Hello from sunny Palm Springs!
At PLTS (and many seminaries, universities and college), January is set aside for the opportunity to either regain your bearings, partake of intensive classes or experience other educational and expansive programs. For me, this J-term, as they are called, will be spent in central Los Angeles. I and 14 other colleagues are embarking on our cross cultural experience by taking an intensive 3+ week class in Spanish and experiencing the New City Parish ministry. Lots of people have asked me what exactly it is that we are doing and my response (honestly) is "Well, this isn't a new program, I have a syllabus with books I have read and/or purchased and an address to which I am supposed to arrive at by 6 p.m. on Jan 7th...do I need to know more?" For some the answer would be "Yes, you need to know more." For me, the answer is "No." I tend to not want to many answers too early. If I have answers too early then I have more to wade through in reflection. But that is just me.
So, what is New City Parish? Well, it is a group of Lutheran churches who in the wake of the Rodney King riots decided that they needed to respond within their communities in a new way. I really recommend that you check out their website (which is below). Hopefully in the next 4 weeks I will have time to share some of my journal and experiences with you.
Pray for us. We will surely be thankful recipients of your thoughts and prayers as we are stretched beyond our growing edges.
Peace for all people,
Gretchen
www.newcityparish.org
1 comment:
I can't wait to hear stories. Also, could you teach me a line or two of Spanish when you return?
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