Young delegates of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly
Sibiu/Romania, 4.-9.9.2007
Press release
Sibiu, 7th of September 2007
Youth Statement of St. Maurice presented during the EEA3
Today, 7th of September 2007, three young women, Julia Maria Koszewska (Roman-Catholic, Poland), Petra Schnabel (Lutheran, Germany) and Jooa Vuorinen (Orthodox, Finland), presented the Youth Statement of St. Maurice which was written by 40 young delegates and stewards on their EEA3 preparatory meeting in St. Maurice, Switzerland and approved during a hearing of the young delegates during the Assembly.
The young delegates stressed the importance the Statement should be given to in the Assembly Message. Different delegates of the Assembly supported during the reactions on the official first draft of the Assembly message. The statement of the young delegates should be taken as a ideal example for the Assembly message. One of the delegates even announced: „We should take the Youth Statement as the Assembly Message.“
The statement of the young delegates avoids having only superficial, but stresses on concrete commitments the European churches should engage in. So, the young Christians ask for an inter-religious dialogue process, which shall come to a similar result to the Charta Oecumenica, asking for the churches’ engagement for the establishing of an European Peace Agency and name the protection of Human Rights as one of the main tasks of churches. Particular importance is laid on the evaluation and further implementation of the results of the EEA2 in Graz 1997 and especially of the Charta Oecumenica.
For interviews and questions, please contact:
Christof Otto, +49 / 173 / 582 15 60
Tobias Traut, +49 / 163 / 820 86 00
Or just ask us. We are the people with the yellow caps :-)
Showing posts with label young delegates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young delegates. Show all posts
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Press release: Alternative Forum
Young delegates of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly
Sibiu/Romania, 4.-9.9.2007
Press release
Sibiu, 8th of September 2007
Alternative Forum during the EEA3
An alternative forum took place in the afternoon, uniting around 100 delegates from all parts of Europe and media representaties who took the opportunity to discuss the first time openly with each other. The organisers promised that there won’t be „any lectures, no words of greetings, but real discussions“ only. The issues discussed covered also „taboo matters“ that had been categorically excluded by the organizers of the official Assembly, e.g the ministry of ordained women in the Church.
The focus of the working groups established was on the implementation of the results of the EEA2 in Graz 1997 and possibl improvements for a 4th Assembly in the future.
Different forms of presentation included also the joint search for an „Ecumenical Miracle“ and an artistic way of presenting the vision of a „dancing ecumenism“.
The participants asked to call for a Forth European Ecumenical Assembly, taking place within the next 10 years that must be based on the equal involvement of women and men and on the participation of grassroots movements in the preparation process and the design of the new assembly, as some participants felt like „delegates in a prison“. A further discussion and implementation of the Charta Oecumenica was demanded as well as the start of a new process of inter-religious dialogue that could lead to a similar document as the Charta Oecumenica signed in 2001.
The Alternative Forum proved the strength of the European ecumenical youth movement, involving young delegates from every denomination. However, especially Orthodox young delegates expressed their wish to be better informed by their Churches about ecumenical activities and up-coming events.
As a conclusion, a vision of the Ecumenical movement in 2020 was presented which included the expectation that „Churches live in a reconciled diversity“and recognise each other as churches.
For interviews and questions, please contact:
Christoph Otto, +49 / 173 / 582 15 60
Tobias Traut, +49 / 163 / 820 86 00
Or just ask us. We are the people with the yellow caps ;-)
----
Appendix – Results of the Alternative Forum
Working group: Comparing Basel, Graz and Sibiu
We ask churches to commit themselves to organise another European Ecumenical Assembly within 5 – 10 years. It should be organised in a more participative way, with a prepatory committee to ensure that grassroots Ecumenical groups are included. A consultation process should be carried out to produce topics for discussion throughout the EEA4 journey. This journey should comprise national Ecumenical assemblies, with themes of justice, peace and integrity of creation at their core. At EEA4 we would examine and discuss the past, present, and future of practical implications of the Chara Oecumenica’s commitments.
Working Group: Ecumenical Miracle?
Is there life after Sibiu? What is the ecumenical miracle we need in our ecumenical journey? Like Goethe was quoted previously in the assembly, we need big visions, which can make our heart move.
