Learning to encounter (with) insecurities – (Mit) Unsicherheiten begegnen lernen

*** Den deutschen Originaltext habe ich am Samstag, dem 4.7. hier gepostet.   

The Corona-virus has thrown the European Bible Dialogues out of all our routines. Until just recently it was unclear who might even be allowed to travel, whether we will be allowed to meet indoors and what we might be able to do there (not sing for one). And what about our familiar worship at the end of each conference? Would all who come from other countries need to quarantine afterwards? Even while nothing is as it was before the pandemic, we have learned to live with a certain amount of insecurity. And with renewed faith, we are planning again: European Bible Dialogues. Encounter conferences.

Some conferences, ll ready and lovingly prepared, is not taking place this year. One is the Study Conference for theology students (EBD 117) another the Bible Dialogue for Church elders (EBD 121) that we had planned for Early October.

Others dared enter the digital world: This week, our Family Bible Workshop will take place online with links and e-mails and video-chats. Our topic will be “GOD IN EVERY HOUSE” (EBD 116A) and look at the three monotheistic religions and their houses of worship.

From September 2 to 5, there is a chance to get together in three video-chats on the topic “In the mists of the pandemic” (EBD120A) with three experts of conspiracy ideologies, as well as material on the topic sent by e-Mail.

And then there are Bible Dialogues that are happening in the real world – so God will and Corona allows. The summer Dialogue on the peninsula Schwanenwerder (yes, that is still Berlin) on the Topic of „Uniqueness“ (EBD 118) is booked with a waiting list, as only 1 Person per square meter is allowed in the conference room. Right after that, from August 21 to 25, out Bible Workshop for students will take place on the topic “Take Heart!” (EBD 119), also with real people who are really in Berlin. There are still some vacancies here. We will try and go outside to work s much as we can. We will keep the recommended distance and use a lot of soap washing our hands.

Two Bible dialogues were merely postponed. The Bibeldialogue for Families of handicapped people will take place in September (EBD 113) – Due to Corona, our topic „IN THE MIDST OF FEAR AND WORRY“ has taken on a different meaning altogether. Also postponed and hopefully taking place in October in Cisnadioara in Romania, our musical encounter “Don’t lose heart“ (EBD 115). Our singing as a conference choir will only be allowed outdoors, but getting together alone will be a blessing.

Also in October, there will be a Bible Dialogue for lay-preachers (predicants) in Berlin. We had to change our topic, as meeting with other congregations, especially Pentecostally inclined ones, seems too difficult these days. We will now discuss topic of “RAISING OUR VOICES”; not on how to preach our political opinion, but on how to speak up when the Bible is being misused and its meaning distorted by political groups.

We still don’t know if and how we will encounter in November or next years: in Berlin, at other places? In the Internet? You can find more information on the website of the Protestant Academy Berlin. For all days of Bible Dialogues that were cancelled or postponed you can find some food for thought of this blog.