Constitutionally speaking...

Of the long list of things I need to read before I leave for Busan, this week's task was to tackle the World Council of Churches' Constitution and Guidelines for the Conduct of Meetings. While it doesn't sound like the most intriguing reading ever, there were parts of it I found quite interesting.

- First, there is the possibility that a point of order could be raised during a meeting. As every good #cdnpoli #parlnerd knows, these can be the most interesting parts of a debate! It warmed my parliamentary heart :).

- Check out page 5 of that Constitution for a list of the criteria a church must fulfill in order to be considered for membership in the WCC. Very interesting to think about what makes a church a church. What are our standards?

- As a bonafide #parlnerd (my husband and I were given an updated copy of Robert's Rules for a wedding present, okay? Seriously.), it was fascinating to look at the WCC's consensus decision making model that's used in meetings. "...the Council can bear witness not only by its programmes and resolutions, but also by the way it does its business. It can shape its rules and procedures in such a way as to express a faith “made effective in love” (Gal. 5:6). This means that member churches, as well as representatives of those churches, will treat each other with respect and will seek to build one another up in love (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1-6, 14:12)."

What a great way to demonstrate the compassion and respect that is rooted in our faith. I am looking forward to seeing how this actually plays out in a meeting.

Peace

Yesterday was World Peace Day. Our prayers for peace are needed now more than ever.

Travelling to Korea

The WCC's 10th Assembly will be held from October 30 to November 8 in Busan, South Korea. Since I was going to be flying to Busan via Seoul anyway, I decided to go a few days early so that I would have a day or two in the capital before I headed south. I just booked my hotel room for those two nights in Seoul (exciting!!), so I have been thinking this week about South Korea itself and what it means to be going there for the assembly.

Map from National Geographic

Logistically, I have a lot of time in planes and airports ahead of me. But I'm okay with that - who doesn't love a good airport?!? And I am looking forward to being on another continent - I have never been to Asia before.

I think it is also interesting, though, to think about what it means for the Church to meet in South Korea this year. The last assembly, seven years ago, was held in Porto Alegre, Brazil. So we are, quite literally, meeting on the other side of the world. This, for me, shows the spread both of Christianity and of the work of the WCC.

The WCC has also thought about what it means to have its assembly in this location.

I am keen to see what effect the meeting location will have on our discussions in Busan. Taking a look at previous assemblies (and seriously, you should take 15 minutes and watch this video - it is amazing to see the evolution of assemblies, of the make-up of the WCC, of the issues that are addressed), it is cool to see the strong Christian statements on current events that emerged. How will our presence on the Korean peninsula influence our discussions, for example, about unity?

Finding unity in diversity

One thing I am really looking forward to in attending the World Council of Churches' 10th Assembly is the diversity of people that will gather, and seeing the things that unify us. Check out the list of WCC member churches - it is incredible! (There are 22 different Presbyterian churches alone on that list!) I am looking forward to the fellowship with those from Orthodox churches, for example - my path doesn't cross with these churches as much as it does with some of the others found in Canada. I am sure that I will learn a lot about their traditions.

I'm looking forward to being with those from all around the world - the church holds a different place in different countries' societies, and it will be interesting to gather with people from each continent to talk, worship and pray together. Those coming from regions where the church is growing, for example, (and they do exist!) will have different ideas or insights than those coming from churches where membership is declining.

Some things might not necessarily be easy. A clear example for me is the place of women in the church. That isn't even something that Canadian churches can agree on, let alone different denominations from different countries. It will be challenging for me to have some of those conversations, I think.

And yet, there will be things that bring us together. Things upon which we can all agree. Things where we can stand together, as a church, and make a statement about Christianity in this time and place. And it will be good and joyful and empowering to see what those are. I'll let you know :).

 A prayer on the way to Busan

On the way to Busan,

may we walk humbly with you, God of life.

On the way to Busan,

guide us as we gather, pray and deliberate as disciples of Christ.

On the way to Busan,

lead us in thew ay of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

On the road to Busan, South Korea

God of life, lead us to justice and peace

It is Labour Day... a day which is normally a bit sad, I think. Back to the normal swing of things, summer behind us. It always goes so quickly! I am quite fortunate this year, though - I am looking forward to a big adventure in October and November. Amazingly, I have been selected by The Presbyterian Church in Canada to attend the World Council of Churches' 10th General Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

The general assembly is still weeks away, but preparations have been underway for quite some time. Assemblies are only held every seven years, and are an opportunity for the 350+ WCC member churches, partner organizations and other churches to come together from all corners of the world. Officially, "the assembly has the mandate to review programmes, to issue public statements and determine the overall policies of the WCC, as well as to elect presidents and a Central Committee that oversees the council's work until the next assembly."

(If you have 15 minutes, there is a wonderful video that looks at the nine previous WCC assemblies, the circumstances under which they met, and the powerful, unified Christian statements that came out of them on issues like the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa. Amazing.)

And I have a lot of preparation to do as well! I have not attended a general assembly in the past, nor any meeting of the WCC, so this will be a very new experience for me. There are pages of reports to review, but I am also taking some time for personal reflection on the theme of the assembly - God of life, lead us to justice and peace - and on some of the issues that will be discussed.

So I am hoping that if I start blogging about my preparations now, I will keep at it over the next few months and will be ready to jump in with both feet when I arrive in South Korea.

But it is just Labour Day and I am just easing in to this... so I am starting with a YouTube video :). The WCC has put together a set of reflections people have made on the theme of the assembly, so I am using this as a springboard for my own preparations.


My favourite statements made in the video:

"The theme... is needed... because of the call of the people to the churches, the challenge to the churches, to right the injustices of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized."

Rev. Diana Ann Tana, Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

"When we take up this theme together, and do not talk about differences of religions, but care for the justice and peace for everyone, then we can be together, we can struggle together."

Rev. Dr. Soritua Nababan, Huria Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) Indonesia

"No justice without life and peace. No life without peace and justice. No peace without justice and life."

Ms. LEE Eun Young, Korean Methodist Church

"God of life, lead us to justice and peace." What does this mean to you?