At a packed meeting in the L'Islet Salvation Army Hall in Guernsey tonight, the Guernsey Council of Churches launched their Reconciliation Initiative to invite German Christians to the island 50 years after the end of the War in a spirit of reconciliation.
Rosemary Jagger, chair of the GCC opened the meeting, welcoming guests and delegates. After an opening hymn ' I am trusting' by the SA Songsters and their leader Ian Burns, prayers by Major Joan Dolby, and another hymn ' Blessed Assurance' which drew a round of applause, Rosemary introduced the Guest Speaker, Robin Guerney - Secretary of the Conference of European Churches.
Robin addressed a number of issues largely dealing with the divided state of the European Continent and in more global terms, the world today. He covered the background which had led to the first european conference in Basle, and how susequent developments in the former communist territories had led to the decision to hold the Second European Conference in Graz, Austria.
The theme for the conference is Reconciliation, and Robin dealt with matters leading to this choice. In particular, he identified the 6 important sub-themes which are also to be considered at the conference.
Robin concluded by reminding the assembly of the problems and atrocities in the former Yugoslavia - and recognising that many islanders may still have memories of similar happenings 50 years ago.
Then he told the story of two Serbian brothers forced to flee their family home in the Krajina who left their carefully cleaned and tideied room, their belongings and a letter welcoming the refugees who would soon take their place.
'The first step in the long road to reconciliation', said Robin, 'a gift of God and Source of New Life'.
He then closed by quoting a new prayer on the theme that all are one in Jesus Christ.
Following a brief interval, Bishop Michael then chaired questions and statements from the floor - the first speaker was negative about the initiative - almost certainly representing the views of some islanders, but further questions and positive statements indicated that the vast majority of those present supported the initiative.
The meeting closed with a final special meditation by Canon Gerard Hetherington (text available soon), then a final song as an epilogue by the Salvation Army Songsters.
Refreshments were then served.