May 5, 2001

Funny thing happened today - can't really put it up on the website, so make sure and ask us.

Today was also the last day of Elizabeth's adult English class - the initial twelve decreased dramatically after Easter, so all five of us gathered here in our apartment for a small celebration, some language practice, and Arabic coffee.

The Marian shrine, decorated for the month of May.

In theological news, today continues the daily worship for the "Month of Mary" in the Latin Church. Every afternoon the church is packed. It has put us to the ecumenical test, recognizing that this is a fundamental difference in belief between Catholics and Protestants - perhaps not understanding the language fully is an asset now. We have committed ourselves to supporting the work of the Church (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant) here. The greatest gift of ecumenism, though, is not to unite us in a common set of doctrines and practices, but to open ourselves up to learning more about other Christian practices as well as our own. Right now this month seems to be falling into the latter category, but there's a lot of month left.