September 2014
I was pleased to be able to attend my first meeting of the European
Methodist Council from 13 to 15 September 2014 at the Emmaus Centre,
near Dublin Airport. Here the EMC officers and representatives from the
British and Irish Methodist Churches, autonomous churches in Portugal and
Italy, and churches from continental Europe as part of the United Methodist
Church family gathered to worship together, share fellowship and deliberate
together in a packed agenda.
Its joint meeting on the Saturday with ECOM (European Council on Mission)
heard reflections from Dr Hermen Shastri from Malaysia on the WCC paper
Together Towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in a Changing Landscape. We
worked in small groups on the various aspects of this report. The discussion
was summarised by Bishop Christian Alsted of Norway and is appended. The
following challenges were given to us to take back to our local churches:
What have we learned? What do I/we take back? What will I/we implement?
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Ask the question in the mission boards/conference/local church: What
is God doing in this place – and how can I/we join?
We can take concrete steps to move out of a centre-periphery mindset – and begin to build genuine relationships and community based
equity.
In a multi ethnic and multi religious world the Christian community
needs to focus on what unites us and strengthens our mission. If unity
in mission is the basis of all unity among Christians, what will help us
to be in mission together?
Is it possible to share our faith in a spirit of dialogue”: “an attitude of
respect and friendship” that entails not only proclamation of our
deepest convictions, but also listening to others, and being challenged
and enriched by others. And leave it to the Holy Spirit to decide on
the outcome.
Reading from the affirmations – paragraph 112
The Triune God invites the whole creation to the Feast of Life, through
Jesus Christ who came “that they may have life, and may have it in all its
fullness” (John 10:10, REB), through the Holy Spirit who affirms the vision of
the reign of God, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth!” (Isaiah
65:17, KJV). We commit ourselves together in humility and hope to the
mission of God, who recreates all and reconciles all. And we pray, “God of
Life, lead us into justice and peace!”
On the Sunday we worshipped with the congregation at Abbey Methodist
Church and had a lively time led by a worship band with plenty of
participation from members of this multi-cultural church drawing from
peoples of many nations who have found a home in Dublin. Bishop Patrick
Streiff of Switzerland, outgoing Co-Chair of EMC, preached. The church
offered us lunch as part of its generous hospitality. Then the rest of a sunny
and warm afternoon was given over to an exploration of the delights of this
lovely city, including the squares and parks, Trinity College (Gillian Kingston
had arranged for us to see the Book of Kells) and the riverside. I visited the
two Anglican cathedrals and found that a former student from my Oxford
teaching days was the canon in residence at evensong!
After tea, we started the business of the EMC which continued all the next
day. Among important items of business on the first morning was a report
from Bishop Eduard Khegay from Eurasia on the sad situation in the Ukraine
where some churches’ members have been killed and dispersed in the
violence and disruption there in recent months. We spent some time in
prayer remembering the particular needs of this region. Our own President
of OPCEMI, Alessandra Trotta, presented a report on work with the victims
of human trafficking in Mare Nostrum, through Mediterranean Hope, just as
we heard of the deaths of 500 people in a boat off Malta. The work on
Lampedusa and at Scicli was commended for prayer and support.
We also heard of progress in some areas, notably Sweden, in covenanting
with other Protestant churches together. EMC recognized that it should
make recognition of being one European Methodist family as a priority for
mission, especially working towards mutual recognition of ministries as more
pastors moved across national frontiers to work. The organization of a
Europe-wide event to celebrate our being together was discussed. Despite
the constraints, it was decided to aim for a meeting 19-22 May 2018 in
Germany. Reports were also received on progress in the covenant
conversations in England (slow) and Ireland (rather more quickly).
The European Methodist Youth Council reported on their forthcoming
conference at Ecumene, at which there will be young people from Portugal
who are staying with us for a night along with the Secretary of EMC. The
World Federation of Methodist Women reported on their 75th anniversary
and the success of their recent European seminar at Pomezia (and visit to
PSA on the Sunday!). Much thought was given to how Methodists might join
in the celebration of the birth of the Protestant Reformation in 1517 with
events in 2017 including a European Reformation Roadshow. We ought to
give thought as to how we could celebrate this in Rome, not to excite and
reopen old wounds but to seek to demonstrate how far we have come in
relations with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly on the joint
statement agreed on Justification.
And last but not least the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, based at
Ponte Sant`Angelo, was formally endorsed by the EMC and its Executive
empowered to nominate two representatives to a Reference Group to be
formed, comprising stakeholders (the British Methodist Church, OPCEMI and
the Tavola Valdese, the World Methodist Council and now EMC) who could
receive regular reports from the Director and advise on further
developments with an occasional meeting at PSA.
So concluded the annual meeting of the EMC, serving to remind us that as
Methodist we are interconnected, across different traditions and nations, as
one European Methodist family witnessing in many vibrant ways in
evangelism and social action as small and large churches within society. We
were challenged to be faithful and responsible disciples in times of
economic pressure and to respond to the challenges of migration, of youth
unemployment, and of other opportunities to proclaim the gospel for the
present age.
Next year in September 2015 the EMC will meet in Ruse, Bulgaria, preceded
by a historical conference looking at the contribution of women in
evangelization.
Every blessing,
Pastor Tim