United States Conference - World Council of Churches

• REV. DR SAMUEL KOBIA ELECTED GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE WCC
• REVISIONING US CONFERENCE, WCC PRESENCE IN THE UNITED STATES
• UNITED STATES IS 2004 DOV FOCUS UNDER THEME:
• WCC INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS GATHER IN LOUISVILLE
• VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS, CROSS-CUTTING PARTNERSHIPS ENHANCE CAPACITY
• "SONG FOR PEACE" HIGHLIGHTS THE POWER OF PEACE
• DR BERNICE POWELL JACKSON APPOINTED WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES PRESIDENT
• THE 2005 CONFERENCE ON WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM
• TRIBUTES TO ECUMENICAL LEADERS
• UN AND WCC COMMEMORATE
• "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS AWARD"

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the first African appointed as General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, was elected to this position in August 2004 and assumed his new post in January 2004.

Meeting with leaders of historic African-American churches In his short tenure, Dr. Kobia has already made history in the context of the United States, becoming the first General Secretary to meet with 16 leaders of the historic African-American churches. The meeting, held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on March 8, 2004, was attended by heads and senior representatives of the following churches: African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, National Baptist Convention of America, National Baptist Convention USA, and Progressive National Baptist Convention, as well as members of the Black Churches' Liaison Committee.

Rev. Dr Kobia meets with historic black church leaders

Among the issues addressed by Dr. Kobia at this meeting were the HIV/AIDS pandemic, peace processes and reconstruction efforts in Africa, the role of the United States as the only global superpower, and ecumenical challenges. Also, during this gathering, Dr. Kobia praised the historic African-American churches for having been "in the forefront of planning and of launching the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) in the United States," and expressed his hope that the DOV, which in 2004 is focusing on the US, will resonate with members of African-American congregations around the country. Hosted by African-American members of the WCC's central committee Bishop McKinley Young, Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell, and Rev. Dr. Tyrone Pitts, the gathering offered an opportunity for
heads and senior representatives of the historic African-American churches to express their commitment to the ecumenical movement and their support of the WCC.

Historic black churches accept lead in hosting annual meeting in Atlanta

Rising to the challenge made by the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio and former colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who stated in his homily at the launch of the US Focus for the DOV on January 12, 2004, "What can we do to follow in Dr. King's footsteps? We must be about the business of building a new generation of prophets of justice. We must be disciples of love, apostles of liberation, teachers of nonviolence, and ambassadors of reconciliation" the historic black churches responded by accepting the lead in hosting the Annual Meeting of the United States Conference, to be held October 5-6, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia.

To build on the positive spirit of the 8 March meeting, the historic black church leaders invited Dr. Kobia to join them for a
special dinner on the evening of October 4, 2004 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the United States Conference in Atlanta.

Spiritual discernment emphasized in ecumenical advocacy days address

Earlier in March, Dr. Kobia served as the keynote speaker at the opening of the second annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days
for Global Peace with Justice, a gathering of 600 advocates, representing a wide range of Protestant and Catholic churches
and organizations worldwide, held March 5-8, in Arlington, VA. In his speech, Dr. Kobia emphasized two particular gifts that churches bring to advocacy work: spiritual discernment and the fact that they belong to a global Christian fellowship.

First 100 days marked by pastoral visit to Kenya and Rwanda Kobia marked his first 100 days as WCC general secretary by paying a pastoral visit to Kenya (April 8-15) and Rwanda (April 16-18). Celebrating a unique achievement by one of their own, the Kianjai villagers in the Meru district, some 200 kilometers east of Nairobi, greeted Kobia with prayers, songs and poems. "I felt that as I started my official visits, I should go back to my roots and receive a blessing from my parents," Kobia commented after the celebration. The same spirit prevailed at the Lavington United Church in Nairobi, which for 10 years had been Kobia's church. "Being reunited with my congregation is simply empowering and energizing," he commented at the end of the Easter service, which was presided over by the Kenyan Methodist presiding bishop M'Impwii Stephen Kanyaru.

Rev. Dr Kobia prays upon arrival at the All Africa Conference of Churches

While in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr. Kobia met with WCC member churches and government officials, addressed an ecumenical
workshop on "Lasting Peace in Africa," and paid respects at the Kigali genocide site.

Historic meeting between UN secretary general and WCC general secretary

The churches' concern over the situation in Iraq and the Israel/Palestine conflict, the role of religion in conflict, and working relations between the WCC and the United Nations Organization were the focus of the first meeting between the UN secretary general Kofi Annan and Dr. Kobia. During this meeting, which was held on May 17th at UN headquarters in New York, Kofi Annan welcomed Dr. Kobia's initiative to invite the Council's member churches to mark the International Day of Peace with prayer services. Expressing appreciation that the UN General Assembly has designated 21 September as an International Day of Peace, Dr. Kobia shared with Secretary General Annan his intention to propose to the WCC governing bodies that they invite member churches to mark that day with special prayer services. "As a world day of prayer for peace, the invitation could also reach people of other faiths," Dr. Kobia stressed. Secretary General Annan warmly welcomed the proposal, saying that it responds to his hope that the International Day of Peace will encourage
people in different contexts to reflect together on what they can do for peace.

Dr. Kobia was accompanied at the meeting by the vice moderator of the World Council of Churches' Commission on International Affairs (CCIA), Ms. Lois Dauway, the WCC/CCIA director Mr. Peter Weiderud, and the WCC permanent representative to the United Nations, Rev. Dr. Laurence Bropleh.

Peace agreement in Sudan threatened by humanitarian crisis in Darfur

On May 28th, Dr. Kobia called the recent Sudan peace agreement "an important step towards national reconciliation and
healing" and "a turning point for the people of Sudan." He congratulated the parties involved and voiced the "joy and happiness" of the WCC member churches" on this momentous and historic occasion of the signing of the peace protocols, after 21 years of bitter conflict".

However, reacting to the more recent unfolding humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the General Secretary joined the WCC executive committee at their 24-27 August meeting in Seoul, Korea in deploring the forced displacement of civilians in Western Sudan. In Seoul, the Executive Committee issued a statement urging the African Union and the United Nations to provide for an international peace-keeping force, the investigation of war crimes, and the full deployment of independent observers to monitor the ceasefire and human rights in the region. It also urged the government of
Sudan to "protect its civilian populations and to disarm the pro-government militia," calling on all parties to work for peace and reconciliation. The statement was made as fresh peace talks between the warring parties were being held in Nigeria.

