Judy Marnin: Reflections

An enduring memory among many as we shared two days with Lithuanian United Methodist Women at the lovely Catholic Retreat Center: bonding at our table in the dining hall. We became "our group," and shared recipes, laughs, stories, and food. The wonderful salads and soups, breakfasts and lasagne, became the means of becoming friends and longtime memories. Thanks, Vida, Rasa, Danute, Annette, and Jelena. I miss you!

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Precious Pins

Josephine gave this to us, in Memory of the Trail of Tears

And this pin symbolized our new Ubuntu sisterhood

We are so thankful for one another.

 

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Debbie Vest: Photos

Musicians from Latvia

Sign in the church

Jesus over the Hill of Crosses

Outside our restaurant

Žaneta

Mary and The chapel

Choosing handkerchiefs

Saying Goodbye

 

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Annette Funk: Reflections

Reflection on Lithuania Ubuntu

Looking back, I see that this Lithuanian Ubuntu experience was a journey of togetherness – women coming together for mutual sharing that developed truly supportive community. The meeting of the U.S. women in Chicago began our journey of becoming community to interact with the Lithuanian women. Sensitive leaders facilitated the process. All the activities of the week – devotions, meditations, crafts, personal sharing of lives and faith, worship – added up, piece by piece, to mutual understanding and friendship. The sharing in bread making and touring the museum exhibit of the windmill for grinding grain was a new experience for all of us; it was a good starting point for the week.

I appreciate Helen’s planning to guide all of us to common ground on which to develop community. I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in mission based on mutual understanding and community and for sharing it with a great team.

- crafting bracelet

-crafting candles

-completed candles

-- sharing

-- crafting quilling

-- meditation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Debbie Vest: Reflections

My reflection:

Ten women from across the United States came together with a common goal-to plan a mission journey to meet with United Methodist women in Lithuania. Through video conferencing and many emails from both sides the Journey was planned. It was an Ubuntu Journey. Simply put it means "I am human because you are human."

This was a journey of faith for each of us. As we made our preparations it became clear there was a purpose for each of us individually to be on this journey. While we might not have realized it we each had a gift to share. The gift was ourselves. We were called upon to share our faith and personal stories. We shared willingly knowing it is not always easy to share with strangers something very personal. Our sharing made it possible for others to share their stories. Through our stories of joy, laughter, sorrow and tears, we became sisters.

While some of us may never again travel to Lithuania, our connection will remain strong. The time spent never forgotten. We will, as well as our Lithuanian Ubuntu sisters, hold each other close through thought and prayer. It was truly a gift to be a part of this amazing experience.

Debbie Vest
913.568.8826
vimscj@sbcglobal.net

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Wanda Holcombe: Reflections

It is rare that women across cultures have the opportunity to "take the time" to share faith stories and discuss local/global concerns and how we can care for those concerns wherever we live our lives to make a difference for the sake of the future for ALL.....

The UMW Ubuntu Lithuania mission trip provided such an opportunity for me and our team. So many times I heard various ones share how connected we are even when apart by our passion to care beyond ourselves and for our neighbor. It seemed to me that we all came with a desire to not only share but to "be" together through our prayer times, fun and creative times and experiencing the "mystery" of the Other in us all. I am very thankful to the UMW for offering this possibility, and to all the US and Lithuanian women who ventured forth to explore being One in the Spirit for the sake of a more unified and understanding world on behalf of ALL.....

Wanda Holcombe, Austin Texas USA

Ready to "go"...rain or shine

Methodist Section of Hill of Crosses

 

Wanda places cross in memory of

Restorative Justice Colleague

Emmett Soloman

 

Tasty Cake...even down to the fingertips

Women of All Ages and Cultures participate together

 

Kevin sharing local food...

Two "missional" women leaders....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, the Farewell

On Sunday, May 18, we concluded our wonderful retreat with a service of music, preaching and Holy Communion. We were joined by a couple who found our gathering inviting.

 

Regina and Josephine

Jelena, Beth, and Helen

Zaneta

 

So many new friends were made! New friends within Lithuania, new friends within the US, and new friends across the ocean! United Methodist Women from all over formed a community of faith and friendship, of fellowship inviting transformation. All who participated found opportunities for communion. The Holy Spirit was among us.

District Superintendent Bill Lovelace blessed us at the end, and he and Helen waved us off in our separate buses.

 

 

 

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Sharing Stories May 17

Several of us stood up to tell the stories about how we had come to be women of faith. One was saved as a small child by her local United Methodist Women's group as her parents' marriage failed through alcoholism and violence. Some had not been women of faith at all, but were delighted with the idea of meeting with others making crafts and talking about troubles. Some with musical talents were invited to sing in the choir or play the organ. Some were changed by miracles in their lives, including being able to travel in the USA. Some found their way to leading Christian Education programs and working with the children, one heard the voice of God in her small daughter's voice saying, "Let's go to church, Mama." One had lived all her life in the church. One had followed her husband two steps behind, grumbling, after he told her he had promised to bring her his second week of attending. "I am still grumbling, but I have learned to apologize!"

Ann

Danutė

Žaneta

Josephine

Andželika

Then, to take a break from the intense sharing, we made angel pins, and found new ways to build relationships. Some of us were "crafty" and some were not!

Angel PIN ingredients

Thanks, Sue, for this fun activity!

And thanks to Rosita for her kind helpfulness!

We were next invited to walk the prayer stations, receive small meditation gifts, see the paintings, study scriptures and write our thoughts for sharing later.

Our sharing deepened. Some spoke of the husbands they divorced, who had prevented their church attendance. Some spoke of the changed hearts that came after they felt their sinful habits had been confronted. Some spoke of the freedom they experienced as women whose leadership was welcomed in the Methodist Church. We connected as mothers, whose stories were intertwined with those of our own mothers and our own children.

Later Dalia led us in an activity of Kvilingas, or quilling. Here was the inspiration for our work. We also sang as we worked, sharing hymns and folk tunes from Europe and USA. We could harmonize together!

Rasa and Judy

We continued, with people eager to share their stories. Everyone was wealthy with stories to share. We reflected theologically, shared life struggles, and one of us read poetry!

 

Sister Milda gave us a brief history of the retreat center, and we ended the day with wonderful cakes in honor of Norways's 200th anniversary of its constitution. Thank you, Helen!

So ended another full day!

 

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