WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle - South Korea and Japan

The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for 22-28th December includes South Korea and Japan. We also pray for our diaconal sisters in South Korea, and in Japan.

We give thanks for:
* the prophetic witness of Christians in Japan and South Korea
* the distinctive temples, art and cultures in the region
* education and economic developments that have improved the lives of many
* Japan finally reaching a settlement with Korea over “comfort women” from WW2
* how the council of churches in Japan has promoted reconciliation with the rest of Asia
* the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, which with others has sought to reunify Korea, to defend human rights, and to work for peace and justice.

We pray for:
* an end to repression of people and to threats of military confrontation, especially on the Korean peninsula
* the reunification of Korea, that peace and justice might prevail
* women and other marginalized groups, and the inequalities they experience
* greater acceptance of immigrants that they might make a positive contribution
* new hope and meaning for the young, amid pressures of competition and consumerism.

Prayers

Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”(Eph. 2: 14)
God! We confess that you, O God, are the lord of peace, life and justice on the Korean peninsula. You, O God, desire peace and reconciliation for the people of North and South Korea who suffer from the pains of division. While the ideological conflicts have disappeared from the global scene the Korean peninsula still struggles with ideological conflicts and peace is difficult to attain. We pray, O Lord for your love, peace and justice to become a living reality in the divided Korean peninsula. Lead us, O Lord, to build a just Korean peninsula where the poor and weak in society are protected and are able to live as equals in society. The relations between North and South, and the global relations may harden. In spite of such external circumstances, lead us, O Lord, to continually struggle and strive to love and share life with our brothers and sisters in North Korea, and continue to build peace so that
your justice and peace may be realized in this land.
(Excerpt from a Common Prayer by participants of The 2011 Oikos Summer Theological School, held in Jangseong, Republic of Korea)

Prayer from Korea
Who do I say that you are? I don’t know.
But what I know,
You – Good News to the captives and the poor.
Liberator of the oppressed, friend of Minjung,
suffering people, under repression,
attentive ear to the silenced,
healer of the tortured, advocate of the lowest,
hope of the desperate, homeland of the exiled.
Who do I say that you are? I don’t know.
But what I know,
You – Flower of freedom in the valley of repression.
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
(Seong Won Park, Presbyterian Church of Korea.)

Prayer from Japan
Eternal God,
We say good morning to you.
Hallowed be your name.
Early in the morning, before we begin our work, we praise your glory.
Renew our bodies as fresh as the morning flowers.
Open our inner eyes, as the sun casts new light upon the darkness
which prevailed over the night.
Deliver us from all captivity.
Give us wings of freedom like the birds in the sky,
to begin a new journey.
Restore justice and freedom, as a mighty stream
running continuously as day follows day.
We thank you for the gift of this morning,
and a new day to work with you.
(Masao Takenaka, first president of the Asian Christian Art Association, Japan. BAE p.62.)

Ecumenical prayer cycle - Indonesia and Philippines

This week's ecumenical prayer cycle (World Council of Churches) includes a focus on Indonesia and the Philippines (17-23 Nov). We remember our diaconal sisters in the Philippines and in Indonesia, and hold them in prayer.

We are thankful for:
* the vital witness of churches in this region
* the diversity of ethnicities, cultures and religious beliefs, and especially those in Indonesia who have built bridges between them
* those who protest exploitative mining, deforestation and other environmental damage.
(did you know that deforestation is the greatest risk factor for orang-utans, and that suitable habitat for them has declined in Indonesia and Malaysia by 80% in the last 20 years)
* those who have resisted bravely and worked for human rights, justice, peace and reconciliation, especially the National Council of Churches in the Philippines
(note: recently the Duterte Government in the Philippines named the National Council of Churches in the Philippines as a front for local communist terror groups. The government action has been widely condemned by Christian leaders globally including the Uniting Church in Australia, with the heads of the Christian Conference of Asia and the World Council of Churches speaking out against the listing.  In a statement by the Episcopal Church, Bishop Rex Reyes said “The trail blazing efforts of the NCCP for peace and justice in this country is an open book. 1 am proud to say that among the councils of churches worldwide the NCCP is yet reckoned as a vibrant, enduring, leading and recognised ecumenical formation. This is so because the NCCP sees its life and work from the perspective of the vulnerable, oppressed and marginalised.” He went on to highlight corruption in high places and said: “There is nothing wrong when Christians point out that there is so much corruption… What is wrong, if not downright subversive, is when a mindset that kills, persecutes and name calls suppresses those who espouse principled dissent and activism. One should know how principled dissent and activism have made this world more peaceful and just. … What is right is standing up for human rights, justice and peace. I stand with the NCCP.”

