Sunday, February 26, 2006
Heading for Home
Some thoughts upon leaving Porto Alegre…
Some of the most powerful moments here have been the conversations held while standing in line, or on the bus as we rode, sometimes interminably, between our hotels and the campus where the Assembly was held. So many people, from all over the world. I have had conversations with a woman who is a professor in a Brazilian seminary, an Orthodox layman from Romania, an Orthodox laywoman from the U.S., several people from the Reformed Church in Switzerland who knew a friend of my mother’s who lives outside of Bern, a Roman Catholic woman from Italy, Australians from the Uniting Church there, a man from the Church of South India (another of our UCC partner churches), and an Episcopalian woman from Honduras but who is originally from Mexico, and so finally had a Spanish accent I could understand (the people from Argentina and Uruguay sound so different!) Conversation about faith and home and family and church and politics and Christ and the future of the world. I went on a short tour of Porto Alegre and sat with a woman from Portugal, and we talked about the European view of Brazilian politics and the connections today between Portugal and Brazil. And there were so very many more…
This was the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches to make all decisions except for elections using the method of consensus instead of parliamentary procedure or Roberts’ Rules-type process. It was fascinating to watch. The delegates had special training in consensus, and despite some predictions that none of the business would ever be completed, they actually did move through the agenda. People lifted orange cards if they were warm to the idea being discussed, and blue cards if they were cool to the idea. It certainly did not work perfectly, but it is extraordinary to think that such a diverse group of people, with all of the underlying disagreements between them, could be in agreement about anything. But, sure enough, there were many times that we witnessed a sea of orange cards approving the proposals, and only a very few or no blue cards. If there were a few or even only one remaining blue card, they had the opportunity to write out their dissenting view to be included in the report. That’s a very incomplete explanation, but more info the process is available at the WCC website.
The other thought that remains on leaving is the beauty of the people of Brazil who worked so incredibly hard to prepare for years to host us, and the beauty of our host city Porto Alegre. We had some fascinating, and sometimes very funny, encounters with locals who were trying to deal with all these Christians everywhere, especially when we are so very very different from each other. Just before I boarded the airplane, the Brazilian TV news was reporting the close of the assembly and explaining the wide diversity of people, from so many different churches, who had come together for this assembly. These blog entries have of course only barely scratched the surface of my experiences, and I look forward to sharing lots more in the days and weeks to come. See you all soon!
Some of the most powerful moments here have been the conversations held while standing in line, or on the bus as we rode, sometimes interminably, between our hotels and the campus where the Assembly was held. So many people, from all over the world. I have had conversations with a woman who is a professor in a Brazilian seminary, an Orthodox layman from Romania, an Orthodox laywoman from the U.S., several people from the Reformed Church in Switzerland who knew a friend of my mother’s who lives outside of Bern, a Roman Catholic woman from Italy, Australians from the Uniting Church there, a man from the Church of South India (another of our UCC partner churches), and an Episcopalian woman from Honduras but who is originally from Mexico, and so finally had a Spanish accent I could understand (the people from Argentina and Uruguay sound so different!) Conversation about faith and home and family and church and politics and Christ and the future of the world. I went on a short tour of Porto Alegre and sat with a woman from Portugal, and we talked about the European view of Brazilian politics and the connections today between Portugal and Brazil. And there were so very many more…
This was the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches to make all decisions except for elections using the method of consensus instead of parliamentary procedure or Roberts’ Rules-type process. It was fascinating to watch. The delegates had special training in consensus, and despite some predictions that none of the business would ever be completed, they actually did move through the agenda. People lifted orange cards if they were warm to the idea being discussed, and blue cards if they were cool to the idea. It certainly did not work perfectly, but it is extraordinary to think that such a diverse group of people, with all of the underlying disagreements between them, could be in agreement about anything. But, sure enough, there were many times that we witnessed a sea of orange cards approving the proposals, and only a very few or no blue cards. If there were a few or even only one remaining blue card, they had the opportunity to write out their dissenting view to be included in the report. That’s a very incomplete explanation, but more info the process is available at the WCC website.
