Road to Emmaus Walking, Learning, and Loving In a year of Service

Transcription

1 Road to Emmaus Walking, Learning, and Loving In a year of Service January 1, 2016 Newsletter

2 Happy New Year, and Christmas Blessings! These last few weeks have been quite busy for me, as I am sure they have been for you. Between different meetings and workshops with partner organizations and holiday preparations, my typical schedule, it seems, has been on vacation. Advent and Christmas have shown to be a time of holy interruptions. And really, that s a good thing. Throughout this Holiday Season I have been invited into the celebrations and festivities of those with whom I am working and learning with, and it s been nothing less than amazingly beautiful- although these moments have interrupted what has become normal for me. From a certain perspective, one could say that we have a God of interruptions. A God that chose to slip into skin and walk among us, and continues to come to us, most especially in the unexpected places. A God who shows up as a baby born to a peasant girl in first century Palestine, under the occupation of an Empire. A God who interrupts weddings to keep the wine and celebration going. A God who interrupts the life of a thirsty woman at a well to simply give God s own self away. A God who interrupts the reality of death with the breath of resurrection. So, at times, my schedule was up in the air. At times I wasn t sure exactly where I needed to be, but grace and God s work continues on. In which ways can we, as church, welcome God s interruptions? How can we, as church, interrupt business as usual around us and our communities? May God be gracious unto us as we meditate on these questions. Much Peace and Love through Christ, the Risen Lord, Andrew Texley

3 Meals being Served at the Daily Shelter Freshly Sliced Bread

4 Some Hungarian Christmas Traditions As in most of Europe, the Advent /Christmas market is a popular holiday tradition. Usually in the center of town around, at the start of Advent many little wooden stands sell all sorts of delicious snacks and hot Mulled Wine, as well as small gifts. Advent wreaths are not just in Churches. A Home would not be complete for the Holidays without having four candles surrounded by evergreens. There are many styles available, with many colors to choose from at flower-shops. Saint Nicholas comes on December 6 (The Feast Day of St. Nicholas)- brining chocolate, nuts, fruit. The Christmas Tree is decorated on Christmas Eve, and the Christ Child brings gifts to be opened that evening. Christmas is celebrated within the liturgical days of the church. So in other words the 12 days of Christmas is not just a song. Christmas lasts from December 25 to January 6 th, and the tree stays up until the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

5 Seasonal Recipe: Forralt Bor-Hot Wine This is a popular hot spiced wine served during the cold winter months throughout Europe. It is made with red wine and seasoned with cinnamon, cloves, citrus and sugar. At the markets, vendors will offer various additions to the mulled wine, such as a shot of rum, amaretto, or elderberry cordial. (An alcohol-free version of mulled wine can also be made by using fruit juice instead of wine.) Ingredients 1 bottle of dry red wine 1 cup (110 grams) granulated sugar 1 cinnamon stick 2 whole cloves 1 lemon or orange peel Optional Ingredients Sliced oranges and apples ½ to 1 cup of a fruit juice (to add a sweet hint of fruit) 1-2 tablespoons of rum, brandy, amaretto, or other liqueur if desired Directions Using a large pot, begin heating the wine over low heat. As the wine begins to warm, add the sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the rum or any other liqueur if desired. Heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil! Add the lemon peel. Steep for about 1 hour over low heat.

6 What have I been up to? Well, for me, the Holiday season started around Thanksgiving. I met with other YAGM volunteers and our Country Coordinator in Budapest where we celebrated Thanksgiving together. The following week we all went to a workshop to learn about Roma history and current socioeconomic issues, as well as current issues of discrimination. Sara (the other YAGM volunteer who is in Nyíregyháza with me) and I joined one of the church choirs and throughout Advent we had been practicing for both Christmas Eve and Christmas day services. My work is also currently expanding to include a Shelter for Families, with which I will split my time between that and the Daily Shelter. So, I have trying to organize a good schedule to balance both places. All of the YAGM volunteers with fellow volunteers at a Roma Seminar