GTU Exchange Reflections

容心怡同學（MDiv）

The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley is renowned for its interreligious and interdisciplinary approach, bringing together scholars from diverse faith traditions to explore how religion intersects with contemporary global challenges. During my time there, I found myself grappling with two contrasting ways of understanding the world: the enchanted and the disenchanted. While postmodernity has challenged rigid, binary ways of thinking, engaging with perspectives from different wisdom traditions broadened my understanding of God’s creation, healing, and justice in the world. In the Ecotheology and Ecospirituality course directed by Prof Rita Sherma, I had the opportunity to explore how different religious traditions—Christianity, Judaism, Dharma traditions, and Indigenous worldviews—respond to ecological destruction and how faith communities can take action. I examined how ecofeminist and Indigenous perspectives on land and soil challenge dominant neocapitalist claims, offering alternative visions of sustainability and interconnectedness. I sought to understand how different traditions relate to creation, whether through an ethos of interconnected reverence or an approach of objectification and control. The enchanted perspective, prevalent in Indigenous traditions, sees the natural world as spiritually alive, deeply relational, and imbued with agency. In contrast, the disenchanted Western worldview, shaped by modernity, often emphasizes detachment, mastery, and human dominance over nature. Rather than treating these as abstract theories, my time at GTU challenged me to engage them practically, reading the “signs of the times” and rethinking our being-in-the-world. It has invited us to reexamine love not as a sentimental ideal but as a radical invitation to act, to transform, and to resist structures of harm, further deepening my awareness of how faith communities can respond to the ecological crisis.

Beyond the classroom, my time at GTU was deeply enriched by the fellowship and friendship I experienced, particularly at the Jesuit School of Theology. I had the privilege of celebrating diverse cultures and witnessing how different traditions interwove with the liturgy in the Mass at the Gesù Chapel. The Jesuits’ profound commitment to both intellectual inquiry and spiritual practice was truly inspiring. Engaging in prayer gatherings with them and other members of the GTU community reminded me of the necessity of grounding theological work in contemplation and communal discernment. These prayerful moments helped me attune to the cries of the earth and the marginalized. One particularly moving experience was the moment of silence before Mass to honour the Indigenous people on whose land the school was built—a solemn act of remembrance, acknowledging history, colonization, and the ongoing call to justice. Another profoundly inspiring moment was the mentoring event organized by the Women’s Studies in Religion at GTU. This space provided an opportunity for women from diverse theological and cultural backgrounds to come together in solidarity, sharing insights, struggles, and hopes in their respective journeys. These conversations illuminated the unique challenges women face in religious leadership and on the scholar-practitioner identity, as well as the creative and resilient ways they navigate these spaces. Hearing their stories deepened my appreciation for the intersection of gender, faith, and justice, reminding me that the work of theology must also be an act of empowerment and liberation.

Another unforgettable experience during my time in the U.S. was presenting a paper at the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) Annual Meeting in San Diego. Sharing my research in such a renowned academic setting was both exhilarating and humbling. My paper, titled “Reading the intersectionality of Ruth in the Context of Asian Migrant Women,” was presented in the Asian Hermeneutics section. Engaging with scholars from various disciplines challenged me to articulate my ideas with greater clarity and depth while also opening up new perspectives that deepened my understanding. The discussions that followed were particularly stimulating, pushing me to refine my reflections through meaningful dialogue. This experience reaffirmed my passion for scholarship as a space of both rigorous inquiry and communal learning, where theology is continually shaped through conversation, critique, and the exchange of ideas.

As I reflect on my time at GTU, I am filled with deep gratitude. The perfect Bay Area weather, the intellectually stimulating environment, the depth of spiritual engagement, and the generosity of those who welcomed me all made this experience transformative. I am truly grateful for the generous hospitality I received from Rev. James (岑白堅牧師) and Tina Shum’s family. Their kindness provided more than just a place to stay—it was a true home away from home. The simple yet profound gestures of shared meals, warm conversations, and care created a space where I could process my learning and experiences. This hospitality became a tangible expression of grace and relationality. It reminded me that theology is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a lived practice, best embodied in community, where love and care take shape in everyday acts. I also found great joy in serving the community at the Chinese Presbyterian Church of Oakland, where I was welcomed with open arms and nourished in both spirit and body. The warmth of the congregation extended beyond words—they expressed their care through the delicious homemade meals they lovingly prepared, each dish a reflection of their generosity and hospitality. Sharing in these meals became a sacred experience, a reminder that community is built not just through worship and service, but also through the simple yet profound act of breaking bread together. I leave this experience with a renewed sense of responsibility and hope, committed to continuing the work of ecojustice and faithful action in the face of global challenges.