wfn.org | World Council of Churches meeting opens with a joyful noise

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Dec. 8, 1998	Contact: Tim Tanton·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.
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NOTE:  Photos are available

By Tim Tanton*

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - The sound of African voices and musicians
lifted the World Council of Churches' (WCC) jubilee gathering to
jubilant heights on its opening day.

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches Choir was moving and angelic as it led
WCC assembly participants during musical portions of the opening worship
service on Dec. 3.

More than 4,500 people had registered by then for the WCC's Eighth
Assembly at the University of Zimbabwe, marking the 50th anniversary or
jubilee of the organization. More people were lined up at the
registration site when the worship service ended.

The WCC is an ecumenical fellowship of more than 330 churches, including
the United Methodist Church and other Methodist bodies. It represents
about 400 million Christians. Roman Catholics are not members, but work
closely with the council on certain areas and are represented at the
assembly.

The assembly's theme, "Turn to God -- Rejoice in Hope," was reflected
throughout the opening worship in song, prayer and speakers' remarks.

"We hope together to discern the way ahead for the ecumenical movement"
as the WCC approaches the 21st century, said the Rev. Konrad Raiser,
general secretary of the council and a member of the Evangelical Church
in Germany. The assembly also wants to bring a message of hope to
Zimbabwe, as the country faces an uncertain future, he said.

The diversity of the WCC was woven into the service. Prayers and
biblical readings were offered in many languages, and the hymns
represented countries such as Argentina, India, Jamaica, Mozambique,
Nigeria, Pakistan, the United States and Zimbabwe. It might have been
the only worship service - at least since the last assembly - that
included an Orthodox "Alleluia," a Protestant standby like "The Old
Rugged Cross" and soaring African songs such as a Mozambique refrain
which, translated, means "We are made in the image of God. Be joyful!"

Throughout the service, banners representing the sites of previous WCC
assemblies were brought to the podium, then taken back out through the
congregation. Prayers or reflections were spoken, recalling in some way
those past assemblies in Amsterdam; Evanston, Ill.; New Delhi, India;
Nairobi, Kenya; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Canberra, Australia.

A teakwood cross bearing the continent of Africa was raised up during
the worship, and gifts from around the world, including a horn, a mask,
blankets, crosses and a drum, were taken in procession to the altar.

The WCC has a busy agenda for its Dec. 3-14 meeting. Participants will
review what the council has accomplished during the seven years since
the last assembly, held in Canberra. It also will set its goals for the
next seven years.
 
The United Methodist Church has one of the two largest delegations to
the meeting with 33 members.

"Zimbabwe is a country where the United Methodist Church has a strong
presence," said Bishop William Boyd Grove, chairman of the delegation.
"We have a strong church here. Our church participated in the freedom
struggle through the work of Bishop (Abel) Muzorewa and others, and this
is the country that was chosen for Africa University."

Africa University, in Old Mutare, is a United Methodist-related school
and the only privately owned institution of higher learning on the
continent.

In addition to the delegates, numerous United Methodists are attending
the assembly as observers and visitors, putting the denomination's total
at more than 100. The North Central New York Conference alone has 10
representatives.

 "I think just seeing 4,000 people from around the world who are
Christians together is a great symbol of the significance of the church
in the world," said Arleon Kelley, a member of the North Central New
York Annual Conference and recently retired executive steward of the New
York State Community of Churches. "Just being together for celebration
is meaningful for me."  

Kelley said he tries to eat with someone he doesn't know at every meal.
On Dec. 6, for example, he had breakfast with people from Tonga, Fiji,
Germany and India.

Other assembly participants find the gathering is valuable for the
opportunities it offers to learn about people from other cultures and
faith backgrounds.

The Rev. Bill Cruikshank, an accredited visitor and pastor of First
United Methodist Church in Oneida, N.Y., said that meeting a woman
representing indigenous African churches in a small group Bible study
has given him a new respect "for where she's coming from." To staid
Westerners, some of the indigenous churches' beliefs may seem "a little
far out," he added. "I think it was good for me to encounter someone
like that."

The assembly brings together so many people from different countries but
with a singular purpose, said Joy Cruikshank, his wife, who is active in
mission work.

Among the issues addressed at the assembly, the topic of hunger has
particular significance for her. She helped start a food pantry in
Lansing, Mich., before moving to New York this year. The fact that so
many people are starving, "especially when there is enough food for no
one to go hungry," bothers her, she said.

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*Tanton is news editor of United Methodist News Service. 

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
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