Praying, Learning, and Acting for Peace in the Global Village

Under the auspices of the Theology Among the People (TAP) program and through a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, the Southeast Conference and Lancaster Theological Seminary are jointly sponsoring an intensive three-week immersion trip to Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand from January 6 - 27, 2011. The goal of the trip is to provide an experiential basis for theological reflection in the areas of cross-cultural immersion, inter-religious and intra-religious dialogue, conflict transformation, and peace-building. The trip is being coordinated in conjunction with the Institute of Religion, Culture, and Peace of Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Together we aim to create a rich immersion experience from which participants can apply their learning to educate and impact their communities as agents of transformation and peace.

Seven people from the Southeast Conference and seven people from Lancaster Theological Seminary have been chosen for this opportunity.  “From a very multi-talented pool of applicants, we chose an eager group of fearless adventurers who are ready to experience the world in new ways,” notes Rev. Dr. Sarah Kim, coordinator for this project.  “I look forward to travelling with them and learning from them as we journey to Thailand.”  The seven participants from the Southeast Conference include: Emma Chatmon of Thomasville, GA; Regina Drake of Lithonia, GA; Maxine Ervin of Montgomery, AL; Charmaine Johnson of Stone Mountain, GA; Andrea Mai of Madison, TN; Delores Owens of Crossville, TN; and Jowanna Tillman of Stone Mountain, GA.  Kathy Clark and Sarah Kim will accompany the group along with Professor Greg Carey of Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Participants who went on the Global Theological Education Immersion trip in 2008 have advised the upcoming participants to “be open” to all they will experience.  Participants will be exposed to peace-building efforts in the Thai context that include work with refugees along the Thai-Burmese border as well as among those involved in long-term conflict in the southern region of Thailand.  These experiences will serve as case studies to help the group reflect on peace-building and conflict transformation in their own settings.  They will also learn about the various expressions of Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam in Thailand and be exposed to both scholars and “hand-on” folks involved in interfaith work addressing a variety of social needs, such as child trafficking, prostitution, HIV and AIDS, and other ravages of poverty.

We invite all of you to participate by praying for those who will be going on the trip, our hosts and teachers, and the people of Thailand.  If you would like to learn more about the experience, please read the journal entries and peruse the photo album from the 2008 trip participants on our web site.  Journal entries and photographs from the 2011 trip will also be posted and participants are expected to bring their experiences back to their churches and communities in sermons, workshops, and projects. As the number of folks from the Southeast Conference participating in our Global Theological Education program increases, we hope to strengthen the ties that bind us to our sisters and brothers around the world.  Together, we will experience the blessedness of being peacemakers.

Read More about TAP:

Buddhism in Thailand  |  A Creative Force

Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand.  Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism is the faith of 95 percent of the country’s population.  At the same time, there is total freedom of religion, and all major religions—including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, and others—can be found in practice.  Christianity makes up less than 1% of the population.

>> Click here to read more

Bringing Theology into the Midst of the People
Because we are the church together, it is important that we nurture and deepen faith, form and prepare leaders, and grow in our understanding of our mission and ministries as members of the Body of Christ -  together.  Theology Among the People strives to do that in new and creative ways. 

What Does It Mean to Bring Theology
Into the Midst of the People? 

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