The other thought that remains on leaving is the beauty of the people of Brazil who worked so incredibly hard to prepare for years to host us, and the beauty of our host city Porto Alegre. We had some fascinating, and sometimes very funny, encounters with locals who were trying to deal with all these Christians everywhere, especially when we are so very very different from each other. Just before I boarded the airplane, the Brazilian TV news was reporting the close of the assembly and explaining the wide diversity of people, from so many different churches, who had come together for this assembly. These blog entries have of course only barely scratched the surface of my experiences, and I look forward to sharing lots more in the days and weeks to come. See you all soon!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Politics
So, even in the church, struggles for power manage to distract and frustrate us. We're now getting into the deeper levels of decision making by the delegates to the assembly, and things are quite complicated. There are problems with the nominations not meeting the desired number of young adult delegates, and challenges in shaping the statement of the assembly, among other concerns. Our Bible study this morning was about Paul's writing on strength in weakness, which doesn't seem to always be evident in practice in our lives.
And at the same time, there is creative thinking going on about how to take the energy and excitement about what's happening here and carry it forward with better networks and connections into the future, from a grassroots level. There's just such an astonishing amount of passion and energy around so many issues and possibilities here, that it's very hopeful for the world if we can move forward from here and not trip over our own shoelaces.
And at the same time, there is creative thinking going on about how to take the energy and excitement about what's happening here and carry it forward with better networks and connections into the future, from a grassroots level. There's just such an astonishing amount of passion and energy around so many issues and possibilities here, that it's very hopeful for the world if we can move forward from here and not trip over our own shoelaces.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Surprises
Today was a very interesting plenary on Christian Unity, and then towards the end they announced the next speaker would be Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I had heard he was coming at some point, but didn't know it was today. It was quite amazing to hear him in person - gentle and humorous and powerful and inspiring. (see more at http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-media/news/english-news/article/1801/desmond-tutu-quotwe-ca.html) And then over lunch, I got to hear Adolfo Perez Esquivel in the Bate-Papo, so it was two Nobel Peace Prize winners in one day. That's a first for me.
I also went to morning prayers, where there was a powerful confession of our remaining divisions when an empty chalice was placed on the altar to symbolize that we can not yet share in the eucharist. Bible study was an interactive discussion of one of Jesus' teachings about power and servanthood. And, I went to a workshop on water issues - and the ways that pollution and privatization are taking the basic right to water away from communities all around the world. There is an Ecumenical Water Network which is connecting groups that advocate for water issues. Then this afternoon I went on a tour of Porto Alegre with a group, which was interesting and helpful to learn more about this city, and returned in time for evening prayers which were led by some of the Roman Catholic delegation of observers, both priests and lay people. It was a peaceful and centering end to the day.
I also went to morning prayers, where there was a powerful confession of our remaining divisions when an empty chalice was placed on the altar to symbolize that we can not yet share in the eucharist. Bible study was an interactive discussion of one of Jesus' teachings about power and servanthood. And, I went to a workshop on water issues - and the ways that pollution and privatization are taking the basic right to water away from communities all around the world. There is an Ecumenical Water Network which is connecting groups that advocate for water issues. Then this afternoon I went on a tour of Porto Alegre with a group, which was interesting and helpful to learn more about this city, and returned in time for evening prayers which were led by some of the Roman Catholic delegation of observers, both priests and lay people. It was a peaceful and centering end to the day.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Sunday in Porto Alegre
Today was a wonderful and full day - this morning we were divided into groups to attend local congregations for church. My group attended a Lutheran church which serves as a mission to people who are deaf. Not only was there a sign language interpreter, but the pastors both also used sign language during the service. The congregation was very welcoming to us. Then we returned to the hotels, and had a short amount of actual free time - about 3 hours, the most since I've been here! I did some work, but also went with a group to the Sunday arts and crafts fair at the main city park, and had a lovely lunch and found some gifts too.
