Anglican Diocese of Natal 160 years

Today I took part in the celebration of the 160^th Anniversary of the Diocese of Natal. I was invited by the Dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity and this meant I found my place with about 50 other priests in the procession. I brought both my white and red stole. I supposed that we were to wear red but you never know. But red it was, the 30^th November being the day of St. Andrew, patron saint of this diocese. In church red is the colour of the blood of the martyrs. But in Africa red is also the colour of joy!

One little question I have is why this Diocese is called the Diocese of Natal. Since 1994 the province is KwaZulu-Natal. This is something I need to ask someone about.

The celebration had the form of a high mass led by bishop Rubin and the two suffragan bishops. I just want to highlight a few things. First I want to say something about the Blessing of the Water, when lay representatives from different regions carried water from the different parts of the diocese and poured it into a font, with a fountain. It was a nice symbol. The geographical, earthly side of the Church! It was followed through in the Eucharistic prayer with the words:

In your infinite wisdom, you created earth and made it pregnant with new life. You reveal your mighty power to us in the ragged peaks of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg and in the mysterious depths of the Indian Ocean.

It was for the first time I heard geographical names in a Eucharistic Prayer. I liked it!

Second I want to mention the liturgical dance. And especially the two paradigms that met. One the one hand the hierarchical processions, where there are one cross in the front, but then another processional cross for the suffragan bishops and finally two crosses (I think they are called something else) for the diocesan bishop. When the women came dancing in the isle the body language tells something else. Still I like this kind of clashes and mixing of different symbols. It was only when bishop Rubin cracked a joke, saying that the bishops would dance later (which of course never happened) that I felt a bit sad. Had Archbishop emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu been there I am sure he would have joined the dancing.

Most probably the three bishops wanted to take part in the dancing.

Finally I want to say something about the sermon. It was again bishop Rubin who preached. He is maybe not the most radical of bishops but his message was good. The church needs to be a church in mission. He only mentioned one of his predecessors and that was the first bishop of the Diocese, bishop Colenso. I think I will dedicate a separate blog post to him. He was a very special person, at one stage suspended by the bishop of Cape Town, something he did not accept. (More about this later!) He was supporting the rights of black people in the 19^th century and got the African name: Sobantu (mening “father of all people” in isiZulu). How fitting that I will preach in the Lutheran Church in the township called Sobantu tomorrow!

Byråkrati

Egentligen inget stort problem. Not a big deal. Det är bara det att jag inte fattar. Alltså: när vi flyttade till Sydafrika i januari behövde vi skaffa mobiltelefonabonnemang. Det gick inte. Först måste vi ha haft bankkonto i tre månader. För att få bankkonto måste vi ha arbetstillstånd. Så vi började med det. Och fick arbetstillstånd i juli. Då skaffade vi bankkonto. Nu har vi haft det i drygt tre månader. Dags att skaffa mobiltelefonabonnemang. Men smart som jag är inser jag att det borde finnas lite pengar på bankkontot - det är ju liksom det som är meningen. Häromdagen var alltså hustrun på banken för att sätta in pengar på vårt bankkonto, som visserligen står i mitt namn, men som hon också har rätt att ta ut pengar från. Döm om vår förvåning när det visar sig att hon visserligen kan ta ut pengar men inte har rätt att sätta in pengar ….

Så idag åker vi båda till banken och tänker att det såklart går bättre om jag sätter in pengar själv. Det är ju ändå mitt bankkonto.

Jag fyller i ett insättningspapper, lämnar över sedlarna och väntar. Så gör även kassörskan. Efter ett tag säger hon att systemet inte accepterar insättningen.

Har ni hört talas om en bank, där man inte kan sätta in pengar på sitt eget bankkonto.

Efter en längre palaver - ja, jag blev lite sur, det erkänns - tror jag mig förstå att problemet handlar om att vi inte är sydafrikaner. Det betyder att vi kan tänkas föra in pengar olagligt, kanske för s k pengatvätt. Alltså måste banken ta kopior på våra pass och skicka en slags ansökan till en annan avdelning i banken, så att vi ska kunna sätta in pengar på vårt bankkonto. Suck!

Fortfarande är ju inte detta något stort problem. Men jag måste erkänna att jag blir lite trött. Det fanns också en poäng i att hustrun, åtminstone, får ett mobiltelefonabonnemang. Inte minst när hon reser i grannländerna är det bra att ha en säker och pålitlig möjlighet att ringa. Nu får vi undersöka andra vägar, så länge. Nöden är uppfinningarnas moder.

