The English-Speaking Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva 20, Rue Verdaine / 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.

Volume 04/2017 Advent ADVENT PRAYER

“stir up your power” A pilgrim to witness a 900-year-old tradition is a prayer for people who feel By Phyllis Brewah This was among my first trips all familiar with - that of con- stuck in some way, During the month of Sep- out of Geneva since I started sumerization. Their choice of who long for tember, I signed up for a working for the LWF. Nothing isolation protects them from movement and mo- congregation trip to La prepared me for what I was modernization, noise, cor- tion, who feel that Grande Chartreuse Monaste- about to see in the museum, ruption, deceit and war, I it’s time for God to ry Museum. Before we em- other than the reading I had thought. do something in barked on the trip from the done on the bus about the The 900 year old tradition their lives and in Ecumenical Centre aboard a monks and the monastery. and discipline of meeting the world. every three hours for prayers hired bus, I had moments of Living in silence and medita- won my admiration. Years of nostalgia, mainly from rea- tion for me meant that they unwavering commitment and Inside this issue: ding the description of the went about their daily chores dedication for sure has made museum made in the church without talking or uttering a them survive the infiltration announcements. single word. of modern technology. Monastery trip 1 I couldn‘t help but admire As we navigated our way The more I explored the reflection the beautiful landscape of through the museum rooms, rooms in the museum to Switzerland and France as learning about the simplistic share the inner spiritual ad- Care for Orphans 1 we snaked through villages, life in silence, I struggled as I venture of Carthusian Monks‘ in Ethiopia towns and farms. I stared in witnessed a tradition that has vocation of solitude, the awe at the beautiful scenery, been practiced for many cen- more questions popped into as well as the level of deve- turies. I was at the centre of my mind. Pastor‘s column 2 lopment. My mind went into what Matthew Arnold wrote in I wondered how the monks soliloquy, comparing it to my his 1850 poem "the Carthusi- lived that simply without country, Sierra Leone. After ans' world-famed home." It is interacting with the outside Witchcraft fuels 3 2.5 hours of driving through world. Before I tackled that albinism attacks a tough decision, I told myself. curves and turns, we arrived Unable to fathom the monk‘s question, another had gener- ated. Why we are engulfed at the monastery, located in hard choice and preference to and enslaved by consumer- People of African 4 the Chartreuse Mountains, be neighbor to the loneliness ism to the extent that we descent discuss north of Grenoble in Saint- of trees, birds and wild ani- doubt our ability to live with- racism Pierre-de-Chartreuse in mals as opposed to a world we France. out consuming?...cont pg 4 Join the blue 5 community campaign Caring for the orphans in Ethiopia Concerned churches in Ger- many responded and their How to overcome 5 congregations have actively inequalities... The Abobo Bethel Congrega- structures could no longer be tion in Gambella, Ethiopia sustained. supported the program for has initiated a project aimed the last ten years. Three The Abobo Bethel Congrega- German volunteers - two in Is God present at 6 at supporting orphaned chil- tion encouraged its members Germany and one in Ethiopia times of our dren who have lost their pa- to support the desperate or- - raised funds for the or- needs? rents to HIV/AIDS in the phans who were on the verge phans‘ program. However, in Gambella region in Ethiopia. of becoming street children, the last two years, the level Supporting Mexico 6 At the height of HIV/AIDS and initiated its ministry for of contribution has declined Earthquake epidemic, many orphaned orphaned children. significantly. children - young girls and boys — became caretakers of The congregation provided Get involved in 7 The Abobo Bethel Congrega- their younger siblings. Ex- financial support, asked mem- Grief and loss tion is seeking funding to tended family and neighbors bers to adopt orphans and to group support the program. The initially stepped in to take support their educational funds raised at the ELCG care of the orphans. In the Upcoming 8 needs. Harvest Festival are long run, the existing social activities expected...cont pg 2 Pastor Column: On the move this Advent