Then, we headed back to the university campus where all of the WCC events take place. Today is Latin American day, where our hosts get to share about their region. There was a wonderful plenary in the hall telling the story of how God is working in Latin America - with lifesized puppets acting a drama, and videos telling the history and current story of the people of this region. It was a wonderful experience, and then after dinner we gathered for a great cultural celebration outside to hear renowned musicians from all over Latin America. There was much dancing in the aisles by the visitors from all over the world, as well as the people from the region who have come especially for today's presentations, including many extra people from Brazil who were just visiting for today. It was made very interesting by the rain, which kept starting and stopping. Some people left, but many of the rest of us used their chairs upside down as umbrellas and waited it out - and it was worth it. The music was incredible, including the most amazing accordian player I have ever seen (and I'm Swiss, so I've seen some really good ones before). It was a full day, although a nice change from the hectic schedule of "regular" days here. Back to that tomorrow!
Then, we headed back to the university campus where all of the WCC events take place. Today is Latin American day, where our hosts get to share about their region. There was a wonderful plenary in the hall telling the story of how God is working in Latin America - with lifesized puppets acting a drama, and videos telling the history and current story of the people of this region. It was a wonderful experience, and then after dinner we gathered for a great cultural celebration outside to hear renowned musicians from all over Latin America. There was much dancing in the aisles by the visitors from all over the world, as well as the people from the region who have come especially for today's presentations, including many extra people from Brazil who were just visiting for today. It was made very interesting by the rain, which kept starting and stopping. Some people left, but many of the rest of us used their chairs upside down as umbrellas and waited it out - and it was worth it. The music was incredible, including the most amazing accordian player I have ever seen (and I'm Swiss, so I've seen some really good ones before). It was a full day, although a nice change from the hectic schedule of "regular" days here. Back to that tomorrow!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Decade to Overcome Violence
Today's plenary session at the World Council of Churches focused on the WCC initiative the Decade to Overcome Violence, lasting from 2001-2010. There were many workshops and events today on peacemaking and nonviolence, and it has been a powerful discussion, a very different one when you are sitting face to face with people who live every day in the midst of war.
There is also a another powerful display set up here in the hallways of one of the buildings where meetings are held. It is a room set up like a typical Western-style home, but throughout it there is information about another violence, domestic violence. There you learn that worldwide, women between the ages of 16 and 45 are more likely to be injured or killed by their own partner or a close relative, than through war or terrorism.
Again and again here, we are renewed in our faith, and we are called to remember that our faith means nothing if we do not live out the meaning behind the words. Faith is meant to be lived, and practiced, and renewed. Faith is meant to respond to the violence of the world and overcome it, to transform our lives and the lives of our neighbors.
There is also a another powerful display set up here in the hallways of one of the buildings where meetings are held. It is a room set up like a typical Western-style home, but throughout it there is information about another violence, domestic violence. There you learn that worldwide, women between the ages of 16 and 45 are more likely to be injured or killed by their own partner or a close relative, than through war or terrorism.
Again and again here, we are renewed in our faith, and we are called to remember that our faith means nothing if we do not live out the meaning behind the words. Faith is meant to be lived, and practiced, and renewed. Faith is meant to respond to the violence of the world and overcome it, to transform our lives and the lives of our neighbors.
Friday, February 17, 2006
People at the WCC
One of the amazing things about being at the World Council of Churches is meeting all kinds of people, including some very big names. I have more than once been chatting with someone on the bus or in line for lunch only to find out that he is the General Secretary of the Church of Norway, or she is a world-renowned theologian whose writings I was assigned in seminary.
Today, however, we were in the super-famous category. This morning, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva spoke to the assembly. There were metal detectors and secret service (or whatever the Brazilian equilavent is) everywhere, and students from the university chanting and waving flags outside - we never figured out if they were supporting or protesting him. And, actually, he begun his speech by saying that it doesn't matter whether they are shouting for or against him, that it is a beautiful thing that people are shouting because that means it's a democracy. He also gave much credit to the WCC for our past work on justice issues, including support of Brazil and political dissidents like Paulo Friere when Brazil was under totalitarian rule.
Then, later in the day, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, addressed the assembly. I also got to hear him speak at the Bate Papo, a Portuguese term for an intimate chat. These occur each day at lunch time here, and they feature a renowned world leader in conversation with a young adult active in the ecumenical movement. They are fascinating conversations to listen to, and the young adults really press with wonderful and strong questions. Tomorrow we will hear Rigoberta Menchu, Nobel Peace Prize winner. So, I am meeting and hearing from some pretty amazing famous people - and also LOTS of amazing not-so-famous people who also have amazing stories to tell. More soon!
