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 “CAN YOU FEEL IT?
IT IS HERE” –
No, not the World Cup!
Monday, July 5th 2010 – truly an exhilarating and historic day, our first day on our new campus!
After a few days break after the busy first semester, with barely enough time to recover from the stress of assignments and examinations, the seminarians have returned for three weeks of intensive vocational studies. Unlike students, seminarians do not have the luxury of long winter vacations. The rigours and expectations of the formation program, of which theological education is only one among a number of other vital components, are really demanding.
The heavy weight of expectations laid upon the seminarians bears witness to the call of Church and Society for leaders of the highest moral character, impeccable values, intellectual capability, and vocational competence. It is a tall order – nevertheless, SMMS is fully committed to the endeavour, as are the seminarians. I am proud, and often humbled, by the level of sacrifice made by some of them to be here in answer to the calling of God in their lives as endorsed by their respective communities.
Today we worshipped and attended lectures; seminarians shared with each other in their Covenant Groups, and engaged each other in honest, robust discussion, in the wonderful (yet unfinished) setting of the new campus.
Over many months we have watched the progress of its construction, since the first day that mighty bulldozers began to ‘turn the sod’, level the ground and clear the site. We saw when the foundations were dug and cheered when the first bricks were laid. Today we moved in! And what a beautiful campus it is: truly a place that expresses hospitality, commitment, faith, hope, and excellence.
In my address to the seminarians, I reflected on the creation narrative, wondering aloud what we may have experienced had we been present as spectator at the very beginning, when creation was formed, as God brought forth the universe and ultimately declared: “It is good - I am so pleased with the end result.”
Today, in some smaller way, we were present at the beginning – we experienced the wonder of yet another Genesis.
Today we poured out our gratitude and love for God, and our enduring appreciation to every person who has been part of this transformative place. Words are wholly inadequate to express the depth of our emotions; yet we want to declare, “Thank you! It is good – we are overwhelmed and amazed by the end result.”
How fitting then that this morning our closing worship song declared, “How Great Thou Art.” Truly!
Grace
Ross
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