Fourth Sunday of Advent

The fourth Sunday of Advent has arrived, which means Christmas is just around the corner. To celebrate the coming of Christ, every year there is a Christmas play. However, this year was a little bit different. Instead of one play, we had three!

The first play was a poem by three sheep, who were played by the youngest children from the church. They were the sheep (baa baa baa) in the feild who saw the angels rejoicing and bright star that guided the wise men. The second was a play about angels going to school and learning about important humans (Adam and Eve, Abraham, and Mary), which was preformed by the sunday school class. And the final play was preformed by the youth group. It was about a conferance of God's angels talking about humans. The discussion was about how humans can't seem to do what is right (they fall into Satan's temptations). After studying man kind and presenting their results, the angels can to the conclusion that there was not one human that was without sin, and God would have to send someone intellegent, strong and handsom to help the humans out. The conferance ended with the angel Gabriel surprising the other angels when he said the savior had already arrived on earth; a child born in a manger in Bethlehem

Islam in Europe

There has recently been a lot of talk -- in the Czech Republic and around Europe -- about the rising flux of Islamic immigrants. Most of the public discourse revolves around the problems that arise when Muslim immigrants are reluctant to accept the cultural and civic expectations of their newly adopted nation. In the Czech Republic, the issue is not quite as pertinent, but in places like England, France and Holland, it is very real and serious. England has, I think, the most immigrants who are practitioners of Islam: Most of them coming from Pakistan. Great Britain as a whole has seen a rise in immigration since the 1970s, and now Muslims make up close to five percent of the total population. Most recently the nation of Switzerland passed a referendum banning the construction of Minarets; claiming that Minarets would "change the national identity of the Swiss people." In most main-stream European papers, and Czech ones, the issue is talked about as a problem of immigration: The newly-arrived immigrants do not make any concessions, nor do they attempt to conform to the society; therefore, creating cultural and often civic 'ghettos' that are part, yet separate from the culture at large. Obviously, this issue is complicated and goes way beneath the veneer of 'immigration and assimilation'.

Easily, it can be seen as an issue of race and cultural superiority, but I don't really want to get into that discussion, because on some level, that is inevitable: if the language, religion, art and laws are not respected by a minority group, racism and animosity are a sad, but very human reaction (not that this is OK and acceptable). In many of my conversations with Czechs about the issue, there are levels of race and prejudice involved, but I'm surprised to say that much of the European distaste and worry has more to do with civic engagement, rights and laws: there is the feeling that the state, not the racial "nation", but the 'Nation-State" --built and supported by governments-- is losing its power. This comes into clearer focus when Sharia law is used as a clear 'second-tier' form of justice, much like in England, where all domestic and some criminal disputes are not settled in the British courts, but in hidden Sharia courts in the backrooms of Muslim community centers.

In conversing with some of my friends about this issue, many of them were quite strong in their opinion that the Islamic immigrants should accept the laws and the culture of the state (not necessarily all the culture traits of the people). I found this rational and reasonable, but I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with this argument. For one, as a Christian, I take issue with the point that the State, or the nation should define my role as a human being, and that even my religion should be viewed in relation to my role as a Western citizen. I can see both sides of the equation: the animosity of having immigrants who don't seem interested in conforming, or even respecting the culture of the state; and the conflict that arises between people of faith and their obligations to their religion and their country. I guess this issue in America can look a little like the dilemma that affects the Amish when they choose not to join the military...

I really can't go much further in this post, because I am not educated or well-read enough to create any kind of firm statements about this topic. What I can do is tell you that this is a conversation and debate not just about immigration and race, but a conversation about the role of Western society, the enlightenment and religion/faith. It is this third aspect that has me yearning for a deeper discourse.

Two years ago, Rev. Rowan Williams (The highest ranking bishop in the Church of England) gave a lecture where he spoke specifically about law and its relation to people of faith. In this lecture, Williams alludes to some of the Sharia courts in England. Williams, who I respect and admire greatly, stated that the British state, in some respects, should accept aspects of Sharia law. Naturally, every single tabloid, and second-spot news station took the statement and demonized him vehemently; even calling for his removal from the Anglican Church. I've read the lecture and found it to be very dense and almost incomprehensible (it is an intellectual 'doozy'). But I encourage you to take a clear and focused look at it.

