Mennonite World Conference to be held in Calcutta

Calcutta India

The Mennonite World Conference takes on a truly international flavour this year as Mennonite delegates worldwide converge on Calcutta, India January 6-12, 1997 (registration is Jan. 6, sessions start Jan. 7). This is the 13th world assembly held approximately every six years. Begun in 1925, Mennonite World Conference is a global network of Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, and related national churches.

This year, its convention is hosted by the Mennonite Christian Service Fellowship of India. According to organizers, India 1997 "is rooted in the conviction that Anabaptist Christians from around the world have something essential to learn from each other, and that the gathered global church can invigorate local church life".

Assembly gathered and scattered

India 1997 has two main parts. The first, "Assembly Gathered" will be the "conference" portion of the Assembly--a gathering of several thousand participants from around the world. They will meet on the campus of St. Thomas School, operated by the Church of North India. The campus is available due to school holidays at that time. Large tents will be used for larger gatherings and meals (catered locally), while classrooms will be used for smaller meetings. Lodging will be provided in city hotels, guest houses and school dormitories.

"At Calcutta, the program itself will be full and varied," says Larry Miller, Executive Secretary for Mennonite World Conference. "But we're also trying to develop an environment where people can meet each other informally, face-to-face."

These face-to-face meetings will include morning and afternoon tea breaks in small groups, Bible study, and the Global Church Village--an outdoor area featuring booths, displays and activities from Anabaptist-Mennonite churches from different countries. Afternoon sessions will include gatherings of youth, women, pastors, and representatives of congregations.

Each day's program will focus on the life of the church on a particular continent. Europe will be featured the first day, followed by North America, Asia, Africa and Latin America. This progression follows somewhat the historical emergence of Anabaptist churches around the world. Services will reflect the Assembly's theme, "Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

"Daily worship will be a chance to listen to the experience of churches worldwide," says Miller.

Because of the decentralized approach to schedule and program, Miller cautions that participants should be flexible to program changes. Final program information may not be available until September or October.

The "gathered" portion will also include sessions of the MWC General Council, Faith and Life Council and Peace Council. Among other business, General Council will decide how to distribute the Global Church Sharing Fund, a resource of $1.4 million. Money for the fund, set up to assist national churches worldwide, was contributed by Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Mutual Aid.

"Assembly Scattered" is an optional feature of this conference in which local churches throughout India will host small groups of interested participants. The purpose of this is to offer participants the experience of everyday life in the homes and churches of their Indian brothers and sisters. Depending on the preference of host churches, these groups will be hosted for several days before or after "Assembly Gathered" in Calcutta.

Calcutta

Westerners often view Calcutta as a desperately poor, filthy and dangerous city. Glen Miller, with his wife, Marilyn, has served with Mennonite Central Committee in Calcutta for the past five years, and warns participants "not to compare the best of the west with Calcutta. Calcutta is a large city. Check out a metropolis such as New York or Detroit and then make comparisons. Don't compare an idyllic rural scene in Midwest USA to Calcutta." His advice is simply, "Don't drink unbottled water. Wash your hands often. Keep your sense of humour."

Larry Miller, too, predicts that the city of Calcutta itself will have an impact on the Assembly. "Most people, especially people from wealthier countries, cannot come to Calcutta without being struck by the number of people who have little material security. The environment, sounds, and smells will have an impact on visitors, and on the proceedings of our meetings. It's inevitable."

Organizers also assure participants that they are in ongoing consultation with Indian authorities and Christians about safety. They say they will keep registrants advised about any necessary precautions or unreasonable risks. MWC's medical advisers in India include both Indian and Western physicians.

Larry Miller encourages people not to fixate on the poverty, but to focus on the people. "You realize that despite apparently difficult circumstances, many people radiate beauty, grace, and friendliness. Many who live in Calcutta have sorted out what is essential in life and what is not."

Because Calcutta is a cosmopolitan city, says Marilyn Miller, "foreigners are not particularly singled out and stared at." She advises that travel and transition will be much easier in a group with an experienced leader.

Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services offers four tour groups, all from Jan. 4-19. More information is available from their Winnipeg office (2-169 Riverton Ave. R2L 2E5 (204)669-6575).

Those planning to attend are encouraged register and book with travel agencies as soon as possible. Most tours run between $3000 and $4000 per person.

More information is available from Mennonite World Conference. 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener, Ont., N2G 3R1 (519)571-0060. KH, from MWC reports

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