‘Catch the Vision’ Seminar: qualification of participants open!
YMCA Europe (YE) seminars under the common title ‘Catch the Vision’ are traditional European programme and very special ones. YE organizes them each second year always looking for the destinations, which themselves can inspire and facilitate a holistic experience of its participants, following YMCA Body-Mind-Spirit approach. In the past we were in Jerusalem, Prizren (Kosovo), Shkodra (Albania), Erevan (Armenia) and in 2012 in Istanbul (Turkey). Everywhere we invited participants for challenging journeys deep into their own faith – exploring the reasons of clashes of cultures and conflicts, and discovering the roots of peaceful co-existence of people with different backgrounds.
The year 2014 for YMCA Europe is the year of ‘Inclusive Christianity’, one of YE flagship programmes, and we will organize the next ‘Catch the Vision’ seminar in Voloshin, Belarus. Why there?
Belarus is perhaps the most unknown country in Europe and not so many people know that we can find there really unique examples of peaceful living of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians together with Muslims and Jews! One of such places is Voloshin (and its surroundings): at the first look small, grey post-Soviet neglected town, but when someone widely open her/his eyes and minds – can discover fascinating multicultural, multiethnical and multi-religious world. There is also a small YMCA with its own building (as common German-Belorussian project), which cultivates the local traditions of inclusive Christianity, dialogue and tolerance.
On October 24-26, 2013 the group of ten YMCA leaders from Belarus (including their Change Agents!), Germany, Lithuania, Russia and YE met in Voloshin to discuss and plan ‘Catch the Vision’ seminar in October 2014. These days – in Voloshin, Vishnievo and Ivie – we were visiting Orthodox and Catholic churches where we had discussions with the priests, we went to the mosque and talk to imam. We also met representatives of local authorities, we saw the place of birth of Shimon Peres (Peace Noble Prize winner and the President of Israel) and forgotten Jewish cemeteries… Finally the general plan of the event is ready – young YMCA leaders in our group were very creative! Already now we can inform you what you can expect:
- practical workshops on Orthodox icon writing and understanding, on Muslim cuisine, on Jewish traditions and symbols
- set-up of mini-choir and its performance with spiritual song at Orthodox church
- university level inputs on monotheistic religions and on personal development
- Belorussian culture evening and coins exhibition
- deep going discussions, games and fun, and time for self-reflection…
So, are you motivated to participate? Hopefully: yes! More information will be provided in the beginning of the year. But we assure you – as during each ‘Catch the Vision’, that in Belarus surely you will have the opportunity of discovering a new spiritual and cultural world, and to reflect on your own believe… And life.
Challenge? Yes! As passing by car Polish-Belorussian border 🙂
