If you are a blog reader, realize that bloggers write primarily for their own purpose - a way of seeing into their own minds and hearts.
While nothing is required of blog readers except to enter into the mind of a blogger, comments are a good way to participate and a good way for blogger to see how words are being received.
Of course, on the other hand, the stone that causes a ripple in the water, never knows where the ripples go.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Conclusion - September 9
These are my final reflections for my Ukrainian Sojourn. I walked into my house at midnight. The hours at JFK airport in NY were torturous. I was at the end of my energy but had no choice but to endure until I got home. When they called for boarding my flight, I sighed in relief. There were only about 40 people on the plane and we were in and ready very quickly. And then - nothing. We waited and waited and waited more. Finally, about 45 minutes late, we took off for Rochester and arrived about 22:20. I took the shuttle bus to my car and drove the hour home. My eyes wanted to stop working and I had to drive with the windows open and shake my head frequently to clear my vision.
It may have been a stressful travel day, but if that is the price of such a wonderful week in Kyiv, I would do it again today.
I will be thinking about my time in Ukraine for a long time to come - until I return actually.
The Forum I participated in was extraordinarily powerful. The days and schedule were long and intense. But the results were exactly what we hoped for. Information was shared, there was solid teaching, people shared stories and opened their hearts. In short community was formed. The unifying element was the context of prayer and worship. Even though we were divided by language and nationality and even ideology, we opened ourselves in the presence of God. Whenever people are able to do that, miracles happen.
Take all that strong emotion and put it in the setting of a magnificent historical city.
So, my friends, I've used a lot of words but still can't capture what happened.
I arrived home. I slept well for 7 hours. My body feels like I have been run over by a truck. My throat is sore. I have a headache.
But I am not complaining. I am grateful. Today I will let my body rest. In my mind, each face from the conference passes my inner eye. In my heart, I have new places that belong in Ukraine.
If you have read this blog, thank you for coming with me on this journey. Perhaps you will return there with me some day.
It may have been a stressful travel day, but if that is the price of such a wonderful week in Kyiv, I would do it again today.
I will be thinking about my time in Ukraine for a long time to come - until I return actually.
The Forum I participated in was extraordinarily powerful. The days and schedule were long and intense. But the results were exactly what we hoped for. Information was shared, there was solid teaching, people shared stories and opened their hearts. In short community was formed. The unifying element was the context of prayer and worship. Even though we were divided by language and nationality and even ideology, we opened ourselves in the presence of God. Whenever people are able to do that, miracles happen.
Take all that strong emotion and put it in the setting of a magnificent historical city.
So, my friends, I've used a lot of words but still can't capture what happened.
I arrived home. I slept well for 7 hours. My body feels like I have been run over by a truck. My throat is sore. I have a headache.
But I am not complaining. I am grateful. Today I will let my body rest. In my mind, each face from the conference passes my inner eye. In my heart, I have new places that belong in Ukraine.
If you have read this blog, thank you for coming with me on this journey. Perhaps you will return there with me some day.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Travel Day - September 8
When I woke at 6:45 this morning (11:45pm Tuesday night, Rochester time), I wished I had not had vodka last night. I was feeling slow. I talked on Facebook with Steve in NY for a while and then really had to get my rear in gear. The taxi was coming at 8:30 and I had to shower and pack. I kept waiting for a message from Kostya who was going to arrange a taxi for me for a reasonable price. He negotiated 160 Hrivna (pronounced Grivna - there are about 7.9 Grivna in one US dollar). I got a message from Rostek that the taxi was called and would be a gray Mercedes. I went down and checked out, got a little cash from the ATM, skipped breakfast and went outside to find the taxi waiting. As I got in, the driver handed me his phone. It was Rostek and Kostya who wanted to have a final word before I flew. "Come back to us soon." was their message. May it be prophetic!
The taxi driver was a nice guy and we made good time to Boryspol Airport, about a 45 minute trip. Immigration and customs was uneventful. I had decided to check a bag rather than hassling with it on the plane. I'll have to get it in NY to go through US Customs and then recheck it for the flight to Rochester. The first item on my agenda was to get a coffee - cappuccino. I took a seat and waited. I thought I heard a call for boarding but I didn't see any movement in the waiting area so I sat. Then I went and got another cappuccino and sat some more. Then there was a final call for boarding and I still didn't see movement. Of course I was waiting at the wrong place. No harm done. I found the right gate and entered the plane. It's about 85% full. I watched three movies in a daze. The Jones Family, Date Night, and the one with my favorite actress (whose name escapes me) about a southern family that takes in an African-American kid who turns out to be a remarkable football player. We still have at least two or two and a half hours in our flight.
Lunch was quite good. Chicken with mixed vegetables (eggplant being one of them) and brocolli soufle. With some kind of chocolate cookie for dessert. It was not like the comforting meal I shared with Rostek and Konstantin last night. (pause because I am going to shut down the computer until I'm at JFK in NY to continue). I sort of went into a stupor for a few hours, not really sleeping but going semi-comatose.
(Later) Ok, it's 16:00 hours in NY (23:00 in Ukraine) and I'm at JFK waiting for four more hours for my flight to Rochester. Immigration and Customs were a breeze but then I had to come to the proper terminal and go through security all over again. I just missed being able to catch an earlier flight to Rochester but my luggage wouldn't have transferred and I'd have to come back to airport tomorrow. No thanks. I had a lot of things to catch up on by email anyway. I'll go get something to eat and drink in a while and that will pass time. I have to find a place to plug in my phone. It started ringing as soon as I landed. I have two funerals for Friday and a board meeting at church Thursday night.
