Conference Limns Russian Christianity
Episcopal News Service. December 18, 1986 [86274]
Kristen Shirk, Special to Diocesan Press Service
WASHINGTON (DPS, Dec. 18) -- A group of about 92 representatives from dioceses all over the U.S. gathered at the new conference center in the towers of the Washington Cathedral Dec. 4-6 for speeches and workshops on how American Christians can support the Russian Orthodox Church and help celebrate the 1988 millenium of Christianity in Russia, which Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning has called, "... a unique opportunity for the Episcopal Church to join other churches in helping to strengthen the churches' witness in Russia."
Over the course of the conference, there was much prayer and thought for fellow Christians in the Soviet Union. Participants sang hymns and the Lord's Prayer in Russian to symbolize the desire for solidarity shared by all for Russian Christians.
The keynote speaker of the consultation was the Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Ridgon, Cathedral Fellow, professor of church history at McCormick Seminary in Chicago and chairman of the U.S./U.S.S.R. Church Relations Committee of the National Council of Churches. During his talk, "Toward the 1988 Celebration: A History," Ridgon brought alive the history of the Russian Orthodox Church and its relationship to the history and politics of both Russia and the U.S.S.R.
The evening concluded with the presentation by Canon Precentor Wayne Dirksen and the Washington Cathedral Choir of a cantata, "Life and Peace," for the consultation participants. This cantata was composed by Eugene Goncharenko, a Soviet Baptist, and performed for the National Council of Churches delegation that visited the Moscow Baptist Church in June 1984.
Friday morning, after a Eucharist with Orthodox music and prayers Dr. Alan Geyer, the Executive Director of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, encouraged an historical awareness of the Soviet Union, the common traits of our two histories and the new openness of the Soviet society under General Secretary Gorbachev. Following the speech, Rigdon and Geyer opened the floor for questions from the audience, including many on the arms race, Strategic Defense Initiative, the situation of Christianity in Russia and human rights. One point raised was that since Americans have not resolved what human rights are exactly, this makes it even more difficult to understand what they should consist of in a different society.
The afternoon session was composed of a series of workshops by Jane Baun, Richard Hough-Ross, Nancy Ignatius and Madeleine Trichel designed to present models of successful activities used by workshop leaders in their efforts to increase awareness of the Soviet Union among the members of churches. Baun discussed using Orthodox music in Episcopal services and the others talked of ways to educate for peace by such means as youth tours. The workshops gave each participant a chance to share ideas and develop new ones to take home.
Before everyone dispersed to go off to various workshops, a surprise guest speaker took the podium. With a heavy Russian accent, Dr. Charles Vetter had almost everybody believing he was a Soviet official speaking on behalf of his country. It took several minutes before people were fully aware that he was not, in fact, Russian. It was his way of using humor to capture the attention of the audience in order to make some comments about the country. His presentation was also an example of part of the orientation program designed for Diocese of Washington Youth Tours. A "festive dinner" with Russian music and story telling wrapped up the day's events.
The first speech of the last day was given by Suzanne Massie of the Harvard Russian Center on rising spirituality in the Soviet Union. It used not only much fact, but drew on her indepth personal knowledge of the Soviet Union. As one listener put it, she made him lose those romantic ideas and brought the whole question down to a very human and personal level.
After lunch, Dr. John Vogelsang of the Episcopal Church Center and Provost Charles Perry of the Washington Cathedral gave ideas on specific projects to demonstrate solidarity with the Russian Church based in part on their recent trip to the Soviet Union. They then opened the floor to ideas from participants who willingly shared their feelings. Bishop John Walker of Washington then introduced Browning who gave the closing speech. In his talk, he pledged support for the project and promised to study recommendations for action at three levels: of the congregation, the dioceses and the Episcopal Church as a whole. Next, he described five positive aspects that can grow out of the conflict between our nations. Conflict, he said, fosters knowledge of self, knowledge of other, develops a construction of a reality, fosters community as we need to search for allies and last, fosters a need for unity.
Following his speech, Canon Carol Crumley lead the closing prayers -- with an image of a Russian icon, symbolic of the suffering of Christ and hope for the future, filling the wall behind her.
The planning of this conference was done by a committee composed of Vogelsang; Perry, Crumley and Sharon Glass of the Washington Cathedral, and Anne Shirk and Ignatius from the Commission on Peace of the Diocese of Washington. A report of the conference, including the major speeches, will be available from the Episcopal Church Center in late spring.