This morning started too early at 4:30 in the morning, when we headed to the airport. Due to the hospitality of our hotel I was able to still eat my muffin for breakfast.
At the airport this morning I said goodbye to the rest of the South Central Jurisdiction that traveled with us and they headed back to the states as I headed back to Berlin. One more night before I finish this amazing journey I have had in Europe.
Today after arriving in Berlin, I found my way to the hotel. I won’t go into much detail about my directional skills, but I will just say I took my time getting the hotel!
After checking in I relaxed for a bit and decided to head back out to get some last minute souvenirs. This time I wrote down my exits and tripled checked where I wanted to go, allowing a smooth trip into the heart of the city and back out without any trouble.
After an afternoon of shopping and getting a Bratwurst off a street vendor I ventured back home to get everything ready for my trip home in the morning.
I will upload my pictures this weekend sometime this weekend. So if you want to SEE my trip instead of just reading about it, check later this weekend for pictures. I ask for more prayers as I fly out tomorrow, everything has gone very smoothly and I am thankful of all the prayers we have received. I am so blessed to have the support of friends and family all around. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 8- London
Our last day as a big group, started with a delicious breakfast of cheese and a muffin!
In the morning we made our way to the Wesley Chapel and Wesley House. This has been one of my favorite things to see. It was a chance to see where John Wesley preached and lived for a portion of his life. John Wesley’s tomb may also be found here. We saw parts of both John and Charles Wesley’s lives, things they had growing up and much more. The sanctuary was beautiful and very well kept up. We ended up staying long enough to take part in their communion service where we got to hear the original organ that Charles Wesley would compose hymns from.
The afternoon was left for shopping prior to getting ready for the musical we were attending tonight. We went shopping in a very crowded but well priced flea market/ shopping strip. They had a little bit of everything I enjoyed my time just relaxing as we walked around looking at the different stores and styles.
Back to the hotel and getting ready for Sister Act. After finally arriving at the theater our very top balcony seats turned into 7th row seats because they still had them empty. This was really good; we laughed a lot and enjoyed the music and story of the production. It was a really cool thing that we got together to end our time in London and in Berlin as we all fly out tomorrow morning going our separate directions.
The play ended last night so we walked around making our way back to the hotel finding one restaurant open for our last meal in London, eating a chicken Pita. It has been a great trip, with some great people. Tomorrow as the rest of my Jurisdiction heads back to the States I head back to Germany for one more night before I head home.
In the morning we made our way to the Wesley Chapel and Wesley House. This has been one of my favorite things to see. It was a chance to see where John Wesley preached and lived for a portion of his life. John Wesley’s tomb may also be found here. We saw parts of both John and Charles Wesley’s lives, things they had growing up and much more. The sanctuary was beautiful and very well kept up. We ended up staying long enough to take part in their communion service where we got to hear the original organ that Charles Wesley would compose hymns from.
The afternoon was left for shopping prior to getting ready for the musical we were attending tonight. We went shopping in a very crowded but well priced flea market/ shopping strip. They had a little bit of everything I enjoyed my time just relaxing as we walked around looking at the different stores and styles.
Back to the hotel and getting ready for Sister Act. After finally arriving at the theater our very top balcony seats turned into 7th row seats because they still had them empty. This was really good; we laughed a lot and enjoyed the music and story of the production. It was a really cool thing that we got together to end our time in London and in Berlin as we all fly out tomorrow morning going our separate directions.
The play ended last night so we walked around making our way back to the hotel finding one restaurant open for our last meal in London, eating a chicken Pita. It has been a great trip, with some great people. Tomorrow as the rest of my Jurisdiction heads back to the States I head back to Germany for one more night before I head home.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 6 & 7- London
Day 6 (July 26)- London
Our last morning in Berlin was hard to say goodbye to the friends we made, but were ready to travel to another destination. Following breakfast of bread and fruit, we headed out to the airport for our flight to London.
After hanging out in the airport for a few hours we boarded our plane. Most of us were still exhausted from our late night goodbyes that we enjoyed our two hour flight that turned into a two hour nap for most. By late afternoon we reached our hotel, after getting our bags, going through customs, and figuring out the change from Euros to Pounds!