Page 2 By Andy Willis have been praying with the who is on the move. We will words ―stir up your power‖ for follow that theme over the Stir up your might, and come to save us! (Psalm 80:2) centuries during Advent, and I weeks of Advent this year, like the sound of it. When we paying attention to the ways It‘s old language, that verse say it that way, we are calling God is on the move in the bibli- from Psalm 80. Some contem- on God to notice where things cal story and to the ways God porary versions of the Bible have gotten a little too remains on the move in our settled. The oil and the vine- world and our lives today. gar have separated; the But we won't rush there. Advent cream has drifted to the top. begins with the honesty of It‘s time to shake things up, Psalm 80, with the cry for God God: stir up your might, and to get moving, to stir up our come. imaginations, to stir up our Culinary images aside, it‘s a hopes, to stir up our dreams, to powerful prayer for the start stir up our lives. Do not leave of Advent. It‘s a prayer for us settled, God, we pray. Make people who feel stuck in some something new of our lives way, who long for movement where they are stuck; churn up and motion, who feel that it‘s new possibilities where the time for God to do something world has become accustomed in their lives and in the world. to dead ends and half-truths. Does that sound like a prayer Come to us as you came to the Shooting Star Across Texas Hill you could pray this season? world in need two thousand Country © Ralph Arveson Where do you feel stuck? years ago. Where do you wish for Stir up your might, O God, and movement and new direction? might simply translate it as come to save us. Where do you wish God would ―wake up,‖ and I can unders- stir things up and come? Peace be with you this Advent. tand why. If I‘m trying to rouse my son from sleep, I don‘t say The story of Christmas is the ―stir up your might.‖ It sounds story of a God who isn‘t content awkward and stilted; we don‘t to let the world grow stale and talk to one another like that. settled, who finally enters into human life to shake things up But this verse from Psalm 80 and show us what life that is full has long been translated into and free looks like. The story of English this way. Christians Christmas is the story of a God

Abobo orphan project. cont...

to directly support 50 or- For other young children still phans and another 150 or- in primary school, the congre- phans through education and gation will need time to find counseling. The program will creative ways to support them provide monthly food contri- to complete their education. butions to the orphans‘ host ELCG Sharing support will families, undertake Saturday provide an opportunity to the tutorial classes, and provide Abobo Bethel Congregation to counseling services, as well establish a more sustainable as school materials. Some of way of ensuring its long-term the orphans are making signi- goal of providing education to ficant progress in their stu- the children and helping them dies and may only require achieve better lives. support for the next few Abobo HIV and AIDS Orphan project is years. one of our sharing project for 2017/2018

Calls to stamp out persecution of people with albinism

By George Arende Dr Ojot Miru Ojulu works for the Page 3 Lutheran World Federation as

