MP Delegation To wcc

[AndyHolland]

Dear Joasias,

Whole burnt offerings are not enough! The sacrifices of righteousness are burnt offerings AND whole burnt offerings. In other words, you must love God AND your neighbor. Jesus miracles proclaim the love of God to man and men who discern the Lord are happy for the healings of their neighbor - even Samaritans - without malice and envy. The Pharisee sees only the supposed violation of the Sabbath day - not the fullfillment of the law!

Kollyvas has slandered his better, and so now have you - namely Archbishop Anastasios. The proof of this is obvious, consider the very first paragraph of the Archbishop's address that ties directly to the theme ["God, in your grace, transform the world"] of the conference and thus could not be plagerized:

The formulation of our Assembly theme assumes the form of a prayerful petition, if you like, it is a mystical cry, which reveals a sense of profound weakness and intense expectation. It is a contemporary variation of the prayer placed on our lips by Christ Himself: "… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven." It is based on the recognition that, for the transformation of the world, our human thoughts, ideas and abilities are insufficient. Yet, at the same time, it is founded on the conviction that the God, in whom we hope, is not indifferent to human history. God is immediately interested and is able, through His grace, wisdom and power, to intervene and transform the entire universe. God takes the initiative, taking action and assuming the decisive role in universal events.

If you read the entire address, which is molded on the theme, you will find it to be an excellent exposition of the Orthodox Faith. You will find a genuine concern for the poor, sick, friendless and needy as well. For example:

In the face of all poor - the hungry, estranged, and refugees we are obliged to discern the face of Jesus.

This statement is absolutely true, beautiful and relevant!

Now when I read the things that Kollyvas supplies, I find the canon transformed into a pharisitical fuller's club used to beat up those who do not agree with his judgement of canon law ! To slander such good statements from the Archbishop is about as close to the unforgivable sin as I wish to dare fathom, for those statements are from God as they proclaim the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord in all humility.

He does not say we can do anything, he says clearly that we allow God to be God in every statement. Do you discern the difference between the heretic who denies the Lord and the man who speaks the truth - in profound ignorance, yet in faith and love for those who he is addressing who are in darkness?

One might debate the wisdom of going to wcc meetings, but one should not speak against a Bishop of the Church without several reliable witnesses in accordance with canon law! How dare one strain at gnats (where someone says something - guilt by association!) and swallow camels (false accusations without direct, reliable witness in direct variance to Canon law).

What witness - the sermon of the Archbishop - has been provided only affirms the truth that the Archbishop is blameless and Kollyvas has slandered his better and now you too have followed his path.

At some point in your life you must make the decision to truly love others. Now you might legitamately argue that loving members of the wcc, Orthodox should not attend. However, light is placed on a lampstand and shines in the darkness, and the Archbishop's words are clearly of the light and not of the darkness. Therefore, who dares to accuse such a blameless sermon?

andy holland
sinner Glutton, prideful, lustful, greedy, profoundly ignorant fool - but NOT a heretic

[Kollyvas]

Where has my "better" mentioned THE ORTHODOX FAITH ONCE?! He is interposing the mechanism of the wcc FOR THE CHURCH and heretically calling its membership to a witness ONLY APPROPRIATE TO ORTHODOXY. THAT IS SECTARIAN AND HERETICAL. How hard is that to understand?! THIS IS BRANCH THEORY ECCLESIOLOGY and it is utterly heretical. I HAVE RESPONDED--ADDRESS THE POINTS I HAVE BROUGHT UP. If you cannot, which it seems you can't, do not pimp people affirming heresy as Orthodox.
R
Isn't it illustrative that ecumenists can't address criticism or topic and CONTINUALLY IGNORE THE FACT THAT ORTHODOXY'S VOCATION IS NOT SHARED WITH heretics...

[Kollyvas]

(Another instance where Orthodoxy is not witnessed! A disappointment. Wonder if +laurus will travel to Brazil to address the "other halves" too and exhort them as his Orthodox brethren. This must cease. --R /curious the "authentics" are not denouncing real ecumenist heresy--perhaps they're busy at the assembly incognito, but I'm sure they'll be back to call others "ecumenists" once its over. LOL!/)

http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-me ... baliz.html

Kyrill, Dandala: Globalized world presents faith challenges

More articles and free photos at

www.wcc-assembly.info

Religious leaders from two hemispheres discussed the edges where cultures and civilizations clash during a 9th Assembly press conference Wednesday afternoon. Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and Rev. Dr Mvume Dandala each noted challenges in an increasingly globalized world.

Kyrill, chairman of the Department for External Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, said that relations between religions have been "very peaceful" in his nation, but require close attention and care to maintain that mutual respect. Kyrill said that while most of Russia is Orthodox, 10 percent is Muslim, and other religious traditions comprise another 10 percent.

He noted that an interreligious summit would be held in Russia to look at intercultural and interreligious relationships in the context of globalization, prior to the G-8 summit planned for St Petersburg in July. He commended the World Council of Churches for understanding "the importance of interreligious dialogue".

Kyrill also addressed the divide between the religious and secular worlds, noting the "most important question of the 21st century" as "whether it is possible or not to balance religious values and secular values", and pointing to the recent Danish cartoon controversy as an example. "I still have an idea that these values may be balanced," he said. "Of course, that requires very hard work, but I think it's something which may be done".

Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, said that globalization posed a major threat for his continent. "The question is asked often in Africa: does globalization have the prospect for us of the annihilation of our culture, annihilation of our languages, and so on".

