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Reflection Volume 13,Issue 3, Fall 2016 22 The International Clerical Synod (ICS) July 5–7, 2016 Some impressions by the Joint Chairmen: Kenneth Christensen (Denmark) and Frank Kouwe (The Netherlands) Kenneth Christensen and Frank Kouwe 1 On the value and significance worth of an ICS as an institution within the lcc: What is it and its function? Kenneth Christensen: Priests like me, who come from a country where the church is very small, rarely have a opportunity tomeet other priests, except maybe for a few others. The lCC is an international community and it is therefore important to get impressions fromother parts of the world. I positively know that for some it has almost been crucial to take part in this event. A local dispute will lose much of its power, when we are recalled that the cause we are working for is much larger than we think of in our everyday lives. The ICSalso gives the priests a forumparallel to the bishops’ geSwherewe can discuss church affairs. Naturally enough, the bishops tend to be somewhat more conservative and careful than the priests on various issues. At the informal sharing which takes place at the end of the day, the bishops are therefore given an opportunity to get an input whichmight differ fromwhat they have come up with for themselves. Frank Kouwe: The ICS is an international platformwhere priests and deacons meet each other, communicate and exchange ideas, opinions and experiences in an informal way. This platformgives one the opportunity to see and feel face to face that our church is an international organi- sation. We know that we are linked, but to see and to feel it inmeeting each other physically is completely different from just knowing. In 1996 I attended the ICS-meeting (I think it was the first time that there was a ICS-meeting parallel to the ges) in Sydney, where I experienced quite a gap in ideas and thinking between the ICS en de ges. I had the same experience this time in Naarden. In the ges before last, it was decided that the ICS should have an advisory role/function in the subjects on the agenda of the ges. I hope that the next time this important decision will be implemented. 2  Items discussed: • Evaluating the period 2003–2016. • The future of our church: What is needed to enliven the church? • The female aspect of God. • Mission and Vision. • An update required of the Institute of Study? • Gnostic Gospels: How to introduce and to promote the hiddenmessage? • Experimental Service. • Restructuring the institutions geS and ICS. • Is the name Liberal Catholic Church still the name for the future? (Yes!) • Workshop for ICS and geS samen: Management of Co-operation (on Day Two a daypart). 3 On the benefits of this ICS in Naarden: For themselves, for their work as a priest: Kenneth Christensen: After such an event I am always very inspired for a long time. It gives a rush of joy tomeet somany old friends, and get new friends. As priests, our network is other priests. Furthermore it has this time been very interesting to hear about the new-thinking which takes place in Holland in terms of the ceremonial work and liturgical music. There are things happening in the church which points towards the future. This was in particular promising to experience. Frank Kouwe: It gives one a very good feelingmeeting other priests and deacons. What I likedmost is that in our meetings together we walked the line from the past to the future. We exchanged experience and ideas on both. Personally pondering on the future of our church was very valuable. I felt that it is not an easy thing to do. But at least we tried. 4 On the experience of the combination of an ICS with the Church Congress: Kenneth Christensen: Inspiration does not only come from books, but also from interaction with other people – lay people as well as priests and bishops. We met somany extremely talented people who gave workshops during the congress. Tome these two things, ICS and Congress, cannot be separated. It gives the members of the church a chance tomeet priests and bishops whom they don’t see very often. And it also give the priests and bishops some extra time to chat after the meetings. There are always subjects one likes to discuss one more time. Frank Kouwe: It was an excellent combination for meeting and getting to know each other – clergy and lay people – in the creative and open atmosphere of a wide range of spiri- tual subjects offered to us in workshops. 5 On the benefits of participating in the Church Congress; as a person and as a priest: Kenneth Christensen: When I have a public service inmy parish church there are very seldommore than three people present. This sometimes raises the thought that we are all on a wrong track. But when I experience somany people present at the congres I again know that there are more people ‘out there’ who could benefit from the church, there is a potential. This gives hope and inspiration tomy clerical work. Frank Kouwe: The explicitly experience that I ampart of something that is bigger thanmy own parish and the dutch lCC. That is what the congress brought me. n