Three strong voices at the WCC Assembly

Photo: Albin Hillert, WCC

Today the opening of the 11^th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches took place. It is fantastic to be with almost 5 000 other Christians from the entire world. Colourful!

I want to highlight three of the speakers. The first one was the report of the Moderator, Dr Agnes Aboum. What a strong leader for this enormous, ecumenical organisation. One could really sense her passion for justice and peace. She spoke about …

… Jesus’ compassion for stigmatised minorities, for those for whom little compassion is visible today.

After her the outgoing acting General Secretary, Prof. Ioan Sauca delivered his report. The person sitting next to me said, that it was a hot report. And I agree. He did not shy away from controversial issues.

For instance, he defended the decision not to exclude the Russian Orthodox Church from the World Council of Churches, which some member churches had asked for. He said that the WCC is needed as a place for dialogue. But at the same time, he clearly took the side of Ukraine.

Human sexuality was another issue that he spoke to. Of course, in a diplomatic way but still, he was clear that everyone must respect the dignity of every human being, to defend and affirm human rights of all. In the context of human sexuality this means that many churches must revisit their theologies.

Antisemitism was also in the report, and he clearly stated that the WCC …

… oppose, reject, condemn, and denounce all forms of antisemitism.

At the same time, he took a strong stance for the Palestinian people. And used the same words, saying that the WCC ...

... support equal human rights for Palestinians and oppose, reject , condemn and denounce situations when these are not respected.

The third speaker I want to mention is the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He made a strong impression when he thanked the WCC that the council had accepted German churches as members already in 1948, only three years after WWII.

He also discussed antisemitism, Russia’s war on Ukraine – and he really criticised the Russian Orthodox Church. At the same time, he mentioned that more that 100 Russian Orthodox priests had opposed the war.

Later today the opening prayer gathered all participants in the prayer tent. Beautiful and very spiritual. With much singing and dancing. I am so privileged to be part of this.

Transformative masculinities

On the second day of the Pre-Assembly of a Just community of Women and Men we had arranged separate conversations for women and men. It was too short but still so rewarding. About 50-60 men met and listened to four, short presentations on Transformative Masculinities. We started with a recorded speech by Ezra Chitando from Zimbabwe. I liked it when he – based on Paolo Freire – said that we as men are allies to women and girls and that we need to sit at their feet. Three other presenters were in site and shared views from the Bible, and from their respective contexts. They were Algernon Lewis, originally from the Caribbean, Rastko Jović from Serbia and Thomas Ninan from India.

It was such a strong feeling to see this group of men having vivid conversations on how we can become transformative in the struggle for gender justice. I am grateful for being able to journey with them.

After lunch I was asked to moderate the session when the whole Pre-Assembly was going to discuss our report. It became an almost three-hour long session with some strong emotions. Some of the speakers underscored that the report needs to be phrased in a diplomatic way so that members churches of the WCC should want to read it. Others wanted to use a more direct language. Some issues about human sexuality and about naming patriarchy as a sin are sensitive. After that session I was rather exhausted but also energised at the same time. It was a good experience to hear especially many strong women sharing their anger and lamenting the slow pace when it comes to transformation in this regard.

In the evening I joined a rather different group of people when I had been invited to share a meal with the leadership of the United Bible Societies. This is also a very important group of ecumenical leaders to meet. I understood that the incoming Director General of the United Bible Societies, Dirk Gevers and the incoming General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Jerry Pillay both are Presbyterians from South Africa, and they have worked together before. It is good if the WCC and UBS can continue to cooperate.

Tomorrow the Assembly itself will start. I look forward to that.

First day of the Pre-Assembly

Today the Pre-Assemblies started. At 7.30 I was present at Konzert Haus where WCC staff already had started to prepare for the day. The programme started with morning devotion at 8.30 and the two first hours we were together – all four preassemblies:

A Just Community of Women and Men Pre-Assembly

Ecumenical Youth Gathering

Ecumenical Disabilities Advocates Network Pre-Assembly

Indigenous Peoples Pre-Assembly

It was a moving experience to participate in the devotion. Let me give one example. The text that was read was from John 6. When Jesus multiplies two fish and five loaves of bread. Representatives from all four Pre-Assemblies shared their perspectives on the text. A woman pointed out that it was a woman that had prepared the food, that the boy brought to Jesus. So, the person who made food available isn’t even mentioned in the text. That is really an eyeopener.

At 10.30 we continued in separate venues. We heard a number of short testimonies under the heading: visiting our wounds. I also contributed by giving some examples from the MeToo-movement in Sweden. After that other speakers were talking about mega-trends, like Covid. I was also part of the moderating team this morning. Bishop Rose-Marie Wenner, Ms Maha Milki (and Rev. Damon Mkandawire who is not in the photo) and I have formed the scheduling team. 

After lunch we had a two-hour interactive Bible Study, reading Acts 8:26-39 about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Again, one woman pointed out that one person in the text often is forgotten. The Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. A powerful and rich African dignitary.

We were also visited by the Moderator of the World Council of Churches, Dr Agnes Aboum. She reinforced the need for gender justice and said that her daughter and granddaughter are having more challenges then she and her mother had. Sad to hear but maybe she is right.

