The Communion of Protestant Churches of Europe (CPCE’s) 9th General Assembly opened with an international festive service at the Lutheran St Mary’s Cathedral in Sibiu in Romania under the theme “In the light of Christ – called to hope”.
In the multilingual and musically organised communion service, the diversity of Protestant spirituality was expressed, and the unity of Protestant Christianity celebrated. This year, the CPCE celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Leuenberg Agreement, which did not resolve theological disputes between Lutherans and Reformed regarding the understanding of the Lord’s Supper, but brought them together in reconciled diversity so that Protestant Christians of different denominations can celebrate the Lord’s Supper together despite existing differences.
The dynamic of diversity and unity was also emphasised by the current CPCE President, Revd Dr John Bradbury, United Reformed Church General Secretary, in his report.
Welcome and farewell
Four new member churches were welcomed during the service: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Georgia, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine, the (Lutheran) Church of Iceland and the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latvia. The representatives of the newly admitted churches briefly introduced themselves and presented symbolic gifts.
The new synod president of the Ukrainian church, Pastor Alexander Gross, presented a vase-shaped cartridge case decorated with a Ukrainian flag. “We are happy to be part of the European family. There is war in our lives, but there is also life in war,” emphasised Gross.
For the first time, a church has decided to leave the CPCE: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latvia, which was the first Lutheran church in the world to revoke the ordination of women. However, with the recent admission of the small German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latvia, the CPCE presence in the Baltic state remains intact.
Withdrawal of the Hungarian Reformed Church
Before the legal quorum of the General Assembly was established, the withdrawal of Hungarian Reformed churches was discussed, as it the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania and its mother church in Hungary declared that they would withdraw from the Assembly and would only send one observer.
The reason for this step was the rejection, by the CPCE leadership, of the Hungarians’ request to withdraw the study document on sexuality, marriage and gender from the plenary session. The CPCE Council regretted the step and emphasised that it wanted to remain in dialogue with the Hungarian brothers and sisters and appreciated the fact that they continued to maintain their membership of the CPCE.
Four study documents are being worked on in working groups
On the second day of the assembly, reports on four study documents were presented – Christian Speaking of God; The Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper; Church and Democracy and the above-mentioned comprehensive 410-pages document on sexuality and gender issues. The texts will be worked on in thematic working groups and, if necessary, changes will be made.
The delegates also heard reports from the Council and the General Secretary, Pastor Mario Fischer (Vienna), and were familiarised with the new CPCE strategy for 2024-2030.
The plenary session also presented the new book ‘Decision-making spaces: The architecture of Protestant synod buildings” was also presented. The impressively edited illustrated book outlines the Protestant synod buildings in Italy, Scotland, Hungary, Ireland and Germany, which symbolise the synodal identities of Protestant Christianity and illustrate the outstanding importance of cooperation in the church’s decision-making process.
“Gimme hope, Jo’Anna”
In an enthusiastic presentation on the topic of hope, which saw Assembly enjoy listen to Eddy Grant’s eighties hit song “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna”, keynote speaker Dr Christine Schliesser emphasised, on the third day of the Assembly, that Christians have a particularly well-founded hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Hope should not be confused with naivety or simple optimism,” explained Dr Schliesser. “Saying ‘let’s hope for the best’ is not hope but wishful thinking. Hope is not apathy or inertia but takes shape by taking action, the exact opposite of resignation. True hope moves! There’s oomph in it!”
The lecturer further explained that in German, “hüpfen” (bounce) contains the word “hup” (hope), to fidget restlessly in anticipation and in regard to Eddy Grant’s hopeful anthem, “it’s almost impossible not to at least tap your feet to the song ‘Gimme hope.’ Hope is contagious” she said.
Celebrating 30 years of women’s ordination
In the run-up to the General Assembly, the Evangelical Church of A.B. in Romania celebrated the 30th anniversary of women’s ordination.
“With the introduction of women’s ordination, a centuries-long degradation of women has come to an end,” said the Protestant pastor Elfriede Dörr at the opening of the celebrations to mark 30 years of women’s ordination, which took place in the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania on 26 August in the parish church in Sibiu.
Carmen Schuster, the first woman elected First-Curate of the CA Evangelical Church in Romania in its near 400-year history, emphasised the representative function of many women in the church: “They speak for those who have no voice themselves,” she said.
She encouraged the 40 or so women present to not let up in their fight for their rights: “You are strong, and you are an important voice for the voiceless!”
At the celebration, CPCE General Secretary Mario Fischer thanked all those who have fought for women’s rights in recent years and called on women to be even more visible in the church and in public in the future, saying: “Build networks, motivate others, don’t hide!”.
New council to be elected at the plenary assembly
The new CPCE Council will be elected by the end of the week. The CPCE represents 96 churches of Lutheran, Reformed, United and Methodist tradition from 30 countries, which recognise each other as churches and are in full communion of ministry and the Lord’s Supper.
View more photos from the CPCE 9th General Assembly.
Read a round-up of the three CPCE Presidents’ report about “Being Communion in a divided age”, “Facing new challenges – a time of blessing”, and “Strategy: Being church together in the light of hope”.
Read the CPCE General Secretary report that reflected on past work and future aspirations of the Communion.
Reporting: Dr Dariusz Bruncz, portal director and co-founder of Ekumenizm.pl, Ann-Marie Nye, URC Communications Officer, and Magdalena Bruckmüller, CPCE.
Images: Zeppelin Studio Focus Agency on behalf of the CPCE General Assembly.