I would like to talk more about this, so feel free to message or 'skype' me--Dave Mesing:)

Here is the link to Rev. Williams' speech: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7233335.stm

Poem

Jamie and I have enrolled in a Czech Lanugage for foreigners class in Policka. There are two of us and three other Dutch people. It is a great time speaking Czech with foreigners, and seeing that I'm not the only one in Policka who can't seem to get my Czech grammar in order.

One of our recent assignments was to write a poem in Czech. The idea stemmed from the Dutch tradition of passing out poems to your closest family members to commemorate St. Nicholas day. Our Czech teacher thought it to be a wonderful tradition, so she told us to write poems; however, Jamie and I missed the whole point of writing poems 'about each other.' Since St. Nicholas day is this weekend, last night we were to read our poems in class.

Jamie and I both felt kind of silly, as none of our writing had to do with our fellow Dutch students, but we had a great time anyways.

For your enjoyment here are the two poems that we wrote:


Žaba, žaba (frog, frog)
malinká žába (little frog)
hop hop hop (hop hop hop)

a kam skáče ta malinká žába? (and where is the little frog hopping to?)
do obchodu? (to a shop?)
do školy? (to school?)
nevím, možná (I don't know, maybe)
do hospody! (to a pub!)

- Jamie


První rok s češtinou

Hle,

Jde to, jde to.
Ach, to je vedro.
Fakt jo?
Ach jo...

Pozdrav rodinu.
Všichni maji chřipku.
Doufám že mam jedníčku...

Česky? To je těžký.
Všechno nejlepší.
Mějte se hezky!

-Jeremy


My poem is a little more difficult to translate, because it doesn't make much coherent sense. I have entitled it 'My first year with Czech language." I wanted to write a poem that was a little satirical and a play on words. To do this, I went through my memory and picked out the most common phrases that I've heard in spoken Czech and put them together into a rhymn. Collectivley they make some sense, but the meaning is really only in my head and from my experience.

Our teacher thought they were great.

Velvet Revolution and remnants of Communism

I don't know if many of you know, but this week (Tuesday, Nov. 17th) marks the twentieth anniversary of the fall of Communism in the Czech Republic. Last week, I was able to watch the lights and glitter in Berlin, as the city commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall. U2 was there and thousands of people, from all nations, flocked to the Brandenburg Gate to witness the spectacle and reminisce about the time when freedom was attained and borders were literally torn asunder. Fireworks blasted throughout the night, as Germans toasted to their unity. Expecting to see the same kind of reaction in Prague, I was shocked to discover that there will be no such celebration. There will be no parades. No fireworks. No public parties. No commemorative keys to be shook, or Czech flags to be waved. To the contrary, the celebration will be one of a personal nature; taking place within the homes, quietly out of sight. I guess it would be hard to call it a celebration at all.

It makes sense for a nation of just over 10 million to commemorate their 'Democratic Revolution' in such a quite way. After all, they suffered quietly. Germany has always been intriguing for the western world, and during the reign of totalitarian communism, it was split, straddling the Iron Curtain. The Czechs on the other hand, they are Slavic, so I guess it was only fitting that a Slavic nation would follow the 'Slavic mother', Russia. Yeah, to western eyes, it was unfortunate that the Czechoslovak nation, a former Democracy, was under the rule of Stalin, but they were always 'in the East'. The interest just wasn't there.

Still, my mind wonders, why don't Czechs take more pride in the fact that their 'Velvet Revolution' was a motivation to the whole world? It was completely non-violent. It was started by young students. It motivated the masses. And, it toppled an entrenched, oppressive governing body that lied and deceived its people. From the outside perspective, it was a revolution of "The Powerless" and should be commemorated as one of the greatest, human-rights triumphs of the 20th century. Yet, in the paper today, almost half of Czechs polled claimed to have 'no interest in commemorating, or celebrating the Revolution.' This, for me, is quite unfortunate.