Our hotel’s rooms may be small but have plenty of space and we are close to the subway, which makes travel very nice. Once we dropped our stuff off we made our way to a shopping area downtown to do some shopping our first night in London. Some looked at souvenirs, others shopped for clothes, while others just roamed the area taking in a little bit of London. By dinner time most people, including myself, where tired of being on our feet, and our two hour naps began to where off. We scattered for dinner and I found myself eating dinner with three other people at a little Italian place right off the area we were shopping at. It had great food, a lot of laughs, and a realization that we don’t care what time it is we were ready for a good nights sleep.
After dinner it was time to head back to get some much needed sleep, ending our first night in London.
Day 7 (July 27)- London
For breakfast this morning I changed it up with cereal and some bread!
Following breakfast we made our way to the tower of London. This was really cool, we got a tour from the Beefeaters. It was neat to see a lot of the history of London in one morning and just get the chance to see it and walk around.
Lunch was the famous fish and chips at a local vendor, a little greasy but still very delicious.
Our next stop was Big Ben and the buildings around Parliament. Along with a tour of Westminister Abbey. This was very cool to see all the history that this building provided, tombs of past Kings and Queens as well as poets, and Issac Newton can be found to have a tomb there.
Mixed in the buildings of parliament is none other than the Methodist building where we received a tour and got to visit the chapel, sanctuary (where the first United Nations meeting was held, I might add), and then a trip up to the roof where we took some pretty cool pictures of the city of London.
Up next we visited the outside of Buckingham Palace, unfortunately the Queen never came out to see us. But we did end up seeing a guard change, and the beauty of the place.
For dinner we headed downtown and I ate dinner with a few other people eating just simple Chinese but was able to have some great conversations. It has been a great experience to meet others in our Jurisdiction and building those relationships while traveling and doing sightseeing.
Our last morning in Berlin was hard to say goodbye to the friends we made, but were ready to travel to another destination. Following breakfast of bread and fruit, we headed out to the airport for our flight to London.
After hanging out in the airport for a few hours we boarded our plane. Most of us were still exhausted from our late night goodbyes that we enjoyed our two hour flight that turned into a two hour nap for most. By late afternoon we reached our hotel, after getting our bags, going through customs, and figuring out the change from Euros to Pounds!
Our hotel’s rooms may be small but have plenty of space and we are close to the subway, which makes travel very nice. Once we dropped our stuff off we made our way to a shopping area downtown to do some shopping our first night in London. Some looked at souvenirs, others shopped for clothes, while others just roamed the area taking in a little bit of London. By dinner time most people, including myself, where tired of being on our feet, and our two hour naps began to where off. We scattered for dinner and I found myself eating dinner with three other people at a little Italian place right off the area we were shopping at. It had great food, a lot of laughs, and a realization that we don’t care what time it is we were ready for a good nights sleep.
After dinner it was time to head back to get some much needed sleep, ending our first night in London.
Day 7 (July 27)- London
For breakfast this morning I changed it up with cereal and some bread!
Following breakfast we made our way to the tower of London. This was really cool, we got a tour from the Beefeaters. It was neat to see a lot of the history of London in one morning and just get the chance to see it and walk around.
Lunch was the famous fish and chips at a local vendor, a little greasy but still very delicious.
Our next stop was Big Ben and the buildings around Parliament. Along with a tour of Westminister Abbey. This was very cool to see all the history that this building provided, tombs of past Kings and Queens as well as poets, and Issac Newton can be found to have a tomb there.
Mixed in the buildings of parliament is none other than the Methodist building where we received a tour and got to visit the chapel, sanctuary (where the first United Nations meeting was held, I might add), and then a trip up to the roof where we took some pretty cool pictures of the city of London.
Up next we visited the outside of Buckingham Palace, unfortunately the Queen never came out to see us. But we did end up seeing a guard change, and the beauty of the place.
For dinner we headed downtown and I ate dinner with a few other people eating just simple Chinese but was able to have some great conversations. It has been a great experience to meet others in our Jurisdiction and building those relationships while traveling and doing sightseeing.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Day 5- Last Day at Convocation
Fruit, bread, and nutella started my morning breakfast.
This morning worship came with songs by the Russian band once again and our message brought to us from the Philippines. Where she reminded us we are here “to make disciples of all nations.” The Cross and Flame of the United Methodist brands us and brings us unity. Just as the McDonald’s Arches you think of fast-food, but what happens when others see the cross and flame do they know what we stand for? Let us as United Methodist come together and share our connection and strength as a community of believers to the world.