An extraordinary event happe- Interim Assistant General Se- ned in September at the Palais cretary for International Affairs Wilson in Geneva. For the first and Human Rights, a position time a United Nations body, the that places him at the centre of United Nations Independent human rights and social justice Expert on Persons with Albi- activities of the United Nations Dr. Ojot Ojulu follows the Albinism nism, in collaboration with the in Geneva. Together with session at Palais Wilson. Witchcraft and Human Rights other UN experts, academics Information Network (WHRIN) and members of civil society and Lancaster University, held a organisations, he attended two day workshop on witchcraft the two day workshop on and human rights. The meeting witchcraft and human rights. was convened to examine and address the impact of witchcraft ―Albinism is a humanity pro- and the problems that result in blem and not only for a few gross human rights violations. people in advocacy and hu- man rights field,‖ he said. In a statement released by Ik- ponwosa Ero, the United Na- He lamented that ―People tions Independent Expert on living with albinism are Human Rights of Persons with maimed and killed for trade Albinism, ―[The United Nations in their body parts; all in admits that] in numerous coun- total contravention of inter- tries around the world, harmful national human rights law.‖ practices related to witchcraft People keen to succeed in busi- result in serious human rights ness, others looking after pro- Solidarity with People with motion at workplaces and even Albinism violations, such as various ―Treat forms of torture and murder, politicians hunting for voter All men and women are created discrimination and exclusion‖. winning formulae; all contribute in the image of God. Part of everyone with The ground-breaking workshop in making the human body that image is being erased and offered a window of opportunity parts a lucrative business. In calls on us to stand in solidarity respect and to discuss ―witchcraft and hu- Sub Saharan Africa, body parts with people with albinism. man rights in a holistic, syste- sale can fetch as much as ―Human beings are equal in dignity; stand matic and in-depth manner‖ 2,500USD. dignity and worth by virtue of said Ms Ero. Although the practice is out- being human,‖ reiterated Dr with those Albinism is a rare, non- lawed in many Sub-Saharan Ojot. He added that human contagious, genetically inherited countries - ignorance, myths dignity is inherent and non- whose condition which occurs and superstition still pose a negotiable and as such attacks, worldwide regardless of ethnici- challenge in stopping the prac- mutilations, discrimination and dignities are ty or gender. It commonly re- tice. A little pot is soon hot for stigmatization are all against the very biblical teaching that sults in the lack of melanin pig- those people accused of the challenged‖ ment in the hair, skin and eyes practice, for they themselves all are equal before God. He (oculocutaneous albinism), defi- face fatal consequences, in further challenged the church to ciencies that cause vulnerability some cases mutilation or death. ―Treat everyone with respect to sun exposure. Exposure to and dignity; stand with those Several Lutheran churches in the sun can lead to skin cancer whose dignities are challenged‖. the south are active in confron- and severe visual impairment. ting this problem. ―We amplify A keeper of our brothers and The World Health Organization the voices of churches in areas sisters means caring for one suggests that America and Eu- affected and table the issues at another. Dr Ojot draws his rope have 1 in every 20,000 the global platform,‖ said Dr strength from the Genesis 4: 8- person with the condition, while Ojot. 10 verse when advocating for 1 in 1000 people in Sub- global challenges. According to Saharan Africa suffer from Albi- When asked about the role of him, ―Keepers of our brothers nism. Witchcrafts use body the church, Dr Ojot said, [and sisters] is a basic Christian parts of people with albinism to ―Truthful biblical teaching based principle‖. Wars, conflict, re- make amulet charms, which on the love of God for all can fugee crises and other chal- many believe bring good for- help counter the belief system lenges that yield slow results, tune and luck. in witchcraft". He added that can at times discourage. ―[As a the church has multiple ways to Women and children are mostly human] sometimes I lose hope, respond to human rights viola- affected by the frequent infanti- but there are many sides of tions against people with albi- cide, kidnapping, amputation or hope that keep me going,‖ he nism. One way is for churches decapitation to harvest body noted. to offer ―spiritual reassurance parts. The exact number of on the thoughts, beliefs and Cont pg4 people abused remains unk- actions of people who find nown as most of the abuse goes answers in witchcraft,‖ he ad- unreported. ded.

Collaborate to overcome racism Page 4 By George Arende of Christ in the USA (NCCC) The chairperson of the UN A forum on racism, discrimi- to learn, acknowledge and Working Group of Experts nation, Afrophobia and xe- reaffirm the role of faith on People of African Des- nophobia took place in Sep- communities as agents of cent, a group established in tember at the Ecumenical transformative justice in the 2002 and mandated by the Centre to listen to the expe- face of racial injustice. Commission on Human rience of people of African Rights and Human Rights While welcoming the partici- descent in the United Council to study the pro- pants attending the session, States. It was organized by blems of racial discrimina- WCC general secretary Rev. World Council of Churches in tion faced by people of Afri- Dr Olav Fykse Tveit la- coordination with the can descent living in diaspo- mented that racism and National Council of Churches ra, called on ―collaborative discrimination is a ―sad rea- efforts‖ in combating evil. lity‖ for many in the United States. He noted the exis- The full video clip of the ting connection between session is available on you- polarization, division, natio- tube: http://bit.ly/2yLt3Sn nalism and racism. ―The Church finds itself between two poles: [one that has] a strong willingness to divide, Racism, polarize, to discriminate and [another] with momentum discrimination, of strong witness for right, justice of saying no,‖ he Afrophobia and said.

