Union Theological Seminary and a Volcano

By Rachel and Jack Brunt
Long Hill UMC, Trumbull, CT

Thursday Oct.13 The Team's visit to Union Theological Seminary was some what of a surprise to me. The Chapel  service was held in a large domed shaped room.  Chairs encircled  a beautiful  diorama  of plants, large foliage, rock formations and a large wooden structure in the middle with other indigent plants etc.  It seemed so appropriate for the service but still a surprise. Located in the setting was  a pulpit ready for Pastor Joseph Ewoodzie sermon " Praying for Glory Strength". I say Pastor instead of just Joseph because his message was so powerful and enlightening  that anything less would not do him justice.  It was so meaningful for both laity, clergy and soon to be clergy. He spoke of the reality of being a Pastor in a church with issues ,ones he experienced as a PK (pastor's kid) growing up in Ghana. He related things are not always easy to resolve and often, "it's just the way it is"

Communion again was different but yet so appropriate for our setting. The beautiful music by the choir added even more to the ambiance. I set across from the placement of large leaves on the floor. They were slid out and the bread lay on them. Together, with the juice, we were served. One of the most meaningful parts of the service, happened when a gentleman, poured water into the rock arrangement. The water flowed down into a small pond. He dipped a branch of a palm cut on an angle and waved them over the congregation.For me, it was bonding us all together  It was a very 

hmbling service.

After greeting our new friends at the Seminary, we were invited to have lunch with the president of UTS Dr. Elezar Fernandez.  He outlined his vision for the seminary, after giving us  the Center's   history. He has an ambitious plan which will require receiving a large amount of funding. I found him to be most informative and very humorous. Jack had the opportunity to spend some personal time with him and he is very aware of his need to stay fit and see his project to completion.  Running is one of the things he does on a regular basis. We enjoyed  a most enjoyable lunch and continued our conversion with various people in positions at the seminary.

Later in the afternoon, we traveled to Tagaytay, a fishing village at the bottom of a road that makes San francisco's Lumbard St. A ride in the park. We road in a special Jeep that was able to negotiate the scary and curvy road. All told, it was a 15-20 minute ride for the 15 of us.  The huge lake is  a gigantic volcanic crater that goes for miles around the perimeter. Nine people in the group took the 30minute ride to the mountain ,while 6 stayed on shore.  In order to reach the crater filled with water at the top of the mountain  we rode on horse back . It was a steep, narrow path with deep erosion ruts. It was a  trying ride even for those of us with experience.When we finally arrived at the top ,the view was spectacular.  The round trip was well over two hours It was raining lightly and became dark. For those of us who went  it will be a memory of a life time.

Later in the evening, Dr. Anno  gave us his theology on indigenous Christian worship. It was very illuminating.