Thursday February 4, 2010
London
Everyone in our group arrived safely, 16 of our from across the US. We met last night with representatives of The Lutheran Council of Great Britain. These are primarily ethnic congregations that continue to speak their native languages. The council represents 10 national churches such as the Churches of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, etc. Each has a pastor supported by the country of origin whose responsibility it is to care for and minister to Lutherans from those countries.
We had a presentation about the Lutheran Council and the work they do followed by some time to chat with each of them over dinner. At nearly 10 million people London may be the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Most ethnic groups have societies that gather in the city so that nationals from all across the globe can meet and speak in their own language, with their own customs. Unlike the American philosophy of a melting pot, many of these groups attempt to retain their identity and still function in society with respect and tolerance for other cultures.
Europe struggles with immigration even more than the US. The obvious similarity being that people emigrate from the south to find jobs in the more prosperous north. The difference being that the immigrants are from Africa, Asia and former eastern block countries. The ethnic and linguistic diversity creates enormous challenges for western Europe.
A NOTE TO MY RUNNER FRIENDS
I took a run this morning. Wow, what a difference at sea level, forty degrees and very moist. Lots of good air made for an easy feeling. But watch out for the traffic, these guys drive on the wrong side of the street! When you come up to an intersection you have to look the other way. I can't get used to it, so I just look both ways all the time. I feel like a bobble head.
London has many young people. On the subway yesterday (the tube) I was among the older people. I suppose most folks my age take cabs or have cars, but the young people pack the train. Out running this morning I saw dozens of runners.
There are pictures posted on the ELCA website, so I'm following your trip there as well.
ReplyDeleteWow! 10 million people. Hard to imagine being in a city that large. It is interesting that they stay with their own ethnic group for the most part, but makes sense as far as communicating.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are looking both ways before crossing the street!
Very interesting about the ethnic Lutheran congregations in Britain retaining their own languages and clerical ties to the home countries. Sounds similar to early Lutheranism in the U.S. As for checking traffic when crossing streets, Christina can sympathize. She had to retrain herself when she got back home.
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