January 2025 FFL

First Friday Letter The World Methodist Council

January 2025

New Year Greeting from the President!

Dear Friends, New Year’s Greetings! I pray for a blessed New Year for each of our member denominations and communions.

Much continues to happen in the World Methodist Council in our collaboration with one another as well as other Christian communions and interreligious faith groups. One such group is the Roman Catholic Church, consisting of approximately 1.3 billion persons.

General Secretary Dr. Leao Neto, Director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office of Rome Rev. Matthew Laferty, and I had the opportunity to represent Methodists in a relationship building trip to Italy recently. We met with numerous Catholic and Methodist brothers and sisters over a four-day period.

We had two primary goals in visiting Rome: 1) to play a part in advancing the conversation between the Catholics and Methodists and 2) to continue to build and strengthen relationships with the Italian Methodists (OPCEMI).

My husband Lee, General Secretary Leao, and I arrived at the Casa Valdesi Hotel in Rome about midnight Sunday evening after a weekend in Cambridge and London where we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wesley House, heard the Brian Beck Memorial Lecture, fellowshipped with Salvation Army brothers and sisters, and worshipped at Wesley Chapel in London. What a beautiful start to our journey.

We travelled from London to Rome on Sunday evening and then to the Vatican early Monday morning for a conversation with Pope Francis about commonalities between the World Methodist Council and the Roman Catholic Church. We discussed several examples in our meeting with him.

- Both bodies see the face of Christ in the suffering migrants and refugees we serve.

- We are greatly appreciative of the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome (MEOR).

- Methodists and Catholics recognize the significance of prayer. For instance, when given The Methodist Book of Prayer at the conclusion of our meeting, Pope Francis’ face lit up as he said, “Prayer is very important!”

Throughout the week we continued to have meaningful conversations with various Catholic brothers and sisters as well as leaders from other Communions and a couple of Ambassadors to the Vatican.

We experienced great hospitality, deep respect and stimulating conversations from the Cardinals, Sisters and local parish leaders we met. An ecumenical spirit exudes from Pope Francis and many Roman Catholic leaders.

We also were blessed with several meetings with Italian Methodist leaders. My heart rejoices at the breadth and depth of the Italian Methodist ministry in Rome. A minority church, the Italian Methodist presence and ministry are widely known due to the way they are involved in the lives of their neighbors, including people from all stations of life.

OPCEMI is making a difference by providing Christian worship and learning experiences, teaching language classes for migrants, offering a bridge of music to nearby University students, assisting with food, housing and clothing for those in need and so much more. Our Italian brothers and sisters are beautiful examples of the ministry of World Methodist Council member churches across the world.

Much ministry has happened through World Methodist Council member churches in our 143- year history. I look forward to seeing how God moves through us as we continue the journey together in 2025. Thank you for all that you do and are.

In Christ, Debra Wallace-Padgett World Methodist Council President

- We share a deep mutual desire to keep walking together on the ecumenical journey toward unity in mission.

Photo 136007839 © Kabayanmark | Dreamstime.com

World Methodist Council

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From the General Secretary’s Diary: An Official Visit to the Pope Following a busy visit to Great Britain by the President of the WMC, Bishop Debra Wallace-Pagett when with the General Secretary - when they met the Secretary of Conference and the Connexional Team’s Secretary of the Methodist Church in Great Britain -, the leaders of the World Methodist Council met in Rome with Pope Francis on the 16th December 2024 at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

Pope Francis welcomed us as sister and brothers.

He invited all to have an open mind and heart to one another. The Pope said that: “in this way our communities will manage to unite the different minds and wills letting ourselves to be guided by the Spirit.” Pope Francis addressed head-on the fact that for a very long time there had been suspicion and distrust between ourselves. But that “we can now thank God because, for 60 years, we are progressing together in knowledge, in mutual understanding and love.” He added that: “this has helped us to deepen our mutual communion.” This was a remarkable recognition by the Pope himself of the deepening of ‘mutual communion’ and his hope that the wounds of the past might be healed.

It was clear that the Bishop of Rome was exercising his Universal ministry emphasising the unity of the Church of Christ. He recognised though that this: “is a journey that will take time, but that we must continue along this path, always focused on the Heart of Christ, because it is from that Heart that we learn to relate well to one another and to serve God’s Kingdom.”