The rest of the day was set aside for legislation. We discussed, debated, and listened to roughly 17 pieces of different legislation. We started after worship, took a break for lunch, and was in legislative assembly till set up for dinner at 6:00. Our legislation wasn’t always smooth but it was always respectful. As young people we quickly learned the struggles of language barriers that occur across the world. At the end of the day some legislation was passed, others failed, while some where deferred to other groups in the United Methodist Church. Time may not have always been in our favor but I feel good about the decisions we have made that will move on into the United Methodist System either at General Conference or another division.
Dinner was good food with a mix of cultures. We had hamburgers as well as a mix of pastas, salads, and desserts from all over. We ate as a community in one big room remembering our time together and building our relationships.
Following dinner we had a Culture Celebration. It was like a talent show but even better because we were able to see the styles of dance and other traditions of the cultures we have been worshiping and talking with all week. I felt like they were inviting us to share in their history as were we. When a different group was on the stage they were not the only ones dancing, as you looked around the room everyone was out of there seat doing their best to follow along. I felt and say the unity of the body.
Our closing worship ended the conference with signs of peace and affection towards each other. We thanked those who put on the conference, everyone from the translators to the planning committee. The band once again brought us together as we sang songs centering us back to Christ. Bishop Lee lead the message tonight. She summed everything up in one word ONE!! We are one family; we are all brothers and sisters in Christ; no matter what happens, who we are, or what we have done, we are all a family and accepting of all. That means just like Christ we are here to show love to everyone and bring the unity together in Christ Love.
Tonight is a bitter sweet end, we have had a long five days of Convocation and are tired but we are not ready to say goodbye to the relationships we have built in this community. However, it has come time to look back at our success this week, sightseeing in Berlin, worshiping in many cultures, understanding unity, and reviewing some legislation. It has been a successful week and tomorrow morning we take different paths back home or elsewhere. But may we remember we are still united by the Church. We are still One Church, One Body, and there is only One Lord.
Tomorrow I head with other representatives to do some sightseeing and Wesleyan tours in London for a few more days of my journey in Europe.
I ask that you are in our prayers as we travel to another country and prayers for all the delegates and their travel.
I don’t know if I will have internet in London but I will keep writing posts and update my blog the next time I get internet.
This morning worship came with songs by the Russian band once again and our message brought to us from the Philippines. Where she reminded us we are here “to make disciples of all nations.” The Cross and Flame of the United Methodist brands us and brings us unity. Just as the McDonald’s Arches you think of fast-food, but what happens when others see the cross and flame do they know what we stand for? Let us as United Methodist come together and share our connection and strength as a community of believers to the world.
The rest of the day was set aside for legislation. We discussed, debated, and listened to roughly 17 pieces of different legislation. We started after worship, took a break for lunch, and was in legislative assembly till set up for dinner at 6:00. Our legislation wasn’t always smooth but it was always respectful. As young people we quickly learned the struggles of language barriers that occur across the world. At the end of the day some legislation was passed, others failed, while some where deferred to other groups in the United Methodist Church. Time may not have always been in our favor but I feel good about the decisions we have made that will move on into the United Methodist System either at General Conference or another division.
Dinner was good food with a mix of cultures. We had hamburgers as well as a mix of pastas, salads, and desserts from all over. We ate as a community in one big room remembering our time together and building our relationships.
Following dinner we had a Culture Celebration. It was like a talent show but even better because we were able to see the styles of dance and other traditions of the cultures we have been worshiping and talking with all week. I felt like they were inviting us to share in their history as were we. When a different group was on the stage they were not the only ones dancing, as you looked around the room everyone was out of there seat doing their best to follow along. I felt and say the unity of the body.
Our closing worship ended the conference with signs of peace and affection towards each other. We thanked those who put on the conference, everyone from the translators to the planning committee. The band once again brought us together as we sang songs centering us back to Christ. Bishop Lee lead the message tonight. She summed everything up in one word ONE!! We are one family; we are all brothers and sisters in Christ; no matter what happens, who we are, or what we have done, we are all a family and accepting of all. That means just like Christ we are here to show love to everyone and bring the unity together in Christ Love.
