Union Theological Seminary

By Denise Hamilton
Union Memorial UMC, Brooklyn, NY

Union Theological  Seminary  - October 13, 2016

This morning we went to Philippines Union Theological  Seminary for a tour of the school and to join in the chapel service. 

The chapel service was in the indigenous format.  The altar was a reminder of nature with the bible on a rock, the bread in the stem of a banana leaf  covered by banana leaves and the wine in the cups were covered by banana  leaves.  At the end of the communion service water was poured down the fountain and one of the indigenous seminary students then took a banana leaf and dipped in the water at the bottom of the fountain.  This to me was a reminder of my baptism.

The communion service was done in one of the indigenous language and I enjoyed learning new songs.  When one of the Seminary students started a chant praying for us around the altar I  noticed that she had removed her shoes.  This was a signal to me that she was on holy ground and it warmed my soul.  Reverend Joseph Ewoodzie's meditation focused on the challenge that the seminary students will face when they must put into practice what they have learned. 

Even though the service was in a different language, I felt God's presence.