June 18, 2010
By Charles Honey

For Maria McDaid, Friday's opening of the Uniting General Council culminates nearly a year of excited anticipation.

"I was looking forward to meeting people from every part of the world," says McDaid, a 25-year-old UGC steward and Sunday School teacher from London, England. "We're different denominations but we're all Christians. It's a privilege to be here."

Many of the 1,000-plus global church members expected to gather Friday morning at Calvin College no doubt feel the same, as they prepare to usher in a new era of Reformed church history.

In ceremonies at Van Noord Arena, an estimated 400 delegates will officially form the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) – – a worldwide affiliation of 80 million Christians from 108 countries coming together as one body in Christ.

A merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), WCRC will nurture fellowship among its 230 denominations and advocate for justice in the world, leaders say. The gathering of the world's largest Reformed Protestant network will continue through 26 June.

Friday marks "a new beginning for Reformed churches around the world," says Setri Nyomi, WARC general secretary, "where Reformed churches say to the rest of the world, â*˜We are united, we are ready to continue playing the prophetic role that God has called us to as witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to call people to make a difference in the world.' "

For REC General Secretary Richard van Houten, the word "communion" is key to WCRC's identity.

"Naming ourselves â*˜communion' is an incredible step forward," van Houten says. "Communion means we belong together in a very deep sense. We are all part of the family of God."

Like all families, WCRC may have disagreements over issues. But members hope their common Christian commitment will fulfill the UGC theme, "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace," while taking firm stands on justice issues.

"I hope that communion and justice can walk hand in hand," says Judi Fisher of the Uniting Church of Australia, WARC's Pacific Region Vice-President. "We have a pivotal moment to offer that kind of loving, caring persona that resonates with the gospel and calls for an end to violence in all its forms."

Over nine days, delegates will deepen their new fellowship with worship and Bible studies while tackling tough issues such as women's rights, economic oppression and environmental degradation. One of the weightier matters will be the Accra Confession, a strongly worded justice statement adopted by WARC in 2004.

The conference will stress the rights of Indigenous peoples and the church's historic mistreatment of them. Tribal chiefs will welcome delegates Friday with a drumming ceremony, and on Tuesday delegates will gather at Ah-Nab-Awen Park for a Pow Wow following a keynote address at Calvin College by American Indian leader Richard Twiss.

Other high points include a celebratory worship service Sunday afternoon, election of officers and Friday's official creation of WCRC. The "birth moment" will occur in the afternoon, when delegates are expected to approve a constitution for the new organization.

"It's not the first step toward a global church as much as it is a recognition that the church is global," says Peter Borgdorff, REC President.

It will be a historic event in the same city where WARC and REC leaders first broached the idea of merging four years ago. They hope WCRC infuses renewed energy into Christian cooperation by bringing together historically divisive Reformed churches.

"It's wonderful for a tradition that's usually been known for splitting to say, â*˜We really can be one,'" says WARC President Clifton Kirkpatrick. "We're entering an era where there's a new sense we belong together in the church of Jesus Christ."

The Uniting General Council 2010 in Grand Rapids, United States (June 18-28) marks the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council to form the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

Uniting General Council 2010