The „Miracle“ group was heading for a brighter future, a big vision we Christians share. What would be the state of churches in 2020 and what would be the way there?
Church 2020:
Churches live in a reconciled diversity. We tolerate different theological views between the churches and also among our own churches. The essential basis of faith is common for all of us.
Churches got one voice in a society in fighting agains injustice, for peace etc. Christianity shows itself strongly in our societies and the lives of individuals.
We live in Christian happiness, joy of faith, and love to our neighbours.
Lay people have a big role in a life of churches. People bare responsibility and every person is a full member and represents its church.
Churches shoгld tear down fences between different groups of people. There’s no need to separate people on basis of age, gender, etc.
While we recognise members in different churches to be full Christians, and therefore see the prospect of joining the same table in heaven, why not joining the same table in this life? This may not happen in this very moment, but theological discussions must be emphasized and slow movements towards common eucharist must be taken, implementing common eucharist occationally in ecumenical event, churchs days, etc. special days. The Christ is the one who is calling us to holy communion.
On a way to the miraculous vision we need etc.
- self-commitment in our churches to the aims
- theological agreement on etc. justification
- consiliar process
- common ecumenical events
- recognition of each others churches
Waiting for parusia and doing something already before that.
A small miracle for EEA3 would be, that the final message would be composed on the basis of the message from youth pre-meeting instead of the draft of the drafting committee.
Collected by Topi Haarlaa
Working Group: Youth
· The group agreed on the aim of improving the communication between young Christians interested in the Ecumenical movement through strengthening Ecumenical youth networks and Ecumenical youth organisations.
· The group developed the idea of an European Ecumenical youth meeting to get to deepen the knowledge of other denominations and to inspire young people’s enthusiasm on Ecumenism.
· Especially, the Orthodox members of the group wished to be better included on the European level. Also, they wished for more support by their home churches in their involvement in Ecumenism.
Working Group: Ministry of ordained women in Church
Drawing: „Without title“
Sibiu/Romania, 4.-9.9.2007
Press release
Sibiu, 8th of September 2007
Alternative Forum during the EEA3
An alternative forum took place in the afternoon, uniting around 100 delegates from all parts of Europe and media representaties who took the opportunity to discuss the first time openly with each other. The organisers promised that there won’t be „any lectures, no words of greetings, but real discussions“ only. The issues discussed covered also „taboo matters“ that had been categorically excluded by the organizers of the official Assembly, e.g the ministry of ordained women in the Church.
The focus of the working groups established was on the implementation of the results of the EEA2 in Graz 1997 and possibl improvements for a 4th Assembly in the future.
Different forms of presentation included also the joint search for an „Ecumenical Miracle“ and an artistic way of presenting the vision of a „dancing ecumenism“.
The participants asked to call for a Forth European Ecumenical Assembly, taking place within the next 10 years that must be based on the equal involvement of women and men and on the participation of grassroots movements in the preparation process and the design of the new assembly, as some participants felt like „delegates in a prison“. A further discussion and implementation of the Charta Oecumenica was demanded as well as the start of a new process of inter-religious dialogue that could lead to a similar document as the Charta Oecumenica signed in 2001.
The Alternative Forum proved the strength of the European ecumenical youth movement, involving young delegates from every denomination. However, especially Orthodox young delegates expressed their wish to be better informed by their Churches about ecumenical activities and up-coming events.
As a conclusion, a vision of the Ecumenical movement in 2020 was presented which included the expectation that „Churches live in a reconciled diversity“and recognise each other as churches.
For interviews and questions, please contact:
Christoph Otto, +49 / 173 / 582 15 60
Tobias Traut, +49 / 163 / 820 86 00
Or just ask us. We are the people with the yellow caps ;-)
----
Appendix – Results of the Alternative Forum
Working group: Comparing Basel, Graz and Sibiu
We ask churches to commit themselves to organise another European Ecumenical Assembly within 5 – 10 years. It should be organised in a more participative way, with a prepatory committee to ensure that grassroots Ecumenical groups are included. A consultation process should be carried out to produce topics for discussion throughout the EEA4 journey. This journey should comprise national Ecumenical assemblies, with themes of justice, peace and integrity of creation at their core. At EEA4 we would examine and discuss the past, present, and future of practical implications of the Chara Oecumenica’s commitments.