General secretary is keynote speaker at Atlanta meeting of US Conference

Dr. Kobia will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Meeting of the United States Conference for the World Council of
Churches scheduled for 5-6 October, 2004 in Atlanta Georgia. The Meeting will be convened under the theme of the US
Focus for the DOV, "The Power and Promise of Peace." Prior to the conference, Dr. Kobia will address the member communions in Canada. He expressed particular gratitude to Martin Luther King III who has accepted Dr. Kobia's invitation to serve as Honorary Chairperson for this event, as well as to Former Ambassador Andrew Young and the Rev. Dr. Michael L. Pfleger, pastor of Saint Sabina Community Church in Chicago, Illinois, who have agreed to speak at the culminating celebration service for the Annual Meeting which will be held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta. (Visit: continued on pg. 5

Dr Kobia builds on lifetime commitment to ecumenical leadership From 1978 to 1984, Dr Kobia was WCC executive secretary for Urban Rural Mission. In addition he served as secretary of the WCC Africa Task Force. In 1984, he returned to Kenya to become director of church development activities with the National Council of Churches (NCCK), advising NCCK member churches on the formulation, implementation, management and evaluation of development projects. In September 1987 Dr Kobia was appointed NCCK general secretary. Returning to Geneva in August 1993, Dr Kobia took up the post of executive director of the WCC's Unit III - Justice, Peace and Creation. In 2000, he spent a sabbatical as a fellow at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University. From 1999 through 2002, Dr. Kobia was the director of the WCC Cluster on "Issues and Themes," and in 2003 he served as director and special representative for Africa of the WCC.

Rev. Dr Kobia meets friends of WCC at Advocacy Days: (Left to right) Leon Howell, Arthur Johnson, Barbara Howell, Dr Kobia, Anne Hale Johnson

Dr. Kobia, an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Kenya, gained a Diploma in theology at St. Paul's United Theological College, Kenya, as well as a diploma in Urban Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. In 1978, he obtained a Masters degree in City Planning (MCP) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. In 1993, he was a awarded a Doctor of Divinity by the Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of books dealing with social and theological issues in Kenya and on the future of Africa. He is married to Ruth, and they have two daughters, Kaburo and Nkatha, and two sons, Mwenda and Mutua.

The World Council of Churches has recently engaged in a process of re-visioning and reorganizing its presence in the United States, accompanied by the US Conference for the WCC, which has undertaken a parallel process of self-reflection concerning its purpose, nature and organization. "The US Office has come a long way in the past year," reflects Dr. Elizabeth Ferris, who heads the WCC's Diakonia and Solidarity Team in Geneva. "Through the efforts of Deborah DeWinter and Gloria Feliciano, the office has recovered from the trauma of down-sizing, launched new initiatives in the Decade to Overcome Violence, and has continued to nurture relationships between churches in the US and the wider ecumenical family. It hasn't been an easy year, but the commitment of US member churches and the dedication of staff have re-vitalized the office at a time when the witness of US churches is more important than ever."

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia with program executive for the United States Rev. Deborah DeWinter

Facilitates US focus for the DOV 
The work of the newly re-envisioned presence of the World Council of Churches in the United States is praised by Rev. Hansulrich Gerber, DOV Coordinator for the World Council of Churches who notes, "The Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace (DOV), has found its way to the United States and the US churches through a highly committed, capable and creative WCC US office and its staff, interns and volunteers. They work closely with many people and denominations, and especially the US DOV Committee of the US Conference, which is giving strong leadership to this year's annual focus of the DOV under the theme: The Power and Promise of Peace. It has been tremendously helpful for the WCC to have its feet on the ground in the US and establish good relationships with many people in many churches."

In the interim between the last issue of the Ecumenical Courier (March 2003) and the present, the question of the future of the United States Office for the World Council of Churches was evaluated by the Board of the US Conference and senior leadership at the WCC in Geneva. Ultimately, a decision was made to sustain the office but to re-imagine the potential, relationships, staffing patterns and logistical arrangements of the WCC's presence in the United States. Special emphasis was placed on establishing closer working relationships between the WCC's United Nations, relationships and income development units, nurturing solidarity with respective units in Geneva, the US Conference member churches, and in building a more cohesive and creative approach to programs and protocols, locally.

New office in-kind donation from UMCOR
The generosity of a three-year in-kind donation of a suite of offices on the 13th floor of the Interchurch Center by the United Methodist Committee on Relief of the United Methodist Church was particularly welcomed by the US Conference and WCC in Geneva during the critical juncture of re-evaluating the future of the WCC's presence in the United States.

Staffing patterns were scaled back in keeping with the WCC's overarching budgetary challenges, but also in an attempt to bring the WCC's US presence more in line with the staffing patterns and resources allocated to the other regions. During the summer of 2003, WCC leadership in Geneva cooperated with the Board of the US Conference in making administrative changes to strengthen the relationship between the UN and US Offices of the WCC as well as to streamline the administration of the two offices. Gloria Feliciano's role as administrative assistant in income development was subsequently expanded to take on the office administration and programmatic support for all three entities: the UN office (remaining at 777 UN Plaza), relationships and income development, while also staffing the US Conference. WCC scholar Rev. Calipay "Leng" Lubang from the United Church of The Philippines was asked to devote the summer of 2003 and January term 2004 to archiving US Conference documents and reorganizing the filing system. This very challenging project concluded successfully during the summer of 2004 prior to Rev. Lubang's graduation and return to The Philippines.

Meanwhile, job descriptions were written and a search undertaken to identify candidates for the position of representative to the United Nations, reporting to the team leader of the International Affairs, Peace and Human Security unit of the WCC, and program executive for the United States, (a position combining relationships and communications responsibilities) reporting to the team leader of the Diakonia & Solidarity unit and to the US Conference for the WCC. The income development officer, Jane Richardson, who was instrumental in negotiating the move to the 13th floor offices, remained in her role until 31 December, 2003. Upon her departure, that position was re-evaluated by senior leadership at the WCC in close consultation with the Fund Development Advisory Committee of the US Conference for the WCC. Decisions on the future of the income development position are still pending.

Rev. Deborah DeWinter with WCC scholars

Bropleh and DeWinter appointed
A short list of candidates for the UN representative and US program executive positions was compiled, and interviews conducted in July of 2004 in time for appointments to be made at the Central Committee meeting in Geneva in August- September, 2003. At that time, The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Konmla Bropleh was appointed as WCC-CCIA United Nations representative in New York. A Native of Liberia, Dr. Bropleh has a D.Min with special emphasis on conflict resolution, uprooted people and refugees from Wesley Theological Seminary at American University in Washington, DC. After serving as a United Methodist Church (UMC) pastor from 1991-97, he joined the church's General Board of Global Ministries as regional executive secretary for sub-Saharan Africa. Most recently, Dr. Bropleh was director of African initiatives and senior minister for the UMC Baltimore-Washington Conference.