I'm going to post this now and will do my final entry in the blog tomorrow morning (afternoon in Ukraine).
The taxi driver was a nice guy and we made good time to Boryspol Airport, about a 45 minute trip. Immigration and customs was uneventful. I had decided to check a bag rather than hassling with it on the plane. I'll have to get it in NY to go through US Customs and then recheck it for the flight to Rochester. The first item on my agenda was to get a coffee - cappuccino. I took a seat and waited. I thought I heard a call for boarding but I didn't see any movement in the waiting area so I sat. Then I went and got another cappuccino and sat some more. Then there was a final call for boarding and I still didn't see movement. Of course I was waiting at the wrong place. No harm done. I found the right gate and entered the plane. It's about 85% full. I watched three movies in a daze. The Jones Family, Date Night, and the one with my favorite actress (whose name escapes me) about a southern family that takes in an African-American kid who turns out to be a remarkable football player. We still have at least two or two and a half hours in our flight.
Lunch was quite good. Chicken with mixed vegetables (eggplant being one of them) and brocolli soufle. With some kind of chocolate cookie for dessert. It was not like the comforting meal I shared with Rostek and Konstantin last night. (pause because I am going to shut down the computer until I'm at JFK in NY to continue). I sort of went into a stupor for a few hours, not really sleeping but going semi-comatose.
(Later) Ok, it's 16:00 hours in NY (23:00 in Ukraine) and I'm at JFK waiting for four more hours for my flight to Rochester. Immigration and Customs were a breeze but then I had to come to the proper terminal and go through security all over again. I just missed being able to catch an earlier flight to Rochester but my luggage wouldn't have transferred and I'd have to come back to airport tomorrow. No thanks. I had a lot of things to catch up on by email anyway. I'll go get something to eat and drink in a while and that will pass time. I have to find a place to plug in my phone. It started ringing as soon as I landed. I have two funerals for Friday and a board meeting at church Thursday night.
I'm going to post this now and will do my final entry in the blog tomorrow morning (afternoon in Ukraine).
Languagesen>en YahooCEerror
(pause because I am going to shut down the computer until I'm at JFK in NY to continue).
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My last day in Kyiv - Tuesday September 7
How can one day get better than the one before? My days here in Kyiv have been better and better and better.
I began the day with breakfast with Florin and after breakfast we went for coffee (big surprise!) and then to shop for souvenirs. He didn't want me to come down to say good-bye to him at the taxi so we parted in the lobby. I always miss him when he goes.
I spent part of the morning catching up on email and chatting with friends who had arrived home in Kyrgyzstan or Poland or Moldova. I had so much going on in my mind and heart that I needed to go to church to find some peace. I walked up to the Orthodox Church of St. Vladimir and visited each of the icons asking for blessings and peace of heart. It was helpful. In the church, I renewed my commitment to God's work wherever God sends me. I prayed for all the people I have met here, by name. I asked for the blessing of the saints who brought Christianity to this part of the world. I asked St. Pantelimon for healing of body, mind and heart. I asked Jesus on the Cross to help me to be willing to spend all that I am and for His people. I left the church renewed in spirit and at peace in my heart. The sadness I felt about leaving was healed - for a time.
I thought I would take a nap but then remembered things I wanted to do. I wanted to order a demo CD of Rosetta Stone Russian language to begin immediately to learn a language I will certainly need. I ordered a rainbow flag with a cross to send to Rostek for one of the groups that meets here in Kyiv.
Just when I was ready for a nap, I received a call on the house phone. Anna, our translator, whom I had met last year in Timisoara, called asking if I'd like to meet her. OF COURSE I'd like to meet her so I went right down at about 3:45. We went to a coffee shop next door and had a great visit until Rostek and Kostya arrived. Anna had to leave for an appointment so Rostek and Kostya took me on a walking tour of a part of the city I had not seen, mostly government buildings but one palace of Katharine the Second which is being restored. After we had walked around, we took a taxi to a wonderfully authentic Ukranian restaurant. I wouldn't let the guys ask me what I wanted. I told them to construct a dinner from beginning to end of good Ukrainian specialties. They did.
We drank most of a bottle of really good vodka, clinking our glasses over and over. We had bread with differently flavored butters, garlic and fish and plain. We also had a plate of pickled vegetables, cabbage and tomato and cucumbers and garlic. We had a Ukrainian specialty, pork fat with garlic. I know it sounds not so good but it is wonderful. We drank Kvass with our meal in between vodka.
then we had a plate of assorted varenyky which is like dumplings/ravioli filled with potatoes or meat or cheese. Then we had cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat. It was a wonderful meal, really Ukrainian and the atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect, simple yet good service and nice atmosphere.
But more than the meal was the conversation. It was open and intimate and a connection of hearts. I had already formed a strong bond with Rostek but Kostya had originally been involved to be interpreter/translator. Tonight he became a friend. This meal represented for me the best blessing I ever could have received on this trip.
They walked me back to the hotel and we hugged and kissed good-bye outside. I will never be the same.
I began the day with breakfast with Florin and after breakfast we went for coffee (big surprise!) and then to shop for souvenirs. He didn't want me to come down to say good-bye to him at the taxi so we parted in the lobby. I always miss him when he goes.
