CWM European Regional Assembly Sheffield 2014
The Council for World Mission (CWM) vision statement
Fullness of life through Christ for all creation
CWM mission statement
Called to partnership in Christ to mutually challenge, encourage, and equip churches to share in God’s mission
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Contents Welcome letter from Revd Dr Collin Cowan, CWM General Secretary
5
Welcome letter from Revd Sandra Turner, CWM Europe Deputy Moderator
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Regional Assembly Participants
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Regional Mission Council
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Discussion Groups
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Introducing CWM’s mission strategy
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Introducing CWM Europe
12
Regional Assembly Programme
16
Regional Assembly Theme “Living in Hope.”
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Worship at Regional Assembly
22
Hopeful Perspectives
24
Hope-Filled Stories
30
Regional Assembly Business Sessions
32
Open Day Information
33
General Assembly Participant Information
34
www.cwmission.org www.cwmeurope.org
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Council for World Mission (CWM) European Regional Assembly The 8th-12th October 2014 is the first time that the CWM European member churches have met as a Regional Assembly. European member churches have met in different groups in the past but never before as a Regional Assembly – so welcome. Throughout 2014 each of the six Regions of CWM (Pacific, Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, Europe and Caribbean) will be holding a Regional Assembly. Regional Assemblies are an opportunity to celebrate the work of the Region, to deepen our partnership of churches, to explore contemporary mission themes and elect any new members of the Regional Mission Council.
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The European Regional Assembly theme is “Living in Hope” which we will explore through worship, keynote addresses and discussions, alongside opportunities to explore international and local stories of God’s people being a people of hope, even in difficult times. The Regional Assembly Programme booklet should give you all the information you require to fully participate and enjoy the Regional Assembly, but if you have any questions or need more information please do not hesitate to ask either CWM Europe staff, one of the Assembly stewards or at hotel reception.
Welcome letter Revd Dr Collin Cowan My dear sisters and brothers, In keeping with the decision of CWM’s Directors, this is the first CWM European Regional Assembly and the last of six to be held throughout the regions of CWM. It is with immense pleasure and delight that I salute you and thank you for agreeing to participate in this history-making event. The theme of this assembly is “Living in hope”, a continued search for ways to give expression to our last Assembly theme, “Hope: the Language of Life”. Indeed we are in search for a language that will enable us to speak life into the death-dealing situations we encounter on a daily basis; and Living in hope is an appropriate and relevant expression of that search. Too often we perceive hope as a last resort – we begin to hope at the end, when things have already deteriorated into the abyss of despair and gloom. Living in hope conveys a different meaning and message. Its focus is on “living”, a bold and daring declaration that death has no power. The theme betrays our conviction that the God who mocks the intention of those who pronounced death upon Jesus and invites us into the resurrection drama, always has only our best interests at heart. Living in hope is an intentional focus on the journey towards the realisation of our dreams for a better condition of life for our children; freedom for those in bondage; energy for the apathetic; courage for the coward; and a stubborn resistance to everything that spells defeat. Living in hope portrays the people of God as a vibrant, dynamic expression of a future with possibilities beyond our wildest imagination. It is our testimony that the God of hope looks beyond the horizons and invites us to take the leap of faith with God towards the unknown where the will be already is. “Living in hope” – a statement of resolute determination and an invitation to audacious expectation. In pursuit of CWM priority to accompany member churches to develop missional congregations, the Europe region has rightly decided to concentrate its work, at this time, on Missional Congregations and Missional Leadership. These intersecting and connected considerations are vital to the shared vision for life-affirming communities, where hope is buoyant and all aspects of God’s creation flourish. Missionshaped leaders for the “fresh expressions” of being church today is an urgent imperative. It is against this background that I commend and congratulate the region for its focus and wish you well in the implementation process. I understand that three CWM member churches in the region, in partnership with Fresh Expressions, are already exploring new and exciting ways to reinvent the idea of being “church” in their present context. This creative and unconventional approach to participating in God’s mission is evolving into a relevant, sensitive and need-appropriate response to the diverse and changing circumstances of community. I encourage this approach and believe with you that we are on the path of living the hope that emerges from our relationship with the God of hope for such a time as this. As I believe, so I pray that this assembly will be a time of great sharing and learning for all of us; a time of re-connecting with the core principles of being church, truly “missional” and fully real; and a time to commit ourselves to the daring agenda of “Living in (the) hope”, God’s gift to the people of God and God’s assurance of accompaniment for those who would follow Jesus. Shalom! Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan General Secretary CWM European Regional Assembly 2014 | 5