The Rev. Deborah DeWinter, an ordained pastor with the United Church of Christ, was appointed WCC program executive for the United States in a joint process with the US Conference for the WCC as in this capacity, she also reports to the Board of the US Conference. DeWinter replaces Jean Stromberg, who was executive director of the US Office, retiring on 31 March 2003 after 36 years with the WCC. DeWinter has served as a missionary pastor in Hong Kong with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America developing outreach in religion and the arts and advocacy with Filipina migrant workers and Vietnamese refugees; served as a parish pastor in the United States; worked with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; NCCCUSA Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program; the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Resettlement Section; and most recently, as executive director of FilmAid International, New York. She was appointed by the WCC Central Committee meeting in August-September 2003, and took up her new position in September.

US Conference, UN Office staff, volunteer: (L. to r.) Jane Richardson, Edna Palmer, Laurence Bropleh, Deobrah DeWinter, and Gloria Feliciano. (December 2003)

Former staff praised
According to the Rev. Dr. Robert Welsh, the Ecumenical Officer for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), chair of the Fund Development Advisory Committee of the Board of the US Conference and Chair of the Board of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, "Cutting staff and eliminating positions in the US Office of the WCC last year was a difficult decision, especially with a staff who had done good work and developed close associations with the church leaders over many years."

Despite the downsizing, Dr. Welsh believes "….the ‘gift' of the reconfigured US Office is that we now have a real partnership in the whole of the work -- relationships, communication, and our witness in the United Nations -- that has a clear priority focused upon building relationships with the churches and discovering new relationships as part of the global ecumenical fellowship."

The Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. who serves as Vice Moderator of the WCC/NCCC-USA's Black Church Liaison Committee as well as on the Board of the US Conference, stated that "It's a joy to see the vitality of our WCC-US office" and adding that "The staff are accommodating to divergent perspectives yet focused on how to move forward in a spirit of Christian Unity."

Strengthened Relationship with NCCCUSA The relationship between the WCC's US Office and the National Council of Churches was praised by the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA). "It has been a pleasure to see the development of a truly constructive working relationship between the WCC's U.S. office and the National Council of Churches USA., particularly in the area of the Decade to Overcome Violence. This relationship extends to an increasingly effective collaboration between our International Affairs and Peace Office and the WCC's international affairs office in Geneva."

Deborah DeWinter stressed the vital contributions of former staff and longterm volunteers Edna Palmer and Jean and Bill Schmidt who in her view, and that of colleague Gloria Feliciano, have kept the ecumenical ship of the US Office afloat through recent changes. "Without the secure anchor to the past these cherished colleagues provide, the treasure of their institutional memories, and the nearly 100 years of their combined ecumenical experience, this ‘ship' we call the US Office of the World Council of Churches, would likely not have survived the rough seas of recent transitions. They know the ecumenical stories and bonds of mutual commitment to the ecumenical movement of nearly every person on our database of some 5,000 names. And besides all that, they are an inspiration to be around!" concluded DeWinter.

Feliciano rises to significant challenges
The unsung hero of the re-visioning of the US Office, is Gloria Feliciano, who brings a strong faith and breadth of experience to her position. "It was the diversity of the job that attracted me," Feliciano reflected, "and the work is so meaningful. I enjoy the relationships with all the different denominations and my mind and heart have been opened to the world in a new way." Together with her husband, Daniel, who pastors a bilingual (Spanish-English) congregation affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located near the Interchurch Center, Gloria has lived in Wurzburg, Germany, where Dan served in the United States Army, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Springfield, Missouri and in New Jersey, where Dan served congregations. Both Gloria and Dan were born in Puerto Rico, though Gloria grew up in New York City and Dan came to the United States as an adult. The Felicianos are the parents of three daughters and have been blessed with five grandchildren.

"Gloria has the extremely challenging task of serving as the human resources, finance, and administrative center for both the US Conference for the WCC, as well as the US and UN Offices of the WCC. In this capacity, she literally has to divide her time between two physical sites at opposite ends of Manhattan and three programmatic areas. Despite the bonewrenching demands upon her time and talents, we all count on Gloria's cheerful disposition and her ‘can-do' attitude to keep us moving in the right directions. Every visitor to our office is greeted first by Gloria, who somehow manages to make all the necessary connections that each visitor requests and also help them feel at home." DeWinter concluded by saying how important it will be to cultivate more volunteers and interns to support the US Conference and activities of the World Council of Churches in the US context.

 

WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence:
Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace
(2001-2010)

Many people have asked, ‘Why choose the US as the focus of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) for 2004? Isn't the need more urgent in other areas of the world? In the words of Decade coordinator Hansulrich Gerber: "When violence and threats of war are rising up ominously around us, an initiative like this, which aims at strengthening organizations and individuals committed to peace and reconciliation, is a sign of hope."

Not violence but active and persistent love is redemptive As Dr. Tom Paxson, Co-Chair, U.S. Decade to Overcome Violence Committee notes, "Americans seem to be a people entranced by violence. Popular culture condemns it and exalts it both. We seem unable, as a people, to learn that it is not violence but active and persistent love that is redemptive, the unsentimental and uncompromising love we find in Christ. In spite of this clear lesson at the heart of our faith and of our personal experience, popular culture repeatedly proclaims the contrary -- in fables, in entertainment, in what is served up as history, and all too often in our political philosophy and even in our theology. The love-hate relationship with violence is rooted very deeply in our culture. It is not simply that violence is often justified; it seems anymore that violence is the only solution that occurs to people. Yet Americans have a rich heritage of nonviolent processes, processes of peace for building and sustaining healthy and productive communities. I would hope that this heritage be recognized, reclaimed, and built upon."

Worship leaders at DOV launch, January 2004

DOV's international reference group expresses solidarity with US churches
"At this moment in history, the United States is in the middle of a whirlwind of events and processes that will shape world order for decades to come," added Dr. Jan Love, moderator of the International Reference Group for the DOV. "Thanks be to God that the churches in the United States also stand in the midst of the whirlwind, ready to witness to love, grace, justice, and peace. This witness will only be fully authentic and effective, however, if churches all over the world provide both their support and challenge to Christians in the United States through the WCC and its Decade to Overcome Violence," she added.

WCC president welcomes challenge of US focus
"Especially in 2004, as the WCC focuses the DOV on the United States, I look forward to finding new ways of connecting justice advocacy with ecumenical partners in my work as the WCC president from North America," said Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson. "This is a wonderful honor, an exciting challenge and an opportunity to share the ecumenical vision of the WCC in our world today."

