by Doug Roland
As part of our job at the Methodist seminary, we design probing questions about the field experiences our seminarians have each week volunteering in non-profit organizations. They work with disadvantaged and marginalized people. This term, we are focusing on some core values. It's part of working on the heart of the seminarian rather than his/her academic capability. This blogpost may help you see how and why we do this. It may well help us do our jobs better. And it may surprise you if you "play along."
I've created an exercise that invites you to use your imagination and see how you would respond to a scripture applied to a prescribed situation just like one our seminarians. It's simple. I'm giving you an example you are familiar with. It's not the location of serving, it's what it means to you.
The Exercise
If you haven't volunteered at Open Arms, I want you to imagine that you have volunteered to serve for a month of Sundays. Conjure up the images and visualize what that might be like - what you do, with whom, how it might make you feel. If you have actually served there, you are also asked to play along. If you don't know anything about Open Arms, then volunteer as soon as possible!
I want you to write about your experience, real or imagined.
The hypothetical scenario is this: On the afternoon after you volunteered, you have an assignment to write about the morning's experience.
The scripture for the day is Genesis 2:15: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
There are two questions:
1. Reflecting on your experience at Open Arms, what does Genesis 2:15 mean to you?
2. How does this passage apply to Open Arms?
Please post your reflections or other responses to these questions on this blog. I think there is a place for comments. Later, I will post a copy of a reflection written by a seminarian so you can compare. That reflection can possibly demonstrate our challenges (read opportunities) better than trying to explain it. Plus, it will be good for you. It will be very interesting to see how you answer and how an African seminarian answers.
If this works out, we'll do it again from time to time. We have plenty of questions designed to direct you to the spiritual meaning of your service.
Thanks.
P.S. The photo has nothing to do with the exercise. It's Cheri celebrating Heritage Day with Jane, seminarian from Swaziland.
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