My IEPC Reflections

Ok first of all let's be clear...IEPC does not mean 'I eat pig competition' :)...It actually stands for International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (hosted by the World Council of Churches), which I was blessed to have attended,  from Friday, May 13-25 2011, as a Steward. Below are some of my reflections as shared elsewhere :

WCC-IEPC 2011 Reflections- ‘Glory to God and Peace on Earth’

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21

As a Christian I have always questioned the unity of the Church; wondered why we were so different and segmented; wondered if ever a day would come when our fractured light could shine bright enough to convince others of a God who is Holy, loving, just and peaceful. From May 17^th-25^th I had the privilege of attending the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Jamaica as a Steward. The Convocation was also a festival to celebrate the decade to overcome violence which began in 2000/2001. We explored issues of Peace in the Community, Peace in the Environment, Peace in the Marketplace and Peace amongst the peoples and took a united stance against those things that were glaring injustices. It was here that my passive pessimistic thoughts transformed to hopeful possibilities.

Generation Possible- The Stewards Programme

Stewards being recognized at the Closing Plenary

Prior to the IEPC a group of 30 youth leaders representing their nations/countries gathered in New Kingston Jamaica to serve together as stewards at the 1000 participant Convocation. While there were a few persons who had knowledge of some ecumenical work being done in their country, many had never heard of the ecumenical movement until the IEPC. It was nothing short of an eye-opening experience for many of us who through the presentations caught a glimpse of what can be achieved when Christians over the world decide to put their differences aside and ‘affirm and celebrate those things that they have in common’. Through the team building exercises, paired sharing, group sharing and fellowship time we were able to exchange our stories and bond as a group. Suddenly the world has become an even smaller place for us now that we have so many brothers and sisters scattered abroad. It now makes a difference to me if there is unrest in Syria or Botswana (for e.g.) because my sisters live there. Even though the IEPC marked the celebration of the end of a decade, as stewards and as young ambassadors we have left the Convocation with the realization that we have a responsibility to continue what was started in Kingston Jamaica. We were specifically charged with the responsibility to implement ecumenical projects in our communities and we humbly ask for the Church’s support in carrying out this obligation. Other WCC groups, such as the ‘Living Letters’ delegation have blazed the trail for us to follow in, and via the internet and social networking tools and email we will remain connected to this universal promotion of a Just Peace for all.

Living Letters- A Story of Solidarity

‘You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.’2 Corinthians 3:1-2

The Island of Viwa

Our first encounter with the work of the Living Letters was on the 4^th day of the IEPC Pre-Convocation for Youth. We were given an overview of the rationale for the group name, the composition of the group and the type of work carried out by the group. We learnt that the Living Letters finds its genesis in 2Corinthians 3:1-2. As a result, the group, comprising 6-7 delegates representing the different regions of the world, strives to express solidarity with countries and groups of people who are in situations of crisis. We were blessed to hear the testimonies of two Living Letters delegates; a local Living Letters delegate to Australia- Georgia Corowa and an international Living Letters delegate from Greece to a small South Pacific island called Viwa- Nikos Kosmides.

            Georgia shared how the Living Letters delegation visited the Northern territories of Australia and was able to partner with the Churches to provide a report/letter detailing the injustices being mete out against the Indigenous people by the government and how ultimately they were being stripped of their dignity and identity. Nikos who was part of the Living Letters delegation to Viwa, shared about the negative effect of Climate Change on the islanders who, in a few years, will lose their homes and identity which is tied to the land, due to the melting of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels that will soon cover over this small island.

Two Indigenous Australian Boys

The situation in Australia and in other countries such as Palestine (where the people are being displaced as Israel occupies prime land and controls their borders) is proof that if opportunity presents itself, the rights of human beings anywhere can be violated. Vizwa is also proof of the growing effects of Global Warming. The Living Letters are a reminder that the Church (universal) has a responsibility to ‘speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves’ Proverbs 31:8. For more information visit http://www.overcomingviolence.org/ .

Ms. Danique Williams

Secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Department

Local Steward-Jamaica

~Love God,Live life,One Enkounter at a Time~