Welcome letter Revd Sandra Turner
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I look forward to meeting old friends and new at our Regional Assembly. As you will see we have an exciting programme relevant to 21st Century Church in Europe, through our theme, Living in Hope. CWM General Secretary, Revd Dr Collin Cowan and our Regional Secretary Revd Wayne Hawkins will lead us as we unpick something of what it means to develop Missional Congregations and to be churches enabling our communities to Live in Hope in these challenging times. A fellow minister asked recently, ‘What do we mean by Fresh Expressions of Church? Isn’t this what I am doing….?’ To some extent this is true – every time a new person begins their journey towards becoming a Christian, whether in traditional worship, at a house group or coffee morning or wherever, a fresh expression of the Body of Christ has begun. I was then asked for a definition! If I could answer that question it would no longer be a fresh expression but something pinned down. As we explore what it means to be a ‘fresh expression of church’ and as we share our journeys, some flourishing others struggling, some of which have begun to take on the recognisable shape of church and others that never will; we will get a bigger picture but I hope not the whole story. In Stuart Murray Williams as our keynote speaker we will be ably led to a deeper understanding of what it means to be church in the 21st century. We look forward to exploring the Assembly theme through creative and inspiring worship led by Kate Gray and Mike Walsh. David McAuley from the Trussell Trust will remind us that even in prosperous Europe there are still those who go without the bare essentials and need to turn to Food Banks for help. We will hear from Rifat Kassis concerning the Israel/Palestine Kairos proposals which are most pertinent as I write this letter. Finally, Chris Baillie through A Rocha will remind us of the importance of being good stewards of creation. These and many local stories will be part of our sharing together. With every blessing, Revd Sandra Turner, Deputy Moderator CWM European Region
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Regional Assembly Participants
CWM Revd Dr Collin Cowan Revd Wayne Hawkins David Cruchley Rebecca Leggett
Revd Barbara Bridges * Revd Malcolm Muir Revd Adrian Burr Angus McCormick Abigail Sathulu
Resource People Revd Mike Walsh Revd Kate Gray Revd Dr Stuart Murray-Williams Revd Chris Baillie David McAuley Rifat Kassis
United Reformed Church Revd Jane Rowell Revd Andrew Willett Revd John Bremnar Hannah Jones * Greer-Aylece Robinson Zadie Orr * Pearce Robinson
CWM Mission Partners Revd Charles Chua Revd John Colney Rebecca Lalbiaksangi Miara Rabearisoa Hannah Rabearisoa Revd Dr Hamr Sangkhuma Ecumenical Partners Captain Jim Currin Major Andrew Vertigan Congregational Federation Revd Sandra Turner Judith Mbabbu
Union of Welsh Independents Dylan Rhys Parry * Revd Jill-Hailey Harris Revd Jeff Williams Revd Dr Geraint Tudur * Protestant Church in the Netherlands Revd Wim den Braber Douwe de Roest Eveline Plenter Maria Elizabeth Tiggelaar Meta Floor * Hester Oosterbroek *
Presbyterian Church of Wales Revd Meirion Morris Revd Nan Powell-Davies Llinos Mai Morris Revd Dr Hamr Sangkhuma * Moses Tutengensi Zoe Jones * Guests Zeb Walsh Seren Rabearisoa John Turner Stewards Jessica Coatesworth Katie Kissick Member Representatives During the Business Sessions at Regional Assembly each member church has nominated two people as Member Representatives. In the event of a vote these Member Representatives are indicated above by an asterisk *.
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Regional Mission Council
Protestant Church in the Netherlands Douwe de Roest Revd Wim den Braber Union of Welsh Independents Revd Dr Geraint Tudur term of office concludes at the 2014 Regional Assembly Revd Jeff Williams Congregational Federation Revd Malcolm Muir term of office concludes at the 2014 Regional Assembly Revd Sandra Turner United Reformed Church Francis Brienen term of office concludes at the 2014 Regional Assembly Revd Jane Rowell Presbyterian Church of Wales Llinos Mai Morris eligible for re-election at the 2014 Regional Assembly Elinor Rhys
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Nominations to the 2014 Regional Assembly Presbyterian Church of Wales Llinos Mair Morris Union of Welsh Independents Revd Jill-Hailey Harris Congregational Federation Revd Adrian Burr United Reformed Church Revd Peter Ball
Discussion Groups
During the Regional Assembly there will be opportunities to engage in conversation around the tables – please feel free to sit wherever you want. There are also times when we will break into smaller groups for discussions in break out rooms, please see the list below. Each of the discussion groups are led by a CWM Mission Partner serving within the European Region.