After meeting the Pope, the visit of the WMC President and the General Secretary to the Vatican - organised by the Director of MEOR, Matthew Lafferty - included meetings at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops. In all those occasions there was a depth of listening to one another and convergence of thought and wills towards deepening of our communion. This was clearly expressed, prayed and hoped for.

The Pope then, for our delight, set the encounter in a much bigger historical canvas as he referred to the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, to be celebrated in 2025. “This occasion reminds us that we profess the same faith and, therefore, that we have the same calling to offer signs of hope that bear witness to God’s presence in the world… this is a calling for all Churches and Ecclesial Communities to persevere on the path to visible unity and in the quest of finding ways to respond fully to the prayer of Jesus ‘that they may all be one’.”

Meeting with Pope Francis Photos by Vatican Media

World Methodist Council

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On the death of President Jimmy Carter USA 39th president, Jimmy Carter received the 1985 World Methodist Peace Award. He died on the 29th December 2024 at the age of 100. Known for his defence of human rights, Carter “gave oppressed people hope”, Gordon Brown wrote. In his tenure as President he negotiated a peace deal between Israel and Egypt. He was prescient when he wrote a book entitled: Palestine: Peace not Apartheid, published in 2006, for which he was heavily criticised, but now recognised as a correct assessment of the situation in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and Gaza. He regularly taught Sunday School classes for young people. Now, and in particular on the 9th January - the date of USA national mourning - we shall remember a life of courageous and consistent service to peace and justice.

“Hailed as “an instrument of peace,” the former United States President Jimmy Carter was the first American to receive the World Methodist Peace Award. In accepting the award, he called on his country to be a champion of peace and human rights. He was cited for his leadership on the return of the Panama Canal to Panama, the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks II agreement, the Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt, and his post-Presidential efforts in reducing conflict in the world, lifting the plight of the poor and to promote understanding among all people.” - WMC Peace Award Booklet

Nominate a 2025 Peace Award Recipient If you have been planning to nominate someone who exemplifies Courage, Creativity, and Consistency for the World Methodist Peace Award, please act.

Applications must be submitted by 14 April. Note, all supporting documents must be included.

The nominee should show courage in regard to physical danger or putting personal interest at risk. Creativity should include opening new initiatives and attracting others in working for the cause of peace, Consistency is judged by effort over a period of time and intensity, despite setbacks. Here is the link to read the full criteria: http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/whatwedo/world-methodist-peace-award/ The recipient receives a medallion, citation and US $1000 which is symbolic of the larger recognition achieved in working for peace, justice and reconciliation. The recipient is included in the World Methodist Council Peace award booklet and the photo will be featured on the WMC webpage.

Click here to complete the online application. Please send all nomination forms to the General Secretary at info@worldmethodistcouncil.org.

World Methodist Council

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The Church’s Role in Building Just Peace The war in Ukraine, which began on 24th February 2022, has profoundly challenged Europe and the world, forcing us to confront urgent questions of justice, peace, and the Church’s role in addressing them. In response, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) convened in Warsaw, Poland, a Consultation on “Just Peace” from 9th to 11th December 2024, bringing together theologians, clergy, and activists to explore faith-led pathways to peace, reconciliation and justice.

The pursuit of peace has long been a cornerstone of the ecumenical movement. From the Oxford Conference of 1937 to the founding of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1948, Christian communities have worked to articulate what it means to seek peace in a broken world. At the consultation, Dr. Fernando Enns reaffirmed that peacebuilding must lie at the heart of the Church’s mission, not remain a peripheral concern. He emphasised that Just Peace is not merely the absence of war but a dynamic process that addresses fear, want, enmity, and oppression while nurturing justice, truth, equity, and reconciliation.

This theme was poignantly underscored by Ukrainian participants who reflected, “We have to stop praying for peace and start praying for justice.” Their words captured the complex tension between accountability and reconciliation. Churches must navigate this delicate balance, recognising the need to advocate for justice while fostering forgiveness and healing. However, moving beyond abstract theological principles to practical action remains a pressing challenge. Faith communities must engage in grassroots efforts—educating, empowering, and building connections—to ensure peacebuilding becomes tangible and impactful.

step in equipping future generations in resolving conflicts with empathy and non-violence.

