Teenager Beth Yando spent part of February in Geneva, Switzerland, as a steward at the World Council of Churches' central committee meetings. The committee meets occasionally between assemblies to further discuss the council's policies, programs and budget. For Yando it was an eye-opening experience as she joined young people from around the world with very different points of view but all committed to ecumenism. “The very process of dialogue enables each of us to become more comfortable in our own faith stance and secure enough in our relationship as Christian churches to open ourselves even further in inter-religious dialogue and relationships.”
The Prince Albert, Sask., native and member of Mistawasis was the Presbyterian Church's youth representative at the WCC meeting, and was supported by both Youth in Mission and International Ministries.
Over the first few days, youth stewards were involved in orientation seminars to learn about the ecumenical movement, what the WCC is, what it has accomplished, and challenges that churches are facing. “In our discussions, we encouraged the challenging of opinions and through that we have all come to a better understanding of what we believe. Our faith in God has become stronger since being forced to answer those tough questions of what we believe, why we believe it, what leads our faith to where it is.”
Yando's Presbyterian roots run deep. Her mother, Beth Anne, is a diaconal minister, and her father, George, is the pastor of Mistawasis and interim moderator of the Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan. Beth has been involved in her church through Sunday school and camp ministry. The WCC Stewards Program was her first international youth missions venture.
When asked to comment on his daughter's recent experience, Yando told the Record, “It's been amazing to see the broadening of her appreciation for the wider church, to hear her insights – and her frustrations – about the workings of the WCC, and perhaps most of all, her deepening respect for others who are seeking to live out their Christian faith in contexts very different from her own.”
He continues: “Involvement in the WCC Stewards Program includes an expectation that the stewards will return to their home countries and continue to be involved in ecumenical endeavours, by developing and carrying out some sort of project to encourage ecumenical dialogue and cooperation. Beth is looking forward to taking this on and making it part of her own faith journey.”
Despite her passion, Beth Yando is aware of the many challenges still facing the WCC. “Even after 60 years with ecumenical collaboration through the WCC, the relationship between some churches is still very fragile and there is still so much work that needs to be done.”
The Presbyterian Church's representative to the WCC was Rev. Will Ingram, St. Andrew's, King St., Toronto. You can read his blog at www.standrewstoronto.org/wcc.
