We just had our latest family service on Sunday. I never thought I'd like St. Henry's church as much as I do. There is much more space than in the Tarkk'ampuja chapel of the Cathedral but it still doesn't have the feel of an echoing hall or something. And I love the sight of little ones crawling on the floor and bigger ones solemnly and carefully following everything that happens. It is a lovely service although I never feel as nervous as I do before these services. I can't wait until I get the hang of it so that I'm no longer worried that something has been left out or done at the wrong time. It gets easier when you learn the structure of the service inside out - I hope.
Yesterday I had an extra day off which I very much also needed. These past three weeks I've been so busy that I don't know weather I'm coming or going. I seem to recall that I've a husband now, right? The guy who I occasionally enocunter at the place where I live, yes, right, home. Seriously it felt great to just do stuff at home and then prepare and eat dinner with Husband.
Today, tomorrow and Thursday are then again full of things. This evening I particiapate in a panel discussion - my first one ever as a panelist - organized by the students of religious studies of the Turku University. The theme is "Encountering religions in everyday life" and there is someone representing Buddhism, another representing the Mormon Church and a third one representing "nature religions" which I'm not quite sure how to translate to English. Wiccans are a part of the latter I know. And then there's me. I wasn't actually their first or even second choice, though, so I was asked at a very late date. Not that it matters since I don't really know how I could have prepared for this. These things simply scare me. I'm not witty and insightful and wise in a way that a panel discussion would require and in group discussions the pace is always so fast that I find it challenging to think through what I'd like to say in the time that is available for me. But I will brace myself and bravely face this. I'm sure it'll be interesting.
Tomorrow I'll spend at one of the camp centers of the parish federation (there's three). I'm participating in a Safety measures for camps -course that is required of all who work at the camp centers. There's a law about this now. We get to even put out a fire - very small one I hope! Thursday I climb up to the Catherdal tower with international students. The group limit I set was 40 since there is limited space and Milka tells me that she got more than 50 replys to her email about this during the first day. Looks like I'm going up again in May :).
Thursday evening we have a meeting with the church board. The church board is a group of five who together with me plan the work of the international congregation be it Christmas Carol service, social gatherings or the summer program. I'm incredibly thankful for all their input because they are a enthusiastic and committed bunch. Thank you Barbara, Leigh Ann, Timo, Vidal and Geoffrey and all of you who have been a part of the board before. You are such a blessing to me and I know for sure for our lovely little congregation, too :).
2 comments:
hey I'd like to climb the tower too - provided it doesn't involve rock climbing ropes etc :)
Well, then you should definitely join us :). We're going the second time around May 15th and meeting in front of the Cathedral - outside, unless it rains - at 4 p.m.
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