Riga, 15 August, 2001

Let me invite you on a short excursion to the Holy Land and the city of Bethlehem. It is Christmas Eve. The whole city is celebrating. In a restaurant some people have gathered to eat, sing and dance. Everybody is in high spirits. But in a corner there is a boy sitting by himself. He may be 10 years of age and he is watching what is happening. Finally a friend of mine cannot refrain from asking him: "Why aren't you celebrating with the others? Perhaps you're not a Christian?" The boy looks at him gravely saying: "Oh yes, I'm a Christian, but I am Orthodox. We will celebrate Christmas in two weeks' time. But," he adds with a sunny smile: "We have the same Jesus!"

Now, when I am going to tell you about Theobalt, I have no special written information for you to follow so I find it more practical to take my point of departure in the papers we got for this festival. And this small story from Bethlehem - which in fact is true - came to my mind when I read the invitation from Janis to this BIEN conference, with the words "friends of Jesus have relationships as one family". We have the same Jesus. These words are one of the fundamental pillars - if not the fundamental pillar - of the Theobalt concept. And I think it can also be said about BIEN. There are three old Christian traditions around the Baltic. Culture and outer forms differ, but the focus is one - Jesus Christ.

Theobalt started as a series of conferences, around 1980. The purpose was to serve as a meeting place for churches in the Baltic area - important in the political situation at that time. At the same time Theobalt was supposed to offer a platform for deliberations on current social issues from a theological point of view. This gave birth to the name Theobalt = Theology in the Baltic region. At the third conference in 1994 the political situation in the area had changed. Spontaneously the delegates from the different churches started to talk about a need for closer fellowship. The term network was brought up and the diocese of Visby was charged with developing the idea.

And now we are there. Nowadays we describe Theobalt as a network among churches around the Baltic Sea. Its purpose is to build bridges between the three main Christian traditions and also to develop the contribution of the churches to the life and culture of the nations and the protection of the environment. There is a specific focus on promoting aspects such as Christian values, reconciliation, democracy and peace.

There is, of course, much more to say about Theobalt, but too many details would probably be tiresome. Still, let me stress two specific points - No 1: Meetings and dialogues and No 2: Education

It is said in our papers today, that one concrete objective of this BIEN Future Workshop is "to improve the mutual understanding of the Churches and young people by encouraging their participation in contemporary debates on current issues inside and outside the churches". It is also said that one of the workshops will put emphasis on the development of tools for exchange and communication and especially the BIEN homepage.

Here we can identify three important aspects: education to improve the mutual understanding of the Churches; meetings and dialogues to make it possible for young people to participate in debates on current issues and communication related to the development of BIEN's homepage. These three elements: Education, Meetings and dialogue and Communication are emphasized in the Theobalt project plan for the coming three years. And the need to involve young people in this undertaking is stressed specifically. You are the key persons when we are discussing the role of the churches in the future Baltic societies. Of course we are building the future society together, but you are the ones who are going to carry it through and live the future that we are building today.

Meetings and dialogues between young people are a necessity. Therefore, the Theobalt project plan talks about starting an exchange programme across borders of nations and churches. This can be shorter or longer visits by individuals or groups, it may be a voluntary service programme and it might also be camps or festivals like the one here in Riga today. It does not need to be arranged by the Theobalt people. It can very well - or probably even better - be done by BIEN. I know there is a proposal to arrange next year's festival in Visby on Gotland and I would like to extend a hearty welcome. You arrange it and we will support you!

Let me also say something about education. In order to understand the role of the Christian family in the Baltic area, knowledge is important. It is even more important if you want to take part in and influence the ongoing development in society. Finding ways forward on this point is another concrete objective of this meeting: It is described in our papers as "to develop tools allowing young people to present their concerns … and to contribute their questions, their ideas, their hopes, their fears, their visions and their strengths to the ongoing development in the social, spiritual, political, ethical and economical fields.

This can be done within an educational programme. In order to promote ecumenism and the development of social structures we need to learn about each other - not only on a personal level, but also about each other's history, traditions and cultures. This is fundamental. Somewhere in our papers the need of ecological sustainability is mentioned. Of course, it is important! But I also want to stress the importance of ecumenical sustainability. Our points of departure when developing social structures differ a lot. So, first of all we have to learn to understand and accept our diversities. Then these diversities can become positive contributions to the Christian family life in the Baltic area. And then, we can go on to study other important subjects like environment, globalisation, bioethics, not to mention ethics and morality in all day life.

There is a standing committee for Theobalt, and I would like to challenge you to urgently request this standing committee to introduce and develop an educational program on the role of the churches in developing social structures around the Baltic Sea. The younger generation needs knowledge and the opportunity to discuss. There are many aspects of life to be studied and they are all related to the basic question: How can young Christians contribute by building bridges between peoples, nations and churches to promote Christian values, democracy, reconciliation and peace in the Baltic area?

Theo BIEN Riga 010816