Name: Lilian Santos Gomes
Nationality: Brazilian
Church: Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil
Function within the church: Sunday school teacher and serving in the altar committee.
Participating as: Steward
Age: 26
First encounter with the ecumenical movement: As a Brazilian I had the opportunity to serve the 9th General Assembly of WCC in Porto Alegre as a steward. I am very happy that I am now also part of the stewards programme of the Central Committee, especially since I was given the chance to work with the Communications Department. I have studied fine arts and photography.
Having the opportunity to be a steward during ecumenical gatherings is also a beautiful way to learn more about the ecumenical movement. Hearing the unique and challenging stories of other people like those of our friends coming from the Middle East and how they are dealing with their problems cultivates hope and trust that by God’s mercy we can overcome ours, too.
In Brazil we are experiencing the changing face of the religious landscape. My church is a small one and we are struggling with some problems, among others loss of membership. Many traditional churches, like mine, face the same problem. Many believers, especially those who are dealing with poverty, are leaving their family churches and joining new religious and sectarian movements. These groups are claiming that they can solve all their spiritual and financial problems, which of course is not true.
Brazil is facing a time of tremendous financial and development changes and at the same time we are struggling with corruption in many levels of our life. More and more people from the countryside are moving to the big financial centres of the country, so life is becoming more difficult in our large cities due to pollution and the growing quantity of trash, despite some efforts to develop methods of recycling. Brazil is blessed with a unique biodiversity and a magnificent landscape, but environmental stability is in danger. All Christians around the world must pay attention for the protection of the environment.
I believe that no one can achieve his best on his own. I think the churches have to join their efforts. Our times are calling for a close collaboration, both locally and globally. We need each other. We cannot live alone and solve our problems without the help of each other. As a member of a small minority church – a church that I love so much – I realise that we have to use the opportunity of being in the ecumenical movement in a way that will help us to grow together.