Today, however, we were in the super-famous category. This morning, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva spoke to the assembly. There were metal detectors and secret service (or whatever the Brazilian equilavent is) everywhere, and students from the university chanting and waving flags outside - we never figured out if they were supporting or protesting him. And, actually, he begun his speech by saying that it doesn't matter whether they are shouting for or against him, that it is a beautiful thing that people are shouting because that means it's a democracy. He also gave much credit to the WCC for our past work on justice issues, including support of Brazil and political dissidents like Paulo Friere when Brazil was under totalitarian rule.
Then, later in the day, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, addressed the assembly. I also got to hear him speak at the Bate Papo, a Portuguese term for an intimate chat. These occur each day at lunch time here, and they feature a renowned world leader in conversation with a young adult active in the ecumenical movement. They are fascinating conversations to listen to, and the young adults really press with wonderful and strong questions. Tomorrow we will hear Rigoberta Menchu, Nobel Peace Prize winner. So, I am meeting and hearing from some pretty amazing famous people - and also LOTS of amazing not-so-famous people who also have amazing stories to tell. More soon!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Ecumenical Dialogue
So, talking with people who are different than you, who practice and believe and act out their Christian faith in ways you are unfamiliar with or perhaps even in disagreement with, is a little bit interesting sometimes. And then you realize how many partners aren't at the table, and you try to consider talking with people who are even more different than you, or who perhaps even think you are completely wrong and not a real Christian. It's really a ridiculous thing to try to do, and yet it's in the DNA of the United Church of Christ to still try. "That they shall all be one" was Jesus' prayer, and it's the motto of the UCC. Today's scripture at the World Council of Churches was Isaiah's telling of God's promise to create a new heavens and a new earth. In Bible study we discussed how unrealistic that promise is - lions are supposed to eat meat, not straw. And yet through God all things are possible, even ecumenical dialogue. It's a fascinating gift of the Spirit to be a part of this work, as rough around the edges as it sometimes is.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Settling in
Okay, short one tonight after a super busy day with little time to reflect on anything... morning prayer was amazing start to the day, workshop on spirituality full of profound discussions, lunch with 2 Brazilian Catholic women - was fun to be able to only communicate the most simple of things for a change. More workshops: on becoming a multicultural church, overcoming racism, and interreligous dialogue. Evening prayer led by mostly indigenous peoples from the Lutheran church in Bolivia. LONG bus ride home with a route we'd never been before, quick dinner. Evening meeting back at hotel with UCC group to get us all acquainted with each other. More tomorrow hopefully about the bate papo - an opportunity to hear an intimate chat between a renowned leader and an emerging leader in the ecumenical movement. Till then!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Orienting Day
Hi all - Today was exhausting and exciting - trying to figure out where to go and what to do - there's an astonishing number of choices to make about which thing to do, and they're all amazing. And every time you turn the corner someone's giving you a flyer to do something else. I've met people from all over the world and all kinds of stories - a conversation with a Dane about the cartoon controversy, with a UCC colleague in Indiana who I just met, with a church musician from Finland who is doing creative ministry with children, and many fun attempts at talking with Brazilians who are a part of the Assembly. I keep trying Spanish, and it still isn't the same as Portuguese.
My first workshop today was about the partnership between the Roman Catholic church and the World Council of Churches, which just celebrated 40 years. It dates back to Vatican II. It was interesting to hear about the ways that things have changed and progress that has been made, but also to discuss how much is left to address. Here's a thought of the day from that workshop - I think if I read my notes right, it's a quote from Cardinal Kaspar, the head of the Ponticifal Council for Christian Unity: our common baptism means that ecumenical efforts aren't just about discussion and pronouncements - instead, it means that ecumenism is an event of the Spirit.
We also had our opening worship service with WONDERFUL singing and gifts brought from each part of the world to the worship tent - which appears to be a circus tent, so I'm hoping one of the services includes acrobats. I'll eventually have pictures to share too. LOTS more to come tomorrow!
