The theme this January is "God Without Borders." The Christian faith knows many borders. Borders of race divide Christians every Sunday morning in what has become the most segregated hour of the week. Borders of biblical interpretation divide Christians affirming the inerrancy of the text from Christians who learn from interpreted myth. Borders of gender and sexuality divide Christians from themselves. Borders of age divide older congregants from the youth of the church. Borders divide people from new ideas, from growth, from loving other children of God, and ultimately from God. Authentic faith must seek to identify these borders. This is where I hope the newly conceptualized "small groups" will provide insight.
In January we will be splitting into focus groups with border-crossing on our minds. These topical focus groups will be assigned by personal interest. Focus group topics include interfaith dialogue, gender identity, human sexuality, international missions, international relations, poverty and human crisis, and racial and ethnic identity. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a particular focus group in which you have interest at registration. You do not need specific experience or special knowledge about a certain topic to be a part of any of the focus groups! You only need desire for border-crossing!
This year, when we meet in Montreat in the chill of winter, we will meet in the hope that possibilities abound when we dare to cross borders! Praise be to the God without borders!!
Enjoy the fall semester! I look forward to seeing you all in January!
Peace,Sarah Cairatti
Co-Director of the College Conference at Montreat 2010
M. Div. Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