I spent part of the morning catching up on email and chatting with friends who had arrived home in Kyrgyzstan or Poland or Moldova. I had so much going on in my mind and heart that I needed to go to church to find some peace. I walked up to the Orthodox Church of St. Vladimir and visited each of the icons asking for blessings and peace of heart. It was helpful. In the church, I renewed my commitment to God's work wherever God sends me. I prayed for all the people I have met here, by name. I asked for the blessing of the saints who brought Christianity to this part of the world. I asked St. Pantelimon for healing of body, mind and heart. I asked Jesus on the Cross to help me to be willing to spend all that I am and for His people. I left the church renewed in spirit and at peace in my heart. The sadness I felt about leaving was healed - for a time.
I thought I would take a nap but then remembered things I wanted to do. I wanted to order a demo CD of Rosetta Stone Russian language to begin immediately to learn a language I will certainly need. I ordered a rainbow flag with a cross to send to Rostek for one of the groups that meets here in Kyiv.
Just when I was ready for a nap, I received a call on the house phone. Anna, our translator, whom I had met last year in Timisoara, called asking if I'd like to meet her. OF COURSE I'd like to meet her so I went right down at about 3:45. We went to a coffee shop next door and had a great visit until Rostek and Kostya arrived. Anna had to leave for an appointment so Rostek and Kostya took me on a walking tour of a part of the city I had not seen, mostly government buildings but one palace of Katharine the Second which is being restored. After we had walked around, we took a taxi to a wonderfully authentic Ukranian restaurant. I wouldn't let the guys ask me what I wanted. I told them to construct a dinner from beginning to end of good Ukrainian specialties. They did.
We drank most of a bottle of really good vodka, clinking our glasses over and over. We had bread with differently flavored butters, garlic and fish and plain. We also had a plate of pickled vegetables, cabbage and tomato and cucumbers and garlic. We had a Ukrainian specialty, pork fat with garlic. I know it sounds not so good but it is wonderful. We drank Kvass with our meal in between vodka.
then we had a plate of assorted varenyky which is like dumplings/ravioli filled with potatoes or meat or cheese. Then we had cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat. It was a wonderful meal, really Ukrainian and the atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect, simple yet good service and nice atmosphere.
But more than the meal was the conversation. It was open and intimate and a connection of hearts. I had already formed a strong bond with Rostek but Kostya had originally been involved to be interpreter/translator. Tonight he became a friend. This meal represented for me the best blessing I ever could have received on this trip.
They walked me back to the hotel and we hugged and kissed good-bye outside. I will never be the same.
Monday, September 6
I started this blog entry on Monday night and am finishing it Tuesday afternoon.
Monday: It occurred to me today that I missed Labor Day. That's both summer holidays I missed this year. 4th of July I was in Acapulco and this year I'm in Kiev. I am so blessed to be able to do this.
Today it was really nice to wake up and not have to rush anywhere. I still was up early and went down to breakfast (without showering) at 8. I sat with Ilya, one of the Russians who was returning home today. We've all gotten pretty good with pantomime to communicate.
I met Florin at 10 and we had a meeting with one of the guys about his group. We went next door to the coffee shop to get a cappuccino. At a little after 11, we left on a walking tour of old Kiev led by our Orthodox monk. There were about a dozen of us. We walked for five hours. He is a relentless guide. We started at the church of St. Vladimir which I posted photos of the other day. We then moved on to see a series of churches and other buildings which are very ancient from 10th century. My pictures are posted but are "private" because of the needs of LGBT people here to be safe. If you want the link I will send it to you.
The goal was to see exceptional buildings and parts of Kiev. There is nothing like a walking tour to accomplish that. It is almost inconceivable to be in church where people have been worshiping for over a thousand years. It's unreal to be in wooden church where Cossacks prayed before going to battle. It's a revelation to see the different styles of iconography apparent. There was one I especially like of Jesus during the days before his resurrection breaking the gates of hell. It's a modern one and the whole bottom of the icon shows torture instruments used in hell. Jesus had Adam and Eve by the wrists pulling them up to heaven. And the juxtaposition of these beautiful pieces of art inside the church and outside, in the park, ancient pagan idols from pre-Christian times in this region. The pagan idols have slanted eyes to correspond to the Tartar people who created them.
We stopped for lunch at a cafeteria and I had a glass of buttermilk, borscht, and mixed vegetables. I drank a glass of Kvas that was really excellent. It doesn't smell very good but it tastes wonderrul and is refreshing. The group began to split up as people had to leave to their various destinations. Each parting had hugs and kisses and sadness. Roman and I left (I can't remember the other guy's name) and took the metro back to the hotel. When we reached the hotel, Nataly was looking for me because I was late to a meeting with Florin and Leah. I said goodbye sadly to Roman after telling him I can't come to Donetsk to help him start a church. Then I went to my meeting.
I met Rostek at 7pm at the Hyatt for a lecture in German about Ukraine and the EU. We kept passing the headphones (translation) back and forth. I could understand the German. He wore them when he needed the translation from German and during the question period, I wore them to hear the German translation from Ukrainian. After the lecture, there was a reception. We stayed for a glass of wine and then walked to the square where Rostek took the metro and I walked back to the hotel.
This morning, Tuesday, I met Florin for breakfast and then we went shopping briefly for souvenirs. We said good-bye in the lobby of the hotel because Florin didn't want me to come down to see him off. I understand that all too well.
So I've been in my room, catching up on email and adding a bunch of new facebook friends. I'm going now to the Church of St. Vladimir to pray and meditate. I have a lot to digest and I have a sadness that I have to leave at the altar.
At 7, I will have dinner with Rostek and Konstantin and will have the pain of saying goodbye to them as well. Tomorrow morning I will have breakfast at 8 and leave for the airport at 8:30 or so.
I receive far more than I give.