Tonight is a bitter sweet end, we have had a long five days of Convocation and are tired but we are not ready to say goodbye to the relationships we have built in this community. However, it has come time to look back at our success this week, sightseeing in Berlin, worshiping in many cultures, understanding unity, and reviewing some legislation. It has been a successful week and tomorrow morning we take different paths back home or elsewhere. But may we remember we are still united by the Church. We are still One Church, One Body, and there is only One Lord.
Tomorrow I head with other representatives to do some sightseeing and Wesleyan tours in London for a few more days of my journey in Europe.
I ask that you are in our prayers as we travel to another country and prayers for all the delegates and their travel.
I don’t know if I will have internet in London but I will keep writing posts and update my blog the next time I get internet.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 4- July 24, 2010
Breakfast of fresh bread and delicious fruit!
The morning once again came with worship. The German band played once again for us, teaching us another song in German that I tried my best to sing! The sermon this morning was given to us by Deacon Reto Naegelin.
He reminded us that too often we find those that look like us and enjoy the same things as us. Unfortunately with this way of living we are creating walls between those who are different. We are all guilty of this including myself. Naegelin reminded us that God has given us unity. Let us break those walls and bring unity to our churches and outside the doors in our everyday lives. In our lives we are living for Christ so he should be our standards, he is the one we should be copying, not always our friends and the society we live in.
Following worship we had our first legislative assembly. We started with the legislation that was reviewed in my Legislative Topic Group, Church and Society. We quickly learned even with a theme of unity we will not all agree on the issues brought forth. However, as members of The United Methodist Church we are given an opportunity to speak our mind and let our voice be heard. With legislation our unity comes as we walk out of the room talking and smiling and leaving our differences aside and continue to build relationships with all cultures. Throughout legislation we also stay united on the belief of respect for all. We are keeping track of who talks and making sure every culture and gender is given an equal opportunity.
Leaving legislation we had a box lunch once again and made our way to experience Berlin. Today, I traveled to a concentration camp, Sachenhausen. This was the first large concentration camp in Germany. What an experience to be a part of their history, unfortunately not much got preserved but just being there was a powerful experience. Sachenhausen can’t really be described in words but once I get back I will post pictures that will hopefully help tell of my journey there.
Following our tour we traveled to Evangelish-methodistische Kirche in Oranienburg. We heard the story of the church and the struggles of a congregation just 12 years early who were meeting in homes. There church ascended from heaven, or just had their building brought to their property by air. Most of their support came from the Methodist Church without them they would not be able to have a building to worship in and the resources to reach out to their community. Following stories they also lead us in a devotion, bringing unity once again across Berlin.
Our return tonight did not involve much relaxing, once we got back to the hotel we had time to grab our laptops and get downstairs for more legislation. Due to the fact we took more time than allotted this morning for legislation we came back this evening to finish 3 more pieces of legislation. It took three hours, we left the room tired, exhausted, and some were happy and others wished the outcome would have been different. But through prayer and knowing that God is here with us allowed us to head to bed in peace.
I ask that as we continue legislation again tomorrow you keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow is a new day filled with legislation, but also it will be our last night together where we will worship once more in unity and experience what each culture has brought to share.
The morning once again came with worship. The German band played once again for us, teaching us another song in German that I tried my best to sing! The sermon this morning was given to us by Deacon Reto Naegelin.
He reminded us that too often we find those that look like us and enjoy the same things as us. Unfortunately with this way of living we are creating walls between those who are different. We are all guilty of this including myself. Naegelin reminded us that God has given us unity. Let us break those walls and bring unity to our churches and outside the doors in our everyday lives. In our lives we are living for Christ so he should be our standards, he is the one we should be copying, not always our friends and the society we live in.
Following worship we had our first legislative assembly. We started with the legislation that was reviewed in my Legislative Topic Group, Church and Society. We quickly learned even with a theme of unity we will not all agree on the issues brought forth. However, as members of The United Methodist Church we are given an opportunity to speak our mind and let our voice be heard. With legislation our unity comes as we walk out of the room talking and smiling and leaving our differences aside and continue to build relationships with all cultures. Throughout legislation we also stay united on the belief of respect for all. We are keeping track of who talks and making sure every culture and gender is given an equal opportunity.
