Saturday 29 September 2012
The video, enjoy
Friday night at Bossey...
Having spent two years socialising on a Friday night with my STETS colleagues, it was a relief to know that socialising on a Friday night in Petit Bossey has taken off as well. Last week three of us sat down in the common room to share some wine and nibbles at the end of our first full week, by the end of the evening, we had been joined by a few others and a few more bottles of wine.
So this week we became a little bit more organised, we shopped for a few extra provisions, ensured everyone knew and provided a few instruments....What a great evening of fellowship, sharing a few bottles of wine and lots of songs, some I knew and some I just sat back and enjoyed in languages unfamiliar to me a few weeks a go, (I still don't understand the language, but I recognise it.)
Again, when I get to my laptop, I'll post just a small video of an accoustic very extended version of a Marvin Gaye song adapted for ecumenical musicians!!
Yet there we all were this morning for a workshop on teaching others new worship songs, fresh and ready to sing some more!
The focus was on different cultures, breaking away from the stuff everyone knows or expects and bringing our own cultures to the worship.
QUESTION, If anyone has any suggestions of worship songs or hymns I could use please let me know. There is nowoint in singing most of our well known hymns because these are used by Anglicnans the world over, I need something new and British, with a fairly simple tune? All suggestions welcome
So this week we became a little bit more organised, we shopped for a few extra provisions, ensured everyone knew and provided a few instruments....What a great evening of fellowship, sharing a few bottles of wine and lots of songs, some I knew and some I just sat back and enjoyed in languages unfamiliar to me a few weeks a go, (I still don't understand the language, but I recognise it.)
Again, when I get to my laptop, I'll post just a small video of an accoustic very extended version of a Marvin Gaye song adapted for ecumenical musicians!!
Yet there we all were this morning for a workshop on teaching others new worship songs, fresh and ready to sing some more!
The focus was on different cultures, breaking away from the stuff everyone knows or expects and bringing our own cultures to the worship.
QUESTION, If anyone has any suggestions of worship songs or hymns I could use please let me know. There is nowoint in singing most of our well known hymns because these are used by Anglicnans the world over, I need something new and British, with a fairly simple tune? All suggestions welcome
Sunday 23 September 2012
I've just come to the end of my first 'proper' weekend in Bossey. I had to entertain myself! Yesterday I went into Geneva, navigating the buses and trains and returned safely to the right place, I even used my limited french to get me there.
I went shopping with Agnes from Zambia, and did you know they have H&M in Zambia? I didn't!
As I came out of the railway station the first outlets to greet me were H&M, Starbucks and yes, you've guessed it, MacDonalds, no surprises there.
Today I went to two Anglican services, one in Geneva and one in a small village near Nyon
I've been at the same church in Henbury pretty much all my life, I've ventured out when I've been invited by others to a different church, but I've never really walked into a church for a service as a visitor looking to become a regular attender.
We all think we have a welcoming church, we smile at people we don't know, we introduce ourselves, we tell them to make ourselves at home. But being on the receiving end is quite different. The service was familiar, I knew all the hymns, I knew when to stand and sit, but i knew there were friendships and relationships all around me that I wasn't involved in, I didn't know the names of the people in the notices or the events taking place, it is much more difficult than I could have imagined being the stranger. Another part of my formation I suppose...
Weekends make me feel a bit homesick, I'd be at home with Harriet on a Saturday morning having a relaxing breakfast and then a dog walk, but here I only have myself to think about, nobody and no dogs to keep me entertained without thinking too hard about what to do.
So I've ensured the next two weekends are full, my first visitors, David and Sarah are coming over in a fortnight and it's a well timed, think the home sickness may strike big time when the novelty of being here wears off!!
I went shopping with Agnes from Zambia, and did you know they have H&M in Zambia? I didn't!
As I came out of the railway station the first outlets to greet me were H&M, Starbucks and yes, you've guessed it, MacDonalds, no surprises there.
Today I went to two Anglican services, one in Geneva and one in a small village near Nyon
I've been at the same church in Henbury pretty much all my life, I've ventured out when I've been invited by others to a different church, but I've never really walked into a church for a service as a visitor looking to become a regular attender.
We all think we have a welcoming church, we smile at people we don't know, we introduce ourselves, we tell them to make ourselves at home. But being on the receiving end is quite different. The service was familiar, I knew all the hymns, I knew when to stand and sit, but i knew there were friendships and relationships all around me that I wasn't involved in, I didn't know the names of the people in the notices or the events taking place, it is much more difficult than I could have imagined being the stranger. Another part of my formation I suppose...
Weekends make me feel a bit homesick, I'd be at home with Harriet on a Saturday morning having a relaxing breakfast and then a dog walk, but here I only have myself to think about, nobody and no dogs to keep me entertained without thinking too hard about what to do.
So I've ensured the next two weekends are full, my first visitors, David and Sarah are coming over in a fortnight and it's a well timed, think the home sickness may strike big time when the novelty of being here wears off!!
Wednesday 19 September 2012
The course begins...
Well I'm back to the books, well IPad. I can't believe I've managed the first two years of study without one! No more photocopying, no more big folders and I can makes notes and scribble on the text to my hearts delight. Simon I'm not sure if you're reading this blog, but if you are I wish I'd listened to you earlier.
My iPad has also become the lunchtime skype machine for some of my colleagues who have little contact with their families because of the time difference, so it's getting lots of use.
I don't actually know what I was expecting with regards to the level of teaching and reading, but I've been totally immersed in a book by Lukas Vischer and Ulrich Luz called, 'Unity of the Church in the New Testament today.' If anyone can explain how I add a book to the good reads app that can link into face book I'll put the details on there.
