November Newsletter - Christina in the UK

My Year in the World
November 2007
Volume 1, Issue 3
Young Adults in Global Mission

A London Reunion—YAGM Retreat
This past weekend all 13 YAGMs and 2 RCA volunteers reunited in London for the first time since our arrival in August. It was wonderful to see friends again and have a chance to share, discuss, and process our experiences, feelings, and thoughts. To help in this process Vanessa (the YAGM co-ordinater) flew out from Chicago. We were also joined by Jenny Welsh, who lives in London and does chaplaincy work with Anglican/Lutheran international students studying in the London area and surrounding areas. One of the highlights of the weekend was getting American treats such as peanut butter, ranch dressing, Oreos, and corn candy (all treasures in the UK) brought over from Vanessa. I also realized that we are a really great group of young adults that gets along almost abnormally well. The group dynamics are just great which adds another element of fun for everyone. Although the weekend was rushed and we didn’t have a chance to explore London it was great to reconnect with everyone and have a little taste of America again. We’re all hoping for another YAGM retreat in the spring. But in the very least well see each other again in January for the TFG mid-year retreat in Wales.

Livin’ the Lutheran Life—in England
One of the popular topics of discussion at the YAGM retreat was our experience of being Lutheran in a country where the number of Lutherans can be counted on two hands. Ok, that’s a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. Most of us have been asked the question, “What is a Lutheran?” or “Are Lutherans Christians?” Jenny and Vanessa talked with us so that we are better able to answer these questions. Some of us have encountered more difficult questions such as “Can I pray for your salvation?” or “Don’t you think your infant baptism is pointless?” We decided that what was most difficult for us was our Christian/Lutheran traditions are sometimes not seen as merely different but rather insufficient. It’s hard to make some people see and understand that we are all first and foremost Christians. We were reminded that the same way we struggle with new traditions doesn’t mean they are wrong--they are unfamiliar.
We were also reminded that while several expressed missing Lutheran tradition, theology, and worship, part of what we are really missing is Lutheran culture. Since the majority of Lutherans are of German or Scandinavian decent there is a certain culture that accompanies the denomination. I suppose you could say several of us are suffering from a sub-culture shock on top of a culture shock.

Resisting Tyranny—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This week, following our Lutheran-filled weekend in London, Amy and I attended a talk on Dietrich Bonhoeffer at a local church in Buxton. The talk was giving by a protestant woman from Germany.
I’ve grown up listening to the works of Bonhoeffer, but I’ve never known too much of his life as a whole. It was very interesting to hear of his life in a nutshell and the impact that he had on so many peoples lives.
Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and theologian in Germany. He was inspired by many people, inspired many people, was an advocate for grace, and strived for peace. Despite his firm belief in pacifism, he helped in several plots to assassinate Hitler. I believe it shows us the torment the Nazi inflicted on the world—physical or not. He was taken as a political prisoner of the Nazis and was hanged shortly before the end of World War II.
I find it’s always inspiring to hear stories of people’s faith and the impact that they have on the rest of the world—even decades after their death. Although the issues that Bonhoeffer dealt with during his life are not as pressing as today’s issues, his message of grace and peace are still very applicable to life in the 21st century.

Learning a New Language
Courgette-zucchini
Cash point-ATM
Swede-rutabaga
Ta-thank you
Butty-sandwich

Prayer Requests
Please pray for one of the community support clients, Beryl has been having many difficulties the past month. She’s been attacked and has been having people taking advantage of her. Please also continue to pray for Tracey, who is still trying to find a house so she can move out of Charis House.


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. –Ephesians 2:8