Monday 30 October 2006
World Association for Christian Communication
Opening Ceremony ~ 2 October 2006
at Hope United Church, Toronto, Canada
As its logo, or motto attests, the World Association for Christian Communication… takes sides. W.A.C.C. also takes stands. And both of those approaches to what it means to communicate, to be communicators, are rooted in Principles of Communication that inform who WACC is, and what WACC does…
Now, as we covenant together, in the presence of God, as members of the WACC Board and Staff, representatives of WACC partners worldwide, representatives of WACC member organizations, ecumenical colleagues and partners, members of Hope United Church, and members of the community who bear witness to our words… as we covenant together we do so with words inspired by WACC’s own vision of communication, and community. We do so in order to re-affirm this vision and ground it in the new space through which the work of WACC will continue and be nurtured.
Concluding each covenant prayer, I will say “May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place” and I invite you to respond “May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.”
Let us enter into a covenant together, in the presence of God…
WACC’s vision of communication is broad; it involves the whole gospel, for the whole person, for the whole world – communication that is an act of love, that is willing to speak truth to power. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
WACC’s vision affirms that communication is fulfilled when community is formed. Communication revitalizes communities and rekindles community spirit, because the model for genuine communication, like that for communities of all kinds, is open and inclusive. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
WACC’s vision recognizes that communication is participatory. In a world of mass media and one-way communication, WACC demonstrates that communication is a two-way process, it is interactive, because at its heart communication is about sharing meaning and establishing and maintaining relationship. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
For WACC communication is liberating. In a world where mass media are a form of power and often an integral part of a system of power, WACC confirms that authentic communication liberates us and liberates others and enabling us to create community that is mutual, and freeing. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
WACC is committed to communication that supports and develops cultures as distinct expressions of human community that have dignity and integrity. WACC believes communicators have a responsibility to use and develop indigenous forms of communication, to cultivate a symbolic environment of mutually shared images and meanings. WACC’s work attests to the fact that among the greatest assets of today's world is its many different cultures, revealing the richness of God's image in all its diversity. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
WACC’s vision calls us all to communication that is prophetic. Words are only part of prophecy. They take on real meaning only when they are accompanied by action.
Prophetic communication expresses itself in words and deeds. Such prophetic action must be willing to challenge the principalities and powers, and may carry a high price. WACC’s vision of prophetic communication serves truth and challenges falsehood. May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
Friends, this is the vision we celebrate - and in covenant faithfulness with those who have sought to live this vision from WACC’s founding, we respond: May this vision now be rooted and grounded in this place… May it go forth with new life into the world God so loves.
Let us join in a sung acclamation of praise, to the words Hallelujah – Halle, halle, hallelujah, repeated three times… ending with Hallelujah, Hallelujah….