Leaving legislation we had a box lunch once again and made our way to experience Berlin. Today, I traveled to a concentration camp, Sachenhausen. This was the first large concentration camp in Germany. What an experience to be a part of their history, unfortunately not much got preserved but just being there was a powerful experience. Sachenhausen can’t really be described in words but once I get back I will post pictures that will hopefully help tell of my journey there.
Following our tour we traveled to Evangelish-methodistische Kirche in Oranienburg. We heard the story of the church and the struggles of a congregation just 12 years early who were meeting in homes. There church ascended from heaven, or just had their building brought to their property by air. Most of their support came from the Methodist Church without them they would not be able to have a building to worship in and the resources to reach out to their community. Following stories they also lead us in a devotion, bringing unity once again across Berlin.
Our return tonight did not involve much relaxing, once we got back to the hotel we had time to grab our laptops and get downstairs for more legislation. Due to the fact we took more time than allotted this morning for legislation we came back this evening to finish 3 more pieces of legislation. It took three hours, we left the room tired, exhausted, and some were happy and others wished the outcome would have been different. But through prayer and knowing that God is here with us allowed us to head to bed in peace.
I ask that as we continue legislation again tomorrow you keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow is a new day filled with legislation, but also it will be our last night together where we will worship once more in unity and experience what each culture has brought to share.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 3- July 23, 2010
Europe really likes their bread and enjoys serving it at every meal, so once again breakfast consisted of bread (it is too good to pass up) and fresh fruit!
Today was full of adventure and being a tourist. We started off at the Berlin Dome where we had an ecumenical worship service primarily in German. This time the sermon was written on a piece of paper instead of translated as she was speaking. Mieke Bethke spoke to us this morning about the importance of one person doing something. Our world today has information at their figure tips through the internet, we are able to know updates in a matter of refreshing the page. But Bethke wanted to step back and see “In what kind of society do we want to live?” Very simply she challenged us to lead a change in our personal community to help those in need. If everyone where to help their own communities and show the impact of change, the world will begin to see the change. Following the sermon we had spiritual stations that consisted of personal blessings from the Bishops who are here, praying for others, thanksgiving, liturgical song, and image-focused meditation. These were really cool to experience as one body, coming from different backgrounds and struggles, to pray.
Up next our first Berlin Excursion! My excursion consisted of going to see part of the Berlin Wall that is still up. This section of the wall is now an official gallery where there are many paintings on the wall. Each of the individual paintings expressed the impact of the wall. It was redone in 2009, with each image filled with history. After the wall we headed to a street with shops, cafes, and markets. Where we did a little bit of shopping and looking at the different foods and styles Berlin has to serve.
For dinner tonight our excursion group went to Evanfelisch-methodistische Kirche, the second United Methodist Church in Berlin. It was really neat to see the connectional aspect of the United Methodist Church in another way here. They survived us a couple different salads and other German food homemade for us. Following dinner we had a devotion/ evening prayer with the church members that were there. “Danke Gott, dass du uns Einheit schenkst” means Thank God for giving us unity. They taught us this in German reminding us once again the importance of unity in the church and our connectional ministry we have that is so powerful.
Once everything was officially over for the night myself and a couple others decided we wanted to be tourist a bit longer and found our way to souvenir shops, walked past the Television Tower (tallest building in Berlin), and made our way to the Brandenburg Gate.
So today was a full day of relaxing and seeing the city of Berlin. Tomorrow we have excursions once again but we have some business of legislation in the morning. The trip has been amazing so far but I still ask for continued prayers as we move into legislation and traveling around the city.
Today was full of adventure and being a tourist. We started off at the Berlin Dome where we had an ecumenical worship service primarily in German. This time the sermon was written on a piece of paper instead of translated as she was speaking. Mieke Bethke spoke to us this morning about the importance of one person doing something. Our world today has information at their figure tips through the internet, we are able to know updates in a matter of refreshing the page. But Bethke wanted to step back and see “In what kind of society do we want to live?” Very simply she challenged us to lead a change in our personal community to help those in need. If everyone where to help their own communities and show the impact of change, the world will begin to see the change. Following the sermon we had spiritual stations that consisted of personal blessings from the Bishops who are here, praying for others, thanksgiving, liturgical song, and image-focused meditation. These were really cool to experience as one body, coming from different backgrounds and struggles, to pray.