Working Group: Ecumenical Miracle?
Is there life after Sibiu? What is the ecumenical miracle we need in our ecumenical journey? Like Goethe was quoted previously in the assembly, we need big visions, which can make our heart move.
The „Miracle“ group was heading for a brighter future, a big vision we Christians share. What would be the state of churches in 2020 and what would be the way there?
Church 2020:
Churches live in a reconciled diversity. We tolerate different theological views between the churches and also among our own churches. The essential basis of faith is common for all of us.
Churches got one voice in a society in fighting agains injustice, for peace etc. Christianity shows itself strongly in our societies and the lives of individuals.
We live in Christian happiness, joy of faith, and love to our neighbours.
Lay people have a big role in a life of churches. People bare responsibility and every person is a full member and represents its church.
Churches shoгld tear down fences between different groups of people. There’s no need to separate people on basis of age, gender, etc.
While we recognise members in different churches to be full Christians, and therefore see the prospect of joining the same table in heaven, why not joining the same table in this life? This may not happen in this very moment, but theological discussions must be emphasized and slow movements towards common eucharist must be taken, implementing common eucharist occationally in ecumenical event, churchs days, etc. special days. The Christ is the one who is calling us to holy communion.
On a way to the miraculous vision we need etc.
- self-commitment in our churches to the aims
- theological agreement on etc. justification
- consiliar process
- common ecumenical events
- recognition of each others churches
Waiting for parusia and doing something already before that.
A small miracle for EEA3 would be, that the final message would be composed on the basis of the message from youth pre-meeting instead of the draft of the drafting committee.
Collected by Topi Haarlaa
Working Group: Youth
· The group agreed on the aim of improving the communication between young Christians interested in the Ecumenical movement through strengthening Ecumenical youth networks and Ecumenical youth organisations.
· The group developed the idea of an European Ecumenical youth meeting to get to deepen the knowledge of other denominations and to inspire young people’s enthusiasm on Ecumenism.
· Especially, the Orthodox members of the group wished to be better included on the European level. Also, they wished for more support by their home churches in their involvement in Ecumenism.
Working Group: Ministry of ordained women in Church
Drawing: „Without title“
Neulich beim Frühstück
Bei mir im Hotel sind auch einige deutsche Delegierte. Beim Frühstück hört man dann ja mal bei den Gesprächen an den Nachbartischen zu: "Die Jugenddelegierten sind auch nicht mehr das, was sie mal waren. Sie sind so professionell, gar nicht mehr wie richtige Jugendliche." Aha.
Also, was erwartet diese Person? Rastagelockte, palituchtragende junge Leute, die mit ihrer Gitarre schräge Musik machen? Angepasste Leute, die nur machen, was man ihnen sagt? Leute, die überhaupt nicht auffallen, schon garnicht durch ihre inhaltlichen Inputs? Auf jeden Fall hieße fehlende Professionalität, wir würden wahrscheinlich überhaupt nichts erreichen. Man freut sich über die "Jugendfolklore" und behauptet, die Jugend habe sich sehr gut beteiligt. Na prima, dazu sind wir jungen Leute (bzw. eigentlich jüngeren) echt nicht da, das wäre nur Verschwendung unserer Lebenszeit...und wir wollen im Alter unserer Tischnachbarn nicht genauso resigniert sein :-)
PS: Gruß an alle Landeskirchenräte...
Also, was erwartet diese Person? Rastagelockte, palituchtragende junge Leute, die mit ihrer Gitarre schräge Musik machen? Angepasste Leute, die nur machen, was man ihnen sagt? Leute, die überhaupt nicht auffallen, schon garnicht durch ihre inhaltlichen Inputs? Auf jeden Fall hieße fehlende Professionalität, wir würden wahrscheinlich überhaupt nichts erreichen. Man freut sich über die "Jugendfolklore" und behauptet, die Jugend habe sich sehr gut beteiligt. Na prima, dazu sind wir jungen Leute (bzw. eigentlich jüngeren) echt nicht da, das wäre nur Verschwendung unserer Lebenszeit...und wir wollen im Alter unserer Tischnachbarn nicht genauso resigniert sein :-)
PS: Gruß an alle Landeskirchenräte...