På måndag kanske vi skulle kunna återkomma och göra ett nytt insättningsförsök. Jag ber alltså att få återkomma i ärendet!

Nkandla-gate continues

Thuli Madonsela is Public Protector in South Africa. She has written a report about President Jacob Zumas private home stead: Nkandla. It is alleged that the state has used ZAR 215 000 000 to upgrade the security around Nkandla. Although President Zuma is the first citizen this is a lot of money and it seems as if other upgrades than security have been included. Mail and Guardian mentions

… a swimming pool, visitors' centre, amphitheatre, cattle kraal, marquee area, extensive paving and new houses for relocated relatives …

The Mail and Guardian further reports that

… there are good reasons for fearing that the security ministers who tried to interdict Madonsela earlier this month may be planning further litigation to block its release.

This is happening at the same time as we get reports that the “new kids on the block” – EFF and Agang according to the Mail and Guardian are

… are making serious inroads among the ANC's traditional support base.

Could the ANC maybe learn something from this? I suggest some humility and also more openness. More transparency! And the bottom line: Make the President pay his own swimming pool.

Sunday Service in Eastwood

As often as we can, we attend church in Eastwood. That is our congregation. Today together with good friends from Sweden and the United States. This particular Sunday’s name, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa is:

Christ the King.

In the Church of Sweden we still name the Sunday: Judgment Sunday. In Eastwood it was a joyful service. Lots of singing and the bible readings supported the theme. The Gospel was taken from Luke 23 about Jesus and the criminals who also were crucified. One of them asks Jesus to remember him and Jesus answers:

I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me.

The preacher this Sunday was Mrs Prince, a lay member who preaches from time to time. I especially liked the way she linked this Sunday to the upcoming festive season. She said that we have to remember that incarnation, that Jesus was born as a human being, is linked to salvation, that Jesus had to die on a cross. When she spoke about that I looked at the altar and saw the altar cloth which actually combines these two things: the Star of Bethlehem and the crown of thorns.

But most of all I liked the singing!

Öppet brev till Kent Wisti

Många av mina vänner på facebook hade länkat till en debattartikel, som kollegan Kent Wisti fått publicerad i Dagen:

Låt oss leva i leken, inte i hatet.

Mycket höll jag med om men kände ändå att jag ville ställa några frågor. Så jag skickade ett öppet brev till honom, som nu går att läsa i just dagen. Länken kommer här.

Se upp, ANC och Sydafrika

"Stem" på afrikaans betyder "rösta".
Jfr ordet "stämma" på svenska.

Det drar ihop sig till val – inte bara i Sverige – utan också i Sydafrika 2014. Det är fem år mellan de allmänna valen och nu har det gått 20 år sedan Sydafrika blev en demokrati och ANC vann det första, demokratiska valet i slutet av april 1994.

Det är inte bara valperiodernas längd som skiljer de två länderna åt. Bortsett från att Sydafrika har ett parlament med två kammare, president i stället för kung osv, så måste man i Sydafrika också registrera sig om man ska rösta. Jag är inte säker på att jag förstått djupet i detta system men låt mig försöka reflektera kring det.

Skälet är väl rimligen att det sydafrikanska folkbokföringssystemet inte är så heltäckande som det svenska är. (Om nu det svenska är det men tanke på papperslösa m fl). När jag var församlingspräst i Sydafrika för 10 år sedan fick jag vid några tillfällen besök av församlingsbor som ville ha ett utdrag ur dopboken, för att de behövde styrka sin identitet. Det var vuxna personer, som inte hade ID-handling och förmodligen inte fanns med i något register. Det kändes stort på något sätt att kyrkans dopbok var den enda existerande urkund, som i det läget – tillsammans med prästens namnteckning – kunde styrka en människa identitet. Något att göra dopteologi av, kanske?

Nåväl, för mig var det ett exempel på det jag redan visste: att alla inte finns med i befolkningsregistret. Då blir det vettigt att de som ska rösta måste registrera sig, så att verkligen alla får chansen att rösta.

Men, det betyder också att det blir krångligare att rösta. Dessutom har jag förstått att de olika partierna hjälper till med röstregistreringen och möjligen känner sig de som fått hjälp förpliktade att rösta på det parti som hjälpt dem. Jag tror jag gillar det svenska systemet bättre.

Självklart finns en fristående valmyndighet: The Electoral Commission of South Africa. Men partierna har genom registreringsprocessen möjlighet att påverka väljarna. Tror jag!

Jacob Zuma kanske får se upp!