We pray for:
* governments in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, that they will eradicate corruption, establish justice and peace, and work effectively for the wellbeing of all their people
* victims of violence, torture, drug and human trafficking, and human rights violations, that those responsible might be held accountable
* all those affected by earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, and for the rebuilding of communities afterwards
* ecumenical and interfaith cooperation to bring justice, peace and sustainability to these lands.

Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Development

DIAKONIA World Federation has a particular ecumenical relationship with the World Council of Churches. Although 'diakonia' terminology in the WCC refers primarily to what might in other settings be referred to as 'relief and development', nevertheless it is interesting to engage with, and be informed by, the discussion.
The primary objective of the ecumenical strategic forum on diakonia and sustainable development is to strengthen ecumenical collaboration on diakonia and development; stimulate strategies for leveraging national impact; and provide a road map for the ecumenical accompaniment of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The ecumenical strategic forum will gather around 75 participants from churches, councils, communions and specialized ministries, involving national, regional and global ecumenical actors.
The forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), will take place from 3 to 6 October 2017 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Water Day - 22nd March

 When the poor and needy seek water, I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:17-18

We have many visitors in our home, and always have to go through the routine of explaining the need to save the first cold water in the shower before the hot water begins (usually half a bucket) and to refrain from running the water in the sink to wash dishes (when the water just goes down the drain). We are diligent in using the cold water saved in the shower on our garden. Not a drop should be wasted! South Australia is known as the driest state in the driest inhabited continent. Most of SA is in the arid zone, and only the south-east gets good rainfall. The capital city, Adelaide, situated in the south of the state has an annual average rainfall of 528mm. This makes it the driest capital city in Australia. Farming by Europeans in marginal farming country in the northern part of the state has also increased desertification which has had a lasting effect of increasing South Australia's overall dryness. Adelaide is experiencing a significant dry spell of weather, the longest in 35 years with less than 1mm of rain. South Australia is fortunate to have good infrastructure and planning, and a desalination plant (controversial due to the cost of construction), so the dry conditions can be managed. We also have rainwater tanks (as do many Australians) - our tanks hold 13,500 litres, enough in winter to provide all our water needs in the wetter months of the year (although I'm amazed to learn that in many states in the USA collecting rainwater for personal use is illegal.
In the midst of a very dry spell where I live, I reflected on World Water Day, March 22nd (which falls on a Sunday this year and could be a focus for worship). World Water Day is an opportunity to focus on a precious resource becoming more scarce and denied to millions around the world. The top ten countries at risk of water shortages are here, and there are issues with companies such as Coca-Cola that have been heavily criticised for causing extreme water shortages in developing countries where supplies are scarce. In India, a Coca-Cola plant was forced to close after it was alleged to have contaminated local water, and in other areas farmers have been unable to irrigate their fields after the company established a bottling plant. It takes 2.7 litres of water to produce 1L of product. 
'Across the world, cases of environmental damage, exploitation of water resources and abuses of workers' rights are shockingly common. It's time that directors of multinationals held to account - but that will only happen when politicians accept that the current free-for-all is failing the world's poor.' (Louise Richards, Executive Officer, War on Want). 
Water concerns are no longer theoretical. The UN projects that 30 countries will be “water scarce” by 2025. Eighteen of the 30 are located in the Middle East or North Africa. Water scarcity will threaten the failure of already failing states and there are implications for people who risk becoming 'environmental refugees'.

Workshop at ACT Alliance assembly focuses on “diakonia”

(At the WCC Assembly in South Korea in 2013, I attended an elective on diakonia, and found that its use in the WCC relates more closely to inter-church social aid, and relief and development by church organisations. In 1967 the WCC established a diakonia desk for research and action attached to the WCC’s interchurch aid unit. In 1971, a restructure in WCC made it more difficult for members of diaconates to contribute to international ecumenical discussions about diakonia. More reading here).