Group 1 – Charles Chua Main assembly room
Group 3 – John Colney Arundel 2
Collin Cowan
David Cruchley
Kate Gray
Rifat Kassis
Rebekah Leggett
Adrian Burr
Judith Mbaabu
Abigail Sathulu
Douwe de Roest
Dylan Rhys Parry
Hester Oosterbroek
Greer-Aylece Robinson
Jim Currin
Jeff Williams
Pearce Robinson
Llinos Morris
Meirion Morris
Miara Rabearisoa
Moses Tutesigensi
Sandra Turner Angus McCormick
Group 2 – Hamr Sangkhuma Arundel 1
Group 4 – Rebecca Lalbiaksangi - York
Wayne Hawkins
Stuart Murray Williams
Mike Walsh
John Turner
Malcolm Muir
Barbara Bridges
Eveline Plenter
Hannah Jones
Jane Rowell
Meta Floor
Wim den Braber
Andrew Willet
Nan Powell –Davies
Zaidie Orr
Zoe Jones
Jessica Coatesworth
John Bremner
Andrew Vertigan
Katie Kissick
Maria Elisabeth Tiggelaar
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Introducing CWM and CWM’s mission strategy The Council for World Mission is a worldwide community of Christian churches. The 31 members are committed to sharing their resources of money, people, skills and insights globally to carry out God’s mission locally. CWM was created in 1977 and incorporates the London Missionary Society (1795), the Commonwealth Missionary Society (1836) and the (English) Presbyterian Board of Missions (1847). CWM and its member churches are partners in God’s mission along with all God’s people who participate in God’s work. Churches are called to prophetic witness, to proclaim and live out the vision of Jesus Christ of fullness of life for all creation. CWM envisages and works for a different world, one inspired by the values of love, justice, peace and compassion. We are invited to use our gifts and resources for God’s work, following the example of Jesus in proclaiming his ministry of liberation, healing and hope (Luke 4: 14-20), and taking sides with the people who lived in poverty, the oppressed and the marginalized.
creation, and resisting the norms of Empire we participate in God’s alternative vision of a transformed creation. The mission context and God’s mandate of fullness of life for all creation demand a holistic understanding of mission. This compels churches today to be faithful in proclaiming God’s fullness of life. This we believe can be best lived out in the context of local congregations. CWM is therefore committed to enabling member bodies to develop missional congregations where the affirmation of life and hope are experienced in community. To support the member churches in developing missional congregations CWM developed a strategy based on the following areas of work: • Equipping missional congregations • Deepening partnership
CWM’s vision inspires us to action, to decisively and urgently live out our faith, walking together as partners in God’s mission and working in harmony with the whole of God’s creation for its freedom and wholeness. Living the values of fullness of life for all
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• Reflect and Research • Solidarity and Prophetic witness Subsequently CWM has developed four programme areas each administered by a Programme Secretary based in Singapore who works collaboratively with the Regions. • • • •
Mission Enabling Empowerment and Training Justice and Witness Reflect and Research
The programme areas represent significant pieces of work including workshops and consultations on contemporary mission themes, training and exposure programmes for young people and ministerial ordinands, team visits and member church mission support programmes. All working towards the same purpose of “enabling member churches to develop missional congregations.”
CWM vision statement
Fullness of life through Christ for all creation.
Solidarity & Prophetic Witness
Reflect & Research Enable member churches to develop missional congregations
Deepen Partnership
CWM mission statement
Called to partnership in Christ to mutually challenge, encourage, and equip churches to share in God’s mission.
