22.10.2024

Reconciliation Across Continents

Reunited: Thommy Solomons, Moderator of RCSA (front, left), Wibke Janssen, Church Councilwoman of EKiR (front, 2nd from right) and Andar Parlindungan, General Secretary of UEM (front, right). Photo by: RCSA

At a reconciliation festival in Cape Town on 15 October 2024, the two UEM member churches, EKiR* and RCSA*, celebrated their reconciliation. At the same time, they launched a new partnership between the Bad Godesberg-Voreifel church district and the RCSA. A delegation from the Rhineland regional church, the church district, and the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) travelled to South Africa for this event.

“No Reconciliation Without Justice”
Rev Dr Tommy Solomons, Moderator of the RCSA, referred to the parable of the lost son from the Gospel of Luke in his speech. He warmly welcomed the guests from Europe with the words “Welcome back!”

Rev Dr Wibke Janssen, EKiR head of departement ecumenism and theology, advocated for close relations between the two churches to “overcome prejudices rooted in racist and colonial thinking.” She added, “I questioned whether our reconciliation could truly be a celebration after so much suffering. But here, I am experiencing that this is possible through Christ.”

UEM General Secretary, Rev Dr Andar Parlindungan, speaking as the representative of the legal successor to the Rhenish Missionary Society, apologised for the behaviour of German missionaries in the past, stating, “Reconciliation requires an admission of guilt and an apology.” At the same time, he emphasised the significance of God’s mission in the establishment of these churches and looking towards the future.

An Equal Partnership
During the ceremony, a partnership agreement was signed between the German church district and the RCSA, which is based on equality and mutual learning. Both sides aim to learn from and support each other. Planned initiatives include working groups on topics such as women, men, children, seniors, and diaconal work, as well as training for trauma counselling and youth exchanges.

The Rhenish Church South Africa
The RCSA was founded in the 19th century by the Rhenish Missionary Society. After the withdrawal of the Society between the world wars, contact was lost and only re-established in 2008. Today, the church comprises eleven congregations and around 2,000 members and has been part of the UEM Communion since 2018.

*EKiR = Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (Evangelical Church in the Rhineland)

*RCSA = Rhenish Church in South Africa