He called upon the churches Xenophobia– to use the ―language of Dr Iva Carruthers, general secretary of faith‖ and not to ―demonize ―sad reality‖ the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference others‖ for change. at the session. ©2017 George Arende

Stamp out persecution of Albinos...cont pg 3

―People who stood up He believes the world is ―Not acting is not the solu- against US travel ban, many filled with both good and tion. Join the good voices stories of hope during the bad people, and the side even in situations of European refugees crisis, one takes is what matters. helplessness.‖ civil society coming together ―There are voices of hope and people standing in soli- out there which need to be darity with the oppressed, amplified.‖ There is hope, all restore my hope,‖ he ―we are not alone‖ he said. add.

Reflection of the monastery trip… cont pg 1

The more I made an analyt- Our forefathers were force- their lives to Christ. ical comparison between fully invited into Christianity Lately I find myself 'our world' and that of the from as early as 1789 wi- questioning things monks, the more I felt the thout ever getting such an around me while I ask need to change. opportunity for witness. It is the fundamental ques- not surprising that many This was my second spiri- tion of how I serve God. rejected the 'new faith' as it tual pilgrimage. The first Continuous reflection on was known then. This visit was to the Luther sites in the monk's way of life renewed and strengthened Germany in 2006. Such has helped me ack- my faith in unimaginable pilgrimages challenge spiri- nowledge the power of ways. Just as the monks tual life and the monastery silence and taking a were persecuted then but visit was no different. It quiet moment to listen endured to become a wit- offered me an opportunity to God's voice in crea- ness of our faith, today to be a witness to rich histo- tion and His works. many Christians are equally rical faith in Christianity. persecuted for dedicating Why you should STOP DRINKING bottled water?

Page 5 ing. It is believed that con- water at the Ecumenical By Dinesh Suna tinued use of bottled water Centre, and installed water More than 1.8 billion people may result in having more dispensers. globally consume contami- plastic than fish in the ocean Inspired by the WCC , about nated water. The global by the year 2050. 20 churches and universities network of churches and ―EWN strongly believes that have joined the blue com- faith based organizations bottled water industries are munity in Switzerland, in- under the umbrella of Ecu- an impediment to realizing cluding Bern University. For menical Water Network the human right to water,‖ more information: (EWN) of World Council of said Dinesh Suna, Coordina- Churches strives to change tor of the Ecumenical Water https:// this sad reality. EWN affirms Network of the WCC. Speak- water.oikoumene.org/en/ that water is a gift of God, a ing at one of the forums about public good and a funda- organized by our church, mental human right. Dinesh outlined the criteria One million plastic bottles for becoming a ‗blue com- ―By the year are produced every minute munity‘ and invited us to and most of them find their become one: ―Recognize 2050, there will way into landfills. In 2015, water as human right, say the EWN issued an appeal no to bottled water, pro- be more plastics that urged churches in Eu- mote partnership and fi- rope and North America to nance to operate drinking than fish‖-World eliminate the use of bottled water and waste treatment Economic Forum and the water because the two re- system.‖ He noted that the gions have clean and safe WCC has taken the lead by Ellen MacArthur Founda- tap water suitable for drink- ―banning‖ the use of bottled tion 2016 Report.

