European youth discern God’s call for their lives

Web-only image courtesy of GBHEM A praise band opens European EXPLORATION 2004 singing songs in German and English.

BRAUNFELS, Germany (UMNS) — Young United Methodists from Central Europe gathered in late 2004 to discern God’s call for their lives.

The Methodists, ages 16 to 26, gathered in November for European Exploration 2004, a weekend event modeled after the biennial U.S. Exploration events that the denomination’s Board of Higher Education and Ministry has sponsored for the past 12 years.

The European gathering, sponsored by the denomination’s central (regional) conferences in Europe, offered the nearly 45 participants an opportunity to look at using faith in daily life, no matter what profession they choose. Event leaders — in the plenary session, workshops, small-group discussions and worship — represented a variety of vocational paths. Deaconesses led a session that opened interest in the areas of lay ministry and women in ministry.

"From the very first session, which was led by a lively praise band, a spirit of enthusiasm and focused interest in the topic was evident," said the Rev. Sharon Rubey, a Board of Higher Education and Ministry staff member who attended the Exploration event.

"The participants, who came from Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany, sang energetically, listened intently and responded passionately," she said.

Rubey experienced a firsthand introduction to the faith of young people in Europe even before the gathering’s opening session. During a three-hour trip from the Reutlingen Theological Seminary in Germany, she became acquainted with Tabea Muënz, a German high school senior who later served as her interpreter during the event.

"I was impressed by her degree of involvement and interest in matters of faith," Rubey said. "We had good conversations about how she envisioned possibilities for her future."

"The participants demonstrated a level of sincere inquiry," she added. "This introduction to what the church can mean in their lives is particularly significant to the United Methodist Church because it allows a more focused approach to helping young European members discern their calling."

The Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt, a United Methodist pastor from Berlin, was instrumental in planning the European event. Meinhardt, a former member of the Board of Higher Education and Ministry, took the idea to his home country after observing preparations for the U.S. Exploration event, normally held in the fall.

He said he was encouraged by the turnout. "Considering the relatively small United Methodist constituency in Central Europe, the event reached out to many," he said. Meinhardt also noted that 12 percent to 15 percent of participants had attended a similar event in 2002, organized in response to a severe clergy shortage in Europe.

The attendance almost doubled to 85 with the inclusion of program leaders and representatives of annual conferences, central conferences, Reutlingen Theological Seminary, the United Methodist youth and student organization, and the Deaconess Societies. Visitors included Rubey and Blanches de Paula, a professor at the Methodist Theological Seminary in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Both participants and leaders are convinced that we need to repeat the European Exploration event regularly," Meinhardt said. The next event is proposed for 2006.

European Exploration 2004 was organized under the leadership of United Methodist Bishops Walter Klaiber of Frankfurt, who led the design team, and Heinrich Bolleter of Zurich. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry provided financial support.

For more information on discerning God’s call, go online to www.IsGodCallingYou.org or to www.gbhem.org/exploration, or contact Rubey at srubey@gbhem.org.

Terri Hiers, executive director of the Office of Interpretation for the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, provided the information for this report.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org

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