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Introducing CWM Europe CWM Europe is one of the six Regions of CWM (Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Caribbean, Pacific, and Africa). Each Region is staffed by a small team who work collaboratively with Programme Secretaries to deliver the CWM programme of equipping missional congregations with specific attention given to the Regional contexts. The European Region comprises of five CWM member churches – The United Reformed Church, the Presbyterian Church of Wales, The Congregational Federation, The Union of Welsh Independents and the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. The European Region is staffed by a Regional Secretary, Revd Wayne Hawkins and David Cruchley as Programme Associate. The European Regional Programme has developed two areas of work: • Missional Congregations • Missional Leadership Missional Congregations Supporting member churches takes many different forms but will involve accompanying member churches as they develop their mission support programmes. Mission Support Programmes are a way of CWM supporting member
churches responding to their mission context and equipping missional congregations. This accompanying role includes conducting mission audits and consultations with member churches as they identify mission priorities. In addition, Regional Roundtables give space and opportunity for member churches to share news of their life and witness. Partnering with Fresh Expressions represents an exciting new piece of work within the European Region. Fresh Expressions is an ecumenical mission movement working to promote and resource new ways of being church as well as networking these new churches together. Two CWM Europe member churches are already members of the Fresh Expressions movement and are developing fresh expressions of church as part of their own mission programmes, along with the Protestant Church in the Netherlands who have included new ways of church and pioneering as their mission support programme. CWM Europe has partnered with Fresh Expressions to raise the profile within the European Region and share the learning amongst the member bodies.
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The partnership has enabled CWM to draw on new opportunities and resources which have encouraged member churches to consider new ways of being church. Workshops and consultations are frequently held to support member churches in their life and witness. Sometimes these can be in response to member churches requests, for example a workshop to support the Presbyterian Church of Wales consider new patterns of leadership. Other workshops and consultations are for member churches to engage in issues of missional concern e.g. mission with children.
Accompanying member churches as they develop missional congregations
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Mission House Amsterdam is a ten month programme for young people to live and work as a Christian community in the Amsterdam city centre.
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Introducing CWM Europe Continued
Missional Leadership Missional leaders has been an ongoing missional concern within the Region as we seek to consider the nature of mission shaped leaders for missional congregations and how best to equip those leaders. The Region have held a series of workshops and consultations to consider mission shaped leaders and how CWM and member churches can support them. Mission House Amsterdam is a ten month programme for young people to live and work as a Christian community in the Amsterdam city centre. The young people live together and work in a wide range of voluntary programmes with the Protestant Church in Amsterdam for example homeless shelters, drug addicts etc. There is opportunity with the support of the Amsterdam Church to engage in theological reflection on the voluntary work, living together and their own individual Christian discipleship. Exploration programme is a three week summer programme for young people to learn about
mission by participating. The content of the programme is largely determined by the local context. Exploration programmes have included developing and leading a children’s holiday play scheme and plans are developing for a programme to engage with church pioneering and fresh expressions of church in the Netherlands. Internship programmes have been a new programme for the European Region where we have sought to give young people an opportunity to consider mission in a local context. Thus far the Region has had two interns who have worked in Manchester with the Congregational Federation Youth and Children’s Office and Altrincham United Reformed Church. CWM Europe is a registered charity in the UK and so the Regional staff fulfil the functions that are required of a charity and limited company. The Regional Mission Council comprises two directors representing each CWM European member church.
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Regional Assembly Programme
Wednesday 8th October
Living in hope?
Hope in hard times
Thursday 9th October
Friday 10th October Breakfast
Worship and Keynote presentation “What are we hoping for?”
9.00 10.30
Worship and Keynote presentation “What are we worrying about?”
Coffee break
11.00
Small Groups
Small Groups
12.00
Lunch
1.30
CWM Enabling missional congregations
Young People’s Presentations
2.30
Small groups and Plenary
Small groups and Plenary
3.30 4.00
5.30
Coffee break Arrivals
Reception
Hopeful Perspectives: Exploring Kairos Palestine
Hopeful Perspectives: Exploring the Trussell Trust
Hope-filled stories Simon Loveitt The Manor Project
Hope-filled stories Adam Woodhouse The Edge
6.00
Dinner
7.30 Opening Worship 8.00
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CWM Regional Business Session
CWM Regional Business Session
Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer
God’s hopeful people
Living in hope!
Saturday 11th October
Sunday 12th October
Breakfast
Breakfast
Walk to meeting venue Tea and Coffee
“Living in hopeful expectation.” Panel discussion on where next. Coffee break
Worship and Keynote presentation “How can we live hopefully?”
