Bali

33^rd Civic Education

Denpasar (Bali), 13-14 April 2012

Bali has always been synonymous with holidays, island of gods, Kuta beach, temples or art markets. Do you know that in Bali, there has been a thriving and growing Christian community since 1931? They are gathered in the GKPB (Christian Protestant Church in Bali). At present, GKPB serves 71 congregations and more than 13,000 members.

Institut Leimena in collaboration with the GKPB held a civic education program for the Pastors and congregational members of the church. This event was held in GKPB’s synod office and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Ketut Waspada, Secretary of GKPB’s Department of Fellowship and Discipleship. From Institut Lemeina, Matius Ho, Budi H Setiamarga and Taro Siahaan came as trainers.

At the end of this 33rd Civic Education, Synod GKPB and Insitut Leimena signed a cooperation agreement to implement the Civic Discussion program. In the signing of this agreement, GKPB was represented by the Synod Chair Rev. I Wayan Sudira Husada and General Secretary Rev. I Made Priana, while Institut Leimena by the Executive Director Matius Ho.

The most interesting aspect of the 33rd Civic Education is the creative ideas and spontaneity of the participants. Starting from simple things such as motivating each congregation to contribute a small amount to help home rehabilitation.

There was also an idea, responded positively by the Synod’s General Secretary, to add national songs into to the liturgy for special events.

In fact, in between the discussion, Mr Nyoman Sandiyana (a participant) sang one hymn to the tune of Rayuan Pulau Kelapa, a national patriotic song.

In the discussion sessions, there was a strong desire to awaken the awareness, togetherness and understanding of nationhood within the Church and Balinese society.

Mr Gusti Putu Manuaba commented, “this Civic Education is highly beneficial to increase the insight in nation and church-building. I will continue to form groups of Civic Discussions within the congregation.”

There was motivation and commitment to incite awareness as a responsible citizen within the congregation, a notion enthusiastically embraced by the participants.

In truth, unity and diversity has to originate from the awareness of the society itself; sowed within families, cultivated by the church, and proliferated by the society.