The website -- www.reformedchurches.org-- will permit churches and interested individuals to access information about the historic gathering set for June 18-28, 2010 at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Coming together at that time will be the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), both of which have worked for several years to make the uniting of the two ecumenical organizations a reality.
The highlight of the Uniting General Council (UGC) meeting will be the connecting of the 1,000 delegates and visitors with local congregations and we will do everything we can to make that happen," says Rev. Peter Borgdorff, president of the Reformed Ecumenical Council, which is based in Grand Rapids. He is also chairman of the North American Arrangements Committee for the 2010 gathering. "Direct communication with congregations in hosting denominations will follow."
The website is intended to provide complete information on all activities related to the meeting in 2010. "It will also be the place to volunteer, contribute, announce schedules and update as we enter the implementation phase of plans 15 months from now," says Borgdorff.
Titled "Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace," the 2010 gathering will formalize the merger as well as address a range of issues, including Reformed identity, theology and communion, Christian community and ecumenical engagement, justice in the economy and on earth, worship and spiritual renewal, leadership development, gender justice, and empowerment of youth.
More than 1,000 delegates, guests, visitors, volunteers and staff will gather for this event. Women and youth will hold additional events just prior to the meeting of the Uniting General Council. This historic gathering also promises inspiring worship, community Bible study, testimonies from churches across the globe, a look at contemporary Reformed theology, and a review of various mission efforts and experiences worldwide. In addition, the new organization will at this time make a firm commitment to justice for all people around the world.
"The WCRC has invited the Christian Reformed Church to serve as the official host (in cooperation with other WARC-member denominations in North America) for this world gathering," says Borgdorff, executive director emeritus of the CRC. "The hope and intention of the WCRC is to link each of its delegates with a local, congregational expression of Reformed faith and practice mostly within the Great Lakes region."
Congregations that agree to "sponsor" one or more delegates will benefit from the experience to deepen their awareness of the global church. Participating congregations are also requested to help with the travel and accommodation expenses of the sponsored-delegate.
WCRC estimates that the average cost per delegate for travel and accommodations will be about $2,000. Participating congregations are requested to contribute 50 percent of that cost ($1,000). Payment can be arranged to take place at any time between now and May 31, 2010 and can be paid in increments.
Delegates will be lodged at Calvin College and local hotels during the General Council meetings. Sponsoring congregations will be requested to provide housing and meals during the time the delegate spends with them. Delegates will be asked to spend one to three days with their sponsoring congregations, including a Sunday.
In addition, churches are asked to recruit individual volunteers to serve in a variety of hosting capacities such as airport greeter, hospitality functions or to assist with on-campus transportation. The working schedule for the General Council shows an ending time of noon on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Sponsoring congregations would be encouraged to pick up their delegates at that time, and host them the remainder of that weekend.
To get more information contact Dr. Peter Borgdorff at (616) 560-2092 or pborgdorff@crcna.org.
-Chris Meehan, CRC Communications
-- Chris Meehan News & Media Director Christian Reformed Church in North America 1-616-224-0849