This past weekend, a documentary was shown in Policka, entitled, "The Power of the Powerless." The film was American and it was not made for Czech viewing audiences. The film discussed the developments of the revolution and gave a historical overview of the nature of communist rule in Czechoslovakia. At the end, the documentarian began to criticize the Czech people (mainly the younger generations) for being infatuated with 'superficiality' and lacking any kind of 'rooted ideology'. He himself, a man who was witness to the Velvet Revolution of 1989, expressed shock and disbelief when he found that many young Czechs didn't even know that the Velvet revolution existed (almost unbelievable). He openly asked, "What is happening in Czech schools? What memories are they portraying in the society at large?"

In thinking a little more deeply about the fact that the Velvet Revolution here is met with an alarming level of apathy, I guess I must take quick glance and look at Western culture today. It seems to me that many Czechs are pretty fed up with their petty, often-bickering political leaders. In fact, just two weeks ago, there was an article in a newspaper, where the writer professed the necessity of a revolution every 20 years, to 'clean the system of the nation.' Also, I find that many in the older demographic are constantly fighting in a modern world that moves too quickly and is full of deception, tumult and violence. I think, that the reality and difficulty of building up a new western-style, capitalistic Democracy, from the rusted hulk of Socialism, has hit Czechs. Maybe they thought the transition would be easy and that life would automatically be 'better' from the get-go? In addition to the constant fluctuation of the market and the uncertainty of jobs, many Czechs feel bombarded with American pop culture, which is exported at an astounding rate. I've heard it described as "American Imperialism", which often gets me chuckling, if not annoyed. But, I guess there is something to be said here. If the people legitimately do feel threatened, be it from a cultural, monetary or emotional standpoint, then what is there to like about free-flowing, all-consuming capitalism of the Western world?-- which to many here is still viewed as an 'import'. In this light, maybe the Velvet Revolution looks a little negative: a group of naive students who managed to overthrow normalcy.

The last aspect I think of when pondering the memory of Czechs, is that some of them might not remember Communism as being that bad. After all, it was very clear from the start that the Communist Party had a clear message for the people of Czechoslovakia: "If you leave the business of government to us, we will leave you alone. You will prosper: you will have a car, a house, a job and enough money for your family." And, really, I think for most people, the fact that their intellectual, religious and civic freedoms were given up in a trade-off for security, was just a fact of life. If there was suffering, it was done behind closed doors, not on the street. And, just like that, Communism in Czechoslovakia became boring for many who lived it; slowly, but surely, the Communist machine manipulated information and re-focused the worldview of an entire nation. The waterfall was reached by incremental paddle strokes, not through fast-running, white-water. Maybe for some, the Communist promise of security still holds their mind captive? Just today, President Vaclav Klaus claimed that reason for continuous fear during the period of Communist Normalization in the 1980's was not there; instead, it is a recreation of those trying to re-tell history. But, how can Klaus know this for certain? A nation that was told to suffer indoors, is a nation severed from neighbors and community. It turns into a culture of distrust. And, this is how the Communists ruled.

Maybe the reason no one is celebrating the Velvet Revolution is because the effects of being "separated and conquered" still linger. No one really knows what the Velvet Revolution means to the nation, because no one really knows what Communism meant to the nation. And, in this way, the Red Star is still victorious (at least for some).

Fall Festival

Fall is definatly my favorite season because of the changing of leaves. The reds, yellows and oranges give normal landscapes a warm feel that last until the leaves have fallen and turned brown. Once the leaves are on the ground it makes walking anywhere an almost musical journey, and the smell of the leaves bring to closer to the earth. Some of my fondest memories of fall are of walking through the woods with color all around and leaves softly falling to the ground around me as I walk.

For many people in Policka, and other places all over the world, fall is a time for harversting crops, drying fruit, making jam, wine, cider and brandi (plum, pear or aprocot), cutting and drying hay and cleaning up their gardens before the winter. Every weekend is spend doing these things in hopes to get all the work completed before the first frost.