Closing Communion Service Lunch
Address CWM General Secretary Panel and Plenary with CWM General Secretary Coffee break Hopeful Perspectives: Exploring A Rocha Departures Closing Worship and Thanks Walk back to hotel venue
Celebration Dinner
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Regional Assembly Theme “Living in Hope.” In his magisterial book, Transforming Mission, David Bosch memorably declared that today ‘the eschatology office is closed’. Of the famous triad, ‘faith, hope and love’, it seems that hope has become the neglected partner. For many Christians, it seems that the extent of their hope is ‘going to heaven’, an individualised and escapist ambition that is a pale shadow – even distortion – of biblical hope. And the church in post-Christendom western societies, facing decline and marginalisation, is tempted to anxiety, resignation or despair. Nor does our culture brim with hope. Despite remarkable technological advances and a standard of living for many – but by no means all – that previous generations could scarcely imagine, we know that all is not well and we cannot forever fend off deep anxieties about economic meltdown, environmental disaster, pandemics, nuclear terrorism and civilizational collapse. If those who follow the resurrected Jesus cannot embody authentically and proclaim with humble confidence a hope that goes beyond pessimism and optimism, we have little to offer. Through the Regional Assembly we will look afresh at the hope to which God
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has called us in Christ, face squarely the challenges to hope in church and culture, tell surprising stories of hope, and ask how we nurture and sustain a robust and counter-cultural hope. Session 1: What are we hoping for? Exploring biblical themes, including shalom and the kingdom of God, that invite us to hope for the transformation of human lives, communities and the entire cosmos. Session 2: What are we worrying about? Identifying aspects of church and culture that provoke anxiety, addressing these issues honestly and unflinchingly, and setting these concerns in a theological, historical and missional framework. Session 3: How can we live hopefully? Asking what it means to live in hope today and how our church communities can nurture, embody and sustain hope, with illustrative stories that inspire and challenge us.
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Looking afresh to the hope God has called us to in Christ
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Regional Assembly Theme “Living in Hope.” Continued
Introducing Stuart Murray-Williams Stuart spent 12 years as an urban church planter in Tower Hamlets (East London) and has continued to be involved in church planting since then as a trainer, mentor, writer, strategist and consultant. For 9 years he was Oasis Director of Church Planting and Evangelism at Spurgeon’s College, London. Since September 2001, he has worked under the auspices of the Anabaptist Network (www.anabaptistnetwork. com) as a trainer and consultant, with particular interest in urban mission, church planting and emerging forms of church. He is the founder of Urban Expression (www.urbanexpression.org.uk), a pioneering urban church planting agency with teams in several cities in the UK and in The Netherlands. He
co-hosts the Crucible course (www. cruciblecourse.org.uk) in Birmingham each year. He has written several books on church planting, urban mission, emerging church, the challenge of post-Christendom and the contribution of the Anabaptist tradition to contemporary missiology. Recent publications include Post-Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World (Paternoster 2004), Church after Christendom (Paternoster 2005), Changing Mission (CTBI 2006), Planting Churches: A Framework for Practitioners (Paternoster 2008) and The Naked Anabaptist (Herald 2010). He is married to Sian, who is a tutor at the Baptist College in Bristol where they live, and he has two grown up sons and two grandchildren. His interests include walking, reading science fiction, cooking curries and playing competitive table tennis.
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Worship at Regional Assembly Our theme for the week is “Living in Hope” which we hope to explore in our times of worship together by drawing on stories and experiences of our experimental ministries in very different contexts in South Manchester, UK. We will reflect together on both positive, and often difficult stories, to explore the hopes which can be uncovered all around us if we take the time to stop and listen. Worship will be led by Revd Kate Gray and Revd Mike Walsh. Originally from Wales and with a varied church background both in the UK and around the world, Kate brings an eclectic mix of traditions and experience to ministry.
Mike is an indigenous Mancunian and keen explorer of contemporary culture. He can mostly be found inhabiting the cafés, bars, and creative spaces of Manchester. HIs sense of spirituality is attuned to urban backgrounds. His purpose is to discover ways to redefine the Gospel in the context of metropolitan chic, urban deprivation, and postmodern fragmentation. Manchester is the ideal location for these pursuits, both as his home and where he feels closest to God. In March 2014, after 10 years in a traditional suburban church ministry, Mike begin an exciting new Pioneer Ministry exploring contemporary spirituality in Chorlton, Manchester’s ‘alternative’ suburb.