En annan skillnad mellan Sverige och Sydafrika är att presidenten bestämmer vilken dag valet ska äga rum. Det blir då en allmän helgdag, förstås. Många tror att Jacob Zuma kommer att utnyttja firandet av 20-årsjubileet nästa år, för att öka ANC’s möjlighet att vinna igen. Alltså kommer valet att äga rum efter den 28 april, som redan är allmän helgdag – Freedom Day! Önskemålet är så klart att Mandela också är vid liv. Det finns mycket som talar för att många röstar på ANC av lojalitet mot Mandela. När han inte längre finns i livet, kanske många vågar byta parti.

Det finns dock många som utmanar ANC. Viktigaste motståndaren är så klart Democratic Alliance (DA). De har många svarta medlemmar men upplevs ändå av många som ett parti för vita.

För några år sedan startade ett utbrytarparti: The Congress of the People (Cope). De fick initialt stora framgångar men har sedan dess slitits sönder av ledarskapsstrider. Inte många räknar med dem nästa val.

Detta år har dock två nya partier startats: Agang, som leds av Mamphela Ramphele. Hon är trovärdig och erfaren men saknar folklighet. Jag har bloggat om Agang förut. Länken kommer här. Jag uppfattar inte att många tror att Agang på allvar kan hota ANC.

Däremot utgöra det sista tillskottet till den rika partifloran, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ett reellt hot. Även om detta har jag bloggat - här. De har en karismatisk, populistisk ledare: Julius Malema. Han var ordförande för ANC’s ungdomsförbund och en av dem som stödde Jacob Zuma. Men sedan blev det en schism dem emellan och han uteslöts. Han vill nationalisera gruvorna och ge bort vita farmer till de svarta, utan att vita får ersättning. Han uttalar sig gärna i rasistiska ordalag. Han står just nu, precis som Zuma gjorde innan han blev president, inför rätta i en korruptionshärva. Malemas anhängare vakar utanför domstolen. Jag tror inte man ska underskatta hans möjligheter, även om jag inte alls tror att EFF kan få majoritet.

Hur kunde det bli så här? Hur kan en populist som Malema få så stort stöd? ANC upplever jag som alldeles för maktfullkomliga. Men det stora problemet tror jag är utbildningspolitiken. ANC satsar inte för lite resurser på utbildning men resurserna satsas fel. Mamphela Ramphele kritiserar detta i sin kampanj men är det någon som lyssnar. När generation efter generation blir dåligt utbildade, så ökar chanserna för sådana som Malema att få stöd. ANC biter sig därmed i foten. Jag hoppas verkligen att ett nytt mirakel kunde ske här. Ett utbildningsmirakel! (Och kanske vore det inte så dumt i Sverige och Europa heller!)

Följande replikskifte, som jag klippt från en väns facebooksida, ger en liten ögonblicksbild av hur samtalen förs i Sydafrika.

I saw red berets in Pietermaritzburg this morning! Ijaa neh! EFF seem to be penetrating and occupying a lot of space in the Republic.

ANC, watch out!!!!

I also think EFF has learnt from the mistakes of Cope. They are more or better organized.

The coming elections will surely shift the balance of power!!! Watch this space!!!

I agree PP,Malema knows ANC better and he will use Cope's mistakes to strengthen EFF and his only wish is to hurt ANC and he will. I'm not saying he will win but I forsee him taking DA's space and getting seats in parliament. Danger ke ya gore he attracts more youth.

Gudstjänster i den Anglikanska katedralen

Sedan länge hade prosten i den Anglikanska katedralen bett mig predika idag. Både på den tidiga högmässan kl 7 och på den andra högmässan kl 8.30. Någon annan skulle ha högmässan kl 10.30. Det är många gudstjänster i katedralen. Mässa varje morgon i veckorna – även lördag och minst tre mässor på söndagarna.

Som vanligt finns ”lay ministers” som leder större delen av mässan. Därför är det inte svårt att komma utifrån. Jag hälsar församlingen i början och i övrigt ska jag göra det som är prästens uppgifter: förmedla syndernas förlåtelse i avlösningen, predika, leda mässan och välsigna. Allt annat gör andra! Så skönt! Verkligen något för Svenska kyrkan att lära sig i tider av minskad ekonomi. Det är så tydligt att många kyrkor i syd har ett helt annat sätt att se på budget. (Liksom många samfund även i Sverige har.) Men i Svenska kyrkan är vi fast i detta med anställda som (ofta) den enda resursen! Det finns undantag, men undantagen behöver bli regel!

Tre av dopbarnen - alldeles nydöpta!