Up next our first Berlin Excursion! My excursion consisted of going to see part of the Berlin Wall that is still up. This section of the wall is now an official gallery where there are many paintings on the wall. Each of the individual paintings expressed the impact of the wall. It was redone in 2009, with each image filled with history. After the wall we headed to a street with shops, cafes, and markets. Where we did a little bit of shopping and looking at the different foods and styles Berlin has to serve.
For dinner tonight our excursion group went to Evanfelisch-methodistische Kirche, the second United Methodist Church in Berlin. It was really neat to see the connectional aspect of the United Methodist Church in another way here. They survived us a couple different salads and other German food homemade for us. Following dinner we had a devotion/ evening prayer with the church members that were there. “Danke Gott, dass du uns Einheit schenkst” means Thank God for giving us unity. They taught us this in German reminding us once again the importance of unity in the church and our connectional ministry we have that is so powerful.
Once everything was officially over for the night myself and a couple others decided we wanted to be tourist a bit longer and found our way to souvenir shops, walked past the Television Tower (tallest building in Berlin), and made our way to the Brandenburg Gate.
So today was a full day of relaxing and seeing the city of Berlin. Tomorrow we have excursions once again but we have some business of legislation in the morning. The trip has been amazing so far but I still ask for continued prayers as we move into legislation and traveling around the city.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day 2- July 22, 2010
There is nothing like starting a great day with fresh bread and worship in Russian. Culture and diversity is a huge part of this event and it shows by looking around the room and through our worship. I was so grateful that most songs were in English this morning, however enjoyed the opportunity to hear and clap along with the songs sung in Russian. Along with the music being lead in Russian our speaker Rev. Pavel Serdyukov preached in Russian. Luckily we all had headsets which links us to translators that helped us through the differences and allow everyone to experience worship. Unfortunately there is still a struggle with dialect, as Rev. Serdyukov spoke there were times he told a joke a few laughed and about a minute later more laughed. Yet at the end of worship we all walked away with the strength of Unity. Christ died on the cross for everyone, he was one body and shed his blood for all. We are supposed to carry the cross, the same cross as the people in Russia, Africa, and around the world. Rev. Serdyukov reminded us though that it is not a small cross, not one we just wear around our neck to prove we are a Christian. As believers in Christ we are to pick up the cross as a church, just as Christ needed help with the cross so do we. Fortunately we are a part of a church that has connections around the world, The United Methodist Church is united to help one another and support each other. You may not understand a prayer that has been spoken due to language barriers, but what is so amazing about our God and savior is he understands every language and will listen to any prayer, from any culture, by any person. Language barriers are always going to be there but as a Christian we can carry the cross together and feel God’s holly love cover the entire world.
Following worship we moved Rules of Order. Finally the fun stuff of legislation, we were given training on the process and how legislation would work while in Berlin. The Rules of Order where understood for the most part and agreed upon as a body.
Up next was lunch, chicken salad, pasta, rice, and of course bread. Another delicious meal that brought together more conversations and a chance to build that relationship with others.
The afternoon consisted of one thing, Legislation. We broke out into legislation groups, I chose Church and Society the biggest and longest group. In our topic group we selected a chairperson and secretary from the group who helped us and lead us through legislation. We discussed six pieces of legislation with topics of the climate justice, extrajudicial killing in the Philippines, Genocide in Gatumba, and same-sex marriage. Three hours later we left after questioning, agreeing, and disagreeing. The next step is taking the legislation to the floor luckily we have a break till Saturday.
The next activity was a Ministry Fair. This gave everyone here an opportunity to show there ministries back home. There were people representing the General Board of Church and Society, The Student Movement, Jurisdictions shared their ministries, and many more. One ministry that was a lot of fun to visit was Lydia Patterson Institute from El Paso. They taught us some new dances and finished the evening with the smashing of a Piñata.
During our free time in the evening we spent some time relaxing and playing games.
Following worship we moved Rules of Order. Finally the fun stuff of legislation, we were given training on the process and how legislation would work while in Berlin. The Rules of Order where understood for the most part and agreed upon as a body.
Up next was lunch, chicken salad, pasta, rice, and of course bread. Another delicious meal that brought together more conversations and a chance to build that relationship with others.