!!!Attention!!! Party venue changed!!!
Julia from Poland found another club which still better serves our needs. It is
"3 stejari", pub of the local brewery. You'll find it at the crossing Str. H.Oberth - Str. Serbota - Str. Balea.
How to get there?
You go the Bulevadul Corneliu Coposu (starting at the Ramada/Teatrul) along the city wall. After 5-10min, there will be a big roundabout, there you turn to the left into the Str.H.Oberth. At the next bigger crossing, there is the "3 stejari".
Please give this information also to the other young delegates who don't use the internet.
"3 stejari", pub of the local brewery. You'll find it at the crossing Str. H.Oberth - Str. Serbota - Str. Balea.
How to get there?
You go the Bulevadul Corneliu Coposu (starting at the Ramada/Teatrul) along the city wall. After 5-10min, there will be a big roundabout, there you turn to the left into the Str.H.Oberth. At the next bigger crossing, there is the "3 stejari".
Please give this information also to the other young delegates who don't use the internet.
Chill out, today evening (Deutsch)
Als „Party Community“ möchte ich alle Jugendlichen Delegierten herzlich einladen am Samstag die EEA3 mit Tanz, Spaß, Party, und Cocktails zu beenden.
Ich habe einen rumänischen Club gefunden, der normalerweise nur von Rumänischen jungen Erwachsenen besucht wird, (Begegnung ist auf jeden Fall möglich) er ist sehr urig, dunkel, man sitzt auf Kissen, in eingelassen Böden oder auf Sesseln…
Der Club fasst max. 40 Personen… das war der größte in Sibiu!! Ich habe erstmal die hälfte reserviert!
Mein Vorschlag:
Heute abend, ab 23 Uhr treffen wir uns im Club „Chill out“ schließen tut der Club wenn der letzte gegangen ist J
Wegbeschreibung:
Piata Mica, zu den BMW Autos gehen, die Häuserzeile dahinter abschreiten und dort das Schild „Chill out, Club“ suchen. Links daneben geht eine Treppe nach unten, dieser bis ganz nach unten folgen, dort ist der Eingang!
Sebastian Ulbrich (Delegierter der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz)
Ich habe einen rumänischen Club gefunden, der normalerweise nur von Rumänischen jungen Erwachsenen besucht wird, (Begegnung ist auf jeden Fall möglich) er ist sehr urig, dunkel, man sitzt auf Kissen, in eingelassen Böden oder auf Sesseln…
Der Club fasst max. 40 Personen… das war der größte in Sibiu!! Ich habe erstmal die hälfte reserviert!
Mein Vorschlag:
Heute abend, ab 23 Uhr treffen wir uns im Club „Chill out“ schließen tut der Club wenn der letzte gegangen ist J
Wegbeschreibung:
Piata Mica, zu den BMW Autos gehen, die Häuserzeile dahinter abschreiten und dort das Schild „Chill out, Club“ suchen. Links daneben geht eine Treppe nach unten, dieser bis ganz nach unten folgen, dort ist der Eingang!
Sebastian Ulbrich (Delegierter der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz)
Friday, September 7, 2007
Presentation of the St. Maurice Statement
Jooa from Finland, Julia from Poland and Petra from Germany were on the stage to present our Youth Statement from St.Maurice.
Great: 3 young women on the stage, with a very short presentation of a paper which has not only some general sentences, but also concrete proposals. It was very different to most of the appearances of the last days! Maybe that's why they got the longest applause of the whole assembly.
I think, they presented a very good picture of young people and of our work.
Great: 3 young women on the stage, with a very short presentation of a paper which has not only some general sentences, but also concrete proposals. It was very different to most of the appearances of the last days! Maybe that's why they got the longest applause of the whole assembly.
I think, they presented a very good picture of young people and of our work.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Concerns and pains
No, I will not write in Russian, noone reads in this case.
First, I want to agree with two inputs from my friends Benoit and Tobias. I wanted to write it myself but they were more rapid. One is about "checking" every morning - and it is visible that people are discriminated - for example I never seen any Orthodox priests being cheacked, but in the same time young lay people are checked really detailed.