How to overcome inequalities, a lesson from Christoph

By Christoph Benn ties were rich or poor. They has been supporting by now The increasing inequality were the first to take the tens of millions of people in within almost all societies universal human right to around 150 countries. and the still huge inequity health (and therefore to life) The model is now being ap- between countries and com- seriously in a practical way. plied to many other global munities is one of the most The Global Fund to fight problems. Global funds have important challenges in our AIDS, Tuberculosis and Ma- been established for educa- world today. One way to laria can be described in tion, climate change mitiga- address these inequities is many different ways. Yes, it tion, freedom from slavery by facilitating financial is a financial institution and other burning issues. It transfers from those who created with the support of can therefore be considered a can afford to provide others the UN and the G7 but most particular model for overco- ―Transfer of with better opportunities in of all it became the organi- ming inequities on a global life. This responds to one of zational instrument of the scale. the core Christian values finances from global AIDS movement with based on our firm belief that Questions we considered in the mandate to ensure that the ‗haves‘ all human being are created our ELCG weekly forum con- all people affected by these as equals in the imagine of versation were: diseases should receive full God. provides others access to prevention, care Will global solidarity continue Probably no other communi- and treatment all over the in a climate of increasing with better ty has put these principles world. This model inspired nationalism and inward loo- into practice in a way as so many people that the king populistic movements? opportunities in radical as the global AIDS Global Fund has received movement. It was people financial contributions of Can the Global Fund model life‖ living with HIV in rich coun- more than 50USD billion be applied to other areas that tries who first argued that if since its creation in 2002. we care about as a communi- they had access to life- Rich and poor governments, ty? saving treatment, then all corporations, foundations How is the model related to people living with HIV and increasingly also faith communities and their should receive it regardless wealthy individuals from strong conviction of all hu- of where they were born poor countries are suppor- man beings being entitled to and whether their communi- ting this pool of funding that equal opportunities? Page 6 Where is God at our point of need?

By Julienne Munyaneza This was a season of cons- say that my WACC col- tant nightmare. Yet, the leagues were just amazing, I had just started a new job Omnipresent God was with supportive, caring and lo- in London with the World them as He promised. ving), I prayed what has Association for Christian And despite those horrible become my famous prayer, Communication (WACC) as events, in which thousands a faith-full prayer that God the Regional Co-ordinator of innocent people perished, could not resist, in which I for Africa and the Middle including massacres in asked God to see my hus- East when the Rwandan war church buildings, I didn‘t band and children again in broke out in 1994 and the lose my faith in God. If at this life even if He had to genocide against Tutsis all, I trusted Him even resurrect them, just for me. started. Indeed my absence more. Of course most Rwan- And He did. saved my life. dans asked tough questions I hope my presentation I travelled out of Rwanda like where‘s God in this ge- answered my forum title at alone, and my husband, nocide? Why did He allow it the ELCG ―Where‘s God Malachi, and our three chil- to happen? Why didn‘t He when we most need Him?‖ dren were to join me in Lon- show up if He‘s really Al- For more details read my don later. For the three mighty? Understandable. little book ‗Grace in the months period of the ge- A time came when I could Midst of Genocide‘. You can nocide (May-July), I lost no longer sit still or concen- get it from me or online: contact with them. I didn‘t trate on my job. One eve- http://amzn.to/2z7QEwG . know what had happened to ning I went home after work them. I kept wondering if (and by the way, allow me they were alive or dead.

Support for Mexico earthquake victims relief

An earthquake measuring 7.1 The Methodist church in Tla- magnitude hit Mexico in Sep- quiltenango, Morelos, is one tember causing massive des- of the organisations that pro- truction and devastation to vide food and other relief the people of Morelos state. goods to the communities in Seventy three people died rural areas. Besides food and and more than a hundred water, the church distributes were injured in Tlaquilenango clothes, care packages for municipality, some 70 ki- babies and hygiene items. A lometers from the epicenter medical clinic has been set Axochiapan. More than 600 up within the church com- homes were destroyed and pound to provide ongoing another 1,780 severely da- medical assistance to the maged. Government reports victims. indicate that up to ten thou- Part of the funds that were sand homes were completely raised from the proceeds of damaged in eleven Morelos the Harvest Festival will sup- municipalities. port the ongoing relief efforts In response, volunteers from of the Methodist church in churches, schools and some Tlaquiltenango. With the pro- government employees cess of restoration and reha- helped build 74 shelters be- bilitation expected to take at sides assisting in rescue ef- least a year, the ELCG shar- forts and clearing debris. ing support will help increase Relief and reconstruction food, medical supplies as well efforts saw the establishment as other needs required in of collection centers that ac- the rebuilding effort. cept donations. Grief and Loss Group Page 7

