wfn.org | A "new beginning" for Reformed churches

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

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:52:40 +0200

From: "Daphne Martin_Gnanadason" <Daphne.Martin_Gnanadason@warc.ch
Subject: A "new beginning" for Reformed

> Uniting General Council 2010

> News Release

> 18 June 2010

> A"new beginning" for Reformed churches

> By Charles Honey, UGC News Editor

For Maria McDaid, Friday's opening of the Uniting General Council culminates 
nearly a year of excited anticipation.

â??I was looking forward to meeting people from every part of the world,â?? says McDaid, a 25-year-old 
UGC steward and Sunday School teacher from London, England. â??Weâ??re different denominations but 
weâ??re all Christians. Itâ??s a privilege to  be here.â??

Many of the 1,000-plus global church members expected to gather Friday morning 
at Calvin College no doubt feel the same, as they prepare to usher in a new era 
of Reformed church history.

In ceremonies at Van Noord Arena, an estimated 400 delegates will officially form the 
World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) ­­-- a worldwide affiliation of 80 
million Christians from 108 countries coming together as one body in Christ.

A merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed 
Ecumenical  Council (REC), WCRC will nurture fellowship among its 230 denominations 
and advocate for justice in the world, leaders say. The gathering of the 
worldâ??s largest Reformed Protestant network will continue through 26 June.

Friday marks â??a new beginning for Reformed churches around the world,â?? says Setri Nyomi, WARC 
general secretary, â??where Reformed churches say to the rest of the world, â??We are united, we 
are ready to continue playing the prophetic role that God has called us to as witnesses to the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and to call people to make a difference in the world.â?? â??

For REC General Secretary Richard van Houten, the word â??communionâ?? is key to 
WCRCâ??s identity.

â??Naming ourselves â??communionâ?? is an incredible step forward,â?? van Houten says. 
â??Communion means we belong together in a very deep sense. We are all part of the family of God.â??

Like all families, WCRC may have disagreements over issues. But members hope their common Christian commitment will fulfill the UGC theme, 
â??unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,â?? while taking firm stands on justice issues.

â??I hope that communion and justice can walk hand in hand,â?? says Judi Fisher of the Uniting 
Church of Australia, WARCâ??s Pacific Region Vice-President. â??We have a pivotal moment to 
offer that kind of loving, caring persona that resonates with the gospel and calls for an end to 
violence in all its forms.â??

Over nine days, delegates will deepen their new fellowship with worship and Bible 
studies while tackling tough issues such as womenâ??s rights, economic 
oppression and environmental degradation. One of the weightier matters will be the 
Accra Confession, a strongly worded justice statement adopted by WARC in 2004.

The conference will stress the rights of Indigenous peoples and the churchâ??s 
historic mistreatment of them. Tribal chiefs will welcome delegates Friday with a 
drumming ceremony, and on Tuesday delegates will gather at Ah-Nab-Awen Park for a 
Pow Wow following a keynote address at Calvin College by American Indian leader 
Richard Twiss.

Other high points include a celebratory worship service Sunday afternoon, election 
of officers and Fridayâ??s official creation of WCRC. The
â??birth momentâ?? will occur in the afternoon, when delegates are expected to 
approve a constitution for the new organization.

â??Itâ??s not the first step toward a global church as much as it is a recognition 
that the church is global,â?? says Peter Borgdorff, REC President.

It will be a historic event in the same city where WARC and REC leaders first 
broached the idea of merging four years ago. They hope WCRC infuses renewed 
energy into Christian cooperation by bringing together historically divisive 
Reformed churches.

â??Itâ??s wonderful for a tradition thatâ??s usually been known for splitting to say, â??We really can be 
one,â??â?? says WARC President Clifton Kirkpatrick. â??Weâ??re entering an era where thereâ??s a new 
sense we belong together in the church of Jesus Christ.â??

The Uniting General Council 2010 in Grand Rapids, United States (June 18-28) 
marks the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed 
Ecumenical Council to form the World Communion of Reformed  Churches.

> Contact: Kristine Greenaway
> Executive Secretary, Communications
> World Communion of Reformed Churches

UGC News Room ? Calvin College - Hoogenboom Center Room HC 204

> Cell phone: 1-616-826-5540 or 1-616-826-8636
> email: kgr@warc.ch

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