Document
Geneva, March 15, 2019
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Rev. Norman Tendis was on his way to Nairobi, the site of the United Nations' Environmental Programme, when his plane crashed shortly after taking off in Addis Ababa. His death is a great loss for the WCC staff community. We gathered in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre for a prayer in memory of Norman and especially for his wife and the three children.
Norman and his colleagues of the Poverty, Wealth and Ecology team had worked hard to finalize a “Roadmap for Congregations, Communities and Churches for an Economy of Life and Ecological Justice” which he was to present Monday morning at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi.
The roadmap for churches, congregations and communities guides us to live sustainably and build economies of life in local contexts. It suggests how faith-based communities can be practising and applying life-giving agriculture and forestry, utilise climate-friendly energy and transport solutions, sustainable consumption and creative alternative economic models- to ensure a sustainable and fulfilling future for generations to come.
I am sending you this document, asking you to study it carefully with the appropriate bodies and institutions in your church and to pray for Norman's wife and children. This is the best way to honour him and his memory.
Norman was based in Austria, working 50% for a congregation in Villach and the other 50% for the WCC. Some years ago he reflected on his time as pastor in Villach. The text ended with the following words: "Love is the centre of Christian faith, and it should be at the centre of all our endeavours. 'And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all' (1 Thess 3:12)."
May it be like this.
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
WCC General Secretary