Three Uniting Church members will be spend a week living near Athens in early May participating in one of the great global Missionary Conferences.

Over 500 participants will gather from May 9th to May 16th for the World Council of Churches Conference on World Mission and Evangelism.

The 13th of its kind, the conference is the successor to the great Edinburgh Conference held in 1910 which is seen as the symbolic beginning of the ecumenical movement in the 20th Century under the famous banner of “evangelise the world in our generation”. 

Led by Uniting Church President, Rev. Dr Dean Drayton, the Australian delegation will explore the theme of ‘Come Holy Spirit, Heal and Reconcile’. 

Others attending include Catherine Lambert a candidate for Minister of the Word in WA.  She has been involved in Confronting Racism Workshops, the Walking Together Consultation, was a previous volunteer in mission in Tonga, and About Face 4 participant.  

Rev. Helen Richmond, the National Director for Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Ministry in the Assembly has had extensive involvement in giving a voice for a multicultural Uniting Church after serving as a chaplain at the famous Selly Oak Mission Centre in the UK

Rev. Drayton, who brings a lifetime of work in the field of mission and evangelism including lecturing in Missiology and Evangelism at United Theological College in Sydney, said the conference promised an enriching experience for delegates.

“It is fascinating reading the preparatory papers.  Not surprisingly reconciliation and healing are at the centre of the discussion.  On the Tuesday the main theme will be presented, followed by Wednesday’s themes ”Called in Christ to be reconciling and healing communities” On Thursday we will explore “Mission and Violence”, followed by sessions on “Healing on Friday. The conference will conclude on Saturday with a final message – “Reconciliation” 

“I was surprised to see the number of times the subject of miraculous healing was mentioned.  Clearly there is a strong emphasis on justice in society and communities as well as healing for individuals in body mind and spirit, as well as in community.  It promises to be an important time of considering how we are God’s people in this time.  This is the first Conference since 9/11 so it will be important to hear how healing and reconciling relate to other world faiths.  We wait to hear how this meeting in the Decade to Overcome Violence speaks to this the first decade of the 21st Century,” Rev. Drayton said.