WARC: Moving against the current: two global church networks merge

“In these times of division and dissension in so many areas of our lives - including church life - it is highly significant that two global groups of churches based in 108 countries and representing 80 million people should be willing to come together in a higher level of union than ever before,” says Richard van Houten, General Secretary of the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

On June 18, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) will merge with REC to form the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). An expected 475 delegates plus a nearly equal number of observers, guests, visitors and volunteers will gather on Calvin College Campus for the Uniting General Council (UGC) which will mark the launch of the WCRC. The event runs from 18 – 26 June.

The two founding organizations draw on distinctive but complementary traditions. While both draw on Reformed commitment to Biblical tradition, REC is known for its emphasis on spiritual development and faithfulness to church 'Confessions' (statements which define points of faith) while WARC is known for its stances on issues such as racial and gender justice, environmental protection and a just and equitable world economic order.

“The term ‘communion’ in the new organization’s name points to a new form of working relationship,” says Setri Nyomi, WARC’s general secretary. “As a communion, we recognize our common baptism and our togetherness at the Lord's table - making us better witnesses and more effective in making a difference in the world.”

The programmatic mandate of the new World Communion of Reformed Churches will be to focus on issues of church unity and social programmes. The staff will be based in Geneva, Switzerland at the Ecumenical Centre which also houses the World Council of Churches to which WCRC will belong.

“Justice concerns will be at the heart of the WCRC,” says Judi Fisher of the Uniting Church of Australia. Fisher, WARC’s Pacific Region Vice-President, says matters affecting the lives and rights of Indigenous peoples will be an integral part of the UGC agenda.

“Hearing the voices of the world’s indigenous peoples, particularly those from North America whose guests we are when we meet on their land, will challenge and inspire us to understand what environmental destruction and the legacy of racial abuse in church-run schools has done to entire communities of Indigenous peoples in North America,” says Fisher.

The programme for the UGC features debate of a wide range of issues of concern to member churches. From these, delegates will set specific priorities for the coming seven-year period leading up to the next global assembly.

UGC programme highlights include:

Opening of the Uniting General Council, the first meeting of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Friday, June 18 at 2:15 p.m.

Ceremonial arrival, drumming and greetings by tribal chiefs from the Michigan State area. The ceremony will include an exchange of drums between UGC delegates and tribal chiefs.

Friday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m. 

Keynote panel presentation featuring:

Ruth Padilla (Costa Rica) “Reflections from Latin America”
Park Seong-Won (Korea) “Flourishing Life-Giving Oikos”
Sabine Dressler-Kromminga  (Germany) “Unity in Uniqueness and Diversity”
Ayana McCalman (Guyana) “Justice Renewed”
The moderator is Sharon Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Saturday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m.  

Celebratory worship service to mark the launch of the WCRC. The service will feature children as the leaders of tomorrow's church receiving the symbol of unity of the new Reformed body.

Sunday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Keynote presentation by American Indian leader, Richard Twiss, known for his approach to cultural and community renewal based on Christian faith and traditional Indigenous dance, music and arts.

Tuesday, June 22 at 11:15 a.m.

Afternoon of worship and cultural activities with Indigenous peoples from throughout the United States in Ab-nab-awen Park on the banks of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. The programme includes a Pow Wow and will conclude with a Friendship Dance. Arts, crafts and food will be on sale. Activities are open to the public. 

Tuesday, June 22. 2:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Ab-nab-awen Park.

Election of WCRC President.

Thursday, June 24. 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Planning church response to economic and climate injustice, the impact of the financial crisis on the world’s poor, women’s rights in the church and human rights in troubled regions of the world.

Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26.

Unless otherwise noted, all sessions noted above take place in the Van Noord Arena of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex, Calvin College.

Organizers are arranging for hundreds of local volunteers to serve as airport greeters, ushers for the worship events, information desk attendants, drivers and “go-fers”.

Host committee member, Anne Weirich, wants to provide a warm welcome to UGC participants. “It is going to be a great experience for all of us from the Grand Rapids area to meet Christians from around the world,” says Weirich.

Throughout the Uniting General Council, workshops and exhibits will be offered in the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex. UGC delegates will be welcomed as guests in congregations around Grand Rapids on Sunday, June 20 and on the weekend of June 26 and 27.

The programme listing is available at www.reformedchurches.org