Role of churches in maintaining prophetic voice in US context
In its short history, the United States of America has become the most powerful nation on the earth, economically, culturally, technologically, and militarily. Its political influence stems from its developing a form of democracy suitable for the modern world, with an independent judiciary and checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government. What may be given less attention outside the United States has been the role of the churches in shaping the culture, promoting social change, and maintaining a prophetic voice independent of the political parties and institutions of government. United States' history is marked by constant struggle, competing visions of the good society, and great diversity in religious commitments; it is ever changing.

Why a US focus for 2004?
The United States was selected as the regional focus, in part, for the following reasons: Americans have struggled with violence throughout the life of the country- -having built a culture deeply stained with violence, yet having a rich history of nonviolent movements. Americans continue to be divided regarding the resort to violence to achieve social and political ends. The United States has enormous global influence--economic, political, cultural, and military--for good and for ill.

Promotes denominational & interfaith cooperation
The prominence of churches in the United States permits them to play important roles both in buttressing the status quo and in promoting social change. American churches have worked to eliminate injustice and violence, while confessing their complicity, and have often worked in these endeavors independently, sporadically, and sometimes at cross-purposes. One hope is that the Decade serves as an occasion for greater cooperation among U.S. churches.

At the local and regional levels in the United States, there is increasing interfaith cooperation and dialogue that can involve people from independent Christian churches, as well as other faith traditions including Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus.

DOV calendar highlights events Sponsored by Member Churches The 2004 focus for the DOV aims to promote understanding of the situation and challenges that confront U.S. churches regionally and internationally, as they seek to carry out faithful Christian witness. The DOV web site includes a 2004 calendar of DOV related events sponsored or endorsed by member communions in the United States. Through the 2004 focus, the WCC hopes to dispel overly simplistic stereotypes outside the U.S.A. of American churches, while also intentionally encouraging these same churches in their oftbeleaguered witness for peace and justice as they continue to seek to challenge the spirit, logic, and practice of violence.

Rev. Dr Otis Moss, Jr. preaches at US launch

Solidarity expressed in "Living Letters" delegations
The struggle to overcome violence requires solidarity with those who do not enjoy the respect that is their due as children of God. Following the attacks on the United States 11 September 2001, the WCC sent a team of "living letters" in a show of solidarity with, and compassion for, Americans. This year, plans are underway to send "living letters" to express solidarity with the peacemaking witness of the US churches in the context of the Annual Meeting of the United States Conference for the WCC scheduled for 5-6 October in Atlanta, Georgia. These "living letters" representatives will come from those focus regions of the DOV that have already been spotlighted in the context of the Decade, including Israel-Palestine (2002), and the Sudan (2003), as well as those regions where the DOV will focus in the near future, namely Asia (2005) and Latin America (2006) which will be held in conjunction with the 9th Assembly of the WCC in Porte Alegre, Brazil.

Celebration of common witness is stated objective
The WCC will be recognizing and publicizing events, programs, and grass roots organizations promoting just peace, both in the United States and throughout the world. Through this work the WCC hopes to make a common Christian witness to the power and promise of peace.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy featured in launch of US focus
On January 12, 2004, a worship service held at the Interchurch Center at 475 Riverside Drive in New York City kicked off the US Focus for the DOV and lifted up the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a source of inspiration to the US churches. The guest preacher was Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., a friend and associate of Dr. King, who serves on the national board of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non- Violent Social Change. Also, the service honored the former chief of staff to Dr. King, Rev. Dr Wyatt Tee Walker, for his lifetime commitment to seeking reconciliation and peace.

Conference highlights womens' perspectives on overcoming violence Dr. Jean Martensen, Co-Chair, U.S. Decade to Overcome Violence Committee, joined some thirty female leaders from eight Christian denominations in the United States, who came to the Episcopal Church Center in New York to observe this year's International Women's Day. Their conference drew to a close with a list of possible actions women might take in the quest to overcome violence from a women's perspective. Dr. Martensen commented that " .serving on the US DOV committee has provided me with a community of people who dare to hope and continue to struggle in spite of the powerful forces amassed against us. In the process of our leadership in support of the US focus for the DOV we are brought closer to the power of God's promise of peace." She adds, "Service on the US DOV Committee enables every member to witness for peace and nonviolence not only through their own churches but also in a collaborative, ecumenical and interfaith fashion. It is personally, for me, a continual testing and renewing experience. Each of us on the committee offers the leadership skills we have for the good of the whole. We tell each other heartening stories and we listen to each other's struggles within our denominations as reduced budgets threaten the work of mainline churches at the national level. Together we learn how to witness in adversity and to a culture saturated with patriotic rhetoric that rationalizes and extols war." Culminating celebration calls for recommitment of US churches An ecumenical planning committee of DOV advocates in Minnesota and Iowa are hosting the culminating interfaith service of celebration scheduled for the evening of 1 December at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Local peacemakers will be recognized in the context of the service, which will include a focus on the arts to lift up the theme of the US Focus for the DOV, The Power and Promise of Peace. In the context of this culminating event for the US focus year, member communions and other peacemaking organizations will be called upon to recommit themselves to the goals and objectives of the DOV during the balance of the Decade.

June Townes performs special music in honor of Dr Wyatt Tee Walker WCC Diakonia & Solidarity team leader Beth Ferris discusses DOV with Martin Luther King III

For more information on the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) please visit the interactive website:
www.overcomingviolence.org.
For activities specific to the US Focus and to view the US DOV Calendar, link to: www.wcc-usa.org.

Explore possibilities for peace and reconciliation On April 2, 2004, ten World Council of Churches international scholars from eight countries and ten denominations gathered at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky where they were warmly welcomed and graciously hosted by the Presbyterian Church USA's Peacemaking Program for a consultation to discuss issues of violence and to explore possibilities for peace and reconciliation in Jesus Christ. The scholars from around the world, studying at various theological institutions across the United States, were called together by the World Council of Churches (WCC), who has set the years 2001 - 2010 as the Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace (DOV). The DOV calls churches, ecumenical organizations and people of good will to work together at the local, regional, and global levels with communities, secular movements, and people of all living faiths, to promote peace, justice and reconciliation.

