18th Global Gathering of the World Convention of Churches of Christ
Goiania, Brazil, July 25-29 2012
Sharing the Love that Unites
South America was never on my travel agenda but the opportunity to attend the 18th Global Gathering of Churches of Christ in Brazil was too good to miss. Brazil is a country of great contrasts and beauty- the magnificence of Iguazu Falls, the beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the lovely city of Goiania and much more. 27 Australians traveled together, but there were approximately 40 Australians who shared in the experience. It was very different from all the gatherings of World Convention which have gone before because the planning committee in Brazil had been allowed to plan it their way!
There were almost 4,000 people in attendance over most days and many of them were vibrant young people, including many families with young children. They were so excited and thrilled that we had chosen to come to their country to hold the gathering. Many told us that they did not know there were church groups like theirs in other parts of the world. Of the total attendance there were less than 500 from outside Brazil!
The days began at 9am and finished at 9.30pm.There were 2 sessions each morning, workshops on various topics in the afternoon, and then an evening meeting. Each of the main sessions had lots of singing and a passionate speaker (in some cases 2 speakers!)- a mix of men and women from various countries. Andrew Menzies, the current college principal, was one of the key speakers. At one session Merril Kitchen (former principal of the Churches of Christ Theological College in Melbourne), was presented with an award to recognize her service to Churches of Christ, the wider church and beyond. That morning was a proud and special session for the Australians present.
The meetings were in Portuguese and English, so some of the messages were quite long, as sometimes it takes 3 or 4 words in Portuguese to translate one English word. All the songs were written in both languages and after a while some of us found we could fit the words better in Portuguese than in English so began to sing in that language
The last Sunday we shared in the evening service of a local congregation and that was really special, as we connected with the people and experienced their expressions of love. It is an incredibly humbling and moving experience to share the emblems of communion and be embraced and prayed for by a stranger,—when you cannot understand a word that is being said, but know very definitely the sincerity of the prayer! Just prior to the conclusion of the service we were presented with a cap (black for the men and white for the women) embroidered with the church motto-“You and me for Jesus”! As we held hands around and across that little chapel as the worship ended, there was hardly a dry eye and we understood more deeply what it meant to “Share the Love That Unites”
There was no “Women’s Lunch” or Retreat this time, rather a “Women’s Congress” which was from 5pm -7.00pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Monica Fife, the GWC President, opened the “Women’s Congress” on Thursday evening which concluded with “finger food”. Not enough for everyone to be fed adequately. The Brazilians eat very late so their mealtime was after the final session at 9.30pm!! Didn’t work for us!!!! So from then on we ate between the end of the GWC session and the beginning of the evening session—just missed some of the singing!
The GWC meetings consisted of a welcome by Monica each evening and 2 speakers with singing in between. I was one of the speakers on the Friday and I had the challenge of speaking with an interpreter. Fortunately, she was a beautiful young woman — about 25, and we connected well. I gave her my text the day before and she read it through, sought some clarification on some of the words she didn’t understand, we prayed together and allowed God to do the rest. It was a challenge to keep to time- but we did- and a number expressed their appreciation for the content of the message. One young woman told me I had spoken directly to her and she was helped to clarify some things in her life at present-so it was a good outcome. Another precious moment of “Sharing the Love that Unites”!
The Klong Toey project was wound up and the treasurer announced that $39,199.79 had been raised over the 4 years. A tally on the jewellery sales in the USA is still being finalized. There could still be small amounts that continue to come in until the new projects are officially launched. $30,863 of the total was contributed by Australia which is a wonderful effort. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to promote Klong Toey over the last 4 years.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you at this GWC gathering and for your support over many years. I trust that at the meeting in November of the State representatives that they will be able to discern the direction for us as a Women’s Ministry team as we move into (as it seems to me) an increasingly uncertain future. All your prayers will be valued as they meet.
Marj Dredge
National Coordinator Women’s Ministries
Churches of Christ in Australia.
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