"A fleet of canoes at sea"
Insights from our international church partners over lunch with UnitingWorld
July 13, 2024
UnitingWorld hosted an insightful lunchtime panel discussion with visiting partner church leaders from India, Indonesia and Tonga. UCA members heard leaders speak on issues including faith and climate change, ecumenism, ending poverty and unity in multifaith contexts.
General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Rev James Bhagwan, likened the coalition of churches to “a fleet of canoes at sea”, all working together to navigate and advocate for social changes on social issues like climate change.
Rev Bhagwan said:
“We need to lead the way for climate change within our communities, and also encourage informed decisions at an individual and constituent level.”
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Rev Dr Tevita Havea, President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, spoke about the devastation of the tsunami and volcanic eruption in Tonga, reflecting on the very intimate stories of trauma relayed to him by families. He recalled one little girl relaying her anguish to him over not being able to find her school backpack in the midst of the rubble and natural destruction.
Rt Rev Sameer Khimla reflected on what God is doing in the expansive and populous diocese of Durgapur in Northern India. A focus of their work is social empowerment, education, hygiene initiatives and anti-human trafficking, specifically in the northern regions bordering Bangladesh.
Rev Dr Demianus Ice, Moderator of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (Indonesia), reflected on the entrenched legacy of socio-political trauma in the country. He highlighted the need to focus on interfaith and intercultural dialogue to soothe these tensions.
The presence of international church partners at Assembly meetings is a long tradition and brings breadth to the discussions by fostering a deeper understanding of global issues facing the church (such as poverty, climate change and gender equality) and how the Uniting Church is playing a part in that work. Earlier in the day the Church Parnters brought a greeting to the Assembly meeting.
A delegation of leaders from the Presbyterian Church of Korea, including the Moderator and General Secretary, also attended the installation of President Rev Charissa Suli on Thursday evening.
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