World Council of Churches Assembly

Gloria Smith

"GOD, IN YOUR GRACE, TRANSFORM THE WORLD". This was the theme of the 9th World Council of Churches Assembly which took place at the Pontifical Catholic University in Porto Alegre, Brazil, February l4-23. My husband and I attended along with more than 4000 others from l20 countries, representing 348 churches. We arrived two days late due to the snowstorm but all disappointment and frustration vanished as we entered the giant worship tent erected on the campus and heard the huge choir singing. (The ecumentical choir, representing many local churches, had practiced for two years.) Appropriately we began and concluded each day with worship which featured a variety of rich music, scripture and prayer following varied church traditions. We asked God to transform our World -- the Earth, our Societies, our Lives, our Churches and our Witness.

In Bible Study on Grace and Transformation, presented in drama and music, the global views of the small group participants fascinated and informed Comprising our group one day were a Lutheran Bishop from Nambibia, a theologian from the United Kingdom, representatives from East Germany, South Africa, Greece and Jamaica!

The "Mutirao"("gathering" in Portuguese, the official language of Brazil) was a rich and diverse program of workshops which inspired, challenged, enthused and sometimes frustrated participants--there were so many exciting opportunities and so little time Every hour of exposure opened windows into new global understanding. Some examples: MIGRATION--College students stay in new settings both because of attraction and release from that which was known at home. -- The father's migration for economic opportunity to support his family often results in divorce, dissoution of that family and establishment of another. CREATING COMMUNITY WITHIN A CONGREGATION--In South Africa one church has become parents for orphaned children. In the Middle East,HOW CAN CHRISTIANS BE HOSPITABLE AMONG OTHER MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS--Arabs from the region shared some of their daily encounters and problems. GLOBAL ECUMENICAL CONTEXTUAL SONG AND MUSIC--An hour spent singing Christ-centered songs reflecting the theology of the people.

The World Council of Churches is the premier ecumenical organization in the world since l948. It has been the visible embodiment of how Christians have progressed in fulfilling Jesus' prayer "that all may be one". Leadership present at the Plenary Sessions included President (of Brazil) Lulu, a proclamation from Pope Benedict XVI, active involvement by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the electrifying presence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu among others. Archbishop Tutu expressed gratefulness for the World Council of Churches' contribution to bringing about an end to apartheid in South Africa. He also led the "March to End Violence" in downtown Porto Alegre. There were many requests for prayer and action on behalf of the suffering peoples of the world. How sad and moving was the impassioned plea of a young man from Northern Uganda where genocide has resulted in double the number of deaths as in Darfur. Mothers are committing suicide, distraught because they cannot protect their children. Wireless headsets facilitated the understanding of all speakers' languages.

In all settings I found myself speaking of Church Women United and World Day of Prayer. Speaking with an Englsih theologian who at this time was researching and writing about HIV Aids, I showed her our WDP Worship Bulletin with that emphasis. She showed great interest in CWU...so I gave it to her. I should have taken more than one with me as I met Vitta from South Africa. I told her that we would be praying for South Africa on World Day of Prayer and that the women of South Africa from many denominations had created our worship service. She was so pleased and grateful, giving me a beaded Aids awareness pin, made by the women in her Presbyterian Church. I sent her the WDP booklet and other CWU materials...also the photo of us together, new friends sharing unity in Christ. I did the same for Professor Maake Massango, also of South Africa. He knew all about CWU and the theme for World Day of Prayer. ( He will email me information about some of his friends who reside in this area who might be a helpful resource for our CWU unit. ) Also aware of the World Day of Prayer was a Christian Educator from Great Britain. Moira knew the date, theme and source, telling me that in her country it is called "Women"s Day of Prayer". You may imagine how excited I was to share words about our ecumenical CWU community with Christians from diverse cultures at the largest ecumenical gathering in the world! But then you may know that I am always excited about Church Women United!

The Exhibition Hall featured many displays of various Christian organizations. Perhaps in 20l3 when the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly will be held, we Church Women United may sponsor such a display. Our CWU National President, Gail Mengel, told me that, until she became incapacitated, she had planned to attend the Porto Alegre Assembly. I thank God that I was priviliged to experience this unique, inspirational, informative, challenging, life-changing Assembly and pray "God, in your grace, transform the world".