November 2004
Bridges Vol. 1, No. 9
On the Protestant Theological Faculty
If this update were not so late in arriving, it would be dated
November 2004 because that is when the events that it describes
took place. However, I did not want to prepare this edition of
Bridges until we had attained written confirmation of
the new configuration of the Czech Working Group, which was established
when the CWG met in Louisville on November 8-9, 2004. Having now
received an “official” statement about that matter,
I am pleased to be able to tell you that the network’s new
name reflects a significant shift in the manner in which people
who are interested in fostering connections between the ECCB and
the PC(USA) will be linked, so that an optimal sharing of insights,
resources, and opportunities may occur. The specific nature of
this shift will be spelled out in detail in the next addition
of the “Czech Mission Network News,” whose preparation
has been delayed by staffing changes in the ECCB’s Ecumenical
Department. Now that the backlog resulting from much work for
few people has abated, the foundational Czech portion of the newsletter
has been sent to the printer, and the “Czech Mission Network
News” is the final stages of preparation. However, lest
this informative digression detract from this update’s focus
on the Protestant Theological Faculty, let me turn to that topic
without further ado!
Since 1999, an association called the “Friends of the Faculty”
has gathered at the seminary each autumn to unite people from
a variety of nations who have studied or taught at the Faculty
with the present generation of teachers, staff, and students.
The history of the Faculty, confessional issues, and theological
perspectives on war are among themes that have been considered
at these assemblies on other occasions. However, this year’s
gathering began with an especially meaningful commemoration of
Faculty’s 85th anniversary. On the evening of November 19,
the Faculty’s large lecture hall was filled with people
who had come to recognize the faithful service of a number of
the seminary’s professors and staff members. After an opening
hymn, Dean Filipi gave an introductory address, and the rector
of Charles University presented university medals to several illustrious
people. After a choral interlude, faculty medals were awarded
to other special people whose creativity, warmth, humility, and
integrity embody the spirit of this esteemed institution. Additional
choral selections set the stage for greetings that were offered
by representatives from Charles University’s Catholic and
Hussite Faculties, as well as by educators from neighboring countries.
Good humor and respect characterized the entire event, which was
followed by a festive banquet and warm camaraderie.
Some of you probably know several of the persons who were honored
that evening, but I suspect that many of you are acquainted with
Pavel Smetana, the former moderator of the ECCB; Vera Fritzová,
who has devoted her professional career to the Faculty’s
International Studies Program; and Jakub Trojan, who continues
to inspire students and colleagues alike with his profound insights
into thorny theological and ethical issues. Thus, it may be appropriate
to cite a recent interview regarding the Kingdom of God in which
Professor Trojan said: “When I want to illustrate the eschatological
perspective to our students, this example is helpful. A couple
is expecting a baby and are making a lot of preparations. The
child is present in their conversations and in their expectations.
The baby is not here, but nevertheless, it has entered their lives;
it is not here, but, nevertheless, it is at work more than any
system that is here. That is how we must understand …the
coming of the kingdom of God.” (Interview by Petr Veber,
printed in Ceský Bratr, Vol. 80, #16, 2004, p.16.
translated by Joyce Michael.)
On November 24, two large groups of students who were privy to
such illustrative images during their time at the Faculty received
baccalaureate and masters degrees at graduation exercises that
were held at the university’s Carolinum. Among this year’s
graduates was Alena Zikmundová, who began her higher education
in the United States during the 1940s when her father, J.L. Hromadka,
was a professor at Princeton. Mrs. Zikmundová’s fulfillment
of a life-long dream provides an inspiring example of the way
in which the Faculty fosters opportunities for life-long learning
and faithful seeking, reminiscent of the emphases of J. A. Comenius,
whose name was borne by Faculty for many years and who also knew
what it means to say that “the kingdom of God is not here,
but, nevertheless, it is at work.”
Joyce Michael
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
337
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