On Sunday Jan based his family sunday sermon on giving thanks for what we have; plenty of food, a place to live, education, and family and friends. It is a fitting sermon for the end of fall, because all the harversting has been completed and people are getting ready for the winter months. It is also getting close to the anniversary of the fall of communism, which is extremely important for Czechs, but also something the younger generations are forgetting about. He also talked a little bit about the American tradition of Thanksgiving and explained that it is a long tradition and carries back to the time of the early settlers. After the service Jeremy and I had a fall festival planned for anyone who would like to take part, both from the church and community.

The event started off with the story of Johnny Appleseed (featuring Jeremy as Johnny Appleseed) and then went into crafts and snack. With the help of some friends we were able to make candles, homemade butter, yarn doll, god's eyes, and popcorn necklaces all at the same time! There were kids switching from station to station and even some adults made a candle or yarn doll. There was also a demonstation on combing and spinning wool and quilting. Our helpers all dressed up, which really brought the event to life, and everyone who attended had a good time. Afterward, the congragation had lunch together, which was the perfect ending to the morning.

Personally I was really excited about the event because it is close to home. Around this time there are fall festivals all over the east coast (mainly New England to Virgina)and I remember going to them as a kid. There were pumpkins, apple cider and hayrides. So for me, I wanted to show our friends here a little bit about where Jeremy and I grew up through the fall festival by having tradition crafts, making pumpkin cookies and apple bars, and dressing as if we were from the 18th centry. Of course this is not the only thing that represents where we grew up, but it was nice to share it with them. I would like to have a day were we talk about Pennsylvania and why Jeremy and I call it home.

Went to Krakow and found out that WWII was pretty crappy__dude.

Jamie and I took a much-anticipated trip to Poland this past weekend. It was a great time for us to unwind after the hectic planning that comes with the Halloween Party. I felt quite pleased as our train departed form Policka, because I knew that we had left on a good note: the Halloween Party was a complete sucess and our plans for the 'Fall Festival', which is this upcoming Sunday, were coming along nicely.

Krakow (Cracow, Cracov, Krakowa--I've seen it spelled so many ways) was surprisingly beautiful. If there is any country in Central Europe that I know the least about, Poland is it. Pretty much all I knew/know about Poland has been passed down to me either through the Polish-Catholic traditions of Ambridge (D-Woz REPRESENT with the pierogis), the movie 'The Pianist', the Holocaust, or the racially-charged 'Polak' jokes that never paint the Polish 'nation' in a good light. Needless to say, when I stepped off the train onto a boulevard that was quite wide, lined with relatively-new lamp posts, paved with beautiful cobblestones and surrounded by shops, my preconcieved notions instantly took a shot. I don't really know what I expected: maybe I thought many of the plaster facades would be crumbling and that there would be graffiti-covered bridges dotting the city? Well, whatever my mind had pre-imagined was quite far from the truth.



The city is located on the River 'Wiev' as it winds its way north to the Baltic Sea. In the southern part of Poland one will find beautiful vistas of sweeping mountains (much like the Appalachians) and rolling hills. Houses are dotted throughout, with the main concentration of towns lying within wide-open valleys. The Mountains rise on a gradual incline, so the feeling is not one of claustrophobia--think The Alleghenies, not West Virginia. As one travels about 50 kilometers north from the border with the Czech Republic, the country flattens out into plains; this is what most of Poland is comprised of. I guess to the 'untrained' eye, the landscape could look a little bit 'boring', yet its subtleness is what I loved about it. Gazing out the window of the train I looked directly into the woods; there were leaves of yellow and orange, and because the land itself was on such an even plane, it seemed as if the forest carried on forever. It was just a maze of earthy, fall colors with narrow roads leading to villages and churches tucked away, hidden. Every now and then, we would break out into the open and I would see farm fields radiating out from a central point--usually a town or a village. The remnants of the communist past are everywhere, as the flatness of the landscapes only exacerbates the height of the hideous, monolithic, communist 'block houses' reaching upwards towards the heavens; towering above even the church steeples.

