Emily is a 3rd year Master of Divinity student who is spending part of her summer in Pietermartizburg, South Africa at Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary. She is attending some classes at the seminary while also serving in ministry in the rural, mountain areas.
Whitney Simpson is pursuing a Certification in Spiritual Formation at Garrett-Evangelical and recently returned from a travel course to Philadelphia with Garrett-Evangelical Professor Dr. Mark Fowler. The course, "Wesleyan Beginnings in America: UM Studies 19th Century," focused on the beginnings of the Wesleyan movement in the American context and included visiting some key historic churches to the UMC and AME traditions.
Still Another Side of South Africa
By Emily Lutz
After spending my first couple of weeks (outside the seminary) in the rural hills and Zulu-speaking Methodist churches in the township area of Edendale outside Pietermaritzburg, I have since seen several other sides of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
I’ve been to the Tala Game Reserve, saw the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, rhinos, hippos, ostriches and the ever-so-cute warthogs. (Hakuna Matata)
I’ve visited two of the battlefields of the Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu Wars of the late 19th century. I’ve seen mass graves of British soldiers and Zulu warriors. I’ve been reminded of the depth and longevity of the struggle over land here in South Africa, which continues today as a consequence of Apartheid.
Simplicity from the Sanctuary
By Whitney Simpson
An area of my life that I’ve been working on in the last few years is simplicity. I need more simplicity, from my closet to my daily bible study routine and even those nifty tools in the kitchen. I struggle with falling victim to gadgets and gizmos that claim to make my life easier. However, when I realize that a new gizmo only requires another washing and space to be stored, I’ve learned that I have fallen prey to missing out on the benefits of simplicity.
There really is a lot to be said for simplicity. I still struggle with the concept of simplicity, but I see the benefits and am beginning to understand them more clearly. One thing that really struck me during my trips to these historic churches was the beautiful simplicity of St. George’s Church. The wooden floors, the simple paned windows and the practicality of the wine-glass pulpit remind me that over the years, the efforts toward simplicity have remained a priority in this building.
Still Another Side of South Africa
By Emily Lutz
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Garrett-Evangelical Professor
Dr. Mark Fowler and Emily Lutz after Emily's
collaring ceremony in South Africa.
You can read more about the ceremony here.
(Photo Credit: Nathan Falla)
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I’ve been to the Tala Game Reserve, saw the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, rhinos, hippos, ostriches and the ever-so-cute warthogs. (Hakuna Matata)
I’ve visited two of the battlefields of the Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu Wars of the late 19th century. I’ve seen mass graves of British soldiers and Zulu warriors. I’ve been reminded of the depth and longevity of the struggle over land here in South Africa, which continues today as a consequence of Apartheid.
Simplicity from the Sanctuary
There really is a lot to be said for simplicity. I still struggle with the concept of simplicity, but I see the benefits and am beginning to understand them more clearly. One thing that really struck me during my trips to these historic churches was the beautiful simplicity of St. George’s Church. The wooden floors, the simple paned windows and the practicality of the wine-glass pulpit remind me that over the years, the efforts toward simplicity have remained a priority in this building.
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