Monday: It occurred to me today that I missed Labor Day. That's both summer holidays I missed this year. 4th of July I was in Acapulco and this year I'm in Kiev. I am so blessed to be able to do this.
Today it was really nice to wake up and not have to rush anywhere. I still was up early and went down to breakfast (without showering) at 8. I sat with Ilya, one of the Russians who was returning home today. We've all gotten pretty good with pantomime to communicate.
I met Florin at 10 and we had a meeting with one of the guys about his group. We went next door to the coffee shop to get a cappuccino. At a little after 11, we left on a walking tour of old Kiev led by our Orthodox monk. There were about a dozen of us. We walked for five hours. He is a relentless guide. We started at the church of St. Vladimir which I posted photos of the other day. We then moved on to see a series of churches and other buildings which are very ancient from 10th century. My pictures are posted but are "private" because of the needs of LGBT people here to be safe. If you want the link I will send it to you.
The goal was to see exceptional buildings and parts of Kiev. There is nothing like a walking tour to accomplish that. It is almost inconceivable to be in church where people have been worshiping for over a thousand years. It's unreal to be in wooden church where Cossacks prayed before going to battle. It's a revelation to see the different styles of iconography apparent. There was one I especially like of Jesus during the days before his resurrection breaking the gates of hell. It's a modern one and the whole bottom of the icon shows torture instruments used in hell. Jesus had Adam and Eve by the wrists pulling them up to heaven. And the juxtaposition of these beautiful pieces of art inside the church and outside, in the park, ancient pagan idols from pre-Christian times in this region. The pagan idols have slanted eyes to correspond to the Tartar people who created them.
We stopped for lunch at a cafeteria and I had a glass of buttermilk, borscht, and mixed vegetables. I drank a glass of Kvas that was really excellent. It doesn't smell very good but it tastes wonderrul and is refreshing. The group began to split up as people had to leave to their various destinations. Each parting had hugs and kisses and sadness. Roman and I left (I can't remember the other guy's name) and took the metro back to the hotel. When we reached the hotel, Nataly was looking for me because I was late to a meeting with Florin and Leah. I said goodbye sadly to Roman after telling him I can't come to Donetsk to help him start a church. Then I went to my meeting.
I met Rostek at 7pm at the Hyatt for a lecture in German about Ukraine and the EU. We kept passing the headphones (translation) back and forth. I could understand the German. He wore them when he needed the translation from German and during the question period, I wore them to hear the German translation from Ukrainian. After the lecture, there was a reception. We stayed for a glass of wine and then walked to the square where Rostek took the metro and I walked back to the hotel.
This morning, Tuesday, I met Florin for breakfast and then we went shopping briefly for souvenirs. We said good-bye in the lobby of the hotel because Florin didn't want me to come down to see him off. I understand that all too well.
So I've been in my room, catching up on email and adding a bunch of new facebook friends. I'm going now to the Church of St. Vladimir to pray and meditate. I have a lot to digest and I have a sadness that I have to leave at the altar.
At 7, I will have dinner with Rostek and Konstantin and will have the pain of saying goodbye to them as well. Tomorrow morning I will have breakfast at 8 and leave for the airport at 8:30 or so.
I receive far more than I give.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, September 5
Once again it's late night, 11:45 as I write this. You remember that I got in at 3:30a.m. and blogged briefly. I got three and a half hours sleep before I had to get up. Actually I didn't feel terrible at all. I'm glad I only had one beer. I met Fr. Dimitri in the lobby and we talked a while. He has such internal struggles. Just for him I realize that my trip has been worth it. We went down for breakfast when the restaurant opened and soon were joined by others from our group. Sitting at the table, I missed Gard who would be returning soon to Norway. If I were dead, I would think Gard is me reincarnated. Not in looks. God knows he is a very handsome man - actually all of us who know him know that. But his quirky humor and sense of the ridiculous reminded me of me and we fell into a banter that was intuitive. We shared pieces of our stories. He shares many of my attitudes towards ministry and my passion for Eastern Europe. So, I will miss him for a while, until I re-establish contact and hope to see him again somewhere sometime.
At 8:30 we gathered in the lobby and began the walk/metro/walk routine to get to our meeting place. We got organized, sort of, and began a session on visioning for the next conference. Then a coffee break then a wonderful teaching session by a German theologian. It was a mind-blowing experience for many of these people to hear that the bible can be interpreted in more than one way. The dialog was terrific. Then we went to lunch. More cabbage. It's a really good thing I don't have a room mate! Instead of going to the early afternoon session, Florin and I went for a cappuccino to discuss some business. We went back around 4. Worship started at 4:30. I will have photos but don't right now. I forgot to load the memory card in my camera.
This worship was truly miraculous. Presiders: one Russian Orthodox priest, one Ukrainian Orthodox monk, one Russian Methodist minister, one Christian United Church minister, one MCC minister (me) all doing worship together. I and Maxim, the orthodox priest constructed the liturgy. It was a magical blend of east and west, conservative and totally liberal.
After the Methodist minister started us in prayer, the Orthodox took over for their opening liturgy. When they finished that, I called all group leaders up front and all conference organizers. The clergy surrounded them and each of us prayed for strength and courage as they continued their work. When they took their seats, a really unusual thing (for Eastern Europe happened), I had assigned both readings to women. The first was from 1John - the God is Love passage. It was read in Russian. Then, I had Olga read the Gospel from John 17 - the "may they all be one, Father, as we are one." In the Orthodox church a woman would never be allowed to read the gospel, only the priest can do that. She not only read it, she sang it exactly as a priest would. After the readings I preached on the texts with Yury translating into Russian.