The consultation also highlighted the imbalance between military expenditure and funding for peace initiatives. Drawing from Johan Galtung’s concept of “positive peace”—rooted in justice and equity— one can grasp the need to prioritise peace education in schools and communities. Figures such as Gordon Wilson, WMC 1988 Peace Awardee, who turned personal tragedy into a testament of forgiveness and reconciliation, remind us that transformative change begins with acts of love and resilience.

His legacy, along with other WMC Peace Award recipients, continues to inspire a collective commitment to peace-building.

The Church must reclaim its prophetic voice, confronting injustice and challenging the misuse of religion for violence. Whether addressing human rights violations in Ukraine or oppression elsewhere, silence undermines its credibility. By enabling young people, fostering unity, and taking bold stances for justice, the Church can become a transformative agent for peace. As the International Methodist Youth Seminar aptly stated: “We build peace when we empathise, listen, and take accountability.” Through courage and collective action, the vision of Just Peace can become a lived reality.

Article by Stefanie Gabuyo Youth and Young Adult Committee Chair (Co-ordinator) World Methodist Council

Despite the depth of these discussions, the consultation exposed some significant gaps, particularly in the participation of youth and young adults.

While war has understandably restricted Ukrainian youth participation, many of whom are in the frontlines of war, the lack of broader representation reveals a missed opportunity for an intergenerational collaboration to include those who will inherit and shape the future of sustainable peace. Worldwide, young people are already engaged in activism and ecumenical advocacy, but their perspectives were largely absent from this consultation.

This concern resonates with calls from youth at the 2024 World Methodist Council (WMC) Conference in Gothenburg, where the Church’s unclear positions on human rights violations, systemic oppression and wars were challenged, urging for greater investment in peace-building education, an important World Methodist Council

Photos by CEC/Lukasz Troc First Friday Letter page 4

Help the World Methodist Council move forward by serving as a Chair or Member of one of the Committees! Click here to access Nomination Forms and Vacant Committees!

Council of Nicaea 325AD - 1700th Anniversary This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a council of church leaders and others called by the Emperor Constantine to reflect on the being of Jesus Christ. Controversy about the exact nature of Christ - human or divine or both? was threatening to divide the Empire, and Constantine and his imperial colleagues were concerned.

Thus there were mixed motives for this event concern for the faith, for the unity of the church, undoubtedly, but also issues of power, ambition, control…

However, out of this gathering, and a subsequent gathering at Constantinople in 381AD, emerged one of the great Creeds of the church – the Nicaean-Constantinopolitan Creed, the creed in the words of which we, together, as the people of God, affirm the Christian faith: “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty…in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God... in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.

These webinars will take place during March 2025 – see dates and times.

Under the title, A Wesleyan Response to Nicaea: Reflections on Faith, Unity and Mission, the speakers will be invited to consider, among a number of issues •

the historical complexity of the 325AD gathering at Nicaea;

•

the Nicene - Constantinopolitan Creed as an agreed statement of faith by Christians of many traditions and denominations;

•

the World Council of Churches’ emphasis on faith, unity and mission.

•

what may be the role, if any, of creeds in the twenty-first century

Complexities remain, the church is not united, questions continue on how the spread of the Gospel has been implemented, but Jesus Christ calls us to be one that the world may believe (John 17.21).

Submitted by Gillian Kingston (chair of the working group)

Dates and times for the World Methodist Council’s webinars marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea 325AD. March 3 Asia-Pacific Ireland 07:00 Germany 08:00 Sydney 18:00 Suva, Fiji 19:00 Manila, Philippines 15:00 Seoul, South Korea 17:00

World Methodist Council

March 4 North and South America Ireland 20:00 Germany 21:00 Atlanta 15:00 Rio de Janeiro 17:00 Mexico City 14:00

March 18 Europe and Africa Ireland Germany Accra Cape Town Atlanta

14:00 15:00 14:00 16:00 10:00

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Equipping Faith Leaders for Economic and Ecological Justice The World Methodist Council cooperates with the World Council of Churches, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and the Council for World Mission in the NIFEA Initiative. NIFEA stands for “New International Financial and Economic Architecture” towards an economy for life, which is grounded in the biblical call for justice, compassion, and care for creation.