Anyway, I'm off to read Borsh now, a popular book with my fellow STETS colleagues and a recommended text here as well.
Next job, to find an Anglican church for Sunday worship...
My iPad has also become the lunchtime skype machine for some of my colleagues who have little contact with their families because of the time difference, so it's getting lots of use.
I don't actually know what I was expecting with regards to the level of teaching and reading, but I've been totally immersed in a book by Lukas Vischer and Ulrich Luz called, 'Unity of the Church in the New Testament today.' If anyone can explain how I add a book to the good reads app that can link into face book I'll put the details on there.
Anyway, I'm off to read Borsh now, a popular book with my fellow STETS colleagues and a recommended text here as well.
Next job, to find an Anglican church for Sunday worship...
Monday 17 September 2012
Que coupons-nous faire de notre vie?
What do we want to do with our lives?
D. Bonhoeffer
I'm sat in Auditoire Calvin in Geneva. I've never been in a Calvinist church before and I'm amazed at how different it is.. Although the interior and exterior is very church like, pillars and stone arches etc, the similarities end there. The windows are plain, no stained glass just plain colours. Some orange and some blue. At the front of the church there is no alter, only a large lecture and a plain wooden table, the musicians take up most of this space. But what is noticeably different is the lack of decorations on the walls, no memorials no pictures and no crosses. I don't think I actually notice how ornate Anglican churches in England are, but this one looks plain, plain is the only word to describe it.
This service is to celebrate the start of this academic year for the faculty and we were invited as a group from Bossey. The service has been completely in French, for those of you who know me well, you know languages don't come easily to me, but I have found singing in French helps my pronunciation, because the words are broken down to follow the musical notes, I just have no idea what I am singing!!!!
What do we want to do with our lives?
D. Bonhoeffer
I'm sat in Auditoire Calvin in Geneva. I've never been in a Calvinist church before and I'm amazed at how different it is.. Although the interior and exterior is very church like, pillars and stone arches etc, the similarities end there. The windows are plain, no stained glass just plain colours. Some orange and some blue. At the front of the church there is no alter, only a large lecture and a plain wooden table, the musicians take up most of this space. But what is noticeably different is the lack of decorations on the walls, no memorials no pictures and no crosses. I don't think I actually notice how ornate Anglican churches in England are, but this one looks plain, plain is the only word to describe it.
This service is to celebrate the start of this academic year for the faculty and we were invited as a group from Bossey. The service has been completely in French, for those of you who know me well, you know languages don't come easily to me, but I have found singing in French helps my pronunciation, because the words are broken down to follow the musical notes, I just have no idea what I am singing!!!!
Thursday 13 September 2012
Speaking in tongues...
We shared our first worship together yesterday evening. We shared one gospel reading from Ephesians 4:1-6, that we follow our calling and live as one body and one spirit with humility, patience and love. No surprise that this was the opening reading, but it was shared in many different languages, Burmese, Russian, and many more. We all understood, we all shared the gospel reading and its message to us, we were all talking in different tongues, but we all understood.
There are at least 15 different first languages spoken by the students in my year group and every time we say the Lords Prayer, we say it in our own language, aloud and together and yet it sounds the same as if we were all speaking one dialogue. if this is the start of things to come, this unity thing under Christ could take off!!!
I have no doubt we are all in the honeymoon period at the moment and we have been warned we may get complacent, but it has been a nice start.
I'm finding the orientation week a bit slow, but I have to remind myself that just because I could say everything in half the time, most of my student colleagues find it fast and furious with lots of information to take on board
Other Church of England ordinand's who have studied at Bossey, have mentioned this in the past, but it is easy to become the point of contact for the things that haven't become clear. I'm not in the thick of it yet and for those of you who know me well you may be surprised, but if I were to take more of an active role I think I would find all my spare time was spent on solving issues or explaining instructions.
There are at least 15 different first languages spoken by the students in my year group and every time we say the Lords Prayer, we say it in our own language, aloud and together and yet it sounds the same as if we were all speaking one dialogue. if this is the start of things to come, this unity thing under Christ could take off!!!
I have no doubt we are all in the honeymoon period at the moment and we have been warned we may get complacent, but it has been a nice start.
I'm finding the orientation week a bit slow, but I have to remind myself that just because I could say everything in half the time, most of my student colleagues find it fast and furious with lots of information to take on board
Other Church of England ordinand's who have studied at Bossey, have mentioned this in the past, but it is easy to become the point of contact for the things that haven't become clear. I'm not in the thick of it yet and for those of you who know me well you may be surprised, but if I were to take more of an active role I think I would find all my spare time was spent on solving issues or explaining instructions.
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Preparation...
Already I wish I had researched just a little bit more! It didn't even cross my mind that Switzerland's currency isn't Euros but Swiss francs! Luckily I will be going for a passport check tomorrow and there is a cash point near by. Will I ever learn??
I have found out today that I'm the only student from the UK on here for this semester, there are at least 5 students from Burma where Bhuddism is the main religion, one from Jamaica and only 4 of us from Europe, 1 Hungarian, 2 Romanian and me!
I have been told that the mountain in the distance is Mont Blanc, not a bad view to wake up to in the morning.
I have found out today that I'm the only student from the UK on here for this semester, there are at least 5 students from Burma where Bhuddism is the main religion, one from Jamaica and only 4 of us from Europe, 1 Hungarian, 2 Romanian and me!
I have been told that the mountain in the distance is Mont Blanc, not a bad view to wake up to in the morning.
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