WCC scholars studing in US gather for consultation hosted by PCUSA

Consultation begins with prayer service at baptismal font The scholars, who focused their discussions on personal experiences of violence and peacemaking in the context of their home countries and the United States, opened their time together with a worship service at the baptismal font. At the water, they gave thanks for God's wondrous gift of one baptism in Christ that transcended their diversity and united them as one body in the unbreakable bonds of love. As the Rev. Leng Lubang, WCC scholar from the Dubuque Theological Seminary who took the lead in organizing this event, commented, "The safe environment created by this gathering enabled the scholars to share their perceptions of living in the United States and experiencing American society at close hand for the first time. They were able to participate in a dialogue of the heart, where their theological thinking involved the mind, spirit and body." "Prayer is the loud voice of the churches for peace." After reading the theological reflection paper, "Nurturing Peace, Overcoming Violence: In the Way of Christ for the Sake of the World" prepared by the WCC's Faith and Order team, the scholars engaged in a lively and at times very poignant discussion of the sources of power and the inspirations for peace in the contexts of their own countries. Excerpts from their reflections, which follow, also contain some observations of the United States: "I like the concept of living for peace. We have too many who are willing to die for peace. It is harder to live and struggle to transform society. I prefer living for peace rather than dying for peace." (Brenda - Trinidad) "I don't see many differences between the government in the United States and in the third world. What the churches are doing is what makes the difference. If churches stand with those who suffer, governments may notice. That's how we can hold ourselves accountable as brothers and sisters." (Musa - Kenya) "America is blessed to have religious freedom, but it seems to me that it is Christians, themselves, who limit the freedom of religious expression." (Gideon - Solomon Is) "How we use language is so important. With words we can start a war or start peace. We can destroy or build up. We are not cautious enough about the words we use with one another." (Renemsongla - India)

Worship begins at baptismal font Rev. Deenabandu Manchala (WCC Faith & Order), Rev. Robina Winbush (ecumenical officer PCUSA), Rev. Leng Lubang, WCC scholar from Dubuque Theological Seminary, Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick (PCUSA).,Rev. Hansulrich Gerber, DOV coordinator (WCC), Rev. Deborah DeWinter (WCC/US). Scholars from Indonesia, Botswana, accompanied by John Backer of Church World Service (CWS)

"Peace can be maintained if all authorities realize that power is born not out of control or force, but out of solidarity in divine love." ( Mary - Kenya)
"Every village has a chief. The whole problem with a global village is that we have a chief that is invisible. In African villages we have a chief that is for the people. But in the global village, we have a chief who is not for the people." (Dumie - Botswana)"When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." This means that in the fight of big powers in the world, it is the "grassroots" whether from poor or rich countries that are adversely affected." (Renemsongla - India)
"Prayer is the loud voice of the churches for peace. Even in rural villages in the South Pacific, we pray for peace for the rest of the world. What can prayer do when we ask for impossible things? Week by week we pray…and prayers are answered." (Gideon - Solomon Is.)
"Prayer has power. Prayer can make a difference. In the Orthodox Church in Romania, many have witnessed the power of prayer in the lives of the saints. Prayer does have the power to bring change." (Roxana - Romania)

Sharing stories heightens global concern for overcoming violence
In a personal response to the experience, The Rev. Lubang noted that she anticipated her ministry back home in The Philippines would be strengthened by her exposure to the stories of fellow scholars from around the world who broadened her own understanding of the need to heighten global concern for overcoming violence and the critical need for developing and sustaining initiatives for peacemaking. She also reflected on the "grace" of having an opportunity for all the WCC scholars studying in the United States to explore their respective experiences of this culture, and to compare notes on what had been the most challenging, and the most inspiring aspects of their time, here.

WCC scholars bring new perspectives to theological questions
The benefits of having WCC scholars enrolled at the Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, motivated Eden's Director of Admissions, The Rev. Dr. Diane Windler, to drive WCC scholars attending Eden to Louisville for this consultation and to personally engage in the discussions. "We have found that international students bring a whole new perspective to theological questions, as well as providing a multicultural experience for our American students who are not able to travel," she said. "Their presence in our communities keeps us humble as an international power, helps us hold a global perspective for our congregations, keeps us honest in our theological dialogue."

Ecumenical partnerships make consultation possible
With the full support of Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Ecumenical Officer, Rev. Robina Winbush, the scholars and guests from the World Council of Churches were graciously hosted by Sara Lisherness, Coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, together with her dedicated and talented staff. Veteran North American Correspondent for the WCC's Scholarship Programme at Church World Service, Mr. John Backer, coordinated logistics and travel for those attending the consultation. Attending from the World Council of Churches in Geneva were The Rev. Hansulrich Gerber, Coordinator of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence, and The Rev. Deenabandhu Manchala of the Faith & Order team. The WCC's Program Executive for the United States, The Rev. Deborah DeWinter, was also present, representing the U.S. Conference for the WCC, together with The Rev. Dr. Diane Windler, Director of Admissions at Eden Theological Seminary. Interaction with national staff of the Presbyterian Church USA was integrated into the agenda as well as the opportunity for scholars and guests to worship in local congregations on Palm Sunday.

The WCC Scholarship Programme is a global ecumenical formation programme offering scholarships to individuals and groups from around the world to help churches and church-related organizations fulfill their mission. Application forms for the WCC Scholarship Programme are available from the National Correspondent of each country, and downloadable from the Scholarships Programme website, www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/education/scholarships-e.html

Opening worship leadership is shared by PCUSA and WCC scholar colleagues in Louisville

In order to continue the scope of the work that had been undertaken by twice as many staff in the past, WCC's US Conference Office in New York continues to rely heavily on the dedicated services of former staff members and long-time volunteers Edna Palmer and Jean Schmidt. Emphasis has also been placed on the recruitment of other volunteers and the identification of interns to help augment the capacity of the UN and US Offices. Plans for the future envision the institutionalization of internships in partnership with colleges and seminaries affiliated with member communions, as well as the development of faculty sabbatical projects in conjunction with the US Conference Office and other programmatic units of the WCC in Geneva.

Konrad Raiser with Edna Palmer

Seeking "good will ambassadors" in US context
In addition, program executive for the United States, Rev. Deborah DeWinter says that she "hopes to identify, train, and nurture a special group of ‘goodwill ambassadors' for the US Office of the World Council of Churches. Ideally, we would be able to identify dedicated ecumenists located in different regions of the United States who would feel called to serve as adjunct, volunteer ambassadors to interpret the exciting mission of the WCC within a reasonable distance of their home communities. This would increase our visibility and enable us to be better known in local congregations, among affiliated colleges, universities and the ecumenical organizations." The "rewards" would not be monetary, she explained, but rather, strategic opportunities could be made available to these ambassadors to attend special meetings and consultations associated with the WCC as observers in order to periodically "recharge their commitment to the ecumenical movement."

Seminary and undergraduate internships
Already over the course of the past six months, several new internships have been developed at the US Office. DeWinter noted that Luther Seminary graduate Jocelyn Bakkemo served a joint DOV Internship with the US Office and the NCCCUSA beginning in January and concluding in July, 2004. In this capacity, Bakkemo assisted the program executive in "staffing" the US DOV Committee as well as organizing a major DOV event for the NCCCUSA in Los Angeles, "Remembering Rwanda," to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Though no longer formally interning, Bakkemo has volunteered to serve as the cochairperson for the culminating event of the US Focus for the DOV scheduled for 1 December in Minneapolis.