Second is Greetings from Russia by Rabbi Zinoviy Kogan. It was something I couldn't really stand to hear. It was about Chechnya and its very good President Kadyrov and very new beautiful city of Grozny. It is new because it was ruined! I was really shocked! While question of human rights and religious freedom in Russia and Belarus are hidden in this Assembly, some "guests" are preaching such things! How is it possible? Do KEK and CCEE really concerned about human rights and religious freedom issues?
Sorry for a lot of emotions, people. But what can I say more? At the same moment while I spend very pleasent time at this safe and silent assembly my friends in Belarus are arrested, prosecuted by KGB, fined only for praying together, reading Bible together at their flats, my spiritual father is banned from serving because he raised his voice for religious freedom in Belarus. What can I say? Input from Rabbi Kogan sounds like a mockery.
Of course, Chechnya is not a problem any more. Of course, Belarus is not a problem.
You speak about Christian roots and European identity, but closing eyes while you brothers and sisters in the same continent suffer has nothing in common with Christian roots and European identity.
And I will return from this marvellous event and I can be checked at Belarusian customs much more detailed than it is here. Moreover, the laptop I write you from can be confiscated from me in the train at night 11.09. - it is very usual practice in the country. Here I presented myself as Syndesmos regional representative for Central Europe, but I can be arrested in Belarus because of that: acting on behalf of unregistered organization is an offence. When I want to share with my brothers and sisters in Belarus about the results of the Assembly and invite them at my place to drink some tea together, I can be fined for having unregistered religious event in private house. And then when I look from my window I will see "New Life" Full Gospel church building which is being withdrown from the community because it is former cattle-farm. You know, I can't sleep well at night, when view from my window shous me suffering of my brothers protestants. I am concerned. It is very near. I hear their voices.
European Christians, maybe you can look from your window and see your neighbour Belarus? Maybe you can tune your ears to hear voices of prosecuted Christians? Only then I will believe that Christ of light shines upon Europe and Christians Churches still are able to see this Light.
First, I want to agree with two inputs from my friends Benoit and Tobias. I wanted to write it myself but they were more rapid. One is about "checking" every morning - and it is visible that people are discriminated - for example I never seen any Orthodox priests being cheacked, but in the same time young lay people are checked really detailed.
Second is Greetings from Russia by Rabbi Zinoviy Kogan. It was something I couldn't really stand to hear. It was about Chechnya and its very good President Kadyrov and very new beautiful city of Grozny. It is new because it was ruined! I was really shocked! While question of human rights and religious freedom in Russia and Belarus are hidden in this Assembly, some "guests" are preaching such things! How is it possible? Do KEK and CCEE really concerned about human rights and religious freedom issues?
Sorry for a lot of emotions, people. But what can I say more? At the same moment while I spend very pleasent time at this safe and silent assembly my friends in Belarus are arrested, prosecuted by KGB, fined only for praying together, reading Bible together at their flats, my spiritual father is banned from serving because he raised his voice for religious freedom in Belarus. What can I say? Input from Rabbi Kogan sounds like a mockery.
Of course, Chechnya is not a problem any more. Of course, Belarus is not a problem.
You speak about Christian roots and European identity, but closing eyes while you brothers and sisters in the same continent suffer has nothing in common with Christian roots and European identity.
And I will return from this marvellous event and I can be checked at Belarusian customs much more detailed than it is here. Moreover, the laptop I write you from can be confiscated from me in the train at night 11.09. - it is very usual practice in the country. Here I presented myself as Syndesmos regional representative for Central Europe, but I can be arrested in Belarus because of that: acting on behalf of unregistered organization is an offence. When I want to share with my brothers and sisters in Belarus about the results of the Assembly and invite them at my place to drink some tea together, I can be fined for having unregistered religious event in private house. And then when I look from my window I will see "New Life" Full Gospel church building which is being withdrown from the community because it is former cattle-farm. You know, I can't sleep well at night, when view from my window shous me suffering of my brothers protestants. I am concerned. It is very near. I hear their voices.
