I’m learning Greek!!  The word I wrote above means ‘thanksgiving’ and is written in our letters as ‘eucharistia’. My update to you is filled with thanksgiving for your support and gifts that make it possible for me to attend the Seminary financially and with heart❣️ With your help I have paid for my first trimester, for some books and supplies, and savings for next trimester too. I am filled with such gratitude for your supportive thoughts, warmth, and gifts. Sometimes I can’t believe I am actually here, and it's made possible with your help!  

As mentioned I am taking Greek classes in Koine Greek the Ancient Greek used to write the New Testament of the Bible. Twice a week we have classes for an hour on zoom with a very patient Greek teacher.  We are learning to sound out the letters, write them, and parse their declensions and tenses.  I can barely do this in English never mind in Greek!  But I am making some progress and enjoy being able to look at the original text of the New Testament and try to understand it.  

I am also doing a short Eurythmy course where we are making speech visible through movement using Paul’s letter to the Ephesians “Put on the Armour of God”.  It is beautiful to work with.  There are church services three times a week to go to, and I hope to help with confirmation classes starting next week.  

This trimester is an independent research study.  The year's theme is Christ’s Redeeming Work and the Sacraments. In keeping with that our second year students have each been given an element of the Communion service to closely observe, contemplate and research to become aware of how it relates to our world.  I was given ‘The Alter - Grave and Table’ as my topic.  I am to know it inside out, create two or three artistic expressions about it, write a 7-21 page essay, and give a 40 minute presentation in the chapel in January.  It feels somewhat overwhelming at the moment, but hopefully as I enter into it more I will find my way. We also have the help of our directors. 

Currently I am preparing a talk on coming to the Kingdom of God as an infant or a child — What did Jesus mean by that in the Gospel?  Really? as children, infants?  What is the point of being an adult then…. Much to contemplate and Rudolf Steiner has many insights to read about.  

As a compliment to all the heady study and meditations the Autumn days are beautiful — cool, sunny, breezy, fresh, with trees dressed in reds, yellows and golds.  I walk to the Seminary/Church every day and enjoy the falling colours and the crunching leaves under my feet.  Fall days as one can most wonderfully experience in Eastern Canada!

Thank you so much for helping to make it happen, Erica