Den andra mässan kom prosten med. Jag predikade! I mässfirandet bad han mig be vissa böner. Dessutom fick jag döpa några av barnen. Det var sammanlagt sju och en del var i tio-års åldern. Jag har inte döpt i Anglikanska kyrkan förut men det är inte så stor skillnad. Roligt var det i alla fall!

Även här är det påtagligt hur stor roll kyrkan tillmäter föräldrar och faddrar. De får svara på en mängd frågor och på det sättet blir det tydligt att de har ett ansvar för sina barn/dopbarn. Fint, tycker jag!

När jag trodde jag var färdig för att åka hem kom prosten och bad mig hjälpa honom med ytterligare en arbetsuppgift. Någon hade en ny bil som skulle välsignas. (Inget vi gör så ofta i Svenska kyrkan heller. Men varför inte be för en ny bil? Verkar ju rent av vettigt!) Så jag följde med ut till parkeringsplatsen och började be. I ögonvrån ser jag en av korgossarna komma med en skål vatten. Självklart! Det räcker så dåligt med ord. Vi behöver synliga tecken på Guds omsorg! Så utan att egentligen veta hur man gör med vigvatten i samband med välsignelse av fordon, tecknade jag i alla fall bilen med korsets tecken och en bön att bilen ska bli till välsignelse och ingen komma till skada!

Det var väl en välsignad söndag!

Husvälsignelse

Något vi planerat och tänkt på ganska länge. Vi ville vänta tills våra arbetstillstånd var klara. Då pratade vi med Biskop Biyela, lärare på prästseminariet. Han tyckte att avgångsklassen borde få vara med. Det skulle vara en god övning för dem. Men de var ute på praktik i september. Så kom vår resa till Botswana och min resa till Sverige. För att inte tala om veckorna i Asien. Det verkade omöjligt att få ihop det. Men så ikväll passade det. Fantastiskt!

Skönt att vi har ett stort hus, där många får plats.

Biskopen välsignar
vigvatten.

Strax efter sex kom tre av de fyra studenter som bor på vår tomt. Strax därefter dök biskopen upp med WV-kombin proppfylld. Sedan trillade fler in och så småningom var vi drygt 30. Flera lärare från prästseminariet och även den lokala prosten kom.

Biskopen talade om skillnaden mellan ett hus och ett hem. Han välsignade vigvatten och talade om dopet. Vi firade mässa och han knöt ihop det med Jesu besök i Betania, hos Martha, Maria och Lasaros. När vi firat mässan var det dags att gå från rum till rum och stänka vatten samt svinga rökeslekaret.

Det sista och viktigaste var när vi samlades vid grinden och biskopen bad att den skulle hindra obehöriga från att komma in men stå öppen och välkomnande för alla gäster. Det kändes mycket kontextuellt och nära.

Liksom Jesus är grinden in till fåren, ber biskopen att vår
grind ska skydda oss mot allt ont.

Sedan blev det fika för alla. Hustrun hade använt tiden väl, när jag var i Asien. Pizzabullar och kärleksmums uppskattades varmt. Och vi är glada och tacksamma över att så många ville vara med och be för vårt hem!

The ecumenical family

Although we had been close to two weeks at the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan most of the other participants remained unknown. At the airport I saw lots of people whom I understood came from the ecumenical movement. Some were obviously clergy. Others still wore the green name-tags which all of us had been given when the assembly began.

 

Masimba from Harare waiting at the cafe.

When I left the plane in Beijing (where the waiting time was seven hours) I recognized a colleague from my own university who was going to catch the same flight. I also saw two other South Africans, whom I understood were also booked on the flight to Johannesburg. Another familiar face was a Zimbabwean assembly participant. I can’t say that we knew each other but I guess the relation with Southern Africa brought us together. We lined up at the check in counter and were told that we had to wait four hours before the SAA counter opened. Since we were on transfer we had to stay in the designated area and there were no opportunities to buy coffee or tea or anything to eat. We felt a bit ill-treated.  Just to add, Masimba from Zimbabwe happens to be blind. It was in deed strange when the accompanying staff member from Asian Airlines just left him. Bad service! A person with disabilities usually gets help to check in and often gets to spend time in a lounge. Anyhow, we didn’t mind – because Masimba is a very pleasant person and together the five of us became a group in itself: Stiaan, Roderick, Thabile, Masimba and Anders. Almost like a family. An ecumenical family.

Roderick from Jamaica (but my colleague at UKZN) and Stiaan from Midrand.

Thabile from Eastern Cape and I enjoying coffee and tea.