The first part of the communion was traditional Orthodox but after Maxim consecrated the bread, Simon, a Polish Christian United Church minister, blessed the cup.
After communion and benediction the service was over, Simon offered anointing with oil to all who wanted it and many did.
We then went into a wrap-up session where everyone was asked to say a word about the most significant thing in the conference. One said that my teaching on Friday had been too short, that more time would have been useful. The same was said about Michael's (the German Theologian) teaching from today. May said how their lives were changed by the conference. It was a very emotional and heart-warming session. At the end of it, we exchanged hugs. It is a Russian custom to kiss three times: right cheek, left cheek, right cheek. My head was spinning by the end of it.
After that, we walked to dinner a few block away and then walked to the metro. People couldn't bear to part from one another, so we went to have a drink together and took over a restaurant. Then we stood outside the restaurant and took so many group pictures that it started to feel like a photo shoot. Then we stood and talked some more. We headed towards the metro but kept stopping to talk. I thought we'd never get home but we finally did get back to the hotel. Did I mention that my room is on the top floor, 5th, of the hotel and that the elevator was out of service when we got back?
I feel so emotional when I think of saying good-byes again tomorrow morning. I started the day missing Gard and am here with leaky eyes thinking about missing old friends and new ones. I hate the thought of leaving Rostek. But fortunately he lives in Kyiv and I will see him and Kostya tomorrow and Tuesday. I will have the pleasure of spending a lot of time with Florin again tomorrow while we plot and plan how we can help groups in this region. Next year's conference is in St. Petersburg, Russia. I wonder if I will be there. Everyone seems to think I will be. From their lips to God's ear.
At 8:30 we gathered in the lobby and began the walk/metro/walk routine to get to our meeting place. We got organized, sort of, and began a session on visioning for the next conference. Then a coffee break then a wonderful teaching session by a German theologian. It was a mind-blowing experience for many of these people to hear that the bible can be interpreted in more than one way. The dialog was terrific. Then we went to lunch. More cabbage. It's a really good thing I don't have a room mate! Instead of going to the early afternoon session, Florin and I went for a cappuccino to discuss some business. We went back around 4. Worship started at 4:30. I will have photos but don't right now. I forgot to load the memory card in my camera.
This worship was truly miraculous. Presiders: one Russian Orthodox priest, one Ukrainian Orthodox monk, one Russian Methodist minister, one Christian United Church minister, one MCC minister (me) all doing worship together. I and Maxim, the orthodox priest constructed the liturgy. It was a magical blend of east and west, conservative and totally liberal.
After the Methodist minister started us in prayer, the Orthodox took over for their opening liturgy. When they finished that, I called all group leaders up front and all conference organizers. The clergy surrounded them and each of us prayed for strength and courage as they continued their work. When they took their seats, a really unusual thing (for Eastern Europe happened), I had assigned both readings to women. The first was from 1John - the God is Love passage. It was read in Russian. Then, I had Olga read the Gospel from John 17 - the "may they all be one, Father, as we are one." In the Orthodox church a woman would never be allowed to read the gospel, only the priest can do that. She not only read it, she sang it exactly as a priest would. After the readings I preached on the texts with Yury translating into Russian.
The first part of the communion was traditional Orthodox but after Maxim consecrated the bread, Simon, a Polish Christian United Church minister, blessed the cup.
After communion and benediction the service was over, Simon offered anointing with oil to all who wanted it and many did.
We then went into a wrap-up session where everyone was asked to say a word about the most significant thing in the conference. One said that my teaching on Friday had been too short, that more time would have been useful. The same was said about Michael's (the German Theologian) teaching from today. May said how their lives were changed by the conference. It was a very emotional and heart-warming session. At the end of it, we exchanged hugs. It is a Russian custom to kiss three times: right cheek, left cheek, right cheek. My head was spinning by the end of it.
After that, we walked to dinner a few block away and then walked to the metro. People couldn't bear to part from one another, so we went to have a drink together and took over a restaurant. Then we stood outside the restaurant and took so many group pictures that it started to feel like a photo shoot. Then we stood and talked some more. We headed towards the metro but kept stopping to talk. I thought we'd never get home but we finally did get back to the hotel. Did I mention that my room is on the top floor, 5th, of the hotel and that the elevator was out of service when we got back?
I feel so emotional when I think of saying good-byes again tomorrow morning. I started the day missing Gard and am here with leaky eyes thinking about missing old friends and new ones. I hate the thought of leaving Rostek. But fortunately he lives in Kyiv and I will see him and Kostya tomorrow and Tuesday. I will have the pleasure of spending a lot of time with Florin again tomorrow while we plot and plan how we can help groups in this region. Next year's conference is in St. Petersburg, Russia. I wonder if I will be there. Everyone seems to think I will be. From their lips to God's ear.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Night Life
I'm writing this at 3:30a.m. I'm just back from clubbing. I have to get up at 7:30. Rostek and Kostya came to meet us at the hotel. Off we went. All clubs are smokey and have a driving beat. There were two rooms, the one we walked into and then one beyond. We drifted to the further room because the music - Russian rock - was less piercing.
Rostek decided I was going to dance. I said "no thanks" but he got my wrist in an iron grip and dragged me onto the dance floor. I was like a barge being towed by a tug boat. Actually we never got off the dance floor . He sang all the words to all the Russian songs. It was fun. We had a nice time. Some of the Russian rock songs were repetetive and for some odd reason, those of us who didn't speak Russian bellowed the last vowel or word, having no idea what we were singing.