European Christians, maybe you can look from your window and see your neighbour Belarus? Maybe you can tune your ears to hear voices of prosecuted Christians? Only then I will believe that Christ of light shines upon Europe and Christians Churches still are able to see this Light.
Plenaries: second edition
What is your feeling when you enter the plenary and see the people on the stage? How do you feel when you see two female moderators at one table and venerable male elders on the other side? Doesn't it look like a gender segregation? Maybe it's just a morning impression...
And what does it say about ecumenism in Europe when you try to guess the age of people on the stage? Where is the youth? Do they have nothing to say? I don't think so. I don't think that there are young people good only for "Morning Prayers and Bible Meditations". I believe, there are also young individuals able to contribute to the main plenary discussions. So, where are they?
I still wonder: Why do we have numerous speakers who just read their well prepared speeches without any attempt to interact, to dispute or to dialogue among themselves? How are we to be light shining on the way of life in dialogue with each other if we are able just to use monologue to express our ideas?
Well, at least, delegates without privilege to speak to the plenary learn to listen...
I'm looking for Round Tables to change my a bit skeptical point of view ;-)
And what does it say about ecumenism in Europe when you try to guess the age of people on the stage? Where is the youth? Do they have nothing to say? I don't think so. I don't think that there are young people good only for "Morning Prayers and Bible Meditations". I believe, there are also young individuals able to contribute to the main plenary discussions. So, where are they?
I still wonder: Why do we have numerous speakers who just read their well prepared speeches without any attempt to interact, to dispute or to dialogue among themselves? How are we to be light shining on the way of life in dialogue with each other if we are able just to use monologue to express our ideas?
Well, at least, delegates without privilege to speak to the plenary learn to listen...
I'm looking for Round Tables to change my a bit skeptical point of view ;-)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The yellow caps
The yellow caps are the distinctive mark of the young delegates. At our preliminary meeting in St.Maurice (Switzerland) we thought that it would be very useful to have something common. Voilà, here they are:
The verse from the Holy Scripture in Jer. 1,7 is God’s request to us young people to take active part in the world and also within the church:
“But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”
So we shouldn’t be modest in terms of staying quiet and leaving all of the discussions to the church leaders and the well-experienced Ecumenists, but raise our voice, if we have some new aspects, if we wand to direct the attention to other main focuses or if we think, some critical statements are needed to give the Ecumenical discussion a boost.
Young people often have a little bit different view on things as others have, just because we have less experience and still more vision, where the way of “ouikoumene” could go. But every movement, not only the Ecumenical, needs some refreshment not to go out of date: That’s why we have to raise new questions and new fruitful ideas for the Ecumenical movement.
The yellow colour very good represents that task. It’s similar to lemons, which are very fruitful and at the same time with a sour taste. But it’s the lemon, which gives a lot of dishes (as fish or Schnitzel) the special taste and which is needed, if you want to enjoy your meal.
So: If you are in Sibiu and see people, walking around with yellow caps – they are young delegates or show their support to the work of the young people at the EEA3.
Let’s have a delicious successful sweet-and-sour Ecumenical Assembly!
The verse from the Holy Scripture in Jer. 1,7 is God’s request to us young people to take active part in the world and also within the church:“But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”
So we shouldn’t be modest in terms of staying quiet and leaving all of the discussions to the church leaders and the well-experienced Ecumenists, but raise our voice, if we have some new aspects, if we wand to direct the attention to other main focuses or if we think, some critical statements are needed to give the Ecumenical discussion a boost.
Young people often have a little bit different view on things as others have, just because we have less experience and still more vision, where the way of “ouikoumene” could go. But every movement, not only the Ecumenical, needs some refreshment not to go out of date: That’s why we have to raise new questions and new fruitful ideas for the Ecumenical movement.
The yellow colour very good represents that task. It’s similar to lemons, which are very fruitful and at the same time with a sour taste. But it’s the lemon, which gives a lot of dishes (as fish or Schnitzel) the special taste and which is needed, if you want to enjoy your meal.
So: If you are in Sibiu and see people, walking around with yellow caps – they are young delegates or show their support to the work of the young people at the EEA3.
Let’s have a delicious successful sweet-and-sour Ecumenical Assembly!
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