Saturday – a day of preparations

It was necessary to get a good night’s sleep which I also did. After breakfast I went to the Kongresszentrum. I managed to get my bag with “goodies”. This means a water bottle and a reusable coffee-/teacup, several facemasks and five testing kits for covid. The last thing that the organisers want is an outbreak of covid.

Before entering the hall were I collected my bag security personell scanned both me and my bag for weapons. We live in a new era and I understand the precautions. But it is sad.

Damon and I also found time to discuss about the two sessions in the preassembly that we are responsible for. 

After lunch the whole group that are planning the preassembly convened. We have some challenges but that is normal. We have met a week last year – but not all could attend due to visa problems. Most of the preparations we had to carry out on zoom, which is a valuable tool – and of course a very climate smart tool. But meeting in the same venue is the real thing. 

Today I could feel the vibe of the Ecumenical movement. More people are coming, and I also see several known faces. To be able to greet friends from Brazil, Canada, Lebanon, Togo, Russia, Fiji, and India is a privilege. And those are just examples. 

I have high expectations. The preassembly is on top of my mind. Two days are not much but we have done our best to find a methodology and ways to move forward. There are so many challenges for women and girls in the world. But men are also affected when it comes to patriarchal structures. Tonight, I read in a Swedish newspaper that as many as 20 percent of men in Kongo have been victims of sexual abuse, but they don’t want to report because it is shameful. 

We need to find ways to get the message across to the main assembly that gender equality is crucial if we want to build a better world for all.

But then there are topics in the Assembly itself that I look forward to learning more about. How will the WCC for instance relate to the conflict between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church? On Thursday this will be a highlighted.

And then of course the climate crisis. I read this question a few weeks ago:

Will theWCC 11th Assembly be a “divine last call” for ecological repentance?

September 1^st is the start of the Season of Creation. This is an ecumenical initiative. I hope this will be an inspiration to all of us.