Visiting Geneva

For the first time I visit the Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey, outside Geneva. We are here from the Church of Sweden Institute for Pastoral Education. 17 students – soon to be ordained into ministry – two teachers and one of the ecumenical officers at the Church of Sweden head office, Uppsala.

We arrived late yesterday evening. This morning we started with morning prayer, led by students at Bossey. After that the Dean of the Institute, Fr. Lawrence Iwuamadia, a Roman Catholic priest from Nigeria, led us in a Bible Study. So interesting to read the Bible with people from all over the globe and from so many denominations.

We also listened to Dr Amélé Ekué, originally from Togo. She spoke about Ecumenical Theological Education. I understood that our visit here is a small part of that. I truly believe that we need more exchange with other parts of the world wide church. After lunch Rev. Dr Simone Sinn, originally from Germany, spoke about Thewology in a Religiously Plural World. Also very interesting. 

At the home of Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

After some free time we were invited to the home of the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, originally from Norway. Such a hospitality. We had something to drink and some snacks. Before we left he spoke to us about the beauty of being an ordained pastor. How important that has been to him as the General Secretary of the WCC. It has meant that he has been accepted in different contexts.

The Ecumenical Officer, Rev Pehr-Albin Edén, signs the
guestbook at the home of the General Secretary.

After supper the students at Bossey had invited us to a social evening. We sang and played together. We either sang or heard songs from at least 10 languages. I thought many students from Sweden would have been tired but the evening rather gave us energy.

We look forward to a full day in Geneva tomorrow. We will visit the Ecumenical Centre and learn more about the WCC and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).