Her spiritual focus is often on the natural world and the rhythms of the seasons, finding the beauty in everyday life. She has been a URC minister in Wythenshawe, South Manchester for 11 years, learning what it is to be church in an urban community. In this context the Dandelion Community was born, a church which embraces the diverse and the dysfunctional as Gods people.
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Redefining the Gospel in the context of metropolitan chic, urban deprivation, and postmodern fragmentation
Learning what it is to be church in an urban context
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Hopeful Perspectives “Hopeful Perspectives” are an opportunity to engage with three very specific and different contexts where people are called to live hopefully despite sometimes terribly difficult and demanding circumstances.
Defence for Children International-Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine) is a national section of the international non-governmental child rights organisation and movement, Defence for Children International (DCI), established in 1991. DCI-Palestine is dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of Palestinian children in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as other international, regional and local standards. Kairos Palestine is a Palestinian national Christian movement which was created based on the Kairos document which was written by some Palestinian Christians leaders and released in 2009. Today Kairos Palestine has a strong base in Palestine and the region and enjoys partnership with many solidarity groups from different countries forming a movement called Global Kairos for Justice. Introducing Rifat Odeh Kassis Throughout his career, he has been advocating and actively campaigning for the effective application of international human rights and humanitarian law in Palestine. For these activities he was arrested several times by Israel. In 1988 he started working in the East Jerusalem YMCA as director for its rehabilitation program. Later in 1996 till 2000 he worked for some donor agencies in Central Asia. In
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1995 he helped establish a rehabilitation program for the Chechen children affected by the war in Chechnya. In the same year he co-founded the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG). In 1991 he founded the national section of the Geneva-based global child rights’ movement, Defence for Children International (DCI). He was elected as Global President of the movement in 2005 and was re-elected for another term in 2008. Since November 2008 he has run the Palestinian section of DCI. In 2012 he was appointed as the General Commissioner for DCI in the Middle East and North Africa. During his term as Executive Director of the YMCA (2000-2004), he initiated and spearheaded the YMCA/YWCA Joint Advocacy Initiative, from which the Olive Tree Campaign was launched. In January 2005, he worked in Geneva as the Manager of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). From September 2007 till March 2009 he was the Word Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Special Advisor on the Middle East. He was the driving force and one of the coauthors of the Kairos Palestine document and has been the General Coordinator of Kairos Palestine Movement since its inception. He has published numerous articles on different topics and contributed to more than 12 books and has been invited to speak at several related conferences. In 2006 he published his first book with the title “Palestine, A Bleeding Wound in the World’s Conscience” and in 2008 he co-authored “Palestinian Christians: Facts, Figures and Trends” and in 2012 he published his third book “Kairos for Palestine”.
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Hopeful Perspectives Continued
The Trussell Trust empowers local communities to combat poverty and exclusion in the UK and Bulgaria. Founded in 1997 to care for vulnerable children in Bulgaria; The Trussell Trust’s work is still in action through the Houses of Opportunity Programme to help Bulgaria’s orphanage leavers to build successful futures. In 2000, whilst fundraising for Bulgaria in Salisbury, Trussell Trust founder Paddy Henderson received a call from a desperate mother saying “my children are going to bed hungry tonight and I live around the corner from you”. Paddy investigated local deprivation and discovered many people facing ‘hidden hunger’ after a short-term crisis. Moved to action, Paddy started the first foodbank in his garden shed, providing three days of emergency food to local people in crisis. In 2004 the UK Foodbank Network was launched, teaching churches and communities nationwide how to start and run foodbanks. Over 20,000 frontline care professionals refer families and individuals in crisis to foodbanks. Last year the network of over 400 foodbanks gave three days’ emergency food and support to 913,138 people, a third of them were children.
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Introducing David McAuley David McAuley is the Chief Executive of The Trussell Trust, ‘Britain’s Most Admired Charity: 2013’, and best known for its network of UK foodbanks. With a background in business, David worked in the private sector for over 25 years before taking a 3 year sabbatical in 2004 to read Theology at Sydney College of Divinity. Since David joined The Trussell Trust in 2008 the organisation has grown tenfold in size in all areas of activity, and has risen to prominence in the media and political spheres - making it one of the most talked about charities in the UK. David says: “Managing growth, dealing with politicians and the media, building and maintaining a good reputation, building a product that meets people at their point of need and managing change, is all part of working for The Trussell Trust. No one said it would be easy, but it is very rewarding.” David was appointed Chief Executive in January 2014 and is starting to look toward the next ten years and the challenges that post-austerity Britain may bring. David is married to Chrissy and lives in Salisbury with their two children.
