Posted Thursday 5 November 2009
Edinburgh 2010 is an ecumenical project set up to commemorate the centenary of the World Missionary Conference, and to provide new perspectives on Christian mission today.
In June 1910 the city of Edinburgh hosted one of the most defining and most long-remembered gatherings in the history of Christianity. Edinburgh was chosen as a conference venue since Scotland had an importance in worldwide mission out of all proportion to its size. The 1910 World Missionary Conference drew together more than 1,200 Christians from many churches to think strategically about the worldwide mission of the Christian Church. Participants recognised the need to move beyond colonialism and to welcome the birth and maturing of independent and self-governing churches around the world. Although there were no Catholic or Orthodox delegates present, Edinburgh 1910 is considered to be the birthplace of the modern ecumenical movement. Concerned with advancing co-operation and unity in the study and practice of mission, its most significant achievement was that it raised the vision of the church as a global reality.
Edinburgh 2010 is governed by a General Council, made up of 20 representatives of the Protestant, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christian traditions. Apart from this international body, many groups and organisations are involved on a local level, including a multi-denominational Scottish coordinating team called ScoT. In contrast to 1910, Edinburgh 2010 is a truly global and truly ecumenical project and event.
As in 1910 a study process is at the heart of the project. For the past two years study groups have been working on nine main study themes and seven ‘transversal’ themes. Participants of the study process have met for conferences and workshops in places like India, Korea, Germany, West Africa and Bolivia, and are using the Edinburgh 2010 website (www.edinburgh2010.org) as a platform for discussion and exchange.
The study process will peak in a four-day conference, to be held at Pollock Halls in Edinburgh from 2-6 June 2010. 70 representatives of the study groups will come together and be joined by 150 mission leaders from all over the world. The aim of the project is a serious, in-depth interaction on both the present and future of Christian mission and on specific missiological themes. It is hoped that this discussion will not just take place among conference delegates, but that it will develop into a global conversation before, during and after the conference. Christians all over the world are invited to share their thoughts on mission on the Edinburgh 2010 website and to engage in its growing Facebook community.
The highlight of the conference is a celebratory service on Sunday 6 June. Delegates and about 1,000 local and international guests will gather at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh, the historic venue of the 1910 World Missionary Conference. The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Dr John Sentamu, has agreed to lead the three-hour worship together with representatives of other Christian traditions. It is planned to stream the celebrations online in order to make it accessible to Christians all over the world.
Moreover, the stakeholders of Edinburgh 2010 encourage Christians worldwide to set up their own events in the Edinburgh 2010 spirit. Local ecumenical celebrations of mission can be at any time of the year 2010, or on 6 June to link with others around the world. An up-to-date list of events is available on the website: http://www.edinburgh2010.org/ for information and sign up for the newsletter which is sent out regularly. Anyone who is organising an ‘Edinburgh 2010’ event is asked to contact the Communications Officer for Edinburgh 2010, Jasmin Adam, so that your information can include it on the website listing
Also, congregations and Churches Together Groups who would like to host one or more delegates before or after the conference are invited to contact Jasmin Adam who will try to match delegates who want to make pre or post-conference visits with those who have registered their desire to host people, and will put them in touch with each other: thereafter, all arrangements will need to be made through direct contact since there are no E2010 resources (finance or personnel) to facilitate this.
The organisers of Edinburgh 2010 and the SCoT group would ask that you pray for the conference and for all the ecumenical endeavours which will take place in 2010 using the following prayer at Sunday services and in your prayer groups:
PRAYER.
God of Grace,
Your love flows in abundance through your world,
You have come close, touched our pain,
And fired our hearts with hope.
As now we give you thanks,
And celebrate your mission
To reconcile, heal and transform.
Fill us with your irrepressible Spirit of love
Made known among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Information taken from Edinburgh 2010 briefing paper.