Other interns include Nohemi Vidal, a May 2004 sociology graduate of New York University who has worked part time for Church World Service during the summers since she was a junior in high school. She is assisting US Conference Office Administrator Gloria Feliciano with income development projects and administrative support in the lead-up to the Atlanta meeting in October. Jessica Nycole Ralph, a 21- year old senior in the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University's BFA program pilots the US Office's new internship program with locally based church-related colleges. Beginning in August and remaining through the calendar year, Jessica's strong interest in dance ministry and the arts has allowed her to develop a special project under the auspices of the Worship and Music working group of the Atlanta Ecumenical Planning Committee. Largely due to Jessica's initiative, a special panel entitled, "When Hip Hop Meets God," has been organized for the Atlanta meeting of the US Conference. In addition, she will be performing a liturgical dance at the culminating celebration in Atlanta. Jessica notes: "For a long time I have felt a passion for promoting unity amongst the different churches and breaking down the barriers between denominations. So I am especially excited to become a part of the WCC team because the principles of the organization are very dear to my heart. I know God has placed me here to do and to experience something awesome." Jessica will also participate in the Stewards Program for the US Conference Meeting in Atlanta.

Links with Geneva interns
During this first year of the re-visioning process in the US Conference Office, care has been taken to explore ways in which to build stronger links to colleagues and program areas in Geneva. "Given the realities of a downsized staff, while essentially still being charged with the same responsibilities as in the past, we have had to be creative and proactive in finding ways to share the responsibilities," DeWinter explained. "One key way in which we have gone about this is to explore how we might more intentionally collaborate with our colleagues in Geneva to accomplish individual tasks. For example, Diakonia & Solidarity Team intern Hanna Smidt devotes 10 hours a week to coordinating the "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" Awards in conjunction with the US DOV Committee, appointed by the US Conference Board. Christine Aoukich from the DOV Coordinator's office in Geneva manages the website pages affiliated with the US Focus for the DOV and the upcoming Atlanta Meeting, a key DOV event," she explained.

Another example of these cross-cutting relationships between staff in Geneva and the US Office is illustrated in the example of Corina Thompson, a recent graduate majoring in film and video production, who is serving a short-term consultancy with the DOV Coordinator's office in Geneva, but physically based in the US Office. DeWinter noted, "Corina's assignment is to facilitate the collection and editing of special video messages from church leaders and other prominent peacemakers around the world expressing solidarity with the peace and justice witnessing of the US Churches in preparation for the 21 September International Day of Peace declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations." Through a careful planning process conceived by Juan Michel of WCC's Public Information Team (PIT) and implemented jointly by PIT and Corina Thompson, with the support of the DOV Coordinator's Office, these video messages will be filmed and edited in such a way as to also be used in the context of the Annual Meeting of the US Conference - and perhaps later, as part of another video project designed to help tell the story of the WCC's relationships.

Yoder seconded to US from WCC DOV office Similarly, the recently appointed program assistant to the WCC's DOV Coordinator, Kent Yoder, whose position is largely supported by the Mennonite churches, DeWinter explained, "….has been seconded to the US Office from 16 August through 7 October in order to assist the US Office in preparing for the Atlanta meeting, a key event on the calendar for the US Focus for the DOV." Yoder, who has completed his first year of seminary at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana focusing on theology and ethics, recently reflected on his reasons for wanting to be part of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence team: "Experiences in the Middle-East, Asia, and at home in the U.S. have forced me to ask deeply what it means to be a Christian in this world of abusive power, which so often leads to violence and injustice. In the past months I have found myself profoundly drawn to the Christian gospel message of hope for an alternative way of being human. A desire to become a part of this message, through listening and working, is my greatest motivation for becoming a part of this WCC program." He will also participate in the Atlanta Stewards program.

Yoder's primary responsibility during the two months of his association with the US Office is to provide staff support to the DOV Coordinator, Rev. Hansulrich Gerber and to the Vice Moderator of the US Conference, Rev. Ashley Seaman, in their leadership of the Spirituality, Nonviolence and & Reconciliation Retreat scheduled for the weekend prior to the Atlanta event, 2-4 October at the Simpsonwood Retreat and Conference Center. Yoder's Geneva-based assignment with the DOV Coordinator's office will begin on 10 October.

Atlanta intern supported by PCUSA donation
Through a special grant by the Presbyterian Church USA, intern Rev. Richard Flippin, a 2004 Candler Seminary graduate in Atlanta, Georgia whose undergraduate degree is from Morehouse College, has been supported in his short-term assignment as assistant to the Moderator of the Atlanta Ecumenical Planning Committee (AEPC) for the upcoming Annual Meeting of the US Conference for the WCC, 5-6 October 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. Flippin, who has considerable experience in youth evangelism, provides administrative and programmatic support to the Rev. Dr. T. DeWitt Smith, senior pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta, First Vice President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. and moderator of the AEPC. Flippin's two and a half month assignment also involves a close working partnership with the Rev. S. LaTrell Harrison, Vice-Moderator of the AEPC responsible for heading the young adult Steward's Program for the Atlanta meeting. Flippin and Harrison will work collaboratively with the Rev. Simon Oxley, program executive for Ecumenical Learning of the WCC's Education and Ecumenical Formation Team in developing a special ecumenical formation track for stewards attending the Spirituality, Nonviolence and Reconciliation Retreat in Atlanta. Programmatic links have also been developed to the WCC's World Youth Program within the Peace, Justice and Creation team.

WCC scholarship programme partnership Rev. DeWinter related that "One of the most exciting collaborations this year was with the WCC Scholarships Program, thanks to the vision of John Backer, longtime National Correspondent for North America of the WCC Scholarships Program administered by Church World Service. She went on to explain that Backer "planted the seed that resulted in the very moving experience of the PCUSA-hosted WCC Scholars Consultation on the DOV this past April, which was organized by Rev. Calipay Lubang, a WCC scholar from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and studying at the Dubuque Theological Seminary." (For more information please refer to WCC International Scholars feature story included in this issue.) "In his quiet manner, John has the marvelous habit of subtly sketching out profound ideas on how to build partnerships to enhance ecumenical formation. The WCC has been extraordinarily well served by John Backer over the years. In his unassuming way, John has diligently cultivated seminary scholarships for future church leaders from around the world in scores of US seminaries and theological institutions around the country," DeWinter reflected. "When John speaks, I listen, because experience has taught me that he always has something special to say about nurturing ecumenical relationships."

