GIMPA was the site of plenary and work sessions. The dormitory, lodging, meals and daily worship and Bible study were located on the Legon campus.
Even before the 8 a.m. worship began, the seventy-five-member standing choir could be heard blocks away calling all to worship as they sang songs in the fast-paced “High-Life” Ghanaian style. Truly the Holy Spirit was at work among participants as the day began with worship and a Bible study of the Book of Ruth. Bible study and worship focused on the assembly’s sub-themes that became Issue Groups.
The 400 delegates and other participants carefully studied creation, gender justice, economic justice, inclusiveness and participation, peace, healing, and honoring diversity. The issue discussions and insights gained became a part of the three broader sections of mission, covenant, and spirituality. Delegates carefully discerned the issues to guide the direction of WARC to promote “life in fullness”. Participants were recharged and committed to strengthen their witness, reevaluate their ministries, and to covenant for justice in the economy and on earth.
The first Women’s Pre-Conference of WARC’s Department of Partnership for Women and Men brought together 300 spirited women from twenty countries. Gender justice was the overarching theme as stories were heard from Sudan, Indonesia, Argentina, Malawi, Cameroon, Ghana and other countries. Isabel Apawo Phiri reminded the gathering that Christianity has always been the basis for the “demand for justice for all the oppressed people, irrespective of gender, class, race and nationality” (Phiri, p.1). Dr. Phiri stressed that African women were challenging the church to reexamine their cultures from a gender point of view. Those practices that promote the fullness of life advocated by the gospel should be encouraged, while those that hurt any group of humanity and creation need to be halted or altered. She noted that the Ghanaian theologian Mercy Oduyoye asked the church to reach even farther. The church’s unity becomes reality only if it works “intentionally on the call to be an inclusive community” The Church must seriously confront violence against women and end the “participating in marginalization and demeaning of women” (Phiri, p.5)
Memories of the Women’s Pre-council also included the throngs of Methodist women who joined us for one day; the stories, research and writings of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians; and skits and dialogue depicting threats and challenges to life for women from different regions of the globe. Discussions during ‘tea break’, meal times and dormitory hall chatter made us all more aware of the travesties of economic injustice resulting from globalization, the barrenness of the land after its raping for economic greed, and devastation from the HIV/AIDs pandemic that has left orphans and elderly searching for care resources.
Additionally we became bound together in love for our mutual hopes for our churches, communities as we dialogued in this gathering of Reformed women. One discussion involved nurses from Ghana, Canada and the U.S.; not only were health-related issues discussed, but also the history of churches proclaiming the gospel among indigenous peoples. Truly, traditional beliefs and practices should be evaluated for assimilation into the life of the Reformed churches to which these people belong.
The Reformed Youth Forum also met during the pre-conference period. These 120 energetic young persons aged 19-30 years, studied issues that prepared them for general council involvement. Fifty participated as delegates to the WARC Assembly. HIV/AIDS devastation, economic injustices were discussed at length; WARC heard the cry and indeed as seen in the Letter from Accra (Outlook, Sept. 27, 2004), both HIV/AIDS prevention and covenanting to address dominating economic systems are challenges for the next seven years.
The Global Institute of Theology (GIT) was another amazing program enthusiastically received by its sixty participants who contributed to the overall WARC. Nearby seminary students contributed to the many issue discussions, and had opportunities to partake in special trips to the slave castles, and weekend trips to homes and villages. As a new venture, the benefits of the GIT were obvious for young clergy and theology students as they were immersed for three weeks in theological studies and living arrangements with fellow students from more than twenty countries.
WARC delegates gathered in regional meetings during the Assembly to discuss concerns unique to delegates’ countries and region. Regions also participated in submitting names for nomination to the Executive Board, which for the next period would be enlarged by an additional eight members.
To have Clifton Kirkpatrick chosen to lead WARC for the next period is a great honor for us as members of a WARC church, as members of congregations throughout our country and as citizens of the United States. Compliments such as “seasoned”, “highly-respected”, “committed”, “gentle”, has a “global-view and respects the local peoples” were heard and are indeed well deserved as one witnessed participants engaging in conversations with Clifton throughout the assembly. Clifton Kirkpatrick’s leadership is especially notable in light of the disparities between north and south, between wealthy empire nations and poorer ‘abused and used’ nations. The election is not a test. Members from the poorer and less powerful countries surely will take note of progress WARC is able to make as Reformed members from all countries reflect on the covenant, take action and are able to engage in transformations for the good of all humanity and God’s earth.
My prayers are that peoples from nations that have suffered hurt may soon be affirmed that change is possible. Some among us are accustomed to market capitalism may find the message difficult to embrace. When one hears the stories, witnesses the lives of people and communities, and has opportunity to visit and break bread with sisters and brothers of the larger global church, however, the challenge is real and urgent.
What then were some of the most vivid memories of both the Women’s Pre-conference and the WARC assembly? Worship was a highlight and a catalyst for the ensuing day’s discernments. The many colored bands of cloths that gently fell on our shoulders during worship reminded us of God’s covenant for all peoples. Upon entry to closing worship, pieces of these fabrics were tied around the wrist of each worshipper to bind all in God’s everlasting love … a reminder that to put faith into action one will continue to pursue ‘Life in Fullness’ for all God’s people.
It was promising to provide opportunities for women to have a forum. Women spoke boldly of pains that included betrayal by infidelity; sexual misconduct; women barred from leadership positions in pulpits and within divisions of the church; the burdens of domestic violence; the devastation of productive community members from HIV/AIDS; and histories of mission activities that were tarnished by colonialism. Women also spoke of new alliances formed in their communities to support women in the struggles, to promote leadership, to nurture the young, and to attempt to care for the orphans and elderly who have lost family from HIV/AIDS and wars.
Many emotions and reflections welled up during visits to slave dungeons. Among us were descendants of the victims and also descendants of the perpetrators of this despicable era in history. We were horrified, astonished, saddened, and convinced that we had to maintain constant vigil to end and avoid any replication.
Drafting WARC’s first HIV/AIDS statement was a wonderful and challenging experience. The statement was included in the Public Issues Committee report. Ghanaian HIV/AIDS education campaigns were bold and evident on city billboards and on campus; the ABC’s of prevention used words similar to U.S. literature, but the message was more specific and outspoken: Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condomize!
Finally, the mission sector challenged member churches to consider greater participatory and associative relationships for sharing and learning opportunities to be realized by all members. Thus I am reminded of Maya Angelou’s young character, Kofi, in “Kofi and His Magic”. Kofi imagines many wonderful possibilities and they are realized as he shares the story of his country, Ghana. His words, “I will close my eyes and open my mind wide” are valuable for us too, as we prayerfully ponder the messages of “life in fullness” and “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.” (John 10:10, Micah 6:8) May we open our minds, be empowered to take risks and to participate in transformative actions to promote the fullest potential for all God’s people.
References
Angelou, Maya. Kofi and His Magic. New York: Knopf, 1996.
“Letter from Accra”, The Presbyterian Outlook. Vol. 186, No.34, pp.5, 7.
Phiri, IA, “Life in Fullness: Gender Justice—A Perspective from Africa” Accra: Women’s Pre-Council, July 27-29, 2004
RUTH D. BERRY, RN, MSN, is a professor emeriti of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing and was a health ministry/parish nurse consultant for the Office of Health Ministries, PC(USA) 1994-2000. She serves as an elder of Second church, Lexington, Ky.
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