Enhancing understanding: specialized ministries reflect on seminar

Pastor Maricar Delfun, program coordinator of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera (RECCORD), Northern Luzon, Philippines, United Church of Canada, said that the seminar is enhancing understanding.

“I am honored to be part of this Ecumenical Formation Seminar as it affirms the life and work of the ecumenical movement that we have been doing at RECCORD as the expression of our faith and response  to societal issues at the grassroots level,” said Delfun. “My hope is to help in strengthening the ecumenical movement at the grassroots to contribute in realizing the ecumenical vision of hope, peace and justice.”

Delfun added: “This seminar will enhance my understanding  of the ecumenical movement as program coordinator of RECCORD, and the commitment to impart such knowledge of the ecumenical movement, being a teacher of ecumenics at our Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines.”

Patrick Ndung’u, head of program, DanChurchAid Kenya, said the seminar was both eyeopening and inspirational. "It brings to the fore the many opportunities and untapped potential in offering a contemporary ecumenical vision and road map towards faith-driven, unified service and transformation towards healing and hope as well as justice and peace back in my country Kenya at both the national and grassroots levels,” he said. “Having participated in the discourse at the recent Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, I look forward to an ecumenical movement with new impetus and fit for purpose to make practical and visible the oneness of the body of Christ in addressing and offering solutions to the pressing global challenges, including climate change through local agency, dialogue, and solidarity that is inspired and driven by eco-theology and relevant prophetic massages.”

Johanne Rygh, administration advisor for Norwegian Church Aid, said that the week has been very insightful. “Engaging with colleagues from around the world on ecumenical topics has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of unity in faith,” said Rygh. “Drawing on the closing session, my hope for the ecumenical movement is that it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our world, with a stronger emphasis on practical ecumenism on the ground.”

The Ecumenical Formation Seminar is giving staff in specialized ministries the opportunity to get to know the ecumenical movement and its organizational expressions. The programme is also providing possibilities for ecumenical encounter with the WCC and other ecumenical organizations, including ACT Alliance.