The first problem was: how to get something to eat and drink? The only way was to go through immigration and into the People’s Republic of China. It meant walking a distance, using several escalators, travelling by one of those airport shuttle trains etc. We finally got to the departure hall and made ourselves comfortable at a cafe. One option could have been to take a taxi into Beijing but it was Saturday evening and we didn’t have too much time. So we enjoyed the cafe and the company. After four hours we went to the ordinary check in counter and were able to check in and so we returned to the gate. The five of us! It was really nice when we sat in our seats (close to one another) and Masimba said:

So, the whole family is gathered!

Thank you so much all of you for very good company in Beijing!

Closing prayer in Busan

Father Michael Lapsley, who lost both his hands and one of his eyes in a letterbomb attack carried out by the South African Security Police in 1990 - after the release of Mandela. He can speak convincingly about the need for healing of memories. 

The 10 Assembly of the World Council of Churches is over. I am just back from the closing prayer. Allow me to quote the preacher, Father Michael Lapsley, on some important points:

About post-apartheid South Africa:

In our context in South Africa when a black mother sits with a white mother and says that her child never returned form fighting apartheid, the white mother may reply, my child did return but is still damaged by what s/he experienced. Suddenly they are both mothers united by the pain they carry.

About the Armenian genocide in 1915:

Your Holiness and All Armenians – may I today say from this place, we have heard what you said – your people did indeed suffer a great wrong. May the Great healer accompany you so those wounds may truly heal to enable all Armenians to also help others on their journey of healing.

About human sexuality:

Today I want to say as a Christian, as a priest, to all the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community, I am deeply sorry for our part as religious people, in the pain you have experienced across the ages. I have a dream that in my lifetime, I will hear all the leaders of all our great faith traditions making the same apology.

Referring to the context of the risen Lord, as the scripture was read from Luke 24:28-35:

The crucified and risen one invites us to look at and touch one another’s wounds – to listen and to hear the pain of each other and so become one.

It was a strong message about how we as an ecumenical movement, being so different, still are called into unity.

The need for this became very clear when after the sermon we were invited to exchange peace with one another. Just before this one or maybe two protesters ran into the worship hall and aimed for the microphone in order to denounce the WCC as evil. The protesters were literally carried away and we were a few who felt sorry that they were handled quite brutally.

Tomorrow I will start the journey back home, back to South Africa. It has been very rewarding weeks. Although I am quite exhausted I know I will cherish this for the rest of my life. And I am more dedicated than ever to the theme of the Assembly:

God of life, lead us to justice and peace.

A different day in Busan

I felt something coming already yesterday. Some head ache, possibly fever but nothing more. So, I tried to find a pharmacy, to get some pain killers. In order to do so, I went to the WCC infirmary. I explained to the doctor that I just needed some advice. What kind of brand would be similar to the empty packet of paracetamol and ibuprofen I showed him? And where would I find a pharmacy? Well, he asked me to sit down outside and after a few minutes a nurse came out with two small plastic bags with tablets. She informed me to take one tablet from each bag together with breakfast and dinner. I was very grateful. So service minded!

So I never went to the pharmacy. I went home to the hotel and took as prescribed two tablets with some food. But the night I experienced was something special. Of course I know that fever can make you a bit dizzy but this was something else. I felt as if I and my body were two different entities! The feeling was not nice at all. I am not going to continue with this medication.

This means that today has been a different day at the WCC Assembly, because I have spent the whole day in my hotel room. I just went out a short while to get some food. And good colleagues from Sweden have given me from their own supplies of ordinary, Swedish paracetamol. I look forward to a good night’s rest and tomorrow my plan (and my prayer) is that I can take part in the last day of the Assembly.

Naboth’s Vineyard

Today the text for the bible study was 1 Kings 21:1-22. My colleague from UKZN, Sarojini Nadar, asked me to play the role of Naboth. So here’s the text itself and some footage:

Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”  

Jione Havea as king Ahab and me as Naboth.

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” 

Queen Jezebel (Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar) talks with her husband, king Ahab.
I, Néstor O. Míguez, Maake Masongo and Pernilla Stam are waiting for the story to continue.

He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.” 

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. 

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’ “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.” (There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”

After the drama the main actors were invited to share their views in a talk show, where Sarojini asked everyone a few questions. 

And thereafter we all shared thoughts in smaller groups. This text is a very important text for Christian Palestinians. That became very clear in the report back. This overshadowed another aspect which also could be found in the text, namely the conflict between Elijah and Jezebel. She is described in rather negative ways. The question is: is it fair? A few chapters earlier in the story we can read about how 450 of Jezebels prophets were killed. But of course, Naboth had nothing to do with that.

