OVER 100 DELEGATES to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly from African churches gathered virtually during an Africa region pre-assembly on 29-30 July to pray, share, discern, reflect and prepare for the assembly, which will be held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August-8 September.
The pre-assembly reflected on the theme of the assembly, ‘Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity’.in the context of Africa and strategised on ideas that should constitute the African voice at the assembly. “As the church in Africa, how do we want our priority to play out in the next eight years?” asked Dr Agnes Abuom, Anglican Church of Kenya and moderator of the WCC central committee.
As the churches in Africa journey towards the Assembly, they do so appreciating with hope the challenges affecting the continent today such as conflicts, religious extremism, migration, youth and women engagement, post-Covid-19 among others.
“Even though our world as Africa has many challenges that we need to take seriously as we journey towards the Assembly, we do not do so as people without hope, as God has given us resources and gifts that can take us into a better future. We have proven resilience because we understand the dignity God has given us is not negotiable”, said the Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana.
At the Assembly, the churches in Africa will celebrate their faith and share gifts with the rest of the world. “Africa is a continent of relationship building, maintenance and management. We need liberation, we need a new chapter in our relationships,” said Abuom.
“Africa will come to the assembly with a spiritual, theological and biblical dimension,” added the Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary, All Africa Conference of Churches.
During the pre-Assembly, jointly organised by the All Africa Conference of Churches and WCC member churches, the delegates and assembly participants were also familiarised with various aspects of the assembly, and how they can participate effectively.
*.More about the WCC 11th Assembly here.
* Source: World Council of Churches