Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 29

1999 GIFTS
Mending the World
The United Church of Canada has recently created a document - an evaluation of church priorities and initiatives - entitled Mending the World. The report introduces the concept of 'whole world ecumenism,' and links this larger ecumenism between faiths with the more traditional church-to-church ecumenical relationships. The United Church, in this document, declares that its first priority should be the healing of creation through the joining together of people of all faiths in the search for justice, wholeness
and love.
The United Church of Canada CANADA
Global Outreach
Global Outreach (GO) believes in the power of the individual as a source of hope in our global community. It places volunteers on international communitybased projects, which foster cross-cultural understanding, social awareness, and volunteerism in participants. Projects also help participants to overcome international differences through interaction and education. GO sent 10 volunteers to Guatemala in 1996 to work along side local volunteers to build a community center in the village of Monte Grande. Villagers use the community center for elections, as a health clinic when a doctor visits, for church functions, and various other functions. GO also worked with Island Ventures on the island of Mactan in the Philippines, and contributed support to several scholarship programs benefiting several young teenagers. In Guangzhou, GO has began a dialogue with Chinese Christians who have begun to host volunteers there.
Global Outreach USA
O F SERVICE т о THE WORLD
28
BUILDING BRIDGES
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic Cross-Cultural Bridges
Su Casa works as a cross-cultural bridge between our country's Hispanic and non-Hispanic popula tions, with emphasis on mutual respect, information exchange, education, and recreation. Su Casa offers English classes and Spanish classes to all interested persons, and it translates documents for churches, health offices, and businesses. Su Casa also offers cultural diversity training to local industry, and serves as a place that the Hispanic population trusts to help with language, customs, and regulations. In a town of 30,000, 785 Hispanic people have used the services of Su Casa in the past three months. Su Casa Columbus USA
BENGALWORLD
Bearing Faithful Witness
A document, produced by The United Church of Canada, highlights ways in which the Church reflects certain anti-Semitic vestiges in its preaching. liturgy and practice. Bearing Faith Witness aims to steer the Church towards a more faithful and respectful relationship with Judaism. A related statement (to be considered by the Church's governing body next year) describes how more respectful Jewish-Christian relationships can illuminate relationships of respect with other world faiths. The United Church of Canada CANADA
Empowering Youth in the Apartheid Era
Ms. Patience Tyalimpi opened her tiny home in Zola Soweto to youth, and worked with groups of up to 70 young people at a time. These young people came to learn, and to discuss what it takes to be a responsible young adult working non-violently to eliminate apartheid, and what it takes to build one's sense of self. She maintained the spontaneous gatherings in spite of continuous army harassment (teargas in her home, etc.). In over 20 years of this work, hundreds of young people have been blessed to enjoy a different outlook on life born of the sense of self esteem and responsibility nurtured by Patience. Leth'ukuhanya Health Institute REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
OF
UNDERSTANDING & COOPERATION