The show started at about 2:20. There was only one drag queen but she was fabulous. She had four guys dancing with and around her. All the costumes were fantastical. She only did a couple of numbers (Lady Gaga and Madonna) the rest of the time was the four guys dancing. It was really an impressive show.
We were very aware that we needed to be sharp for tomorrow morning's worship since I'm leading and coordinating it. (I guess I should say "later this morning's worship")
Ok, I'm going to try to sleep since I have less than four hours. Signing off.
Rostek decided I was going to dance. I said "no thanks" but he got my wrist in an iron grip and dragged me onto the dance floor. I was like a barge being towed by a tug boat. Actually we never got off the dance floor . He sang all the words to all the Russian songs. It was fun. We had a nice time. Some of the Russian rock songs were repetetive and for some odd reason, those of us who didn't speak Russian bellowed the last vowel or word, having no idea what we were singing.
The show started at about 2:20. There was only one drag queen but she was fabulous. She had four guys dancing with and around her. All the costumes were fantastical. She only did a couple of numbers (Lady Gaga and Madonna) the rest of the time was the four guys dancing. It was really an impressive show.
We were very aware that we needed to be sharp for tomorrow morning's worship since I'm leading and coordinating it. (I guess I should say "later this morning's worship")
Ok, I'm going to try to sleep since I have less than four hours. Signing off.
Saturday September 4
Photos of the day: http://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/20100904#
These long days are incredible. The amount of walking (with lots of upstairs and up hills is daunting) and the length of the days is physically stressful and yet exhilarating at the same time. We met in the lobby at 8:30 to go together to the location of today's meetings. After a morning small group session, we moved into the marriage ceremony for Nikolai and Constantin. Rev. Gard Nielsen, a Norwegian Lutheran priest, presided at the marriage blessing and other priests presided over communion. Rev. Dimitry is from Arkhangelsk in the Arctic Circle and Rev. Maxim is from Kyrgyzstan. It is wonderful that Orthodox, Methodist, Greek Catholic, Christian United Church and MCC priests can all work together peacefully, and, for this short time, in unity. The passage from scripture I recited is from Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, beloved, clothe yourself in compassion, kindness and patience, crowing all these things with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
After the marriage blessing, we went to lunch: borscht for the fourth day in a row, compote (the Ukrainian version is fruit boiled in water, strained and sweetened - the fruit is removed and the liquid is consumed.), a cabbage salad and a salmon croquette.
After lunch we went back for another session, except Rev. Gard from Norway and I. We skipped out to relax and have a beer. We came back for the 4:30 session and at 6 Gard and Florin and I left to have dinner on our own. We went to a rather elegant place and had beautifully prepared and served food. We even had dessert and cappucchino before taking a taxi back to our hotel.
A number of us will leave the hotel at midnight to go to a club for a drag show. I have to be back by 2:30 so I can get a few hours sleep before tomorrow's long day. It is the final day of conference. I am in charge of worship at 11. I assigned all the tasks for worship to others except the preaching which I will do. We end at 10 tomorrow night. When I blog tomorrow, I will not have pics of the club but will try to have pics of worship.
It has been another wonderful day.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday, September 3
My photos of the day: http://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/20100903#
Again it's 11pm before I get to this blog. Today has been wonderfully exhausting. Because the Forum occupied the whole day I've been running since 8a.m. I met Florin in the lobby so we could go down to breakfast together and plan our introduction at the beginning of the Forum when each group attending got a chance to give an outline of who we are and what we do. After breakfast, we went to a little coffee shop next to the hotel to have another cup of coffee (cappuccino, of course) and mineral water which tasted terrible but was probably really good for us.
After planning, we went to change for the day. I had to wear a suit and clerical collar and dress shoes because I was "on" today. We walked pretty far to where the conference was opening and found that our room would not be available for a while so we changed the schedule and went to lunch (another hefty walk) first and then came back to the conference hotel to find that we had to wait another half hour so we went (you guessed it) for a coffee. I used the rest room on our way out and was very relieved to find that it was western style toilets instead of the most common Turkish-style toilets (picture a four foot square ceramic panel with a hole over which you squat). We finally got into the conference hall and began with opening remarks and introductions of the groups attending from various places. Florin gave a wonderful set of remarks about MCC and then I followed with an explanation of why I came from NY and why I believe so strongly in what they are doing by building a support network. The only one who dressed to kill today was Rostek who was very handsome in a dark suit with a purple shirt and tie. I posted a picture of him in the few photos I was able to take today.
After introductions we had a brief stretch break with tea and cheese and olives (a very Russian snack) and then headed in to my presentation, the first of the Forum. Behind me was the panel: an Orthodox priest, a German Catholic teacher, an Orthodox monk from the monastery I showed yesterday, a minister from a new US small denomination with outreach to Europe, primarily Poland, and a Norwegian Lutheran priest. They would help me field questions after my presentation. I used a powerpoint presentation and Anna translated. I met Anna last year in Romania (she's Ukrainian) and also in Malta. My topic was controversial. It was about how repressive attitudes have their origins in the bible. Discussion and questions were intense and passionate which is a great way to open a conference. The panelists were a great support. The presentation was very well received.
After questioning ended we walked far and took the subway (metro) to the restaurant where we had supper. It was a simple meal of a salad, fried spiced potatoes, and a fillet of fish. Oh, I forgot to say that at lunch, I had a new taste treat: kvass which is a fermented drink made with rye bread. I know it doesn't sound good but it's delicious and refreshing. We walked, took the metro and walked some more to return to the hotel. I just wanted my shoes off.
