Update on Roundtable

Update on Roundtable Process from the fall of 2019 to the end of 2020.

Mindful of the diversity in the Nordic and Baltic episcopal area and the divisive potential in our perspectives regarding the understanding of human sexuality and of how we can best be in ministry with all people, the Nordic and Baltic members of the Central Conference Council decided that the episcopal area will initiate a roundtable process. The roundtable process is intended to bring together influencers and leaders from each of the seven conferences in the episcopal area, with the purpose of seeking a foundation for the future of the Nordic and Baltic episcopal area that includes as much unity and as much missional strength as possible.
The desired outcome is consensus on one proposal for the future of the Nordic and Baltic area to be brought to the Nordic and Baltic area group in the fall of 2020, to enable the area group to recommend this proposal to the 2021 Central Conference.

The roundtable will be composed of half the number of delegates each conference is entitled to at the 2021 Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference.

The participants are to be selected by the annual conference council considering the following criteria:
Participants should be respected influencers in the conference.
Participants should represent the theological positions in the conference.
To the extent, it is possible diversity in terms of lay, clergy; gender, age etc. should be taken into consideration.
The participants must be able to understand, read and speak English.

Bishop Christian Alsted will facilitate the roundtable process. All conferences have selected their members for the roundtable.

The round table will include the reading of materials and books in preparation of the gatherings. At the gatherings, we will engage in worship, prayer, listening, reflection and deep conversation. To inform and add further perspectives to our conversations we will hear from members of the church, theologians and ecumenical partners.

There will be a report published after each meeting of the roundtable.

Members of the roundtable are:

Denmark:
Hanne Engbjerg, Daniel Steinvig, Thomas Risager
Estonia
Priit Tamm, Mark Nelson, Robert Tserenkov, plus one person still to be named
Finland F:
Veli Loponen, Saara Heimonen, Adwoa Brewu
Finland S
Sarah Tiainen, Jerry von Konow
Latvia:
Pastor Janis Grunte
Lithuania:
Remigijus Matulaitis
Norway:
Lisa Kristin Nielsen, Leif Jacobsen, Knut Refsdal, Stephanie Buadu, Katrine Meltzer, Egil Hægland, Charles Jourdan, Marit Johnsen

Christian Alsted