5th Day (Farewell for Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia)

Sunday was a very slow day.  No business session. Thank God for the Sabbath day.  I felt a bit weird not to preach on Sunday but happy to still worship Jesus in Geneva!

There was a special farewell service for the current General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia.  It had many African American Hymns and African hymns and I love those!  I especially like Hallelujah song and Healing River (O healing river, send own your waters, send own your waters upon this land.  O healing river, send down your water)!  I am hoping to use some of the music during my church service !

The reception was at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey!  A beautiful place!  It has been my dream to study here someday!  Many people from many different regions and countries shared their appreciation to Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia.   North American gave a gift of vacation in North American and sung I will fly and We shall overcome.   I cried….  I really appreciated his work, especially for Youth….

Policy Reference Committee (4th day)

We spend all day in committees.  I am one of two rappotours of the Policy Reference Committee.  I needed to take notes and drafted the committee report.  Writing is not my strength so that made me very nervous.  Thank God for another rappotour who is excellent at her work!

After the Morning Prayer (which I could not attend since the officers were meeting), we had two sessions in the morning and one session in the afternoon.

The committee shared comments and recommendations from Moderator’s Address and General Secretary’s Report.  I am not sure how much I can share and how much I should not, so I will not go into details.

We also talked and approved the recommendations from the Permanent committee on consensus and collaboration and the continuation committee on ecumenism in the 21^st century.  (Only recommendation was to extend the time to receive reports and suggestions from member churches on ecumenism)

We spend a quiet long time on the recommendations from the Assembly discernment committee (ADC) on what kinds of things the Assembly Planning committee needs to pay attention for.  ADC met twice and they had 10 recommendations and our committee talked about them and revised them.  The next assembly will be expanded assembly to invite more people including non-WCC member churches, especially Pentecostal and Evangelical.  The committee also wanted to make sure that the planning committee will be composed of diverse people (region, communal, gender, different kinds of ministry, marginalized group such as people with disabilities and indigenous people), having more time for fellowship among the delegates and participants.

The major issue was on the next Assembly venue.  There were four invitations and before our committee meeting, one was withdrawn.  After hearing from representatives from all different locations, the committee decided to recommend two places for the central committee to discern.

It was amazing to see how prepared both places were.  The team from WCC went to visit those locations and they have support from the governments (even for taking care of visas); national and local.  Both places will be great and I hope that the decision making process does not separate the WCC apart.

I spent 4 hours to draft the documents, once it was ready, the committee met to go over it. Then I stayed to finish the last draft with another rappotour.  We were done!  Yay!   I had a dinner meeting with Japanese delegate, Rev. prof. Renta and a steward from Japan Rev. Ken.  It was nice to check in with Rev. Renta and also get to know Rev. Ken.  After the dinner I went back to the hotel and saw some of my friends and we ended up talking about international politics and future of WCC, I really appreciated the time of fellowship.

WCC third day

My Third day at the WCC Central Committee started with a meeting with Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnoman, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, USA and Ray Ranker, co-chair of the WCC US Young Adult Task Force and WCC Youth/Young Adult Commission Echos member about the young adults movement in the U.S. and the next steps.  Both of them are incredible people and every time I get together with them, they inspire me!

Morning Prayer and Bible Study on reconciliation followed.  It was a busy day with many agenda.  The First session was a report from the International Ecumenical Peace Convention, Jamaica.  The committee shared the hope and what they would like to accomplished.  I pray that the process will go smoothly and many people will come.

Second session was on Programmes and public issues.  In spite of finance changes, the WCC has done many programs and there was also the mid-term report available.  Statements The Public Issue committee will work on are following (soon to be available on line)  Statements on 1. the misuse of the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan, 2. a nuclear free world, 3. the situation facing the Methodist Church in Fiji, 4. the persecution of Christians in different parts of the world, 5. the violence and human rights violation in Colombia, 6. the situation regarding the violation of human rights in the Niger Delta and northern Nigeria, 7. letter by General Secretary on the situation in Honduras.

During the lunch break, Echos, the commission youth called the young delegates, however the announcement was made later so there were only few showed up.  I have been appointed to be a rappotour (reporter) of Policy Reference Committee and I need to go the training, so I left the Echos meeting early to make it the training (During lunch, often I have two or three meetings overbooked and I need to choose one!)

Third session was a report from the Working Group on Governance.  The group gave us 50 pages document on the new governance of the WCC.   It was a hearing session so many people made comments, mainly questions and oppositions.

The last session of the day was committee meeting.  Generally during the WCC Central Committee, we are spread to committees on Friday and Saturday.  Each committee has different responsibilities and they talk about them and bring reports back to the plenary.  This will give opportunity to everyone to speak in smaller setting and people are able to talk about issues in details.

finished the meeting for today!

just finished my committee meeting. the report is done!  But I gotta go…  I will work on the report tonight.

here are some pictures for now.

working as a rappotour

Working in the plenary hall right now.

