Ecumenical Center Day 2 - Geneva, day 4

Spent the morning today at the United Nations, getting a guided tour. Not my ideal tour but it was interesting. 

The United Nations was formed in 1946. It was originally developed for the League of Nations. 

Our tour group to big and the tour guide spoke English as a second language, therefore slightly hard to hear and understand him. He was very knowledgable but spoke really, really fast!!

It was really interesting because there were many art pieces from all over the world that were given to the UN as gifts. 

After the tour, we went back to the ecumenical center for lunch and our presentation on World Council of Churches (WCC). 

The WCC is a global fellowship of churches whose relationship with one another and activities together are an expression of their common faith in Jesus Christ and their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Definition from the introduction to the WCC book). 

There are 349 churches involved in WCC, which cares for and includes approx. 600 million people. The fellowship includes most of the worlds Orthodox churches, the Old Catholic and Mar Thoma churches, churches of the historic denominational traditions such as the Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed, many united and uniting churches as well as such churches as the Mennonites, Friends, Congregationalists and Disciples. 

The Roman Catholic Church has a formal working relationship with WCC but is not a member. There are emerging relationships with evangelical and Pentecostal churches not already in membership. 

Head quarters for WCC has always been in Geneva because of the working relationship with other organizations. 

At the heart of WCC is interpersonal relationships. 

The symbol for WCC:

Boat/water - voyage/journey

Cross - united faith

Oikoumene - "the whole inhabited earth"

There are two main visions of WCC:

1. Visible unity in one faith and uncharacteristic fellowship

2. Mission from the Margins

    -refocused Mission to define mission from those in need

Challenges:

-Some churches say visible  unity is no longer relevant

   -this is not accurate but could be due to new differences/divisions between churches (eg: homosexuality)

-Demographic religious shift

    -less membership in the Global North and more growth in the Global South

-Ecumenical "Actor"

     -expressions of faith competing for $$$

Hopes:

-Increasing in understanding of Justice and Peace

-Full communion relationships (eg: ELCIC and Anglicans)

Assembly coming up. Held in Korea. These assemblies are held every 7-8 years. There are over 800 participants. It is a meeting of the Highest Governing Body. The assembly is 10 days of prayer, bible study and ecumenical talks. 

The planning committee have the outlook of: "setting a table for a banquet. It's up to the members to bring the party". Meaning, they facilitate but it is up to the members to bring the discussions. 

The theme this year is, "God of Life, lead us to Justice and Peace". The Korean theme is called "Madang" or "meeting place". 

It is interesting that decision making happens by consensus. 

From this discussion, it was determined that our goal here in Geneva is to become Ecumenically aware and improve/promote change once at home. 

Ecumenical Center - Geneva day 3

Walked to the Ecumenical center this morning. Surprisingly, it was a very nice, 35 minute  walk. 

The Center started in 1946 in a small house; it moved to current building in 1964. The World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and the Ecumenical Offices are all located off the main building. 

Started the day with morning prayer in the main chapel. It was interesting; especially when we all said the Lord's Prayer in our own language and then shared the peace. 

We got a pretty extensive tour on the chapel and the meeting room in the main building, which was very interesting. The chapel is wheelchair accessible. 

There are many different representations of Christianity in the world; there is a "museum" of such things in the lobby. 

In the chapel, there are many gifts as well. The architect used his design to tell a story as well. Christians are united by baptism, therefore, we enter the chapel over "the River Jordan" in mosaic tials, as we walk by Jesus' baptism, as in mosaic tial. He has represented God by nature/creation thru stained glass and wooden window coverings. 

There is a tapestry from Jamaica to promote Peace. 

Crosses from South America; India (coming out of a lotus flower); rubble from WWII; and a cross based on the story "Swords to Crosses". We received a representation of this cross as well, made from an expended bullet. 

Gifts are used as "payment" to the Ecumenical Center: organon the chapel from West Berlin; tapestry in 2nd room. 

2nd room - tapestry covering floor to ceiling representing first churches from around the world; roof is a moving paper screen representing the Holy Spirit. 

We then had meetings with different Lutheran World Federation employees. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition. In 2011, there were 145 member churches in seventy-nine countries all over the world representing over 70 million Christians. 

LWF has a new logo. It has 6 different symbols in the pattern. 

1. Hand - DIACONIA

2. Luther Rose - Identity

3. Dove - Reconsiliation

4. Cross - Faith

5. Circle - World/Communion

6. Leaves - Creation

There are 4 areas/offices

1. Humanitarian 

2. Witness

3. Planning operation

4. Mission development

From the LWF Youth desk

Met in 2010

Developed 3 priorities for 2011-2017

1) sustainability

2) gender justice

3) LWF visibility and the role of youth

LWF churches priority

- youth participation (<30 yoa) in all aspects of LWF work 

"Young people have a place and a voice in all aspects of church and commnion life, including decision making and leadership".

They follow "Ladder of Youth Programming and Participation", which I believe can be found on the website. 

Tools of LWF Youth work

- virtual conferences

- virtual network

- communication through "youth media": Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Youth Blog

- publications and tool kits

- supporting local projects

         Eg: climate; Eco-justice; youth leadership; gender justice

Theological Challenges and Possibilities. 

Presenter did a bible study with us:

Act 17: 1-9

-tradition is as important as change

-basis for engagement is the scriptures

"Jesus is Lord"

-early core Christians confession

       -Roman 10:9

      -John 20: 29

-commitment to discipleship

       -John 6:68

-key litmus test for hermeneutical reliability (1 Corinthians 12:3)

-site of resistance against hegemony (Acts 5:29)

Human rights and Advocacy (third presenter)

Universal declaration of Human Rights 

        - formed after WWII

        - Article 18 - "Right to Religion" was written by a Lutheran

From the LWF program:

"Our understanding if Holistic Mission: mission is taken to mean participation in Gods mission and holistic mission as encompassing proclaim and service (diakonia) and advocacy. 