No one said it would be easy, but it is very rewarding
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Hopeful Perspectives Continued
A Rocha is an international and interdenominational Christian organization which, inspired by God’s love, engages in scientific research, environmental education and community-based based conservation projects. Introducing Chris Baillie
Caring for God’s creation is a gospel concern and a major mission focus for our time
Chris is the minister of two United Reformed Churches in Somerset, UK, having formerly served with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands through CWM. He currently serves on the Audit Committee for CWM. He is South-West Conservation Advisor for A Rocha UK. He leads an annual team from his churches to work with A Rocha Uganda in a conservation education programme, has participated in conservation work with A Rocha Kenya, and recently led a week for A Rocha Portugal. Through serving A Rocha he hopes to demonstrate his conviction that caring for God’s creation is a gospel concern and a major mission focus for our time. He is married to Carol, and they have two adult children, Matt and Heather. He initially worked as an aviculturist and zoo keeper, trained to teach Environmental Science and, not long after coming to a personal faith in Christ, felt called to the ministry that he has worked in ever since.
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Hope-Filled Stories “Hope-Filled Stories” are an opportunity to hear two local stories of where the church is an expression of a hopeful people making a difference to their community.
The Manor Project, Sheffield Simon Loveitt The Manor Church and Community Project is an ecumenical project - Methodist, Anglican and United Reformed Church - working on the Manor and Castle electoral ward in South East Sheffield, a community ranked in the top 1% of the government’s indices of deprivation. The vision is to work ecumenically, and in partnership with others who share our aims, to be agents of God’s transformation in the lives both of individuals and the community in the Manor area of Sheffield. The vision is based on our strong belief that the church is called to be an agent of social change and a vehicle for establishing God’s Kingdom. The project has already provided support and encouragement for local families and children on the Manor Estate in their faith and life journeys and to build their confidence to engage with church, schools and community. This area of work has been identified as a key priority by the local churches in consultation with other relevant community agencies. Simon Loveitt has been called as a Church Related Community Work minister to the Manor Church and Community Project and began work on 1st September 2014. His task is to build upon the already exciting initiatives that currently exist, building new relationships, and trying to make a difference in the community by addressing the many issues that present themselves.
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The Edge, Bradford – Andrew Woodhouse The Edge Project, which is part of the mission of Holme Christian Community, was set up to help prevent young people from falling “over the edge” into alcohol, drugs, solvent abuse, crime and general anti-social behaviour, and to help encourage them to lead a more positive lifestyle. The vision is for The Edge is to help young people understand that they are valued members of the community and provide the necessary support to help them find their place and purpose. The Edge is led by Adam Woodhouse who is also an Elder in the church, four youth workers and over fifteen volunteers. We work with young people 8-18years and their parents.
The project has already provided support and encouragement for local families and children on the Manor Estate in their faith and life journeys
helping prevent young people from falling “over the edge�
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Regional Assembly Business Sessions
On Thursday 9th and Friday 10th October from 7.30 - 8.00 there are two short business sessions. The Regional Assembly does not have a business focus as governance responsibility lies with the CWM Council. There is a need to conduct the election of members to the Regional Mission Council who have been duly nominated by the member churches and one other item of business. The intention is to allow discussion but keep the sessions short. In fact, we may not even need the business session on Friday evening (!).
The Regional Mission Council is made up of two directors from each CWM member church. One director is elected to the CWM Council and Regional Mission Council at the CWM Assembly and the second director is elected only to the Regional Mission Council at the Regional Assembly. The aforementioned individuals have been nominated by their CWM member churches and as such the election is uncontested. 4. Member church contributions to CWM Europe 5. AOB
1. Agenda 2. Welcome 3. Nominations to Regional Mission Council Llinos Mair Morris – Presbyterian Church of Wales Revd Peter Ball – United Reformed Church Revd Adrian Burr – Congregational Federation Revd Jill-Hailey Harris – Union of Welsh Independents
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6. Close of business session
Open Day information
The CWM Europe Open Day is an opportunity for local congregations and individuals interested in the work of CWM to come together and learn more about CWM’s mission and strategic direction. The Open Day will be held at Victoria Hall Methodist Church in Central Sheffield, a short walk away from the hotel. The day will begin with coffee at 10.00 and will include worship and addresses from Revd Dr Collin Cowan and the Assembly keynote speaker Stuart Murray-Williams. A packed lunch will be provided for Regional Assembly participants.