Unity in diversity or mere disunity?

This evening I am a bit tired. That is probably why this post will focus on a few problems.

We had the last ecumenical conversation today. The leadership has been good but have we reached anywhere? When were to decide on a few affirmations and a few challenges I felt that we worked too much with details. One of the facilitators repeatedly asked us to focus on the content of every sentence and say yes or no to that and if we had time we could go back and work with details. It seemed as if very few listened. The dilemma with the WCC is also that so many perspectives have to be taken into account so the final statement sometimes becomes watered down to almost nothing. But maybe the process itself is the most important.

The delegates were supposed to elect the Central Committee yesterday. They did not, because of a lack of young nominees. So tomorrow there is an extra business plenary. My concern is this: Haven’t the churches known this for seven years? Are they not interested in young people? (Probably not in decision making. Maybe as stewards!)

On top of questions relation to gender and age I know from conversations I have had with individuals that indigenous people and people with disabilities also struggle to be listened to. Not to mention sexual minorities.

Are we not all humans? It becomes very clear to me that there are power struggles and unjust structures to be addressed.

So, let me end by saying that I still am happy to be part of this gathering. It is important that churches, so different, still talk to one another and still pray together. Possibly the Holy Spirit, who moved on the first Pentecost (which was the theme today) also will move now, almost 2000 years later!

Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar was one of the presenters in the Oikotree workshop. This is an initiative that brings hope. I want to get more knowledge about it before I write anything. Former WCC General Secretary Samuel Kobia also spoke at the workshop.

Another person who brings hope is Fr Michael Lapsley who list both his hands in letter bomb attack but now signs a copy of his book: "Redeeming the Past. My Journey from Freedom Fighter to Healer." I got a copy from "Women in Church and Society" together with other men, who had been involved in the Pre-assembly!

Glimpses from the WCC Assembly

Another interesting day at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan. Allow me to just give a few glimpses. It was the fourth day of the Assembly program but it was my 9th day.

In the Morning Prayer the scripture reading was interpreted by a drama group. While several readers read about Philip baptizing the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) the drama group illustrated the reading. When the scripture reading quotes a passage from Isaiah and the drama group was acting it became very clear to me, that this also was a message into our own time:

He was humiliated, and justice was denied him. 

This happens all the time to human beings as well as to the rest of creation.

In the thematic plenary we got greetings from both the Palestinian bishop Munib Yuonan and Rabbi Norman Solomon (I think this was his name) from the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations. It gave me hope to see them together.

After lunch I took part in a workshop with the YWCA and thereafter Ecumenical Conversation number 3. And after the tea break another activity in the Madang.

We were many thousands who could not take part in the most important activity today, namely the Elections in the Business Plenary. Only delegates and a few others can participate. I know it was a difficult session, though. According to the election rules of the WCC there are many perspectives to take into account. First of all the different geographical regions have to be represented equally and according to how many member churches they have (or how big the churches are). Secondly the different traditions have to be represented (Oriental, Orthodox, Protestant etc.) Thirdly the nomination has to take into account that it should be a balance between lay and ordained people. There is furthermore a quotation system for people with disabilities (sometimes called people with special abilities) and for indigenous people as well as for gender and age. Not an easy task to solve.

I do not know if they managed to elect people to the central committee including a new moderator. But I know that the 8 presidents have been elected. The one for Europe is the Archbishop of Church of Sweden, Anders Wejryd. As far as I know there were no other nominations. He has a long experience from the WCC and will have time for this, as he retires next year.

But outside BEXCO other Christians continue to pray and demonstrate. One has to admire there persistent struggle against a movement, which for them is Antichrist. Every time I pass them I greet them with the peace of God and usually they greet me back. At least we are not fighting physically!

So many protesters. I was there but I didn't get the T-shirt.

God of life, lead us to gender-justice and peace.

Not knowing what to expect I went to BEXCO, the conference center where the WCC 10th Assembly is taking place. I had got the information that the bus should leave at about 9. The bus was to take us to a Lutheran church service. Well, that did not materialize (as people often say in South Africa!) Instead the bus left after 10 and brought us to a Presbyterian Church Service, which started at 11. That was still OK. In the bus we were supposed to be 29 (according to the list of the guiding team) but we were only 13. (This made me a bit sad, because the Korean churches have really walked the extra mile with us and when we don’t stick to our promises, this is unfortunate.) But we who were in the bus were, as usual, treated with such a wonderful hospitality.

In every church we have visited they have
a large screen. And usually men are in charge.

