Unity Plenary - Tuesday

Today’s plenary focussed on the vision of unity, and the journey towards that vision in the fellowship of the WCC. It began with some traditional music by Korean musicians, and was moderated by Dame Mary Tanner (WCC President from Europe). The first part of the plenary was gathered under the title, Unity in Christ, reminding us that unity is God’s gift in Christ. Two speakers addressed this theme, and what we are called to overcome together in order to come closer to Christ and therefore to each other: Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste (Professor for Missiology and Ecumenism at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of Targoviste) and Rev Dr Neville Callam (General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, Jamaica). 

The second part, ‘the journey of the fellowship’ explored what we do together as divided churches in response to God’s gift and calling, as together we strive in the fellowship of the one ecumenical movement for full visible unity. Ms Alice Fabian (candidate for ministry, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa) and Bishop Mark MacDonald (National Indigenous Bishop, Anglican Church of Canada) spoke about their particular situations, and theological perspectives in the search for unity and reconciliation.  
The plenary finished with a number of people leading a brief Taize prayer on stage, singing Ubi Caritas (led by Brother Richard, Taize Community).

Ubi Caritas et amor; Ubi Caritas Deus ibi est. 

Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste addresses the Assembly

Rev Dr Neville Callum, Jamaica

Bishop Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop, Canad

Taize prayer to conclude the gathering, led by Brother Richard from Taize community

Ms Alice Fabian, South Africa

prayers collected from WCC delegates on the theme, Unity