I am a rapporteur in Policy Reference Committee and I have been working on the draft and getting ready for the meeting.  I simply did not have time from the last night to this morning.  More report will come later.  At this moment I am sitting in the plenary hall, taking notes.

The New WCC General Secretary! (2nd day)

Wow!  WCC has a new Genera Secretary!!!  Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, Current General Secretary of Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations was elected yesterday during the closed Central Committee session.  Congrats!!!

I am so thankful for the Search Committee who has been working so hard (10 elected by central committee, 6 added from the executive committee).  The committee received applications, narrowed down to 6 candidates and interviewed them, and presented two candidates to the CC to elect on of them.

When I was hearing both of the candidates, I was very confident that both of them are capable to do the job of General Secretary.  Both will bring global ecumenical experiences, visions for the future, and both are theologically grounded.  I felt the work of Holy Spirit in the election and Praise God for the new leader.  I am very grateful for all the people who were willing to put their names for this position and I look forward to their continuing work in the ecumenical movement.

I do not know Olav so much at this point.  However I have heard from my ecumenical friend from Norway, the great work that Olav has done.  I really like what he said, we all bring unique gift of God, the sign of One, Prayer of Christ today- we may all be One.

You can read more about him and the lection from this link.

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1634/olav-fykse-tveit-elected.html

I am sorry that I did not have a chance to update this sooner.   Right after the election, I went back to the hotel and I felt asleep then (7:30pm!)  I did not wake up until 6pm and I did not have time to write the report until now.

The second day started with prayer and the bible study.   Other than the election, we had two hearing sessions about Assembly Discernment Committee Report and Assembly Venue.  They showed the video summary of the all nice General Assemblies and made me so proud to be a part of this wonderful organization, the World Council of Churches.

The Assembly Discernment Committee met to discern for the next General Assembly in 2013.  The committee is recommending to the assembly to be open assembly to have more participants (not only delegates), more spece/time to interact with one another, and separate nomination/election process from the life of assembly (and others).  The recommendations will go to the policy reference committee (my committee)!

The second session was report on WCC Assembly Venue Search.  We have four possible locations and we had a presentation from each location.  The focus points were 1. how the member churches of the location/country are supportive of the event, 2. logistics (prayer/worship space, plenary, hotels) 3. civil commitment (the government and the city support).  Again this will go to reference committee and it will have a recommendation.   General Assembly has a great impact on the country’s Ecumenical movement and also the country will influence the global ecumenism with their culture and background.

Now I have to go back to my session.  May God bless you!

p.s. I talked to the guy who took my bad and he still has it.  He is from Sacramento so I may get my bag in Sacramento….  I need my computer charger….

WCC CC First Day Report

Good Morning!  It is 4:20am on the second day at WCC.  I had a full first day!  After writing the blog in the morning, I had 7:15 am breakfast meeting with Rev. Aaro Rytkonen, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Staff Person.  At 8am I walked 30 minutes to the Ecumenical Center with Bishop Sally Dyck (UMC, Minnesota Conference).

The WCC Central Committee began with Opening Worship!  It is always amazing to worship Jesus with people from all over the world!  We prayed for people who passed since the last CC meeting and Dr. Koyama, Japanese American Ecumenist who taught at Union Seminary (I have met him 8 years ago at SJUMC for an event) was on the list.  I really wish I talked with him more and I pray that we will continue his legacy.

During the first plenary session, we had roll call (150 Central Committee delegates), went over the agenda and consensus.  WCC uses consensus model and each delegate is given orange and blue card to indicate his/her feeling.  If I agree or feel warm toward to the discussion, I raise the orange card and if I disagree, feel cool or need more time to think about it, and then I raise the blue card.  We cannot make a decision until we reach consensus.  Sometimes it is very difficult (imagine 150 people with different theology, experience and culture).  In Consensus model, even thought there are people with blue cards, as long as they feel that their concerns/views are heard we reach Consensus.

We spent 90 minutes each for Moderator’s Address and General Secretary’s report.  Rev. Dr. Walter Altmann talked about John 6, what does our ecumenical commitment mean, the “ownership” of the ecumenical commitment, memory at the crossroads: stock taking and dream weaving, and the churches and the ecumenical movement today and 20 years on.  Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia gave a report on “The Courage to Hope and the future of the Ecumenical Movement” which including financial crises and economic recession-a moment of truth, the hope-factor – balancing between inspiring vision and realism, Discovering hope among those yearning for justice and peace, building relationships among regions and between generation, the roles and functions of the WCC, and the present moment – the birthplace of the future.