The church we attended was the GUDUK Presbyterian Church. (The Presbyterian church is the biggest denomination in South Korea). We got a translation of the sermon before the service. Based on Isaiah 6:1-8 Pastor Yoon preached about our talents: To see with spiritual eyes, to hear with spiritual ears and to be used by God – using spiritual lips.

The service was short. Only 1 hour. A good choir sang, accompanied by an orchestra. Behind the pastor a big screen which was used though out the service. For instance during the announcements.

After church we had lunch. Traditional Korean food. Nice! And after that a cup of cappuccino in the Church café. (Or Latte, for those who preferred that). After only five minutes we had to rush to the next attraction. Busan Modern History Museum. A lot about the Japanese occupation. It is really an open wound.

From the museum of to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Situated not on a hill but near the sea. It was a beautiful scenery. And some interesting aspects of this type of Buddhism. For instance the “Buddha of Granting a Son”.

On this tour were people from Indonesia, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The Swedish part was in majority. I enjoyed the company of the young participants from Church of Sweden youth. But I also enjoyed talking with Henriett Hutabarat Labang, who is the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia. She made me aware of the absence of a “Buddha of Granting a Daughter”. The theme of this assembly could also have been:

God of life, lead us to gender-justice and peace. 

Due to up-coming exams in Korea
the temple was crowded.

The temple was situated at the sea. Beautiful.

On the margin?

Saturday. No plenaries and no Ecumenical Conversations today. But programmes planned by the Korean churches for the WCC delegates and participants. We could choose from 15 different programmes. The most spectacular was the journey to the border between North and South on the 38th parallel. Other programmes included visits to places close to Busan. We were supposed to register on line before coming to Busan. I didn't do that, but was still able to register for a programme named: Empowering the marginalized.

Before I say anything about the day I have to refer to a very important document that the Assembly is dealing with. It’s called:

Together towards life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes.

Sometimes it is called:

Mission from the margins. 

I have written about this before. The new perspective is that people on the marginhave agency, have a contribution to give.

So my expectations were these: I knew we were going to a hospital and I thought we would meet a group of patients and have a conversation with them. Maybe also visit an area where people live in poverty and some interesting projects. I thought we were going to see another Korea than BEXCO and the fancy hotels we stay in.

I was wrong and I was right. The day did not meet my expectations in the sense that we did what I thought we were going to do. But it was very rewarding and interesting in other ways.

First of all we did visit a hospital and was led to a room where refreshments waited for us. A presentation followed. The history of the hospital. 95% was the history of Australian Presbyterian missionaries and their work to open the hospital, nursing school etc. With names, photos and detailed facts about their lives. Interesting! But what about the marginalized?

The Mackenzie sisters were instrumental in the history of the hospital.

Next stop was an old school. More facts about the same missionaries and their contribution. The old school was now a museum and one of the oldest buildings in Busan, built in Western style. (And not in Japanese style). Why focus on western architecture?

Where are the marginalized? Where is the empowerment? I was confused.

But then they showed us a room in the museum which told a story about the resistance movement during the Japanese occupation. (1910-1945). It is called "the March 1st Movement" and it started in that building. And I understood that the Australian missionaries were deeply involved.

Information about the March 1st Movement.

My prejudice (coming from another context) was that missionaries work closely with the colonial power. Missionary work goes hand in hand with paternalism. In South Africa the churches both love and hate the missionaries. (This I know from experience but Purity Malinga – a Methodist priest from Pretoria, who was also in the bus – expressed it just like that). Not so in Korea. People love the missionaries. At least the Presbyterian missionaries from Australia. They were supporting the Korean people against the colonial power: Japan. (The first invasion from Japan took place between 1592 and 1598. They have a long history together).

I understood that I had to listen for the empowerment of the marginalized with other ears. And then I also realized that the hospital was a hospital mainly for women and that the church paid for migrant workers who are not part of the Korean health insurance system. Maybe there is more empowerment here then I first saw.

We also visited a church nearby, where we were offered a fantastic lunch. Hospital, school, church. Those three parts of a classic mission station. Spirituality, health and education. Important parts of empowerment! Done in partnership with missionaries who really understood who they should support.

After lunch we went with the bus quite far, to visit a university run partly by the church. Now the time was really against us. We spent less than 20 minutes in a board room with the founder of the university. We go tea and a present. (We also got presents at the hospital and at the church!)

The plan was also that we should stop at school where people were waiting for us but due to time constraints we skipped that. I think that was sad. But we could do nothing about it.

The short visit at the university was very formal.

