For Kaid Henry and Helen Schneider, who were part of a youth exchange between the Diocese of Oxford and the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman last year, attending the day conference Seeking the Kingdom alongside our global partners event in Reading required a journey … in Helen’s case all the way from Birmingham.
And was it worth it? Yes. “I’ve absolutely loved the ‘Seeking the Kingdom’ event,” said Kaid. “I’ve enjoyed how the [closing] service has been a mix of traditions and we’ve just come together to praise the Lord … and I’ve loved to connect with international friends from the other dioceses.” Helen added: “I enjoyed seeing all my global partner friends again and finding ways to find Jesus in different parts of advocacy.”
Kaid and Helen were among roughly 100 people who gathered at St John and St Stephen’s Church on 17 May to share in worship, fellowship, song, dance, prayer, and discussion, exploring what it means for Christians across the world to care for creation, seek justice, and nurture disciples.
Nine partners from our link dioceses of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa, Nandyal in India, and Växjö in Sweden, contributed to the day, as did Bishop Mary, Bishop Gavin, members of the diocesan Council for Partnership in World Mission (PiWM), and representatives of mission agencies CMS, USPG, and Latin Link.
Participants attended three panels – one on each of the key topics – which were preceded by songs in Telugu and Setswana, from the link dioceses, and congregational dancing to the Setswana song. They also had an opportunity to attend workshops on the three panel topics, prayer for the world, and how mission agencies can help churches engage with the wider world church.
Meals included a true Swedish ‘fika’ coffee break with Swedish cinnamon buns made by the Revd Maria Jukes, the chair of the Växjö link committee, and a lunch with a variety of dishes representing the different traditions present at the day.
The day closed with a ‘global Eucharist’, prepared by PiWM Council Member the Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga. Bishop Leon Golding, bishop-elect of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, presided, and Bishop Mary, the new Chair of PiWM, preached.
“It’s been marvellous. The thing I’ve enjoyed the most is hearing from our other link dioceses about the things that matter: about creation, about discipleship, about the love that comes from God’s Kingdom,” said the Revd Polly Falconer, Racial Justice Adviser.
For the Revd Canon Janet Binns, a member of the Council for Partnership in World Mission, the panel discussions on the environment and climate change – with participants from Jamaica, Oxford, South Africa and Sweden – were particularly powerful. “What has really struck me is the issue around the environment and looking at climate change. Because I feel that maybe in the UK, there are times when we are a little bit complacent, because we’re not really feeling the effects of global warming maybe as some of our partners are … I feel now really passionate to go home and see how I can engage our churches to do something about it.”
Archdeacon Tshenolo Hove, the environmental coordinator from Kimberley and Kuruman, felt that the conference strengthened her ministry: “I enjoyed listening to our partners about what they are doing with God’s creation. We continue to care, we continue to call others to follow us, so that all of us can enjoy the freedom of being here on earth.”
The Revd Olando Gayle, from the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, agreed: “We are all called to be stewards of the environment. Additionally, as we work together as one, this conference has enabled us to appreciate that there are different resources we can utilise from persons across the different links and with this mind, we can be confident that we are not alone in our fight against climate change and other environmental matters.”
The Revd Martha Seteso, chair of the Kimberley and Kuruman link committee on the Kimberley side, was part of the panel on justice. She spoke passionately about tackling gender-based violence and listened with interest as other panellists spoke about racial justice, dealing with the scars of past history and prejudices, and community organising.
She said: “It has been wonderful being part of the conference. I have really enjoyed today talking about justice and hearing from our global partners from the Diocese of Oxford how we can walk alongside each other and just learn from each other so that justice will flow like rivers.”
Bishop Gavin, who facilitated the panel on discipleship, underlined that a key portion of the day was not just the formal discussions, but the time together itself.
“It’s been a joy to share together and listen to one another about the opportunities, the challenges, the lessons we’ve learned and we can share about caring from the environment, about tackling injustice, about nurturing disciples and raising vocations. And underpinning all of that, to share fellowship across the body of Christ. An absolutely joyous day!”
What next? Sarah Dodd from Berinsfield expressed her hope that the day would have continuing impacts in parish life: “I hope the day inspires everyone that’s been here,” she said.
The Revd Canon Sue Booys, chair of the Kimberley and Kuruman link committee, felt that the time together had taken relationships to a new level: “Our shared interest was deepened and bonds created between the Links, so this is no longer four one-way relationships but one five-way relationship.”
“It’s inspired me to pray in new ways … for our partners,” Bishop Mary said, “and to thank God for the wisdom and the commitment that they bring to the work of God in the world.”
Read more about our Partners in World Mission programme.