The General Secretary of General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious concerns (United Methodist Church) and UMC Ecumenical Officer called a special luncheon with UMC CC delegates and two of the WCC staff to talk about some expectations and concerns. I am so thankful to have the great leadership!  We have four CC delegates and all of us serve on the some kind of leadership roles of WCC (Bishop Sally Dyck: Search committee, Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens: Executive Committee, Ms. Lois McCullough Dauway: Programming Committee moderator)

During the afternoon break I met with my committee leaders, Policy Reference.  I am one of the rapporteurs who take minutes and write an official report to the plenary.

In the last plenary of the day, we had hearing sessions for Finance and Permanent Committees.  In Hearing Session we discuss, share different views, and raise concerns.

At 6pm there were regional meetings and I got together with North Americans.  We talked the changes of the WCC US office,  Canadian churches updates (interfaith leaders are getting together in the preparation for G8 summit), and concerns for the election of General Secretary.

At 7pm, there were Confessional gatherings which means denominations/communions with similar background.  I met with Methodist group (UMC, AMC, Methodists from India, Fiji, Korea, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Philippines, and Salvation Army) led by Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, President of World Methodist Council.  When we shared updates from different regions, I heard the situations for Methodists in Fiji.  I remember that California/Nevada annual conference made a statement on the cancelation of Fijian Annual Conference by the government.  Rev. Henderson (Uniting Church in Australia) visited Fiji on behalf of WCC and he gave the report during the meeting and mentioned people from Cal/Nev!  Fijian government is concerned about the power Methodists hold (2/3 of the population is Methodists) and Methodists were not allowed to have annual conferences nor choir gathering.  The WCC Church and Society will work on the issue.

After going back to the hotel, I had a dinner meeting with Rev. Prof. Renta Nishihara, a delegate from Japan (Anglican).  It is always nice to get together with him and hear updates in Japan Christian Community.

By the time I returned to my room it was 10pm!  I talked to my roommate, Ms. Kathryn Lohre Seize, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and went to bed.  When I talked to my church members, I was not kidding that I have meetings all day long J   I thank God for the fruitful day.

First day of the Central Committee

Good morning, everyone! it is 5am! I woke up at 4am (I am still adjusting to this time zone.) Many people lined up to use the business center last night but at 5am, not many are around.

I received an e-mail from the WCC staff that the guy who took my suitecase by mistake contacted her to find out where he could send my bag! Praise God!!! I am so happy to know that it will return to me and I will have my computer!

Today is the first day for the World Council of Churches Central Committee (CC).

I was approved by the council of bishops (Untied Methodist Church) to go to the WCC General Assembly and also voted to serve as one of the 150 CC members.

At this Central Committee meeting,

- elect the new General Secretary (we have two finalists)
- select (or narrow down choices) the next General Assembly locations (4 nominations)
- hear reports from different commissions and committees, discuss and vote on decisions

Today, we will have opening worship and opening actions (roll call, etc), the WCC moderator and General Secretary`s Address and discussion, report from Finance and permanant committee. During lunch I will have a special lunch (was supposed to go to women luncheon, but now I cannot) and in the evening I will attend a regional meeting (North America)

Thank you for reading. May God bless you.

meetings will be held at the Ecumenical Center.

Arrived to Geneva!

I have arrived to Geneva! Thank you for your prayer! I was not able to sleep during my flights and now I am really sleepy but my hotel room is not ready.

a minor problem… my carry-on bag was taken by someone on the flight from Sacramento to DC. I fly pretty often, and this is my first time that happened to me. The overhead comportment was full so I only was able to put my bag 10 rows away from my seat. When I arrived to DC, my bag was gone. After everyone on the plane left, there was one bag, which was not mine. I really hope that someone mistakenly took my bag and he (the airline found out his name on the bag) will bring it back.

I had my computer with me (thank God!) but my charger is in the carry-on bag. Right now I am using the hotel business center. I was really hoping to update what the WCC is doing everyday, however now I am not sure how much internet access I will have…

We shall see… meanwhile, please pray that my bag will appear and people who are on their way to Geneva will arrive safely. May God bless you!

Arrived to Geneva!

I have arrived to Geneva! Thank you for your prayer! I was not able to sleep during my flights and now I am really sleepy but my hotel room is not ready.

a minor problem… my carry-on bag was taken by someone on the flight from Sacramento to DC. I fly pretty often, and this is my first time that happened to me. The overhead compatement was full so I only was able to put my bag 10 rows away from my seat. When I arrived to DC, my bag was gone. After everyone on the plane left, there was one bag, which was not mine. I really hope that someone mistakely took my bag and he (the airline found out his name on the bag) will bring it back.

I had my computer with me (thank God!) but my charger is in the carry-on bag. Right now I am using the hotel business center. I was really hoping to update what the WCC is doing everyday, however now I am not sure how much internet access I will have…

We shall see… meanwhile, please pray that my bag will appear and people who are on their way to Geneva will arrive safely. May God bless you!