Tomorrow will also be long. We leave at 8:30 to go to a different conference venue. So I'll report when I get back to the hotel tomorrow night.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday, September 2
All the photos from today are at: http://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/Sept2Kyiv#
I don't even know how to describe today. It's 11p.m. and it's the first time I've been still all day. I went down at 8 for breakfast but it was a sweet roll and I didn't want that so I just had coffee. I wasn't feeling really hungry anyway and was pleased that it was Turkish coffee with the grounds on the bottom.
After breakfast, I decided to walk up to the church of St. Vladimir which I had missed seeing inside. There was a service going on so I went in and prayed with the congregation for a while and then went out and took more pictures of the outside. If my understanding was correct, St. Vladimir's wife was called Olga. She was not a nice lady. When she became angry at a village, she dipped the feet of the pigeons in tar and set them on fire so they would burn down the village as they flew in panic with their feet on fire. Of course, I might have not understood correctly.
I thought it would be fun to come back to the hotel a different way. It really was a different way!!!! I was lost and wandering for two and a half hours. Finally, I saw a market, Billa, which I had visited last night with Rostek and Constantin. From there I was able to find the hotel. Since I had been walking that whole time, and since much of it was uphill, I went to my room to lie down for a little while. Sometime soon after noon, Rostek and Nataly came to find me and we went downstairs to meet Leah. I haven't seen her since last year in Moldova so it was a joyful reunion. The four of us went out to lunch and I had more borscht and a chicken dish. I drank Kefir with lunch. We wandered around, walking still more, and went to an "art" exhibit that we saw advertised. We hated it and went to walk some more. When we stopped to buy water, Leah saw a different cultured milk drink that she wanted me to try. It was full fat milk and was creamy and delicious. All those beneficial bacteria swimming around in my gut must be good for me. Leah and Nataly went their separate way and Rostek and I walked towards Lavra Monastery, a monastery dating back to at least the 10th century. We decided to take a bus and went into a bus shelter to wait. It was a long wait and fierce thunder and rain, a very cold rain, fell. A woman had an umbrella which she shared with an older woman who handed me her umbrella so I wouldn't get wet. How sweet was that!? A mini-bus came and we crowded on and rode almost to the monastery. As we entered monastery grounds, we first visited a memorial to the thousands of Ukrainian peasants who were displaced and died of starvation during the Soviet era. It was very sad to see the pictures and films.
I got a few nice photos of Kiev across the Dnieper River which flows through Kiev. When we got to the monastery, we were greeted by Brother Volodya who gave us a tour of the various churches. We stayed briefly to pray at the "students' church" so called because the seminary students attend services there. We then had a coffee and met with the delegation from Russia. Leah joined us and we entered a two hour final preparation meeting for the Forum which begins tomorrow. Delegates have begun arriving and it's really great meeting people from Russia and Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine and Moldova and Italy and Germany and I've probably left out a few countries. A result of the planning meeting is that an Orthodox priest, Fr. Maxim from Kyrgyzstan and I will prepare and conduct Sunday worship.
We got back to the hotel where we found that Florin had arrived from Romania. It was wonderful to see him. He brought me a Dracula t-shirt from Transylvania. We sat with Yury, who, along with Rostek are among the chief organizers. Rostek arrived with a Bishop from the CUC (Christian United Church) - quite honestly, my head was spinning by then so I can't remember exactly where he's from.
Shortly after that, I came up to my room and it will begin all over again tomorrow. I will meet Florin at 8 for breakfast and we will plan our presentations for the Forum which officially begins tomorrow afternoon. We are expecting at least 75 to attend tomorrow because it's open to the public. Saturday and Sunday there will be 63 for the teaching sessions and panel discussions.
I have no complaints at all about today - it was really wonderful. I have to say once again that Rostek has gone over and above his duties as my guide. He has become, in such a short time, a dear and treasured friend.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Ukraine Day 1
To pick up where I left off, I walked into the arrival hall at the airport, not knowing how I would recognize Rostek, a Greek Catholic seminarian. (We call them Ukranian Catholic in Rochester). I waded through a throng of people waiting, and taxi drivers, and finally recognized Rostek from a picture I had seen. His first words to me were "no English." Somehow in few words and lots of pantomime, I got money at an ATM (called Bancomat here) and we got a bus for the 40 long minute ride to Kiev. Then we took the metro for three stops and met a friend of Rostek's, Constantin, who speaks English fairly well. After a coffee (cappucino, of course) they accompanied me to the hotel and got me checked in. I did have a reservation but it wasn't paid for as I thought it would be. My room is on the fifth (top) floor at the end of the hall. There is no A/C but I don't need it. The windows open and it's a pleasant mid-60's time of year.
After a shower and a two hour nap, I was up again and raring to go. My old friend, Nataly, had arrived from Moldova and together we waited for Rostek. We walked all over the city and saw two incredible churches built in the 10th Century and the original city gate, called the Golden Gate, from the 9th century. I'll get photos today. We stopped into the local equivalent of McDonalds (yes there are McDonalds here). I say local equivalent because it's a typical Ukrainian restaurant with only favorite Ukrainian foods. I had borscht and varenichki which are the Ukrainian equivalent of pierogis which are like raviolis but stuffed with various things: I had potato and cheese varenichki. Filling and tasty. Came back to the hotel and crashed. Now I'm going to hit the shower and go down for breakfast. Talk later.
