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Mission & Service Global Pilgrimage: Kenya 2017 March 25–April 4, 2017
Overview of Mission & Service partners in Kenya Since 1987, our gifts for Mission & Service have supported our solidarity with partners in Kenya who focus on children, peacebuilding, and human rights. 1B
United Church partners in Kenya are •
• • • • •
All Africa Conference of Churches (ecumenical organization bringing churches and councils of churches across the continent together for peace, justice, and dignity in Africa) Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children’s Rights (protecting, promoting, and advocating for children’s rights) National Council of Churches of Kenya (ecumenical organization) Organization of African Instituted Churches (council of Indigenous African Churches working in Kenya and across the continent) Pembizo Christian Council (ecumenical organization) Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) (interfaith work in Kenya and across the continent)
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) will host and coordinate the visit. The NCCK brings together 26 churches and 10 church-related organizations. Since its establishment in 1913, the council has been actively engaged in responding to socio-political, economic, and cultural issues. The strength of the council lies in its membership and broad reach across Kenya and within communities.
Kenya is a challenging context. Poverty, refugee needs, HIV/AIDS, political unrest, and climate change are significant challenges facing the country. Government data indicates that 57 percent of Kenyans live below the poverty line. Approximately 70 percent of the youth labour force is unemployed. Poverty is one of the most debilitating situations affecting many Kenyans, preventing them from accessing proper medical care and education. Poverty also limits them in demanding good services and accountability from all levels of government. Kenya is a refuge for people fleeing situations of crisis and conflict and hosts over 600,000 refugees in camps and cities.
Why a pilgrimage? “We intend to move together…. This Assembly calls you to join us in pilgrimage. May the churches be communities of healing and compassion, and may we see the Good News so that justice will grow and God’s deep peace rest on the world.” —Message of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, 2013 2B
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
The World Council of Churches has declared this a time of Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, and we move together with others of faith and good will for the sake of justice and peace. This Mission & Service pilgrimage is intended as a common quest to participate in God’s mission of justice and peace (missio Dei), to grow and celebrate the unity of the human community and all creation, and to engage and learn from local and global contexts. The word “pilgrimage” was chosen to convey that this is a journey with deep spiritual meaning and with profound theological connotations and implications. As a “pilgrimage of justice and peace,” it is neither a journey towards a concrete geographical place nor some simple form of activism. It is a transformative journey that God invites us to in anticipation of the final purpose for the world that the Triune God brings about. The movement of love which is essential to the Triune God manifests itself in the promise of justice and peace. They are signs of God’s reign to come which is already visible here and now, wherever reconciliation and healing are seen.
Christians are to partake in these signs of God’s reign and to struggle for them in response to God’s will and promise. The pilgrimage of justice and peace is thus grounded in God’s own mission for the world and the example of Jesus. Following Jesus means meeting him wherever people suffer injustice, violence and war. To experience God´s presence with the most vulnerable, the wounded, and the marginalized is a transformative experience. Alive in the Spirit, Christians discover their deepest power and energy for the transformation of an unjust world, joining with other faith communities and all people of good will as companions on the way.
Pilgrimage is a way of moving with only what is necessary, being open to the experience and encounters. To be a pilgrim means to move into and through experiences with an open mind and open heart. Pilgrimage is an invitation to transformation. It includes three movements: via positiva (recognizing that God is with us), via negativa (witnessing brokenness and suffering), and via transformativa (prayer and action for healing, reconciliation, and transformation).
Goals and outcomes of the pilgrimage Guided by United Church policy and practices on global partnership, we will journey with Mission & Service partners in Kenya to see the church’s engagement in recognizing the dignity of life, lifeaffirming economic development, nonviolent peace-building, and the need to respond to climate change. The visit will include a number of encounters, meetings, and exposure to Kenyan history, culture, and partner initiatives. 3B
Specifically, the goals of the pilgrimage are as follows: •
• • • •
In the spirit of “Come and See,” pilgrims will deepen their understanding of the context of mission and ministry for Mission & Service partners in Kenya. Pilgrims will witness the joys and challenges of life in Kenya. Pilgrims will observe, engage, and reflect on issues of wealth, poverty, and social inequity in Kenya, including their causes and impact, and on transformation and advocacy efforts by Mission & Service partners. Pilgrims will make links between what they have witnessed and experienced in Kenya and these issues in Canada. Pilgrims will apply these learnings in their role as enthusiastic and articulate leaders for Mission & Service giving across the church.
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
The expected outcomes of the pilgrimage are as follows: • • •
Pilgrims will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Mission & Service– supported mission and ministries in Kenya and the context in which they are engaged. The relationship between The United Church of Canada and Mission & Service partners in Kenya will be strengthened and more deeply engaged. Energized Enthusiasts will provide inspiring leadership for Mission & Service giving in their regions.
Pilgrimage composition The Mission & Service pilgrimage of up to 20 pilgrims will be led by General Council staff. The group is to be comprised of 4B
•
• •
Mission & Service Enthusiasts (one per Conference) who are committed to animating and strengthening the Mission & Service giving program in their community of faith and in their Conference a UCW representative committed to animating and strengthening Mission & Service giving through UCW a Conference staff person committed to animating and strengthening Mission & Service giving in their Conference
The pilgrim group will reflect the diversity of the church, including ethnic/racial minorities, Indigenous Canadians, francophones, youth, and diversity in gender identity, geography, and vocation. Mission & Service staff for this pilgrimage will include Cheryl Curtis (Mission & Service Funding Officer) and Ruth Noble (Mission & Service Engagement Coordinator).