CWM Europe Open Day The CWM Europe Open Day will be held at the Victoria Hall Methodist Church in the city centre. Participants are responsible for making their own way to the church ready to begin at 10:00. The church is approximately 1.1km from the hotel and maps will be provided. If you require a taxi please inform CWM Europe staff by Friday afternoon and they will be able to book through the hotel reception. CWM Europe Open Day venue: Victoria Hall Methodist Church Norfolk Street Sheffield S1 2JB The Assembly hotel will provide a packed lunch which can be collected during breakfast. Refreshments will be available at the Open Day as well as many other city centre eateries. CWM European Regional Assembly 2014 | 33
General Assembly Participant Information Introducing Sheffield Sheffield lies centrally in the UK, in the county of South Yorkshire. The city has had a long economic history and is now a post-industrial area with a population of 551, 800 people. Famed for its steel production, Sheffield was one of the industrial powers of England. Steel production came to an end in the 1980s and in recent years Sheffield has under gone a transformation and is now well known for a thriving arts, music and social scene. The city is host to two lively, major UK universities, Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield. The city lies over a number of hills, indeed a third of the city lies within the peak district national park. There are more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city, and an estimated 2 million trees, giving Sheffield the highest ratio of trees to people of any city in Europe. Sheffield has a rich sporting heritage and boasts two professional football clubs, Sheffield United, and Sheffield Wednesday, both of which formed from the oldest professional football club in the world Sheffield F.C. founded in 1857. Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium, Hillsborough, took on notorious fame having been the site of the
worst disaster in British football history as 96 Liverpool fans died in a crush in 1989. Sheffield is also home to the Crucible, the theatre which plays host to the annual Snooker World Championships. Arrivals and Departures Regional Assembly participants have been asked to arrive by 17:00 on Wednesday 8th October. The hotel check - in is available from 15:00. The assembly closes after worship and lunch at 13:00 on Sunday 12th October. If participants need to leave prior to this time or day we request that this is made known to CWM Europe staff as soon as possible so that we can confirm details with the hotel. Assembly Reception The Regional Assembly reception table will be situated near to the hotel reception. Please ensure that you have signed in with the Assembly reception as well as the hotel reception, where you will be issued with the Assembly pack and given any important information about the programme. Meals On Wednesday 8th October a reception dinner will be served in the bar area of the hotel. It will consist of a mixed buffet with drinks provided. The reception dinner will begin at 17:00.
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On weekdays a self - service buffet breakfast is available from 06:30 to 09:00. At weekends breakfast is available from 07:30 to 09:00. Thursday 9th and Friday 10th a buffet lunch will be served in the bar area and three course sit-down dinner will be served in the hotel dining room. Participants will be asked to pre order their dinner selection by lunchtime each day. Menus will be made available in the mornings and CWM Europe staff and stewards will collect orders during the morning break. Participants will be asked to fill in an order card which will be returned to the participants at the commencement of the evening meal – so you don’t need to remember your dinner selection! On Saturday 11th October for the CWM Europe Open Day, which is off site, a packed lunch will be provided and will be available for collection during breakfast. The evening meal on Saturday will consist of a celebratory banquet served in the main Assembly room. This four course meal will be a set menu so please indicate any dietary requirements to CWM Europe staff in advance. The Regional Assembly will close with a buffet lunch on Sunday 12th at 13:00.
Emergency numbers Rev Wayne Hawkins +44 (0) 7985 33 1010 David Cruchley +44 (0) 7539 322 584 Holiday Inn Royal Victoria +44 (0) 114 276 8822 For UK emergency services, such as the police or the Ambulance service dial 999 from any landline or mobile and you will be connected to an operator who will be able to help. If you require medical assistance, but it is not an emergency please dial 111 from a landline or mobile and you will be connected with an NHS operator who will be able to help. Alternatively dial 0 from your hotel room and speak with the hotel receptionist.
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CWM Europe Regional Assembly Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Victoria Station Rd Sheffield South Yorkshire S4 7YE Tel: +44 (0) 114 276 8822 www.cwmission.org www.cwmeurope.org