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Anne Falk

Looking at Rainbows: A Grown-up’s Perspective

When I was a kid, I used to marvel at rainbows that normally appear in the sky. I thought this childish thought would have disappeared through time and maturity but as time gradually passes, I come to realize that my appreciation of the rainbow was just the beginning of my understanding and belief that when different things come together, there is beauty.

In coming to Sweden as a participant for this Youth Exchange Program, I saw how sixteen different souls get along easily and it brought me back to my younger years and my admiration on the rainbow has grown deeper. Coming from different cultures, traditions, continents and faith denominations, it was a bit hard for me to explain how the magic work for all us who are united in just a few hours of sharing thoughts and interests.

Thinking deeper, I pointed some similarities with the people from South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Swaziland, Brazil and the Philippines. In all of these countries, we were colonized by foreigners. It was common among us that once in our respective historical timelines, we fought for our right, for our freedom and for our identity.

Another powerful tool involved in this unity is Music and with this experience, I have proven that Music is a universal language. I was right with my expectations pertaining to our brothers and sisters from South Africa, Tanzania, Swaziland and Botswana that they loved music and are mostly musicians. Singing together the unity song, “Many Gifts, One Spirit” was a heartwarming phenomenon for me. It was normal for me to direct choirs in my church but this choir we have with my fellow participants, it was special. I never expected that once in my life, I would conduct a choir composed of people from different nations.Choir

Lastly, Faith in Jesus Christ has made us one. Though we come from different faith traditions, we were united in prayer, songs and we shared about our commonalities in our churches rather than discuss on how we differ from each other. The evening prayers remind all of us that at the end of a long day, it is fitting to thank the Lord, pray, pause awhile, be in silence and reflect on God’s word.

A week has passed and today, all of us will be assigned to Church of Sweden’s parishes and dioceses. As for me and my companions, we will be seeing more rainbows in the congregations but with the positive mindset that different things are good and beautiful.

Our common prayer is that God will open our hearts and minds for us to see differences as a blessing. We hope for the best in this journey with the Church of Sweden that we may share what we have and that we may learn from their church, as well.

//Klein F. Emperado, is a Mass Communications graduate from Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines and also he works as Editorial Assistant for the said university. He represents the Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente. His line of ministry is focused mainly on Liturgy and Music for the Diocese of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

// Klein F. Emperado, har tagit examen i masskommunikation vid Silliman University, Dumaguete, Filippinerna och han jobbar idag som redaktörsassistent för nämnda universitet. Han representerar den filippinska oberoende kyrkan (Iglesia Filipina Independiente) i utbytesprogrammet Ung i den världsvida kyrkan. Hans stora intresse och inriktning innom kyrkan är främst liturgi och musik för stiftet i Negros Oriental och Siquijor.

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