Letter sent to Clare J. Chapman, Acting General Secretary of the NCCCUSA

 

 

Geneva, 20 September 2007

Dear Clare,

I write to you, and all our friends at the National Council of Churches, to express our sympathy on hearing news of the death of Claire Randall. In her career, she performed essential services within the one ecumenical movement. At every level - local, national and global - she contributed to spreading the gospel, campaigning for peace with justice and seeking the visible unity of the Church.

Claire Randall became a role model for many after being elected General Secretary of the NCCCUSA. Already known for her leadership as a former staff member of Church Women United and a ruling elder of the United Presbyterian Church, her presence at the head of her country's leading ecumenical council gave a more expansive and more accurate reflection of the whole people of God. Under her leadership, the National Council re-examined its mandate and vision - especially in the document "Foundations for Ecumenical Commitment" and the work of the NCC's Faith and Order Commission under Brother Jeffrey Gros. Questions raised at that time continue to inform our agenda and affect our progress today.

As the struggle for freedom in southern Africa took on global dimensions, Claire Randall and the National Council were in the forefront of opposition to apartheid regimes and their sponsors. She was also instrumental in supporting human rights as "dirty wars" raged in Latin America. We are especially grateful for Claire Randall's determined advocacy for both the World Council of Churches and the NCCCUSA during the media frenzies of 1982-83 when these councils were subjected to harsh criticism for their commitments in these regions.

Claire Randall will long be remembered as an outstanding leader of the ecumenical movement, and we give thanks to God for her life and her example.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia

General Secretary