Those of you with a very preliminary knowledge of the history of WWII would still be aware of place called Auschwitz (Oswiecem in Polish). Auschwitz was/is the most notorious of the Nazi concentration camps (along with its sister camp, Birkenau). The number of people murdered - in the most 'modern'/'efficient' of ways - is literally unknown. Growing up I heard about how meticulous the Nazis were in documenting their atrocities, which is true, when they were killing 'enemies' who were deemed 'worthwhile' to document; Jews did not fit this bill. Instead, the vast majority of those gassed, shot, starved, burned or hung were done so IMMEDIATELY upon exiting the train. They dropped their suitcases, stripped off their clothes and ran towards their death, naked. They had no papers, no registration and no numbers tattooed into their skin (Auschwitz was the only camp to tattoo prison numbers. They did so because people were dying so quickly that prison officials couldn't keep track of how many people had passed through; however, the practice lasted only the first 2 years of the camp. After that, it was a free-for-all of killing without conscience).


Located only 50 kilometers from the main city of Krakow, Auschwitz was the destination of many Polish political prisoners and Jews. Before the war, Krakow had a thriving Jewish population of around 60,000; today, that numbers stands at exactly 120, and they're all old. If you walk around the Jewish sector today, there is nothing living; the whole quarter is on gigantic museum: most of the former families were killed, or have since emigrated to Israel or the United States.

Krakow was also the location of the most notorious Jewish 'Ghetto' and the site of Oscar Schindler's factor, which itself has a dark secret to tell. In the movie that was directed by Steven Spielberg, we come to admire Oscar Schindler as a light within a dark forest, a man who worked within the system to subvert it. However, in real life, things were a little more complicated: to be 'written' onto one of Schindler's lists, Jewish families had to pay a sum of 500$, which at the time was about 5 years pay--a veritable fortune. Additionally, if that didn't ruin your rosy picture enough, it was found that many of the Jews on the list were ones who had family members working for the Nazis as Gestapo informants. I didn't take this 'tid bit' as a great shock, as I've come to expect that all historical 'facts' have an underbelly to them, which itself usually challenges the 'factual title'. But we often ignore it; choosing to let history conform to our notions and memory; therefore, dulling and diluting it.

I guess one really can't go to Poland without hearing SOMETHING sad. The country itself, even before WWII and the Communist era, has always dealt with war and human atrocities. From Kings and Queens, to Napoleon, to Hitler, to Stalin, it has forever been Europe's battle ground. I can't think of a more fitting illustration than this: Poland is the only European nation that lacks its original Crown Jewels and Throne. Catherine the Great of Russia melted them all down to make money and, fittingly enough, her toilet bowl.

Happy Halloween

Halloween came early in Policka (Oct. 27th) but no one seemed to mind. Both kids and volunteers were just as excited as ever, and they had good reason! This year we turned the sanctuary of the church into a haunted maze, which meant tons of bed sheets, rope and boxes, as well as candles, tombstones, jack-o-lanterns and ghosts (everything to make a confusing journey through the sanctury a bit more fightening). Upstairs we had games, candy and other prizes, a spooky snack and a costume contest.

Our party started at 6pm and volunteers came at 5:30 to help with some finishing touches (putting bike lights and glow sticks in the maze) and kids started arriving at about quarter to 6. I must admit I was shocked by the number of kids waiting when I went upstairs to welcome everyone to the party (40 kids and 10 adults). The main part of the party was the haunted maze, but everyone couldn't go through it at once, so upstairs we had games and prizes to keep them busy while they waited for their turn to go through the maze. After going through the maze kids either told me they wanted to go again or that it was really scary; both responses were good to hear. The party was a success. The kids all went home with a smile and a bag full of candy.

Jeremy and I had a lot of help setting up the maze and game room the day before, as well as on the night of the party. We would like to thank everyone who helped, especially those where were upstairs with me and those who were in the maze being scary. The party would not have been as great a success without your help. Thank you. Also, a special thanks to those who sent us things for the party from the U.S.; the kids had a great time. Thanks for all your help :)