Pre-Councils

The WCRC will host two pre-council meetings in the days leading to the General Council. Meeting 26-28 June in Leipzig, Germany, these pre-councils are opportunities for youth and women delegates to get to know each other better, explore the theme of the General Council, engage in deeper theological dialogue on issues of interest and learn about how the General Council conducts business.

Youth and women delegates are not only invited but are encouraged to attend these pre-councils. When registering for the General Council, delegates must also indicate their attendance at a pre-council. For additional information, please contact Dora Arce Valentin, executive secretary for justice and partnership: dora.arce_valentin@wcrc.eu

Women

The WCRC values the Reformed principle of the priesthood of all believers, and yet the world and many member churches still struggle to give full voice to the priestly presence of God in women believers. In most societies, women bear the bulk of responsibility for the most menial and domestic caring tasks. They often do so in environments which threaten them with violence, particularly if they challenge the injustices they see. The violence they experience brings them a closer knowledge of the Lord who was crucified for us all.

The Women’s Pre-Council theme is “Living God—in a World of Violence—Renew and Transform Us.” Working through the theme, the pre-council intends on unpacking different kinds of violence (e.g. structural, climate, physical, as well as the silencing and marginalizing of certain voices).

Speakers will include Elaine Storkey (gender-based violence) and Katalina Tahaafe Williams (climate change).

Youth

The Youth Pre-Council will give delegates who are aged 30 years or under the opportunity to learn more about the WCRC while at the same time getting to know some of the other delegates.

They’ll engage together in the theme “Living God, Renew and Transform Us” through the lens of Buen Vivir (The Good Life), exploring what this means to each participant from their different locations and different Christian traditions.

They’ll also learn about the decision-making process being used at the General Council and take a look at the business before the Council and what it means to young people of the Reformed tradition.