One of the learnings from this day is that violence against women and girls (and men) are becoming worse. Covid didn’t make things better. Wars always mean an increase in rapes. As an ambassador of the Thursdays in Black campaign I will return from this Pre-Assembly and Assembly with fighting spirit. We can do better. I want my grandchildren to grow up in safety.

The Church is universal

This morning I attended the Gottesdienst (Service) in Stadtkirche Karlsruhe. It belongs to the 

Evangelische Landeskirche in Baden. This denomination is unified, which means that it is a merger between the Lutheran and the Reformed. Some of the German landeskirchen are that. The unification of the church in Baden took place in 1821. 

The service was held in German, and I was surprised that I could follow rather much, even the sermon. The theme was about the gifts that God gives to us. This was also the theme in Church of Sweden last Sunday, when I led the Eucharist service in Vindhemskyrkan in Uppsala. Such a coincidence. Our choir – Fyris Kammarkör – sang that Sunday, and the Choir Leader, Nils Pålbrant, asked me if I could suggest a song. I looked in some books and found a German hymn, translated into Swedish by the renown hymnwriter Per Harling. I had never seen the song before, but I felt that the text was in line with the theme.

Today we sang exactly that hymn in the service. Isn’t that amazing? And I must say, that the preacher today said a few things that I also touched upon last Sunday. Especially that the gifts are given to the community and not to us as individuals. It is biblical, so I take it for granted that preachers should draw that conclusion. It is still reassuring to realise that we are in line with each other.

Two new elders were installed, and it felt nice to be part of that, too. And also, to be part of the Eucharist which we shared in a different manner, forming full circles in front of the altar and receiving soft bread in pieces and wine or juice in small cups.

After a few planning sessions in preparation for the start of the preassembly I ended by taking part in a ceremony with the indigenous preassembly. We were approximately 60-70 people in a circle and the meaning of the ceremony was to acknowledge that the whole assembly takes place in a specific space. Led by representatives of different indigneous peoples from all over the globe, including sami people from my part of the world, we greeted soil, water, fire and wind. All was closed with the blessing. I felt privileged to be part of this. Now it feels good to rest and tomorrow I am prepared.

 

 

 

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.

The journey to Karlsruhe

The train between Uppsala and Karlsruhe ran without major problems. A few minor delays but overall, I arrived on time. Not without hardships, however. The World Council of Churches travel agency booked the ticket. Uppsala - Stockholm - Malmö - Copenhagen - Hamburg - Karlsruhe. Five changes, but I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for, however, was the fact that the night train between Copenhagen and Hamburg only had seats. In other words, the sleep was not very good. And short because the train left at midnight and arrived at half past seven. But it’s fine. Tonight I shall sleep in a bed.

At Hamburg's central station I was able to eat breakfast and also visit a toilet. For one Euro you get access to a toilet and sink. There is a machine outside, where you put your Euro, and a barrier opens. Like on the subway.

But now a ragged person stood inside the barrier and opened it from the inside and then asked for a Euro. Hmmm! I understand how it works and what it is about. But that's not right. I saw many who hesitated, but what do you do when the need is great? And can you blame a person who creatively acquires a source of income? But it still isn’t right. I looked around for any staff but found none.

Ultimately, it is a symptom o society where some end up on the outside and see no other way out than the one I just described.

Of course, I could have refused to pay and put my Euro in the machine, but the guy didn't seem to want to negotiate.

The rest of the journey went without mishaps and now I have arrived in Karlsruhe.

One of the first persons I met was Damon. We are together responsible for a couple of sessions during the preassembly, when women and men are in sperate groups. We have met many times but only on zoom. It was such a joy to meet Damon face to face.

In the evening I went to the huge dining area and then the rain started to pour. In southern Africa rain means blessing. I take the rain as that. The following video is very short but one can hear the rain clearly.

On my way to Karlsruhe

In a few hours my train from Uppsala to the 11^th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe leaves. I am excited. I also had the privilege to participate in the 10^th Assembly in Busan, South Korea, in 2013. 

The WCC represents millions of Christians around the globe. Mainly Orthodox and Protestant. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member of the WCC but are involved in several commissions and programs. Other church traditions will also be present with some representatives. In short this is an opportunity for the entire ecumenical movement to grow and to come closer to one another.

The theme this year is:

Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.

The Swedish Lutheran minister, hymnwriter and composer, Per Harling, has written the theme song. Listen to it below and get an idea of what the ecumenical movement looks like.

My responsibility is first of all to be part of the planning team of one out of four preassemblies, namely the Preassembly of a Just Community of Women and Men. Monday 29 August and Tuesday 30 August this will take place.

When the Assembly itself starts I will serve as an advisor to the Assembly and part of the Pastoral Care team. Around 5 000 persons will come, and we need to be ready to accompany those who experience hurt of different kinds.

In my capacity as General Secretary of the Swedish Bible Society this is a very good place to be at. There will be many opportunities to learn more about the global ecumenical movement. Already now I know that I will meet some colleagues from other Bible Societies and from our umbrella organisation, United Bible Societies.

On my blog I will report regularly from the Assembly and share my impressions. You are welcome to read and even share with others through social media.