Before World Conference, there is a 3 day event called International Leaders Meeting (ILM), with representatives from the global church. This year, I was invited to attend on behalf of Australia, together with Annie, Julie, Meredith and Dennis. ILM is a true representation of the international nature of Community of Christ. Worship, discussion and fellowship jumps between English, Spanish and French. It is important to constantly have our translation equipment handy. Amongst the languages is the opportunity to talk, and listen, in small groups about the legislation that is scheduled to come before the Conference. We discuss how that legislation will be lived out or what the impact might be in India or Fiji, in different African nations, or French Polynesia or Korea, perhaps even its expression in Canada, the UK and Australia. Different delegations took the lead in a worship each day. We worshipped in dance with the African nations, and sang with guitar like instruments that I had never seen from central America. Testimonies of the church and the movement of the Holy spirit and Hope were shared from many different nations. But I think my favourite part is the meals. We eat together, the American main meal (pizza, pasta, casserole), with a side of beans and rice. Conversations over meals often have many hand actions and some very grammatically incorrect Spanish. Sometimes they have deep connection and meaning.
When World Conference begins, the ILM group is joined by an additional 1200 people, largely North American, which can make it harder to hear those global voices. This year’s conference did a phenomenal job at integrating authentic representation within the worship experiences. The presence of three remote Conference sites, in Ivory Coast, Honduras and Canada, meant that people that would not previously been able to make it to the USA for conference were able to fully participate (with voice, vote and inclusion) and influence the future direction of the church and be a part of this historical moment. Not only did we welcome our first woman to the role of President/Prophet, but we saw many other changes in key leadership roles. Two new President/Counsellors, six new Apostles, new Presiding Evangelist, new President of the High Priests, new Presidents of Seventy, new members to the Standing High Council. So much change, and expectation of what is coming.
There are still spaces where the international voice is harder to be heard. One such location is the Mass Meetings of the Elders. Where about 500, English speaking, Elders meet in the temple most mornings to discuss the legislation that will be on the floor later that day. These meetings, or caucuses, are held concurrently for each priesthood office (including the office of member), for the youth and children, for Spanish speakers and French speakers, remote sites, and are the main time for discussion and debate. Rather than debating on the conference floor with the full crowd, these groups are a little smaller and more manageable, and often opinions, perspectives or even the legislations itself can be changed based on the experiences within these gatherings.
The Mass Meeting of Elders is the largest gathering, however, as an only English speaking group, the international voices in the room were few, and rarely heard. As I began to feel myself getting frustrated, I set myself a challenge. I decided to speak to each piece of legislation that came before the Elders for consideration. I would stand in that forum and share my perspective as an Australian to the climate crisis, earth stewardship and fossil fuels, the sale of sacred/historical sites and the stewardship of such resources, and the super fun topic of preambles to legislation. After receiving positive feedback, I then turned to my international friends and encouraged, and will continue to encourage, them to share their experience and voices.
We are a global organisation, with a democratic process at our core. It is important that we participate in dialogue, and listen to each other’s perspectives, so we can continue to learn and grow as a community. As we cast our votes each day, we let ourselves be open to our own experiences, as well as deeply listening to others and the presence of the Spirit. This results in a collaborative approach, that even when my vote is on the minority, there is still a feeling of having been acknowledged and heard, of being one in the Spirit.
As we gather for World Conferences, so much of it is about the business of the church but it is also so much more. Within it there is time to celebrate the diversity that comes through many nations and cultures, the blessings of this global community and being open to where God is calling us today. That is what I want to be a part of.
Kass Unger