After a shower and a two hour nap, I was up again and raring to go. My old friend, Nataly, had arrived from Moldova and together we waited for Rostek. We walked all over the city and saw two incredible churches built in the 10th Century and the original city gate, called the Golden Gate, from the 9th century. I'll get photos today. We stopped into the local equivalent of McDonalds (yes there are McDonalds here). I say local equivalent because it's a typical Ukrainian restaurant with only favorite Ukrainian foods. I had borscht and varenichki which are the Ukrainian equivalent of pierogis which are like raviolis but stuffed with various things: I had potato and cheese varenichki. Filling and tasty. Came back to the hotel and crashed. Now I'm going to hit the shower and go down for breakfast. Talk later.
Preparation
Good morning. It seems odd to be up when everyone at home is either in bed or getting ready to go. I regret that I don't have any pictures of my trip yet since yesterday was a transition day, but I will get some today.
So why do I have a blog called Ukraine Sojourn anyway?
While I was at general conference of MCC in Acapulco in late June, my friend, Florin, whom you met in last year's blog Roam Mania, mentioned a conference for LGBT Russian speaking Christians that would take place in Kiev (they spell it Kyiv here) over Labor Day weekend. I told him that it sounded interesting and important. As the summer proceeded, the thought of participating would not go away. My inner dialog threw up roadblocks: "September is too busy to travel." "Ukraine is too far away to go for only one week." "What, are you crazy? You don't speak one word of Ukrainian!" and many more such. But the idea wouldn't let go and I decided to come.
The main organizers of the conference are Yury, from Moscow, whom I will meet today when he arrives by train, and Rostek, from Ukraine, who graciously said he'd meet me at the airport when I arrived.
Travel did not begin well. My flight out of Rochester was delayed. Fortunately there was a long layover at JFK in NY, so when I finally did arrive at JFK, I had two hours till flight time. I had lunch at Chili's (Guiltless chicken salad and a beer) and then went to wait at the gate. My plane was there and so were a waiting room FULL of people. Every seat was sold and there were many on a waiting list. My assigned seat was in the rear third of the plane. There was a large contingent of Orthodox Jewish famlies on board.
The flight was long (10 hours) and I can't sleep on the plane; I can't even get comfortable. My body is the wrong shape for the seats, or something. The Jewish familes provided endless entertainment. They were in constant motion. I don't believe all of them were seated at the same time. Seat belt signs and stern warnings from the cabin crew did nothing to deter their moving around and rooting through overhead bins. When it became light again (flighting east, the night passes quickly), the men prepared for prayer with the prayer shawls and phylacteries. It was fascinating to watch them prepare and then pray. I was just a kid the first time I saw a man daven. To daven is to pray with a rapid bowing movement, shallow bows. One of the group, a rabbi, was intense.
There was significant turbulence at times, and just when the crew was going to serve breakfast, we hit a one hour stretch of bouncing around. Breakfast service was suspended, so I didn't get morning coffee. In a brief respite, not long before landing, the crew rushed through the cabin tossing breakfast sandwiches and then coming around to give out glasses of water. Did I mention the part about no coffee?
We landed in Kiev (Kyiv) on an overcast morning. There were long lines to get through immigration but it was uneventful. Since I had nothing to declare, customs was just about invisible. I got into the green (nothing to declare) lane and just walked out of the area into the arrival hall.
So why do I have a blog called Ukraine Sojourn anyway?
While I was at general conference of MCC in Acapulco in late June, my friend, Florin, whom you met in last year's blog Roam Mania, mentioned a conference for LGBT Russian speaking Christians that would take place in Kiev (they spell it Kyiv here) over Labor Day weekend. I told him that it sounded interesting and important. As the summer proceeded, the thought of participating would not go away. My inner dialog threw up roadblocks: "September is too busy to travel." "Ukraine is too far away to go for only one week." "What, are you crazy? You don't speak one word of Ukrainian!" and many more such. But the idea wouldn't let go and I decided to come.
The main organizers of the conference are Yury, from Moscow, whom I will meet today when he arrives by train, and Rostek, from Ukraine, who graciously said he'd meet me at the airport when I arrived.
Travel did not begin well. My flight out of Rochester was delayed. Fortunately there was a long layover at JFK in NY, so when I finally did arrive at JFK, I had two hours till flight time. I had lunch at Chili's (Guiltless chicken salad and a beer) and then went to wait at the gate. My plane was there and so were a waiting room FULL of people. Every seat was sold and there were many on a waiting list. My assigned seat was in the rear third of the plane. There was a large contingent of Orthodox Jewish famlies on board.
The flight was long (10 hours) and I can't sleep on the plane; I can't even get comfortable. My body is the wrong shape for the seats, or something. The Jewish familes provided endless entertainment. They were in constant motion. I don't believe all of them were seated at the same time. Seat belt signs and stern warnings from the cabin crew did nothing to deter their moving around and rooting through overhead bins. When it became light again (flighting east, the night passes quickly), the men prepared for prayer with the prayer shawls and phylacteries. It was fascinating to watch them prepare and then pray. I was just a kid the first time I saw a man daven. To daven is to pray with a rapid bowing movement, shallow bows. One of the group, a rabbi, was intense.
There was significant turbulence at times, and just when the crew was going to serve breakfast, we hit a one hour stretch of bouncing around. Breakfast service was suspended, so I didn't get morning coffee. In a brief respite, not long before landing, the crew rushed through the cabin tossing breakfast sandwiches and then coming around to give out glasses of water. Did I mention the part about no coffee?
We landed in Kiev (Kyiv) on an overcast morning. There were long lines to get through immigration but it was uneventful. Since I had nothing to declare, customs was just about invisible. I got into the green (nothing to declare) lane and just walked out of the area into the arrival hall.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)