(source: WCC)
“When we talk about assets-based ‘diakonia’, we mean building and strengthening fellowship among churches and their ecumenical partners,” said the Rev. Dr Dongsung Kim, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for diakonia and ecumenical solidarity, in a workshop at the 2nd General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, held from 20 to 24 October in the Dominican Republic.

WCC programme executive Dongsung Kim at the ACT Alliance assembly in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic

Diakonia is the Greek term used in the New Testament to describe Christian ministries of care and service, mission and support. It is the source of the English words “deacon” and “diaconal”.
“An assets-based diakonia would work as a crucial tool of welcoming the different gifts, skills and contributions from all levels in the ecumenical cooperation, including from the members of the congregations around the world,” said Kim.
“Exploring assets we have as ecumenical partners in diakonia is actually questioning how we can contribute to more robust ecumenical relationships,” Kim said.
The objective behind this activity was to stress the need for strong relationships between churches and specialized ministries. The workshop was coordinated by Kim and Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, WCC associate general secretary, reflecting on diakonia as a key element in church relations.
The ACT Alliance, a partner organization of the WCC, has some 140 churches and affiliated organizations working in 140 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people through humanitarian and development projects.
The workshop focused on the “assets-based approach to diakonia” as part of the discussions held at the assembly titled “join hands sessions”. The dialogue among participants focused on opportunities to share, learn and study new ideas while working for concerns significant for churches and societies. The participants included representatives of communities, groups and networks of ecumenical bodies.
In his remarks, Kim went on to say that “diakonia is an essential part of being a church and mission of the church.” He explained, “The concept of ecumenical diakonia of the WCC is not simply of service, but of taking on a transformative role. We are called to transform society.”
Through an assets-based approach to diakonia at the congregational level, it is possible to turn communities into agents of change and transformation, he said.
While the workshop was meant to suggest ways of making the ACT Alliance an even more robust body, it also discussed issues related to humanitarian work, advocacy and development.

Speech at the conference by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC General Secretary here. 

A visit to Korea

The WCC Assembly, held every 7 years, will meet in Busan, Korea, from 30th October to 8th November, 2013. It’s a unique moment for the whole fellowship of member churches to come together in planning, prayer and celebration. Korea was selected to host the Assembly because of the unique ecumenical “horizon” that the witness of the Korean churches offers the wider ecumenical movement. The theme is 'God of life, lead us to justice and peace'.

Along with the WCC member churches, partner organizations and other churches have a strong presence at the event. This makes a WCC Assembly the most diverse Christian gathering of its size in the world. It is a unique opportunity for the churches to deepen their commitment to visible unity and common witness.

The DIAKONIA World Federation (DWF) has been invited to attend as an ecumenical partner, and I am privileged to represent DWF at the WCC Assembly. 

I will also have an opportunity to visit some of the sisters in the Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea. I am inspired by their work, and especially at their care and compassion for older citizens, giving them a sense of purpose in older years.

Serving older people - Sister Rhee, Young-Sook

The Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea (originally published here)

“There are so many old people in Korea who have nobody to care for them. We have decided to take them in so that they can live and die in dignity”
(Sister RHEE Young-Sook)

It is mainly old people in need of care who find care and refuge with the Diakonia Sisterhood. Using donations, the sisterhood is building an old people’s home.“Where are our talents most needed?” is the question that the sisters always ask themselves afresh. So in the last few decades their work has continued to develop. They began with a health project that became a pilot project in the region around the port of Mokpo. Some years later the greatest need was care for old people because industrialization had destroyed traditional family structures. And so the sisters began to care for elderly people who were living alone in the poor areas of Mokpo. Working with the city, they built welfare centers for them. They help with the practicalities of life and take care of old people who are sick and without health insurance or caring relatives. Some of the chronically sick live in a home on the sisters’ premises. Fifty men and women have found a new home in the recently opened nursing home. There they are cared for and given pastoral assistance and spiritual companionship until their life’s end. The sisters are planning to extend the old people’s home.

Please pray for preparations for WCC and also for the Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea and their life-giving work to vulnerable and elderly people.