“Churches engaged in shaping the future of Europe must be imaginative and brave, confident not arrogant, listening not just speaking, trusting not anxious, hopeful not merely optimistic”. This message – also describing a basic attitude in educational processes – came up recently at the end of the Conference of European Churches’ General Assembly. Three hundred representatives from member churches and organisations in partnership met from 14-20 June 2023 in Tallinn, Estonia, under the theme: “Under God’s blessing – shaping the future”. Six days of discussing, praying, singing and coming together from various Christian traditions – Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican – brought an intense experience of Christian fellowship.
ICCS and IV as organisations in partnership of CEC were represented by Bianca Kappelhoff and Michael Jacobs. They made some effort to anchor ‘education’ in the CEC Strategy 2023 – 2028. The new governing board, which has been elected in Tallinn, should look on climate change, migration and peace, but also on matters of religious education and freedom of Christian schools in Europe. We are pleased that education is now mentioned in the final strategy paper “All one in Christ”.
The keynote speakers in Tallinn, especially the German sociologist Prof Hartmut Rosa, encouraged the churches to play their role in society by using their competences for a ‘culture of resonance’ instead of the current culture of permanent acceleration and aggressive growth. A ‘listening heart’ is a characteristic of Jewish and Christian faith and definitely needed for a future concept of good life. Experiences of being called, touched, inspired and transformed are deeply theological – and pedagogical. Religion and churches offer physical spaces and practices that invite transformative experiences – knowing that resonance, especially in relation to God, is ultimately unavailable.
We wish you all a beautiful summer which may open your hearts and minds for the experience of being touched by God’s blessing!
Dr. Tania ap Siôn and Heid Leganger-Krogstad (ICCS) and Michael Jacobs and Piet Jansen (IV)