Dates of the pilgrimage The proposed dates for the pilgrimage, including travel, are March 25–April 4, 2017. 5B
There will be two orientation and preparations sessions, tentatively planned for January and February 2017. These will be held using conference call and webinar technology. Day
Program Overview – to be revised
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Depart Canada (Toronto–Nairobi, Kenya)
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National Council of Churches of Kenya: orientation/context
2 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya
National Council of Churches of Kenya Executive Committee dialogue Partner and field visit
Partner and field visit Partner and field visit
Partner and field visit
Worship in local church
Depart Kenya (Nairobi–Toronto)
Arrive Toronto (connecting flights)
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
Skills and experience required All Mission & Service global pilgrimage participants will be members of The United Church of Canada. Pilgrims will possess a solid understanding of Mission & Service and a history of supporting Mission & Service giving, a good understanding of and personal commitment to dialogue with different expressions of Christian faith, an interest in ecumenical and interfaith engagement, knowledge of United Church ethos and theological and social policy commitments, cross-cultural experience, and openness to learning and communicating the experience and wisdom of partners. 6B
Intercultural encounters can be demanding, but hold potential for significant learning. To engage fully, it helps to move into new situations with humility, patience, and a willingness to listen. Especially important for participation in this pilgrimage is an active interest in appreciating how people in Kenya experience life, how Christians in Kenya experience their faith, and the many different ways God is worshipped and faith is lived out.
Within the entire group of pilgrims, the following skills will be present: theological reflection, Bible study leadership, presentation skills, photography, video, social media, music, and pastoral care.
Expectations of pilgrims Throughout and following their appointment, pilgrims are expected to discover ways to share their experiences and learnings in ways that will enrich The United Church of Canada and strengthen Mission & Service. 7B
Pilgrims will • • •
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be inspired through engagement with global partner programs connect to the story of global Mission & Service through action and reflection, link the story of Mission & Service, as they experienced it in a region, with the whole Mission & Service narrative receive training and support to deliver inspiring Mission & Service messages in local communities of faith, groups within the church, and the wider church
Pilgrims are responsible for participating fully in • • •
group orientation and preparation sessions as planned by General Council staff personal preparation as recommended the 11-day visit to Kenya as planned and hosted by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, which will include a number of encounters, meetings, and exposure with Mission & Service partners, including experiencing Kenyan history, culture, and social context
Pilgrims must be willing to engage in a demanding travel schedule over an 11-day period, including • •
travel by plane, automobile, bus, and walking various types of accommodations
Pilgrims are entrusted to represent the values, ethos, and policies of the United Church in their words, actions, and interactions with others. In their participation in the Mission & Service Global Pilgrimage: Kenya 2017, pilgrims will • •
speak in accordance with established United Church faith and policy statements clearly identify other statements as personal opinion or interpretation of established faith and policy statements
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
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refrain from committing the United Church to any obligations outside of those authorized for this pilgrimage
Pilgrims are expected to •
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share the experience of the visit with the broader United Church (written and spoken reflections, photos, stories, etc.) bring learnings from partners in Kenya to the work of The United Church of Canada
Before the pilgrimage/after accepting the invitation, pilgrims will •
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contribute $3,000 (estimated) o fundraise with local communities of faith, local groups, presbytery/district, Conference (a fundraising letter and speaking notes for presentations will be provided) participate in orientation set up speaking engagement with Conference for general meeting or executive begin work on roster of speaking engagements for speaking tour
During the pilgrimage, pilgrims will • •
fully engage with the context and work of Mission & Service partners in Kenya participate with the group in preparation, engagement, and debriefing
After the pilgrimage, pilgrims will • • • •
• • •
participate in debriefing use speaking notes prepared collaboratively speak at Conference general and/or executive meeting promote, schedule, and deliver a fall speaking tour of a minimum of four speaking engagements with local communities of faith, presbytery, local groups, and other gatherings before year-end participate in evaluation support future pilgrims in pilgrimage be Mission & Service ambassadors
Accountability Pilgrims are accountable through General Council staff to the General Secretary. 8B
Roles of pilgrim’s community of faith • prayer support • covenant with the pilgrim before their travel • financial support (as possible) • assistance to connect with other groups for fundraising (before the pilgrimage) • assistance to connect with groups for speaking engagements (after the pilgrimage)
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Finances The pilgrimage will be funded from a variety of sources. The expected cost per person is estimated to be approximately $4,100. Pilgrims are asked to contribute to or fundraise to cover a significant portion of these costs. A fundraising letter will be provided. Fundraising sources could include support from Conference, presbytery/district, and/or one’s congregation. Mission & Service will cover a portion of the cost per person. 10B
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
Deadlines Deadline for application: Shortlisting by Conferences completed by: Pilgrims notified by:
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October 28, 2016 November 14, 2016 November 18, 2016
Summary This is an opportunity for deepened partnership and for United Church people with a keen interest in the global church and the particular experience of Christians in Kenya to engage in a pilgrimage with the potential to deepen faith, lead to stronger partnership relationships, generate new insights into the possibilities for being church, and strengthen Mission & Service giving.
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To apply: Go to: unitedchurch.formstack.com/forms/kenya2017 or contact Diane Bosman, Member Engagement
[email protected] The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300. Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 Tel: 416-231-7680 x 2211| Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 | Fax: 416-231-3103 13B
The United Church of Canada
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L'Église Unie du Canada
