World Council of Churches US conference meets on peace.
By Jeff Carter

The annual meeting of the US Conference for the World Council of Churches (WCC) was held Oct. 5-6 in Atlanta, Ga., on the theme, "The Power and Promise of Peace." The theme incorporated themes found in the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence, of which the Church of the Brethren is one of the more active partners.

The honorary chairperson for the event was Martin Luther King III and leadership included Samuel Kobia, WCC general secretary; Andrew Young, former congressman and US ambassador; Joseph Roberts, Jr., senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church; and WCC staff. Highlights from the conference included Bible studies focused on the biblical notion of peace and the power of peacemaking, workshops on the campuses of Morehouse and Spellman Colleges, worship services at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church of Atlanta, rousing sermons from denominational leaders, and the continuous presence of bridge-building through fellowship and structured educational opportunities.

Two of the most momentous events came on the second day of the conference. First, ten living letters were delivered. Each letter represented voices from an area of the world outside the US. The voice reading each letter represented not only the words of a people, but a worldview at times different than our own. Citizens of South Africa, Palestine, India, Canada, and more read aloud words challenging the US churches to be active in proclaiming the Good News, confronting injustice, and working in the way of peace, as we seek to resolve conflicts both foreign and domestic. Second, the closing worship at Ebenezer Baptist Church was inspiring both in message and historic location, for Ebenezer Baptist Church is the church of Martin Luther King Jr. The pulpit rang with the theme of God's call for justice as Michael Pfleger, pastor of the community of Saint Sabina Church, extended the call to be a living witness of Christ's presence in this present age. The three-hour service concluded with a benediction sending the congregation inspired and empowered to be one in their witness to the power and promise of peace.

A continual theme throughout the conference came in the affirmation, "It is good to have the Brethren here." As a charter member of the WCC, the Church of the Brethren has a unique voice representing the historic peace church tradition as well as the Anabaptist and Pietist perspectives. Often the Church of the Brethren voice is sought in matters of witness and activism. Brethren integrity, commitment to service, and practical imitation of Jesus offer another way when discussing the nature and purpose of the church.

As part of the conference, elections were held for the Board of Directors for the US Conference. Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, and I were elected to the Board of Directors and will serve in this capacity until the 2006 WCC Assembly in Porto Alegra, Brazil.

--Jeff Carter, pastor at Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, is the Church of the Brethren representative to the WCC.
Source: 11/05/2004 Newsline