Sixth World Conference of Friends
April 17-25, 2012, Kabarak University, Nakuru, Kenya
Being Light and Salt: Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world
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The opening moments of the International Planning Committee for the World Conference, May 2009 at Woodbrooke
Plans are already under way for the sixth World Conference of Friends, which will be held in Kenya from 17 to 25 April 2012. Around 1,000 Friends will gather on the campus of Kabarak University in Nakuru to consider the theme "Being salt and Light: Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world".
In deciding the theme, the International Planning Committee (IPC) drew inspiration from several Bible passages, including Matthew 5:13 ("You are the salt of the earth..."), Matthew 5:14-16 ("You are the light of the world..."), Matthew 6:33 ("Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..."), Matthew 6:9-13 (the Lord's Prayer), Micah 4:4 ("They shall sit under their own vines and fig trees and no one shall make them afraid."), and Micah 6:8 ("... And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?").
The theme is supplemented by a passage from Luke, 17:20-21. "The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed . the Kingdom of God is among you."
The second supporting quote for the theme is from the eighteenth century American Friend John Woolman: "We have the prospect of one common interest from which our own is inseparable, to turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives."
"This theme unites the spiritual foundation of our faith with our understanding of the basis of our work in the world in all its diversity," said FWCC General Secretary Nancy Irving.
The theme will inform the preparation for the Conference, and between now and April 2012 there will be many opportunities for Friends to consider and reflect on it, both individually and in groups. A study pack will be prepared, and FWCC hopes to offer an on-line course focusing on different aspects of the theme, as well as other opportunities for Friends to share their views and thoughts. This will lead to a Conference book being prepared which will bring together the various ideas and issues that will be generated. Ultimately, the theme should guide the Conference in discerning concrete ways in which Friends can live the Kingdom of God in a broken world.
The IPC is co-clerked by Pradip Lamichhane of Nepal Yearly Meeting and Liz Gates of Philadelphia YM. The treasurer is Jonathan Vogel-Borne of New England YM. The members are Bainito Wamalwa of East Africa North YM and Rose Imbega of Nairobi YM (the co-clerks of the Local Arrangements Committee), Betsy Coville and Duduzile Mtshazo of Central and Southern Africa YM, Bevar Moodie of Jamaica YM, Ramón González Longoria of Cuba YM, Chris McCartney of Ireland YM and Roger Sturge of Britain YM (as FWCC Treasurer). The secretaries of the four FWCC sections and the Committee of Latin American Friends (COAL) along with the the FWCC Communications Director and General Secretary attend ex-officio.