“Marks of Peacemaking” Theme for 2005 WCC Scholars Gathering

By: Tara Tautari

2005 WCC Scholars Gather at Eden Theological Seminary

It is always a joy to have the opportunity to meet with people and to share common concerns, to learn about each other’s lives, to be in community together!    In our busy lives, it’s not always easy to find the time to do this, and yet amidst reports to write, essays that needed to be finished, and so forth, a group of WCC scholars based in the United States, gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, 8-10 April 2005, to attend their annual gathering. The ten students sponsored by the WCC Scholarships Programme came from Uganda, Romania, the Philippines, Kenya, India, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

‘It was such a wonderful experience to feel as one community journeying together in the ecumenical boat.  I came.  You came as well.   Suddenly we realized that Ecumenism is me and you, as miracle children of God.’
Renemsongla Ozukum, (WCC SCholar, Nagaland-India)
 

What are the marks of peacemaking in the life of the churches?   This question was highlighted continually throughout our time together.   Indeed, the theme of this gathering focussed on issues of peacemaking in the context of the ongoing Decade to Overcome Violence.   The discussions included reflections on peacemaking in our home countries; peacemaking in the USA; and how our scholars’ ideas and views are challenged and changed by their experiences in their host country.  Being ‘strangers’ in a foreign land brings its own challenges where we must make sense of a different social and cultural world.   Our meeting together allowed for a deeper reflection on the scholars’ lives in the USA, and gave us a space to begin to unpack these experiences. 

‘In the midst of my cultural, linguistic, spiritual and intellectual struggles I owe this (Union Theological Seminary, New York) community in the way they try to be constantly respectful, to let each member to unreservedly discern and articulate their own perspective…However, this process is, of course, not free from tensions which I consider constructive, to fortify my energy to walk through this cross-cultural odyssey.’
Lidya K. Tandirerung, (WCC Scholar, Indonesia)

The gathering was also blessed with an abundance of gifts!   We were treated to many gifts of hospitality, hosted as we were by Rev. Dr. Diane Windler and Eden Theological Seminary.   Throughout the gathering we enjoyed the gift of worship, both at Eden and in local churches. The gathering was blessed also by gifts of the presence and resources of amazing people, including the WCC President for North America, the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, who preached at the opening worship, and the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon who moderated the work sessions on the four areas of peacemaking: family, congregation, denomination and nation.

“Rev. Dr Diane and your team at Eden, thanks for your care.  Eden Seminary, Thank you for your hospitality. We felt good and received…our two guest speakers on Saturday we appreciate the skills you imparted to us on 'peace making.'  God help us to implement them.” 
(David Kataate – Uganda)

From the beginning of the meeting it was apparent that thoughts of home were never far from our minds.   Of particular significance for us was remembering families and friends who had been, and who were now coping with, the effects of the Tsunami in Asia and parts of Africa.   Our worship reflected our solidarity with churches involved in post-tsunami reconstruction and we shared stories of the suffering and hope found in such situations.   

The sharing of stories was a powerful tool of communication, giving us glimpses into a scholar’s life journey, their dreams and aspirations.   From these stories, we were conscious of the sharp contrasts in the societies in which we live.   While some churches live amidst abject poverty, pandemic diseases, corrupted states and economic disintegration, others battle against the ‘devaluing of traditional values,’ spiritual poverty, excessive affluence and unbridled militarism.   Mission and witness amidst religious plurality, the role of women in culture and society, the importance of education and ecumenical formation – these were just a few of the issues discussed!   And enhancing each conversation was the diversity in the makeup of the group of scholars.  Men and women of different ages and different denominations, lay and clergy, married and single, some who had left families behind to come to the USA, some who had left their countries for the first time.  Each had a story to tell, a song to share, a prayer to offer.  

Kapayapaan
K-apayapaan, shantipah, shanty, damai
A-madi, ngentitchen, pyung-hwa, penghwon,
P-ing-an, yim jung, santi and shalom,
A-all of these terms are equivalent to the English term, ‘peace.’
Y-et, it seems that despite our desire to have peace, peace is hard to attain.
A-round the world there are different forms of violence;
P-lenty of people don’t experience a ‘positive’ or a ‘negative’ peace.
A-midst the prayers and efforts of peacemakers and proponents of peace,
A-ggression, hostility, and different forms of injustice are still prevalent.
N-evertheless, I’m still hoping that the time will come that ‘humanity shall live in  peace.’

Rosalyn ‘Sally’ M. Laylo (WCC Scholar, Philippines)

What was particularly impressive in this meeting, was witnessing the ‘mindful listening’ of the group, giving each speaker due respect and careful consideration for what they were sharing.   In this manner, a sense of community was quickly built.   It also helped to have a number of students and WCC staff who had attended the previous year’s gathering.   This continuity was instrumental to the success of the meeting.

The writer Goethe, once said that “We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.”   One of the great gifts of being around the WCC scholars was seeing their openness to change, and their commitment to constant renewal in their own ecumenical journeys.   The challenge remains how to translate experiences gained abroad, and bring them to bear once we return home, to take up our work in our churches once more.

‘Creator God, may our discussions at this gathering prove useful in your sight.   Inspire us in the ecumenical movement to remain on the move, and keep us alert to the ways in which we may be empowered by your Grace, to be instruments of peace and transformation in our families, congregations, denominations and nations.’
Closing Worship (2005 WCC Scholars Gathering)

(Tara Tautari heads the Scholarships Programme for the World Council of Churches)

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