Christmas message

Dear sisters and brothers,

May peace be given to you in the name of God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ his son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.

In this period of preparation for Christmas, I am addressing you to share my great joy of living this holiday with you, among of this great community of 35 churches that constitute the Cevaa.
Since I took office, I have been discovering every day, with interest, the diversity of the churches gathered within Cevaa and the different Protestant currents represented: Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical...

The Community is marked by a strong ecumenical will to live together, to meet, to question each other and, to be open to different theologies, practices, and ecclesiology’s.
In 1971, the year of the creation of Cevaa, the ecumenical impulse was obviously in a turmoil. The desire to accompany the Churches towards autonomy after decolonization responded to the need to transform North-South relations, marked by the pain of colonization, and racism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Wbau9omHY

After 50 years of life, this movement is declining. Indeed, the contributions of the churches are decreasing year after year. The churches of the South, autonomous in their governance, are full of life, projects, and ideas for development. They are growing; however they suffer from internal tensions and often, still depend on external funding. Churches in the North have seen their membership decline significantly since the 1970s. Despite the economic recession and unfavorable demographic context, they are fighting to continue to proclaim the gospel and engage in diakonia.
The challenges of global warming make us aware that the same mechanisms of exploitation and injustice persist, despite the founding fathers/mothers’ initial vision to create the Cevaa as a utopia where everyone had the same rights and duties.

What does the Cevaa represent for its churches in this tense world context?
How can we continue to support and encourage each other in the face of the challenges of climate change and general withdrawal?

As Christmas approaches, I take example from inspiring, hopeful people and stories, I look to Mary, a courageous and trusting young woman who welcomed the Messiah into her body. I listen to her sing about overturning the world's political and economic values. I see her seeking support from another woman, Elizabeth, her elder. They support and encourage each other to face their destiny with dignity and assurance. May we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ, like Mary, like Elizabeth!

Henriette Mbatchou, former president of Cevaa, formulated this need: "Women must recognize that they are actors of their own change and thus position themselves to access decision-making bodies.”
We know that we will have to overcome difficulties, but we trust in the God who comes, the God who is with us, Emmanuel.

"Stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.” (Luke 21,28)

Claudia Schulz
General secretary