By Elizabeth Benn This disconnectedness is need to provide room and even harder to bear when it company for those dealing At times, living in a place far comes to losing someone with loss and grief while away from family and close. It may be that not living far away from home. friends can be quite challen- having had the chance for a By offering group meetings ging because the net of sup- final farewell multiplies the once a month, we try to A Call to porting people is accessible provide the space and sup- intensity of grief or leads to ―Spend time only by using modern self-accusation. Even if we port that is too often not means of communication. are able to attend the fu- allowed at work or in our with the However, the geographical society. Although I am not a neral, we are thrown into an bereaved‖ distance is felt even more ongoing process in which we professionally trained grief painfully at times when fa- can only try our best to in- counselor, I draw from my experiences as a palliative mily members or friends fall tegrate, knowing that we care nurse and psychothera- ill or even die and work- will have to leave early peutic counselor. Anyone related responsibilities don‘t again. We may be bereft of wishing to give room to allow for longer periods of the possibility of ongoing their own grief in joining this absence. We may have to consoling conversations and group is very welcome. fight the desire to spend hugs, shared memories or time with that person, to jointly shed tears. help with care issues, or to just be around, as well as Having talked to several feelings of guilt. members of our congrega- tion, Pastor Andy saw the

Volunteers assist in clearing debris after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico. ELCG ANNOUNCEMENT CORNER Evangelical Lutheran SUNDAY FORUM Church of Geneva Congregational Assembly – 10 De- 3 December, 12.45 cember English Speaking Overcoming Inequities in Our World Today Congregation Through Global Solidarity: The Experience Our annual December assembly will take of the AIDS Movement and the Global Fund- place on Sunday 10 December, immediately following worship. Among other things, we ADDRESS Christoph Benn will be voting on a budget for the coming 20, Rue Verdaine year. Members, please mark your calendars OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS now and plan to attend. 1204, Geneva Taizé Evening Prayer this Advent

This Advent, there will be a weekly Taizé- OLD TOWN. Kids’ Day at the ELCG – 16 December style prayer service each Thursday at the Phone ELCG, from 19h00 to 19h45. These services On Saturday, 16 December, children of our will be quiet and meditative, an opportunity congregation are invited to the church from to slow down, reflect, and pray using simple 10h to 14h. We'll play games, sing songs, 022 310 50 89 tell Bible stories, and share lunch sung chants, scripture readings, and silence (provided). It will be both a fun day for chil- Email during the busy weeks leading up to Christ- dren and an opportunity for parents and mas. caregivers to have a few hours on their [email protected] own. The first Taizé service will be on Thursday, 30 November at 19h00. If your son or daughter would like to partici- Website pate, please contact the church office by All are welcome to attend. Wednesday 13 December to sign up. www.genevalutheran.ch

WORSHIP

Sundays, 11h00

Christmas Worship Times

24 December: Worship on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 11h Christmas Eve wor- ship, 17h

25 December: Christmas Day wor- Rev. Garland Pierce a former member of our ship with eucharist, congregation was among the participants at the 11h racism, discrimination, Afrophobia and Xenophobia forum. ©2017 George Arende

Editorial team: Sandra Cox, Jane Wangui and George Arende. The Geneva Lutheran is published quaterly. Send an email to [email protected] to subscribe.