ERM Delegates Engage in Interfaith Dialogue on 'Danish Day'
It is not all hard work and no play at the European Representatives Meeting (ERM) in Aarhus, Denmark. Hosts, the YWCA-YMCA of Denmark organized a special ‘Danish Day’ on October 17 to give delegates an opportunity to learn more about their country and the Aarhus community.
Delegates attended the Aarhus Gellerup Church (Evangelical Lutheran) faith to join in prayers with Reverend Annette Bennedsgaard. The parish was happy to receive the ERM delegates.’’ I will have to change what I thought about the YWCA now. I didn’t expect so many young people,’’ said Reverend Bennedsgaard as she started the service.
Gellerup Church has a special role in the Aarhus community as it is based in a heavily Muslim populated area of town. Bennedsgaard shared the international activities of the congregation that includes work to bring the Christian and Muslim community together. ‘Church bodyguards’ are one example of the exciting initiatives helping the church bridge the understanding gap between Christians and Muslims in Aarhus. Two Muslims of Palestinian origin now guard the Gellerup Church to help prevent vandalism in the church and watch over parked cars outside. The church is pleased with the two Muslim guards who are well known and respected in the area, and add security to the church. Their employment at the church encourages stronger contacts the church has with the mosques, imams and Muslim cultural associations.
An interfaith dialogue followed with Reverend Berit Schelde–Chistensen, General Secretary of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church and Religious Meeting. She shared the churches journey of shattering stereotypes and confronting challenges that often face organisations working in inter-faith communities.
Delegates were treated to a reception at the City Hall of Aarhus, hosted by Ms. Dorthe Laustsen, the Deputy Mayor for Social Services and Health Care. ‘’ We are happy to be greeted by a female Deputy Mayor’, said Marie Louise Andersson, President of the European YWCAs. ‘Many YWCA members who are now in politics, started their leadership training and development with the YWCA.’
After the official programme ended, delegates were treated to field visits throughout Aarhus that included a visit to ‘’The Nest’’, a shelter for women managed by YWCA Social Work, and a chance to view the famous Women’s Museum in Domkirkepladsen.
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