The afternoon consisted of one thing, Legislation. We broke out into legislation groups, I chose Church and Society the biggest and longest group. In our topic group we selected a chairperson and secretary from the group who helped us and lead us through legislation. We discussed six pieces of legislation with topics of the climate justice, extrajudicial killing in the Philippines, Genocide in Gatumba, and same-sex marriage. Three hours later we left after questioning, agreeing, and disagreeing. The next step is taking the legislation to the floor luckily we have a break till Saturday.
The next activity was a Ministry Fair. This gave everyone here an opportunity to show there ministries back home. There were people representing the General Board of Church and Society, The Student Movement, Jurisdictions shared their ministries, and many more. One ministry that was a lot of fun to visit was Lydia Patterson Institute from El Paso. They taught us some new dances and finished the evening with the smashing of a Piñata.
During our free time in the evening we spent some time relaxing and playing games.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
1st Day in Berlin
Day 1- July 20&21
Started the day at 5:00 this morning, visited three airports and arrived in Berlin, Germany a day later.
On first arrival in Berlin my sense of direction or lack thereof showed. After touring the terminals a couple of times I came across a group of students who looked just as confused as me. I ended up asking a group of people who were also a bit confused if they were headed to Convocation. Soon I was in a group with other students from the South Central Jurisdiction making our way to the hotel. We checked in and signed up for Berlin Excursions we will experience later on in the week. Then time for rest, enjoying a four hour nap to help with jetlag and then off to dinner where Convocation officially began.
Ending the first day of Convocation with Worship, this started us off right with diversity and sense of unity. We were welcomed by Bishop Wenner from Germany, sang songs of praise, heard the bible in many different languages, and the sermon by Rev. Dr. Sydney Cooper from Africa. He brought us back to what it really means to be a Christian and even though we may come from different backgrounds, cultures, and churches we all “follow the same Jesus Christ.” Leaving us with advice of holding hands united we are together as one with Christ.
What a great first day. Starting with a long day of flight and ending with a worship worth the travel.
Side-note: I probably won’t be posting pictures till I get back home due to the limited internet access we have here. I will do my best to get a post each day. I will be writing a post each day and posting them when I get the chance.
Started the day at 5:00 this morning, visited three airports and arrived in Berlin, Germany a day later.
On first arrival in Berlin my sense of direction or lack thereof showed. After touring the terminals a couple of times I came across a group of students who looked just as confused as me. I ended up asking a group of people who were also a bit confused if they were headed to Convocation. Soon I was in a group with other students from the South Central Jurisdiction making our way to the hotel. We checked in and signed up for Berlin Excursions we will experience later on in the week. Then time for rest, enjoying a four hour nap to help with jetlag and then off to dinner where Convocation officially began.
Ending the first day of Convocation with Worship, this started us off right with diversity and sense of unity. We were welcomed by Bishop Wenner from Germany, sang songs of praise, heard the bible in many different languages, and the sermon by Rev. Dr. Sydney Cooper from Africa. He brought us back to what it really means to be a Christian and even though we may come from different backgrounds, cultures, and churches we all “follow the same Jesus Christ.” Leaving us with advice of holding hands united we are together as one with Christ.
What a great first day. Starting with a long day of flight and ending with a worship worth the travel.
Side-note: I probably won’t be posting pictures till I get back home due to the limited internet access we have here. I will do my best to get a post each day. I will be writing a post each day and posting them when I get the chance.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Berlin is Fast Approaching
GYPCLA starts in five days! Since the beginning of the month the delegates have had some light reading to prepare us for Berlin. For the last week I have been reading legislation that will be brought to the floor in Berlin. The pieces of legislation range in everything from hot topics like abortion and homosexuality to changing membership in the DMYP (Division on Ministries with Young People). Our focus throughout Convocation will be on One Lord, One Church, One World. Every day of July there has been new devotions preparing us to get into the mood of Convocation. Days away from a conference and an experience that will change my life for the better growing closer to the one and only true God. Thank you for your continued support. I ask one more thing, please pray for myself and the other delegates who are traveling in this next week and pray for a respectful and very moving event.
If you would like to read devotions, watch live streaming video of the event, or just learn more about it go to www.globalyoungpeople.org.
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23
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