Mission as advocacy for justice denotes the church's action in the public arena affirming the dignity of human life and promoting justice in the economic, social, and ecological spheres. Advocacy for justice, besides diakonia, must also belong to preaching and teaching - as seen in Jesus' message and ministry".  

LWF strategy is from 2012-2017

LWF core funding comes from member churches

They have many Priorities, with many goals. The main goal this presenter focused on for Human rights was "the LWF is a reliable and effective voice for justice, peace, and human rights, and member churches have strong capacities for public witness on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed people".

He also focused on priority themes for global advocacy

1. Religious freedom and interfaith relations

2. Climate change and environmental protection (escalating impacts for already poor and vulnerable people)

3. Gender justice

4. Refugees, internally displaced persons and other forced migrants

5. Oppressed minority populations and indigenous people's, eg. Dalits and Roma 

6. Economic justice 

7. HIV and AIDS

Work of World Service office (fourth presenters)

- Humanitarian 

-Development

Has approx. 6000 staff in 33 countries. They affect approx. 2 million people/yr. They receive approx. $110million in funds/yr. 

New strategies have been developed for 2013-2019

  - Human Rights

  - Impartiality

  - Community-based empowerment 

  - Right-based

  - Programmatic integration

World Service around the world is broken down into three areas:

C=Country Program (2)

R=Regional Program (17)

A=Associate Program (10)

Programs

  - Disaster risk reduction 

  - Sustainable livelihoods (as in Peru)

  - Community led action for justice and peace

Organization Strategy

  - Quality programs

  - Effective communication 

  - Resource mobilization and finance management 

  - Human resources management 

  - Learning and knowledge management 

It was interesting to here this presentation, as LWF has helped in Peru (and I just came from there). 

Peru is now classified as an Associated program; meaning LWF -  department for World Service has stepped back as programs run "independently"; support is financial

"Old town" tour, Geneva - day 2

Kim, Rae-Ann, Kerri (my roommate from outside Seattle, Washington) and I, took the #10 bus downtown to the information centre and purchased the "old town" and "international" walking tours guide and MP3 to listen to the tour. 

We started at the river and did a full loop around "old town" Geneva. 

It was supposed to take 2hrs but because of rain, side trips and lunch, it took 4hrs. 

One of my favourites was the Maison Travel (the Travel House). It was this big grey building that was burned and reconstructed. It is now a museum of how life was in "old town" in the 18th and 19th century. 

The attic is now a miniature/model of "old town" before 1850. It took the man 18 years to create this. It's entirely out of metal. Composed of 86 sections, it covers a surface area of 32 m2. 

My second favourite was Saint Peter's Cathedral and Chapel of the Maccabees. It has a huge organ at the back. Beside the organ is the Chapel of the Maccabees, which houses Cardinal Jean de Brogany 's tomb. The walls and ceilings are elaborately painted.  If you pay approx $7.00U.S., you can walk up the tower and see out over the city. Kim and Rae-Anne walked up. I hope we are sharing pictures because Kerri and I didn't go up. Maybe on our free day on Saturday, we will venture back. 

I think I am going to do all my trips in the rain, as that's how it's been for the last few. Paris; Ottawa; Machu Picchu; and now "old town" Geneva. 

We walked 1-17, then stopped for lunch at a little cafe overlooking a square. I had a cheese crustinni and cappacino. It was really good. As we were eating, it started to rain. And rain it did; also a little hail. We did a lot of the rest of the walk in the rain, which was actually fun. Kerri lent me her rain poncho. 

We walked thru a big park that was walled in by the reformation wall. The reformation wall has the Lord's Prayer carved into it and different Christians that were part of early reformation in Geneva. At the end of the park were giant chess boards. Kim and Rae-Anne played a game. I now know why chess takes so long; it's a game of the mind and strategy. Not for me but I watched. 

Kim is really good at French. At the end of the chess game, she talked to a man about the rules of chess. It was really cool to see them communicating in French, some English and a lot of body language and hand gestures. 

Back at the hotel now. Waiting for everyone to arrive; then supper. 

Geneva - day 1

Day 1 down. Sarah and I shared a room for the night. One thing about Europe, modesty goes out the window!! Shower is out in the open; toilet is in a closet. Lots of fun. 

Free bus to the hotel. Checked in yesterday. No real issues. Big, big mall across the street. Explored. Lunch there.  

After a nap, we took the bus to "old town". Walked around in the rain. Supper at a Italian restaurant. Salmon pasta. Very nice, with white wine to drink. Bused back. Drinks in the hotel bar. Bed at 0045. Had lots of fun. 

Explore more tomorrow. Getting a new room and roommate. 

Made it!!

7 hr time difference. Two flights. Made it to Geneva. Crazy that a week ago I was looking at the Peruvian mountains and now I'm looking at the Swiss mountains!! Will have Wi-Fi until June 2, 2013. 

4:30am Winnipeg time; going shopping. 

Leaving on a jet plane Part 2

Hey everyone,

Leaving again on a jet plane for Geneva and Taize in just over 12 hours. Please follow along and I will try to keep this as up to date as possible.

In Geneva, we will be visiting Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. In Taize, we will be living in communion with Young Adults from all over the world.

It is going to be another AMAZING mission.

Thanks,
Melissa