Reformed Communiqué

March 2012, Vol. 3 No. 1

WCRC focuses on the future - Indonesian churches discuss the future of mission work - Cuban theologian to lead Reformed church movement's Justice Office - From the General Secretary

Reformed Communiqué is published quarterly by the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), a fellowship of 80 million Reformed Christians in 230 churches in 108 countries. Its member churches are Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed, Uniting and United churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation led by John Calvin, John Knox and others. WCRC has a small secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

Editor: Kristine Greenaway

Full version: PDF (March 2012)

Selected articles follow.

(For readers of the French edition): Avis aux lecteurs(trices)

C’est avec regret que nous devons annoncer la suspension de l’édition française de Communiqué réformé, le bulletin semestriel de la Communion mondiale d’Églises réformées (CMER). Ceci est dû aux défis financiers auxquels notre organisation fait face actuellement. Nous espérons toutefois trouver un moyen de vous faire parvenir les nouvelles de la CMER en français dans un proche avenir.

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WCRC focuses on the future

Justice and theology programmes for the coming year, partnership with regional groups of member churches, and financial stability are key words on the agenda of the Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) at meetings scheduled for May 10-17 in Indonesia.

Two years after WCRC's founding meeting in Grand Rapids, United States, elected officials will be reviewing progress to date and approving plans for the future. The strategic plan adopted at the 2011 meeting of the executive is the framework for the planning process.

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Indonesian churches discuss the future of mission work

The 28 member churches of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Indonesia are engaged in a process of discussion and reflection that is designed to lead to a statement on mission in their country.

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Dean prepares for Global Institute of Theology

The dean of the faculty of theology of Indonesia’s Duta Wacana Christian University knows what it means to study the context in which he is doing theology. Yahya Wijaya lives and works in Yogyakarta, a city known for its rich history and the contemporary mix of Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith traditions.

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Cuban theologian to lead Reformed church movement's Justice Office

A Cuban theologian and pastor has been appointed to head the Justice and Partnership programme of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). Dora Arce-Valentin took up her appointment in January 2012.

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From the Partnership Fund: a gift for learning in Madagascar

The news came just in time for Christmas. As the Malagasy congregation saw it, the grant was a gift. The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) encourages its congregations to take seriously the contribution they can make to the human development of the country.

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From the General Secretary

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures…Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (Selections from 1 Corinthians: 15)

Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. (Revelations 21: 6)

For those of us who grew up in the tropics, the only “spring” we knew was the source of fresh water. Fresh water springs evoked in us an image of refreshing and life-giving newness.

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World Communion of Reformed Churches
150 route de Ferney, PO Box 2100, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland - Tel: +41 22 791 61 39, Fax: +41 22 791 65 05,
Email: wcrc@wcrc.ch
Web: www.wcrc.ch

The work of Baptists, Methodists and members of the United Reformed Church in the field of social justice has been given fresh impetus, with new work priorities and the appointment of a new leader for the Joint Public Issues Team.

03.10.2008 URC/UMC/BUGB / GEKE-Internet-Newsletter, 8. Oktober 2008

A significant moment for reconciliation of Reformed church groups

New global Protestant body will help overcome 'history of separation'
The creation of the 80 million-member World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) marks an opportunity “to reinvigorate Reformed witness” in a fractured world, says one of the architects of the union.

Barbara Schenck

Treffen von Reformiertem Weltbund (WARC) und Reformiertem Ökumenischen Rat (REC)

WARC and REC governing bodies meet for the first time in Utrecht
Members of the governing bodies of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) will meet in joint sessions for the first time from 6 to 10 October in Utrecht.

Quelle: Homepage WARC

Grußwort Calvins zur Lutherdekade

Eine Entdeckung von WARC und SEK
In einem jüngst entdeckten Brief grüßt der Schweizer Reformator Johannes Calvin seinen deutschen Kollegen Martin Luther zu dessen am 21. September beginnenden Dekade.

Meldung auf der Homepage des Reformierten Weltbundes und des Schweizerischen Evangelischen Kirchenbundes (SEK), 19. September 2008
Ein Treffen zwischen dem Reformierten Weltbund (RWB) und dem Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC), das im Juli in der Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Nashville, Tennessee, stattfand, sollte den Weg ebnen für eine engere Beziehung zwischen den beiden Organisationen und die Gespräche fortsetzen über „die Entwicklung einer umfassenden Partnerschaft mit dem Ziel der sichtbaren Einheit der Kirche.“

Barbara Schenck

Engage the powers of destruction, churches urged by international feminist theologians

Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, WARC: ''Resistance to empire is growing and women are very much in the forefront.''
An international group of feminist theologians has issued a dramatic call to churches to engage the world’s destructive powers, stating it is crucial to hear feminist thinking in the debate on theological issues raised by empire.

Barbara Schenck

Ein Schritt, ökumenische Partnerschaft zu vertiefen

Der Reformierte Weltbund (WARC) und das Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC) trafen sich in Nashville, Tennessee
Geneva (ENI). Two global bodies grouping Protestant Christians, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council, say they are looking to establish a closer relationship.

Barbara Schenck

Clifton Kirkpatricks Amtszeit als Generalsekretär der Presbyterian Church (USA) endete

Kirkpatrick retires after guiding US Presbyterians for 12 years
''I really believe there is no better way of being Christian than to be a Presbyterian'', so der amtierende Präsident des Reformierten Weltbundes (WARC) in einem Interview zu Beginn seines ''Ruhestandes'' als ''leader of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)''.

Barbara Schenck

Nachrufe auf Lukas Vischer

Zum Tod eines großen Ökumenikers
Am 11. März verstarb der Schweizer Theologe Lukas Vischer, einer der bedeutendsten Reformierten und Ökumeniker des 20. Jahrhunderts.

Barbara Schenck

Nordamerikanische Kirchen sind Gastgeber der vereinigenden Generalversammlung

Thema der Versammlung: ''Einigkeit im Geist durch das Band des Friedens''
Nordamerikanische Kirchen werden gemeinsam die vereinigende Generalversammlung ausrichten, an der die neue Weltgemeinschaft Reformierter Kirchen (WCRC) gegründet werden soll.