To: General Secretaries

CWM Member Churches

Dear colleagues, friends and well-wishers in ministry:

Greetings and blessings to you and yours in the name of our Lord, the liberator from Nazareth.

Today, 16 July 2021, marks my last official day in office. As of now my successor, Rev Dr Jooseop Keum, takes full charge of the operation; and whilst I am still around for a while longer, I am largely in the background, supporting him in the transition and handover protocols. This transitional arrangement continues through to 31 July. Thereafter, I will proceed on 3 months’ sabbatical in preparation for my journey back home to Jamaica, where I will continue the discernment regarding the next phase of my ministry. It seems only wise and prudent that this next phase of the journey should begin with time for rest, reflection and discernment.

This letter comes as my expression of gratitude to you for the part you have played in helping me to be the leader of this great organisation over these 11 years as General Secretary. In different circumstances, I have experienced your care, challenge and comfort. You knew just what support was needed in the varying situations that confronted me and you responded with large-hearted generosity. Thank you for your role in this great community of witnesses. Thank you for being kind, even when your kindness hurt; and for being willing to make yourself vulnerable in order to walk with me. I make these expressions of gratitude with profound appreciation for the love and care you have extended to my family as well.

As I go, I assure you of my prayers for the continuation of the work begun and for the new path that will be charted under current leadership, led by my successor, Jooseop Keum. The possibilities are endless in the vision for and commitment to “Life-flourishing Communities: Living out God’s Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth”. To underestimate the paralysing impact of the pandemics that currently plague the world, could lead to catastrophic ends; however, no pandemic, nor any force of evil, is so strong as to thwart God’s purpose to transform the world, restore relationships and build social trust. This is our quest, as we echo the ever-familiar words – “Another world is possible”, indeed, necessary. And like we said in the introduction to the 2020-2029 strategy framework, “By sharing in Jesus’ daring and life-transforming mission, CWM can play its part with others in enabling the emergence of life-flourishing communities, where justice and peace are experienced by all”. This is the other world we dream about and long for.

I commend you to God’s gracious keeping and I pray that God will endow you with the courage to do the right, never doubt, never falter. In the CWM Missio Confessionis, we remind ourselves:

Christ has left behind the tombs of Babylon and stepped forth into the first day of the New Heaven and New Earth. He bids us follow, to come together as communities which show how life can flourish still.

This is my constant prayer for CWM, that we will “come together as communities, which show how life can flourish still”.

Shalom and God bless you,

Collin I. Cowan

General Secretary