GEM School introduces into the theological principles of NIFEA and equips participants to improve their faith-based action and advocacy.

GEM School 2025 will take place from August 18 to 29, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea (venue to be confirmed).

The program aims to empower 20 current and future church leaders with economic literacy to bridge theology and economics. Participants will engage with topics like ecological and feminist economics, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advocacy strategies for economic transformation. GEM School alumni Rev. Gelin Rosamour from the Methodist Church in the Caribbeans and the Americas, serving in Haiti, stated: “GEM School is a bolstering and energizing school, that transforms people’s conception on how to advocate on behalf of the planet in general. It empowers leaders by building their capacity for a transforming life. It also pushes people to engage in Ecumenical consultations.”

For further details, refer to: Invitation to apply for GEM School 2025 Link: https://nextcloud.ecucenter.org/s/BS6f2cpAYpqaDkL

• Eligibility: Open to individuals with relevant academic or professional experience, including church or ecumenical organization endorsement.

• Application Deadline: 1 March 2025. Full scholarships covering travel and accommodation are available.

Link to apply for GEM School 2025 Link: https:// wcccoe.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0pfue GEM School 2025 provisional programme Link: https://nextcloud.ecucenter.org/s/Qmtbxi3wEe45eD3 For inquiries, contact Geneva Secretary Bishop Rosemarie Wenner at rosemarie.wenner@emk.de

Zambia boat ministry helps Nazarenes spread gospel In the Lake Bangweulu region of Zambia, four large islands are home to about 150,000 people. Francis Mwansa, superintendent of the Zambia Luapula North District, was able to plant a few churches on three of the four islands in the early 2000s through work with JESUS film.

The Church of the Nazarene is spreading rapidly in this area, but the district is asking for prayers for people to answer the call of God to become pastors. The district asks for Nazarenes to continue to lift their Zambian brothers and sisters in prayer as they plant churches in hard-to-reach places.

There had been an attempt to plant a church on the island of Lunga, but the work died due to transportation difficulty. Mwansa recognized the need for a boat to reach these far-flung populated islands. He proposed a boat and life jackets for the JESUS film team.

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region

God provided a boat for this Zambian JESUS film team. The team can now plan and travel to help disciple old and new churches while key leaders are dispatched to follow up on discipleship programs to help strengthen these churches. The district and its 12 zones have more than 200 organized churches and preaching points.

The boat is not just used for the JESUS film and church planting. The local district uses the boat to provide training opportunities for Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI), Nazarene Missions International (NMI), and children and youth. This boat also enables the people on the island to travel to and be a part of district events without the usual difficulties.

World Methodist Council

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CIEMAL Conference on Mission On October 31 and November 1 and 2, 2024, in Panama City, the last Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL) Conference on Mission was held. Through the methodology of seeing, judging and acting, it was possible to reveal aspects of the historical moment and reality in which one is Church in this region of the world.

It is recognized and assumed that the continent in these times is going through a reality marked by violence, corruption and the discrediting of politics. There, in this scenario, Methodism from the Gospel lives the street, accompanying and intervening in favor of the most dramatic social causes, such as: children, women, migrants, the poor, and in general all those who are the least in society.

The biblical keys to Methodism in Latin America, in honesty with the Wesleyan heritage, remain: the prophetic tradition and the proclamation of the kingdom of God. These stamps are experienced in the multiple diversities and faces of our continent, not exempt from harassment by temporal powers in some cases.

The challenge with which John Wesley returned was to continue and perfect every practice of compassion, accompanied by the proclamation of God’s gratuitous love for all. The emphases of solidarity and proclamation are two sides of the same coin, living with the world as a parish and participating in the care of souls.

We end with the words that Professor Hector Laporta left us in his presentation on Missiology and Ecclesiology: “... it is necessary to review and take stock of the relationship between mission and colonialism; that they lead us, instead of repeating old evangelistic formulas that annul and deny people and their traditions, seek to develop theologies that dignify the human being and preach with words and gestures a Gospel that is incarnated and restores our cultures.”