He pointed to, for example, studies looking at the disappearance of languages. "When a language disappears, it often goes with the culture and heritage of a people. The question for us is very real - how do we preserve our heritage?" He said that the All Africa Conference has worked with its member churches to reflect theologically on such issues.

Dandala also noted the ability of religion to be both a positive and negative force in such situations. He said it had played a "devastating role of dividing" in apartheid, but it could also be something that "affirms people" and demonstrates that "we are all human beings and should care for one another". Diversity, he said, should be celebrated, and "what matters most today is using diversity for the enrichment of all the people".

Assembly website:www.wcc-assembly.info

[Kollyvas]

I guess one of the "contexts" changed is WITNESSING Orthodoxy. R

http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/home-2/ ... texts.html

Changing contexts
Participants spend 1½ hours each day - today and for the next three days - in in-depth dialogue with one another on "changing contexts": religious and cultural; ecclesial and ecumenical; international; and social and economic. An innovation, the Assembly's "ecumenical conversations" are designed to generate ideas, proposals and recommendations for its Programme Guidelines Committee.

For more information, please see:

Ecumenical conversations

Ecumenical conversations
Introduction
Ecumenical Conversations provide a space for delegates to share their experiences in addressing key concerns for the future of the churches and their common witness and action. In dialogue, the Ecumenical Conversations will become an exciting opportunity for addressing together the prevailing dynamics and trends of today’s world and discerning the signs of the times in the light of faith.
Changing religious and cultural context
"Changing religious and cultural context" : In a time of globalization, violence, ideological polarization, fragmentation and exclusion, what is the importance of Christian mission? This Ecumenical Conversation will offer the opportunity to reflect on the message of the gospel and methods of mission in such a context.
Changing ecclesial and ecumenical context
"Changing ecclesial and ecumenical context" : The WCC’s Common Understanding and Vision process offers a coherent and challenging vision: a broad fellowship of churches, committed and accountable to one another, seeking visible unity in their life and witness today.
Changing international and political context
"Changing international and political context" : From the prophet Isaiah to the pastor Bonhoeffer, from Esther in ancient Israel to the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina of our day, prophets are real and inspiring. They are raised up in honour at regular intervals in the Bible. God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth owes something to their labors. Yet most believers—no matter how committed to God’s justice—would not call themselves prophets or think of themselves as prophetic people.
Changing social and economic context
"Changing social and economic context" : Poverty threatens life and human dignity. It is not a destiny, but the very result of the methods and structures of wealth creation and distribution of wealth in individual societies and worldwide. Inequality increases not by accident, but by the way economic and political processes are structured and function. Poverty undermines the very basis of life of billions of children, women and men who are denied not only the benefits of growing wealth, but even of access to basic necessities of life.
Registration form

[Kollyvas]

http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-me ... dy-th.html

Have a laugh and study the Bible

The Assembly's Mutirao Bible studies opened on Wednesday with a reggae song and lessons in making noises and punching the air.

According to one of the coordinators, the Rev. Dr Jione Havea, the studies are to provide a welcoming and joyful space where people can have a good laugh and look seriously at the biblical text.

To help participants look at readings in a different light, each day the studies will feature different audio-visual elements, from movement based on the text to movie clips and images of recent world catastrophes.

On Wednesday the Word was literally cast among the people in the form of a scroll rolled down an aisle. They then were asked if the phrases "to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free" should be taken literally or metaphorically.

The object of the series of studies will be to consider what the consequences of transformation might be. Transformation, said Havea, implies change and people are not always comfortable with change.

The Bible studies have been coordinated by a team of ten of the world's best Bible study leaders using texts published for the Assembly in Springs of Living Water: Bible Studies on Grace and Transformation.

[Kollyvas]

http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-me ... -play.html

A business role play

Rev. Dr Norman Shanks led delegates through a role-play example of a business session on Tuesday.
A variety of Assembly personnel on Tuesday morning used a creative role play to provide an orientation to the way that business sessions will work.

Rev. Dr Norman Shanks, moderator of the Assembly planning committee, served as moderator for this fanciful session as well. Shanks had the "delegates" seated on stage wrestle with an issue using silence, prayer, small-group discussion, and the blue and orange consensus cards to give the real delegate body as sense of the proceedings to come.

A 5-minute discussion period among delegates was compressed to 10 seconds for sake of the demonstration, and other bits of humor were inserted through the play. Shanks finally declared, "Ah, we have consensus!" on the fake business item, receiving laughter and applause from those in the plenary hall.

Actual decision plenary sessions begin on Monday, 20 Feb.

[Kollyvas]

A daily quiz

A creative daily quiz by Acting Together - Transforming Our World is helping to draw visitors to the exhibit hall area of the Assembly.
The Acting Together - Transforming Our World booth in the exhibit hall at the Assembly has come up with a creative way to educate people and bring more visitors to its booth at the same time: a daily quiz.

The booth brings together seven ecumenical "umbrella" agencies dealing with a variety of issues. One of those agencies, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, did the quiz for the first day, 14 Feb., dealing with HIV/AIDs, and Action for Churches Together followed with a quiz on natural disaster concerns on 15 Feb. Anyone bringing a completed quiz form (answers are available at the booth) received a free wristband.

"The quizzes were an idea we had of an engaging way to get people to think about issues we work on, and to encourage people to come to this exhibit area," said Linda Hartke, coordinator of Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.

A different agency, with a differently colored wristband, will be featured in the quiz each day. Eight quizzes will be done in all. There will be none on Sunday or on one day when the WCC will be distributing white wristbands in recognition of global poverty.