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MWC Announces Assembly Gathered Worship Themes

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — A large hall seating thousands of people at the International Exhibition Centre in this "City of Kings" will be transformed into a centre for international worship August 11 to 17, 2003.

Mennonite World Conference Assembly Gathered participants will celebrate the God who made them a worldwide family and be inspired and challenged by stories of "Sharing gifts in suffering and in joy," the conference theme based on I Corinthians 12.

The building and surrounding halls will ring with the sound of music as an international choir leads the congregation in an hour of exuberant singing as each day begins.

The opening worship service will feature a sermon by Mesach Krisetya, out-going MWC president (Indonesia), on the assembly theme. He will use both I Corinthians 12:26 and Romans 5:3-5 as texts for his message.

Worship style will change daily as each of the five continental regions develops the sub-theme it has chosen. Each region has also selected a Bible teacher and preacher.

Ambrocio Porcincula, MWC Executive Committee member from the conflict-ridden Philippines, will preach on Asia's theme, "Celebrating life amidst suffering and violence." Shant Kunjam (India) will lead Bible study from Ecclesiastes 2 and Philippians 3.

Europeans chose the theme, "Living God's will?" posed as a provocative question to be addressed by Fernando Enns (Germany). Claude Baecher and Marianne Goldschmidt (France) will lead Bible study from John 15.

The Latin American voice will bring authenticity to the theme, "In Christ we suffer with hope and celebrate with joy." Ofelia Garcia (Mexico) will preach from Luke 24 and Bible study by Antonio Carlos de Faria (Brazil) will focus on Romans 12.

"Through sharing we experience unity in diversity" is the theme for North America's day. Mary Anne Isaak (Canada/USA) will preach. Anne Campion and youth from Canada will read scripture passages from which Lindsey Robinson (USA) will conduct the Bible study.

The generosity and grace of Africans is identified in their theme: "What we have we give." Siaka Traore (Burkina Faso) has chosen an intriguing sermon title: "Parce-que nous sommes, je suis." (Because we are, I am). Thuma Hamukang'andu (Zambia) will explore Romans 5 in the daily Bible study.

Assembly gathered will conclude on "World Day" with a sermon Nancy Heisey (USA), incoming president of MWC, has titled "Saints, sages and singers," based on Ephesians 5 and Psalm 111.

Music from all the regions will be highlighted both in Assembly Gathered worship and in performance at venues scattered throughout the Trade Fair grounds between formal gatherings. In addition to morning and afternoon tea times, there will be free time to explore displays and the "In God's Image: A Global Anabaptist Family" art exhibit from around the world.

Ferne Burkhardt, News Editor