The European Diaconal Process

The LWF in partnership with the Interdiac developed a process with a resource group of 25 participants from 16 countries including local diaconal actors, educators, and concept makers from the three European LWF regions. The process focused on developing the concept of conviviality – “the art and practice of living together” in context of diversity. The first general conceptual outcome was published in 2013. 

The work in progress was shared in a workshop at the European Church Leaders’ Meeting.

Timeline:

• 2011 – First meeting of the European solidarity group (Järvenpää, Finland)
  The concept of conviviality has started to be explored.
• 2012 - LWF European Church Leadership Consultation (Ostrava, Czech Republic)
  Seeking Conviviality. Re–formation of Community Diakonia in Europe.
• 2013 - Second meeting of the European solidarity group (Odessa, Ukraine)
  Theological reflection on conviviality leading to the elaboration of a book Bible studies for local groups to use.

Publication:

• 2013 – Seeking conviviality, Re-forming Community Diakonia in Europe

Three core thematic components were identified to deepen the work with the conviviality concept, as an overarching theme: conviviality in practice, convivial economy, and convivial theology.

The work of the group was presented at the European Preparatory Meeting prior to LWF’s Twelfth Assembly.

At the Assembly in 2017, the work of the group was featured in preparatory papers and presented in plenary sessions.

Timeline:

• 2014 – Third meeting of the European solidarity group (Rummelsberg, Germany)
• 2015 – Fourth meeting of European solidarity group (Manchester, Great Britain)
  Analysis of the economy and encounters with local projects led to the elaboration of the meaning of ‘convivial economy´ 
• 2016 – Fifth meeting of European solidarity group (Tallinn, Estonia)
  Evaluation of the 1st phase of the joint consultation process

Publication:

• 2015 – Convivial Life together. Bible Studies on Vocation, Dignity and Justice

Timeline:

• 2017 
  • LWF European Pre–Assembly, Liberated by God’s Grace Seeking Conviviality, Re–formation, (Höör, Sweden) 
  • LWF European Assembly, Liberated by God’s Grace version Seeking Conviviality, Re–formation of Community Diakonia in Europe (Windhoek, Namibia) 
  • Kick-off meeting for the third phase of the consultation process (Balatonszárszó, Hungary)
    3 themes to follow up the process were defined:  
    • People on the Move – Bridges or Walls?  
    • People on the Move – Responding to Growing Diversity 
    • People on the Move – Creating Convivial Theology 
• 2018 – Sixth meeting of European solidarity group (Sibiu, Romania)
  People on the Move – Bridges or Walls?  
• 2019 – Seventh meeting of European solidarity group (Driebergen, The Netherlands)
  People on the Move – Responding to Growing Diversity 
• 2020 – Seventh meeting of European solidarity group (online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, originally planned to be in Iceland)

Publication:

• 2017 – Towards a Convivial Economy: the contribution of a re-formed community diakonia in Europe

The fourth stage of the European Diaconal Process is called ‘Conviviality – Diaconal Life in Diversity’. The aim for the period 2021-2022 is to harvest the fruits of the conviviality process by making use of materials produced, raising awareness on the concept of conviviality, and supporting member churches to develop ideas of diaconal life in diversity in their regions.

The “Conviviality Group” comprising representatives from the three European regions will guide the process and enable the expansion of the concept and practice of conviviality into new contexts.

The concept of conviviality and the results of the process will be presented at the LWF Thirteenth Assembly in Krakow, Poland.