Rev. "Leng" Lubang recognized by Rev. DeWinter for US Conference archiving project

Hopeful Song of Healing Chosen to Highlight US Focus for DOV in 2004"We survivors can be lonely souls. Our histories are personal, life-altering, wrenching," says Bette Rod. "There is risk as we extend our voices, bodies, and psyches. We know as long as violence devastates, we cannot be completely at peace," she added. "Like ordinary people everywhere, we're very much affected by violence—in our society and in our world," states her husband, David. "Peace is very precious to us."Bette, a self-described "farm kid from Wisconsin," has been writing songs for the past 15 years. Her CD Pieces gives musical expression to her experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She and David have sung together at weddings, coffeehouses, Sunday morning worship services, and other occasions for more than 30 years. They are members of Christ the King Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Iowa City, Iowa.Encouraged by the Rev. Deborah DeWinter, program executive for the US office of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to contribute a theme song for the 2004 Decade to Overcome Violence, Bette and David worked together to create "Song for Peace." For this song, Bette noted, "I wanted a melody and lyrics that would be received and understood by all people, whatever their history. Dave helped me with that. It's his melody, his chorus—his way to offer tangible help to the ones who have suffered. His way to connect with me as together we created a song to inspire, to give hope, to bind together."The US DOV Committee and the Board of the US Conference for the WCC endorsed "Song for Peace" before this song premiered at the WCC's International Scholars gathering on April 2, 2004 hosted by the Presbyterian Church USA's Peacekeeping Program in Louisville, Kentucky. After the ten international scholars were told the background behind this story, the Rev. (Calipay) Leng Lubang, a WCC scholar, stated how they were inspired by Bette's experience as a survivor of violence. As a pastor theologian striving to give heart to her theology, she found that the calming folk melody enabled her to tell her own personal story as a peacemaker on a deeper and more profound level.On May 27, 2004, Bette and David's song was offered at "The Power and Promise of Peace," an interfaith service of prayer and reconciliation honoring those who have died in the conflict in Iraq, which took place at the National City Christian Church in Washington, DC. It was also featured at the Ecumenical Service of Worship for the 216th General Assembly of the PCUSA on June 30th in Richmond, Virginia. Plans are underway to launch versions of this song in jazz and gospel arrangements at the Annual Meeting of the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches, which will be held October 5-6, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. The song, which can be downloaded for noncommercial use from the DOV website www.overcomingviolence.org, will also be translated into Spanish, French, German and Chinese.The Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV): Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace (2001-2010) aims to address issues of violence in all its forms on all levels of society including violence against children and women, militarism, security, gang violence, and structural violence. For more information on the DOV, please visit: www.overcomingviolence.org .

 

Dr Bernice Powell Jackson, the executive minister of the Justice and Witness ministries of the United Church of Christ in the USA, has been elected as World Council of Churches (WCC) president from North America, joining seven co-presidents from other regions. A member of the WCC Central Committee since 1998, Powell Jackson is the spokesperson for this year's WCC Decade to Overcome Violence focus on the United States. An activist on behalf of civil, women's and human rights around the world for more than a quarter of a century, she serves as one of the five officers of the United Church of Christ, and is mandated to work on a wide range of justice issues confronting the church and the world. In her new capacity, Dr. Powell Jackson, plans to help tell the story of the World Council of Churches, its rich history and its prophetic role in our world today.

According to Dr. Powell Jackson, her first priority will be " .to help inform Americans that this is the year that the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence is focusing on the United States. We want members of our churches as well as the public to know that we are focusing on the United States because this country is the world's superpower and thus we have a particular responsibility to work for a world in which violence is no more." Also, she wants to encourage churches and others to become a part of the DOV through a variety of initiatives ranging from advocacy work to end violence against women and children to running or assisting in domestic violence shelters; from working to end war in our world to stopping the production of land mines; from educating parents about violence in many of the video games our children play to sponsoring conflict resolution programs for children.

Powell Jackson with Martin Luther King III (left), Rev. E. Randel T. Osbum, and Dr Tyrone Pitts at October 2003 meeting of US Conference Board, NY

The 2005 Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, which is expected to host participants from the widest range of churches in the history of mission conferences, will take place from May 9-16th 2005 at the Agios Andreas recreational center outside Athens, Greece. A special web conferencing feature will allow people around the world to follow the conference closely and contribute to discussions on conference themes, thus allowing participation beyond the 500 official delegates.In a speech to present-day Athenians last March, his Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece welcomed the conference, which is the first of its kind to take place in an Orthodox-majority country. Hosted by the Church of Greece, the conference will begin with the call of "Come Holy Spirit, heal and reconcile" and finish with a Sunday sending service at the Areopagos, where St Paul preached to the Athenians, calling people of different faiths to seek God (Acts 17:27).Since the conference coincides with the mid-point of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010), participants will be asked to reflect on some of the Decade's themes, specifically the use, abuse and misuse of power, and the understanding of religious identity and plurality. "In our globalized and fragmented world, filled with much division and conflict, the gospel message of healing and reconciliation is vital," says Rev. Ruth Bottoms, a Baptist pastor from the UK who is moderator of both the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism and the conference's planning committee.The tradition of world mission conferences goes back to the 1910 world mission conference in Edinburgh, leading to thecreation of the International Missionary Council, a body that merged with the WCC in 1961. The last such conference washeld in 1996 in Salvador da Bahía, Brazil and focused on gospel and cultures. Reference and preparatory materials in English, German, French and Spanish are now available on the conferencewebsite: www.mission2005.org.

 

Frances Toshiko Maeda

Frances Toshiko Maeda died peacefully in her apartment in Portland, Oregon on 26 July 2004 at the age of 91. Born andraised in Portland, Oregon, Ms. Maeda attended the University of Denver graduating with a degree in sociology. However, at the start of the II World War, the Maeda family was evacuated to the Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho where she sat on advisory boards, assisted with social case work and organized activities on behalf of her fellow internees. Released in 1942, Ms. Maeda moved to Boston to take up a position as secretary for foreign missions in the Congregational church. Her 30-year career with the World Council of Churches began with a move to New York City in 1945. From 1957-1977 she served as Secretary for Programs. Ms. Maeda's social activism was well known. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was a founding member of Amnesty International. Raised in the United Methodist Church, Ms. Maeda eventually became a Presbyterian. She retired to Portland in 1977 to care for her elderly mother and continued to correspond with the ecumenists she had come to know throughout her years of faithful service with the World Council of Churches, including Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Ms. Maeda is survived by her brother, Roy M. Maeda and wife of Portland, Oregon, and her niece, Sharon Maeda, of Seattle, Washington.

