wfn.org | New Fire movement dreams, takes action

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

>  New Fire movement dreams, takes action

> By Jordan Blevins

Minneapolis, November 11, 2009  ? With a prayer of thanksgiving and
guidance, asking for, ?the work of the Spirit in expanding our
communications ... the gift of prudence as we lay organizational
foundations ? the gift of discernment as we pilot our New Fire seed
grant project ? for a Spirit-filled outpouring of glad and generous
hearts as we expand our circle of New Fire?, the participants of New
Fire 2009 left this space having dreamt dreams, and then implemented
action plans for a vision of a revitalized young adult ecumenical movement.

A vision statement which declared, ?New Fire is movement-building work
to call the Church to re-imagine its mission to live out the God-given
mandates of love, justice, unity, and peace on a global, regional, and
local level? was given the backing of the participants of New Fire,
with the launching of the Ecumenists of All Ages fundraising
initiative. All of the young adults present made their commitment to
the movement by donating at least their age, seeing a collection of
more than $650 lay the foundation of their work together. The
invitation to partner with and to match this commitment will be
extended to the participants of the National Council of Churches and
Church World Service General Assembly on Tuesday.

A set of goals was also adopted, first in the next 6 months, and then
in the next year. Participants committed to:

·         Form New Fire Task Force, expand diversity and representation

·         New Fire concept paper and grant proposal finalized
including long term wish list

·         Funding for next year?s New Fire event

·         Tools for witness:  logo, tagline, and promotional materials

·         Seed grant pilot program, empowering local ecumenical  possibilities

·         Organized single database of contacts for targeted outreach

·         Launch and further develop the Ecumenists of All Ages
Campaign and  involve at least 100 under 35 and 100 over 35

·         Fundraiser/Development roundtable for deepened collaboration

·         Leadership training ? resources, tool-kits, trainers -
empowering young adults for local ecumenical work

All of this was the result of a weekend full of worship, conversation,
relationship building, and issue education. The participants of New
Fire 2009 began on Saturday by hearing from more seasoned ecumenical
leaders, including the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of
the National Council of Churches, who challenged the participants with
the message of unity in Christ, saying, ?Unity is not a matter of us
coming together in agreement. God has acted in Christ to bring the
world together to God's own self. Everyone who has communion with
Christ is united with everyone who has communion with Christ.?  They
also heard from Rev. Peg Chemberlin, the President-elect of the
Council, who told them to, ?Don't wait for the title, don't wait for
the authority, take a risk."

Saturday afternoon saw participants explore different forms of
ecumenical dialogue that they could take back to their local contexts,
including a theological table discussion of ministry, social justice
trainings on climate change, immigration, health care, and gun
violence, and just some table conversation over dinner. The evening
ended as they began discussing their vision and goals for the
movement, preparing for the work of the next day, before closing in a
powerful worship that included pieces from numerous different traditions.

On Sunday, participants began with worship, at the Church of All
Nations in Minneapolis. Worship was a blend of the Church of All
Nations sharing their multicultural vision for the church and the New
Fire movement sharing their ecumenical vision ? and exploring the
intersections between the two. Church of All Nations was chosen as the
New Fire movement seeks unity not only among communions, but unity in
Christ among different ethnicities and genders.

That afternoon saw the further development of the purpose statement
and goals, including the Ecumenists of All Ages Initiative and plans
on a more sustained fundraising proposal ? with a concept paper
presented including things like a permanent New Fire Movement
coordinator, a New Fire Task Force, and young adult participation in
ecumenical events. Even more significant, in an effort to build local
participation in the movement, were ideas around local ecumenical
training, seed grants for local ecumenical events, and regional events
to make the movement more grassroots.

The evening was spent sharing the vision of the movement with seasoned
ecumenists, including National Council of Churches staff and
denominational representatives. The New Fire Movement shared their
vision, proclaiming, ?New Fire is movement-building work to call the
Church to re-imagine its mission to live out the God-given mandates of
love, justice, unity, and peace on a global, regional, and local
level.?  An intergenerational conversation around the goals and vision
explored how the seasoned ecumenists can aid the members of New Fire
in achieving their goals  - but also saw the young adults calling on
the seasoned ecumenists to join them in this revitalization of the
ecumenical movement.

Sunday evening closed with another powerful time of worship together,
as participants lit candles around the purpose statement, dedicating
themselves to carrying this vision forward.  Monday concluded the
event as they gave concrete ways they would take their experience with
them ? committing to financial support, spreading the word, and taking
ecumenical action at home. Prayer partners were picked to help sustain
one another in the journey, before the participants closed in prayer.

New Fire, ?creates a space to work for human reconciliation, and
facilitates new vision through awareness-raising,
relationship-building, education, ecumenical formation, worship, civic
engagement, and leadership training.? This is the vision for a
revitalized young adult movement, a flame dreamed of, and then put
into action, by the participants of New Fire 2009.

Jordan Blevins is assistant director of the NCC Eco-Justice Program
and a member of the New Fire delegation.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office),
646-853-4212 (cell) , pjenks@ncccusa.org