In the bus I thought about where the people on the margin fit in at the university. Well, maybe when one of the visitors, a priest from Myanmar asked if they accept students from Myanmar. Yes, the founder said. And they only have to pay half of the tuition fee. And then he asked the priest for his contact details and it felt as he was genuinely interested in helping students from Myanmar to get a chance to study at the university.

The first Australian, Presbyterian missionary died after only 6 month. Two Coptic priests from the US and Australia were amazed when they listened to the guide.

Lastly we stopped at a memorial site, where the church (with the help of the state) has erected memorial stones for those missionaries who lost their lives while they were far away from home, being in service. This memorial site was not old. Maybe a few years. I was again stunned. I don't think this would happen in South Africa. And I don’t think it should happen there. But the Korean people in this context obviously had a totally different experience. One of the missionaries who is still alive was with us. John Brown – more than 80 years. Fluent in Korean and very active.

We also ended up having vivid ecumenical (informal) conversations in the bus. Being a very mixed group of Lutherans from Sweden, a Czech Republic Hussite, a Moravian from Nicaragua, Coptic priests and nuns from Australia and America, a Methodist from South Africa,others from Myanmar, Indonesia, Australia etc. This fellowship of churches is really a great inspiration.

I am glad that participated in this part of the pilgrimage that we all make of during the Assembly. Tomorrow I will attend church somewhere in Busan. I just know that I shall enter bus number 4. At 9 am. That’s all!

Let justice roll down like waters

Every day at the Assembly revolves around a Bible text. Today Amos 5:14-24 which is a strong and prophetic message relevant in this context.

Every day at the Assembly starts with a Morning Prayer and bible study. I attend the English Plenary Bible Study. We are many hundreds but it works. The method is contextual bible study and we are asked to form small groups where we sit. Today it was led by my colleague at the UKZN, Prof Sarojini Nadar. Four people helped her read the text. Thereafter she welcomed Amos to the stage. First it felt as a humoristic role-play but it soon turned into a real encounter.

A prophet from Tahiti!

In our small group I met Ms Katia Tupara from the Maohi Protestant Church, Tahiti. When we were invited to share thoughts about the bible text she told us about the French occupation of Tahiti. This came as a very prophetic challenge to me. I have to realize that I did not pay much attention to the political situation of the people in the so called French Polynesia. I know about the nuclear tests which is of course only one part of a very complex situation. On top of that the people living on those islands also have to face the climate change and the rising of the sea level. I asked Katia about how she feels about the image from Amos:

Let justice roll down like waters

She said that there is a huge difference between the waters. Rising sea levels are caused by the big countries in the world. The water Amos is talking about is the fresh water springing up from the soil of these islands.

 

Ylva Sarri is drumming on her digital drum.

The bible study was done with words and drums. For instance the reading of the bible text was mixed with drumming. As a sign of how a prophet makes people listen by making a lot of noise. This made me think of the situation in Sweden. In the 17th Century the Swedish state (which was then in total union with the Church of Sweden) burned and destroyed the drums of the Sami people. Today the Swedish state allow foreign companies to exploit Sápmi. The mine in Gállok is only one example. I hope that the Sami people find their destroyed drums and also their prophetic voice. One such voice is Ylva Sarri. She is one of four delegates from Church of Sweden. You can find her blog through this link.

The first plenary this day began with three greetings. One came from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Anglican). The other was from the Chairperson of the Pentecostal World fellowship. He told us that his participation in the Global Christian Forum has been an inspiration for him. He quoted Mark 9:40 where Jesus says:

Whoever is not against us is for us ...

The last greeting was given by the leader of a Buddhist organization in Japan which has worked together with the WCC since Vancouver in 1983. They support some of the WCC programmes. I think this was great! But why is always those greetings given by elderly men. His Grace, His Holiness, His Eminence …. This needs to be changed! Now!

The plenary was called the Asia Plenary. We listened to five different speakers. One spoke (again) about multiple identities in Asia. Another one said that the 21st Century is called the Asian century. But how about Africa? I cannot recall all the presenters but one was a Korean Orthodox bishop who made a plea for the Orthodox churches in the Middle East. He also showed slides from the Holy Trinity Church in Pyongyang. The Orthodox Church in North and South Korea is united. The strongest message though came from a medical doctor from India who told the story about two girl conjoined twins that where born near the hospital. The family rejected them but the hospital and the whole village embraced them. Their names were Stuti and Aradhana, meaning Praise and Worship. When they were separated after a few years Aradhana died from an infection after some time. A tragedy, of course. But the outcome was that the family went through a process and accepted Stuti, who is now living with her biological family.