Submitted by Andrea Gutierrez

CIEMAL Conference Attendees

World Methodist Council

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Inspiring Connections: Women Leaders Gather in Munich From October 24-27, 2024, 29 United Methodist women leaders from 16 countries of Continental Europe and the United States gathered in Munich for a transformative leadership event jointly hosted by United Women in Faith (UWF) and German United Methodist Women Themed “Enter New Ground, Embrace Change,” the gathering provided a unique opportunity for women to connect, share their experiences, and strategize about pressing issues in the church and beyond.

This long-awaited meeting, delayed twice due to the pandemic, began with a warm welcome. Participants enjoyed a light welcome meal, engaging icebreaker activities, and heartfelt introductions that sparked meaningful connections. The first devotional, led by Sung-Ok Lee of UWF, invited the group to reflect on the biblical story of Joshua and Caleb and to consider what new opportunities God might be placing before them.

Celebrating Shared Missions A key focus of the gathering was understanding the diverse roles of women within the church and their communities. Each participant shared a presentation about their women’s organization, highlighting membership, missions, key programs, and challenges. This exchange of ideas revealed a shared commitment to empowering women, despite regional differences, and sparked discussions about common challenges such as engaging younger generations, balancing work and spiritual life, and addressing societal issues like climate change, migration, and gender equity.

Moving Forward with Grace Sally Vonner, CEO of UWF, and Bishop Rückert led the group in a discussion of the important outcomes of General Conference, especially as pertains to women’s work.

The 2024 General Conference in Charlotte marked a turning point for the United Methodist Church (UMC), addressing key issues of representation, global balance, and unity amid diversity. Women made up 37% of attendees, a step forward in gender representation.

Bishop Harald Rückert highlighted that a proposed regionalization plan would empower regions to focus on local priorities while maintaining a unified global body. The Central Conferences ratifying the plan, with clear communication and trust-building, is essential for its success.

Sally Vonner addressed the emotional toll of the disaffiliation process, acknowledging the pain it has caused. However, she emphasized the importance of managing these transitions with love and grace, symbolized by keeping an “empty chair” and an open heart for those who may choose to return to the UMC in the future.

Identifying Priorities

The gathering wasn’t all work, there was plenty of time for fellowship and fun! A guided tour of Munich spotlighted the city’s remarkable women, and participants shared a delicious Bavarian meal at a local restaurant that celebrated diversity and inclusion.

Through small group discussions, participants identified key priorities for collective action: reaching younger women, balancing work and spiritual growth, and improving communication.

They shared success stories and brainstormed innovative solutions, including youth-led worship programs, targeted retreats, and enhanced use of social media platforms to engage younger audiences.

The event wrapped up with a shared commitment to stay connected through monthly online cafés to exchange ideas, pray, and collaborate on projects. New friendships blossomed, old connections deepened, and a shared vision for the future took root. As participants joined in Sunday worship and a farewell luncheon prepared by a local congregation at Friedenskirche church, the spirit of sisterhood and hope was unmistakable.

Inspiration and Fellowship Day two featured powerful messages, including a devotional by Bishop Harald Rueckert of Germany and an address by Rev. Dr. Raphaela Swadosch, who emphasized “The Power of Sisterhood.” Drawing on the story of Ruth and Naomi, she encouraged participants to embrace their talents and work together to create a supportive global community.

The Women’s Leadership Gathering wasn’t just a meeting. This landmark event not only strengthened the bonds among United Methodist women leaders but also set the stage for transformative action in their churches and communities.

It marked the beginning of a shared journey to embrace change, inspire one another, and create a brighter future for the church and the world.

Article by Tatiana Dwyer, United Women in Faith

World Methodist Council

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Photo credits: Perkins School of Theology/ R. Hipps

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This and past First Friday Letters can be found online at FirstFridayLetter.worldmethodistcouncil.org.

The First Friday Newsletter is a monthly publication of the World Methodist Council.

The World Methodist Council’s website may be found at worldmethodistcouncil.org.

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Publisher: Rev. Dr. Reynaldo F. Leão Neto, General Secretary

Communications: Michaela Bryson All stories and photos, unless otherwise stated, are protected by their respective copyrights. Please do not copy without expressed written permission from the Council.

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