New president: Reverend Adèle Kelham

At the General Meeting in Lausanne on 22 September, the Swiss ecumenical body (Arbeitsgemeinschaft christlicher Kirchen in der Schweiz AGCK-CH – Communauté de travail des Eglises chrétiennes en Suisse CTECH) elected vice-president, Reverend Adèle Kelham, as their new president. She will take up office on 1.1. 2011. Adèle Kelham is taking over from Bishop Vitus Huonder, Bishop of Chur. She will be one of the very few women worldwide to hold this office.

Adèle Kelham ist a priest in the Anglican Church. Born in Yorkshire (North England), she studied first physics and then theology. Two subjects which complement one another, as she says: ‘One area of study gives insight into the other. One looks at creation, the other at the creator.’

Ecumenism with respect and heart

She has been committed to ecumenism for many years in both the ecumenical body for Canton Vaud and the AGCK Switzerland. She regards this work as essential. As Adèle Kelham sees it, ‘Divided, the Church cannot properly fulfil its tasks. How can we show the love of God in the world, if we fail to love our fellow Christians respectfully and from the heart? How can we foster God’s peace and justice in the world, if we do not show mutual support for one another?’

The Swiss AGCK offers many opportunities to be involved, according to the president-elect, through efforts to raise awareness of the Charta Oecumenica; through joint prayer and projects which strengthen our unity in Christ; and also through the Oecumenica Label awards to projects which demonstrate the visible unity of the Church.

Theologian in a leadership role

In addition to her priestly office in Lausanne, Reverend Kelham also has another important role. She is the Diocesan Advisor on Women’s Ministry for the Anglican Churches in mainland Europe. ‘The tasks here include pastoral counsel, and advise on the goals and programmes to support the ministry of women in the Diocese. It is also important to maintain contact with my fellow Advisors in other Dioceses of the Church of England’, says the president designate of the AGCK. In addition, the theologian, widowed early, is the mother of four (adult) sons and has two grandchildren.

Presidency of the AGCK changes every two years on a rotating basis. The office is held in turn by the representative of the Roman Catholic Church of Switzerland, the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (SEK), und one of the smaller member churches.

Christiane Faschon, General Secretary