Dr. Rosa Sevy, Postdoctoral Fellow at Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre at VST participated, for her first time as a student, in the Native Ministries Consortium (NMC) Summer School during July 2010.

The courses taken enlightened Rosa on a diverse range of topics that included exploring the major theological movements of the twentieth century, Ojibway traditions and ceremonies, ancestral knowledge and critical moments in the life cycle. Through these courses, Rosa engaged in a learning process characterized by a dialogical exchange between teachers and students from different indigenous communities and Christian denominations. The richness of the learning derived not only from the intellectual engagement with the array of relevant topics, but also from the experiential nature of the learning process where honoring one’s experience was a focal point.

Rosa shared her own experiences and viewpoints, framed by her personal background in which Jewish, Catholic and Mexican Indigenous teachings converged, and had the opportunity to listen to a variety of Indigenous Christian perspectives. Rosa, along with other students in the NMC Summer School, engaged in a process of sharing within the classroom context, thoughts, points of views, and experiences related to one’s personal and cultural background; personal challenges and dreams were also part of that conversation.

Rosa hopes to participate in the 2011 NMC Summer School as this constitutes an invaluable opportunity not only for her professional development but also for her own personal growth.