing our life based on our religious context, and then we presented and shared what we drew. We also had a session on Sustainability of Creation. What a place to discuss that topic! I mean, here creation seems to be sustained very well. I wish the United States would pick up on some of the practices here. Regardless of the religion, God gave an ordinance to take care of the land, but we choose to harm and abuse the land. During this discussion, we also conversed about the different views about the days of creation and how each religion views those days. Included in that topic, we began the conversation of the choice of eating meat. There are several people here that are either vegetarian or vegan. One day, I hope to join those ranks as well.
Wednesday, a presenter shared the history and vision of Bossey. After that, we all presented from the country we represented about peace and justice issues in our own country in terms of inter-religious context. The only other American here is a Reformed Jewish individual who is currently studying to be a rabbi, so the future priest and future rabbi teamed up to present. I'm sure there is a joke in there somewhere. I thought it was a great experience teaming up with him and really sharing how both of our religions play an impact in the society we live in. I was also able to share the Mar Thoma faith to the people that are attending here.
Thursday (today), was the first actual teaching session about a particular religion. We were able to hear from a French Orthodox Jewish Rabbi who taught us a lot. He was very philosophical, and I was getting lost a bit in what he was sharing. There were two translators who ended up translating what he was saying. We did have some technical difficulties, but after those were solved, I think the conversation kicked off. I was able to understand enough, and I was able to take away a lot of information. We were also able to partake of the morning prayers of the Jews, and I thought their prayers and the way they conduct their prayers were a wonderful way of expressing your commitment and devotion to God.
I will close off here. I am truly loving my time here, and I am able to learn more about the three religions. I know God will continue to use this season of my life for greater purposes in ministry.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
-Deuteronomy 6:4 (also known as Jewish Sh'ma)
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