My first workshop today was about the partnership between the Roman Catholic church and the World Council of Churches, which just celebrated 40 years. It dates back to Vatican II. It was interesting to hear about the ways that things have changed and progress that has been made, but also to discuss how much is left to address. Here's a thought of the day from that workshop - I think if I read my notes right, it's a quote from Cardinal Kaspar, the head of the Ponticifal Council for Christian Unity: our common baptism means that ecumenical efforts aren't just about discussion and pronouncements - instead, it means that ecumenism is an event of the Spirit.
We also had our opening worship service with WONDERFUL singing and gifts brought from each part of the world to the worship tent - which appears to be a circus tent, so I'm hoping one of the services includes acrobats. I'll eventually have pictures to share too. LOTS more to come tomorrow!
Monday, February 13, 2006
World Council of Churches Assembly, Porto Alegre, Brazil
So, where in the world is Petra? I’m in Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the Assembly of the World Council of Churches. Here’s the quote from the WCC about who they are:
"The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 348 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church.” The Assembly meets about once every seven years, and this is the first assembly in South America.
I have been traveling since yesterday morning, and don’t yet have much to share about the Assembly itself, but traveling, of course, brings its own stories. The trip has been okay, although uncomfortable for the plane parts, and mostly endless waiting in lines for the non-plane parts. The storms in the northeast U.S. meant lots of redirected passengers and full planes. But once I’m here, I’m very glad to be here. I love visiting other countries – especially the shift in perspective one gains. Seeing different ways to do things helps me to remember that the way “we” do things isn’t the only way.
Whether it’s the idea in the Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre airports to have a separate hallway for passengers exiting planes (how nice to not have to duck around people waiting for their planes on the way to your luggage!) or the funny door in my hotel room’s bathroom that opens out to reveal the toilet paper, it’s good to do things differently sometimes. Light switches look different, the potato salad has a flavor I can’t recognize, the cultural expectations are shifted – all helpful reminders that my little world is not really the center of the universe. And of course, this ties in with church life too – part of the point of being here, of talking with people from other parts of the Christian tradition, is to remember that our way of doing church is not the only approach. Cultural expectations about music or dress or behavior or leadership are not essentials – Christ is. Through Christ we can be invited to hear beyond what we are used to, we can catch a glimpse of the greater body of Christ through the gifts of other traditions.
I hope to share with you in the days to come through this blog, and I also encourage you to go to the webpage of the World Council of Churches – they will have regular videos posted of the large gatherings of the assembly, news reports, and a short “highlights” video at the end of each day. Go to www.wcc-assembly.info and join me in Brazil!! The videos are at http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-media/webcast.html
"The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 348 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church.” The Assembly meets about once every seven years, and this is the first assembly in South America.
I have been traveling since yesterday morning, and don’t yet have much to share about the Assembly itself, but traveling, of course, brings its own stories. The trip has been okay, although uncomfortable for the plane parts, and mostly endless waiting in lines for the non-plane parts. The storms in the northeast U.S. meant lots of redirected passengers and full planes. But once I’m here, I’m very glad to be here. I love visiting other countries – especially the shift in perspective one gains. Seeing different ways to do things helps me to remember that the way “we” do things isn’t the only way.
Whether it’s the idea in the Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre airports to have a separate hallway for passengers exiting planes (how nice to not have to duck around people waiting for their planes on the way to your luggage!) or the funny door in my hotel room’s bathroom that opens out to reveal the toilet paper, it’s good to do things differently sometimes. Light switches look different, the potato salad has a flavor I can’t recognize, the cultural expectations are shifted – all helpful reminders that my little world is not really the center of the universe. And of course, this ties in with church life too – part of the point of being here, of talking with people from other parts of the Christian tradition, is to remember that our way of doing church is not the only approach. Cultural expectations about music or dress or behavior or leadership are not essentials – Christ is. Through Christ we can be invited to hear beyond what we are used to, we can catch a glimpse of the greater body of Christ through the gifts of other traditions.
I hope to share with you in the days to come through this blog, and I also encourage you to go to the webpage of the World Council of Churches – they will have regular videos posted of the large gatherings of the assembly, news reports, and a short “highlights” video at the end of each day. Go to www.wcc-assembly.info and join me in Brazil!! The videos are at http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-media/webcast.html