J. Robert Nelson

The Rev. J. Robert Nelson, an ecumenist, theologian and bio-ethicist died 6 July 2004 in Houston Texas. He was 83. Dr.Nelson earned bachelors degrees at De Pauw and Yale Universities and a Th.D at the University of Zurich. After service inChina as a Marine Corps Chaplain in 1946 he attended the 1948 First Assembly of the World Council of Churches at Amsterdam.

Following his studies in theology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland under Emil Brunner, he was appointed Secretaryof the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission which he chaired until 1975. In 1957 Dr. Nelson became dean of the Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, but resigned his tenure as professor and dean on principle rather than acquiesce to the dismissal by the administration of a young associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., James M. Lawson. Following two years of teaching at Princeton and in India, he became professor of theology at Oberlin and Boston University School of Theology, where he also served as Dean. Dr. Nelson held many positions in the United MethodistChurch and in the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. He was president of the American TheologicalSociety and a founder of the North American Academy of Ecumenists. Upon his retirement in 1985, Dr. Nelson becamedirector of the Institute of Religion in the Texas Medical Center in Houston where he taught seminars on genetics, religion and ethics and served as associate editor of the publication, "Human Gene Therapy." A deeply devoted ecumenist, Dr. Nelson attended all of the WCC's Assemblies up to 1998 in Harare.

Dr. Nelson is survived by his wife, PatriciaMercer Nelson, and their sons Eric and William. A memorial service was held at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Houston on 17 July.

Walter G. Muelder

Dr. Walter George Muelder, world-renowned theologian, philosopher, pacifist and social activist died 12 June 2004 inBoston, MA. He was 97. Following his father's footsteps, Muelder graduated from Boston University's School of Theology(S.T.B. 1930, Ph.D. 1933). His education, his studies in Germany, and his subsequent experiences as a pastor and professor in the rural Midwest during the Depression, led him to become an outspoken activist and outstanding educator. In 1945, Muelder returned to Boston University where he began a 27-year tenure as Dean of the School of Theology. Muelder's vision became a motivating force of the school, as his broadened conceptualization of Personalism and practical, holistic, and multi-cultural approach to theology reaffirmed BU's School of Theology as one of most important theological institutions of the time, one willing to address social and political issues such as civil rights, equal rights, and atomic warfare.

Einstein publicly praised Muelder's Idea of a Responsible Society as a practical means of achieving peace. Also, Muelder gained the educational talents and experience of Nils Ehrenstrom, Swedish native and notable leader of the World Council of Churches as the Professor of Ecumenics to foster ecumenical theological education and resources such as the library. Many students became outspoken political leaders and social activists, including Civil Rights leaders Reverend Douglas Moore, who organized the first sit-in in North Carolina, John Cartwright, and Martin Luther King Jr. King affectionately noted Muelder as a significant influence in his path to nonviolence and civil rights.

In addition to shaping the development of the School of Theology, Muelder remained active as a religious leader in the Methodist Church. He served the World Council of Churches for many years, attending the Assemblies at Evanston (1954), New Delhi (1961) and Uppsala (1968). He served in various capacities with Faith and Order, including Chair of the Commission on Institutionalism (1955-1963), and Chair of the Board of the Ecumenical Institute (1961-1968). Inspired by his collaborative activities with the WCC, in the late 1960s, Muelder proposed to seven graduate theological schools in the Boston-area that an inclusive center be established which would further higher education in theological and advance academic cooperation. Boston Theological Institute (BTI) was incorporated in 1968 and Muelder served as its chair.

A memorial service was held 21 June 21 2004 in Marsh Chapel at Boston University.

 

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations and will be celebrated this year on September 21, 2004. Following the May meeting of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and World Council of Churches General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, churches representing over 550 million Christians worldwide have been invited for the first time to mark 21 September as an International Day of Prayer for Peace. In the framework of its Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace (2001-2010), the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on its member churches to pray for peace on 21 September by organizing 24- hour observances or vigils on that day, as well as prayers for peace in services on the Sunday before or after 21 September.

Kofi Annan greets Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, weclomes WCC Day of Prayer for peace

The WCC initiative links to the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations General Assembly, a worldwide effort intended as a day of global cease-fire and non-violence, and as an opportunity for education and raising public awareness.

The DOV, a major program of the WCC, runs parallel with the United Nations "Decade for Peace." Special video messages from Church leaders around the world and other prominent peacemakers were prepared to mark this special occasion, and together with church bulletin inserts and other resources designed to commemorate the International Day of Prayer for Peace, may be downloaded from the DOV website by visiting: www.overcomingviolence.org . A joint prayer service was planned under the auspices of the WCC's United Nations Office, the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) on 21 September at the Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, New York.

The Blessed are the Peacemakers Awards are given to persons, congregations and groups that exemplify creative and courageous peace and justice making efforts in their local communities. The goal is to spotlight 2,004 peacemakers around the United States who embody the spirit of the goals and objectives of the 2004 US Focus for the Decade To Overcome Violence (DOV) under the theme: "The Power and Promise of Peace." Denominations, local churches and interfaith organizations will select the persons or groups who are honored with this award. The US DOV Committee will review the names and stories of those selected and issue the awards to the nominees.

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia with former ambassador Andrew Young, who presented the DOV peacemaker awards in Atlanta

While the sponsoring organization may choose the time and place where the awards are presented, the US DOV Committee also reserves the right to replicate the presentation of some awards at national events such as the Annual Meeting of the US Conference for the WCC in Atlanta, Georgia on October 5-6, 2004, the Peace Banquet at the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA on November 11 in St. Louis, Missouri, and at the culminating interfaith service for the US Focus scheduled for 1 December at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For more information on the "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" Awards, including guidelines and nominations forms, please visit the website for the US Office at: www.wcc-usa.org or email your inquiry to Ms. Hanna Smidt at: hsm@wcc-coe.org.

CALL FOR SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS The US DOV Committee is seeking spiritual reflections written by as broad a cross-section of people within the United States as possible. These short reflections may consist of a page, a paragraph, a poem, a vignette or a formal theological treatise on what "The Power and Promise of Peace" means to you. All reflections will be shared with the US DOV committee and some will be selected for publication, posting on the DOV website, quoted in DOV publicity materials or shared with our international faith partners. For more information, please visit www.overcomingviolence.org and click on the "tell a story" button.

UN OFFICE Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh 777 UN Plaza, Suite 9D New York, NY 10017 Tel:212-867-5890 Fax:212-867-7462 unlo@wccia.org WCC/CCIA Representative to the United Nations WCC Ninth Assembly, Porto Alegre, Brazil: 14-23 February 2006 "God, in your grace, transform the world"

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