Having the programmes and schedules of the Assembly run smoothly daily would be a herculean task if not for the hard work put in by 16 stewards dressed in eye-catching khaki vests over bold-coloured shirts – youths hailing from a diversity of backgrounds and churches but united in one purpose and spirit. We catch up with two of them, Priyanka and Shamar, as they give a lowdown on the work of a steward during the CWM Assembly.
CWM: Hi, stewards, thanks for speaking to us! Please introduce yourselves to our readers.
Priyanka: My name is Priyanka Gloria Gupta. I am from the Church of North India. I come from a city called Calcutta and it is known as the “The City of Joy” in India.
Shamar: Hi, my name is Shamar Brown and I am from Jamaica, a part of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. I am currently a police officer in my country.
CWM: What qualities did you think were the ones that got you selected stewards for the Assembly?
Priyanka: To be honest, the invitation letter to be an Assembly steward came as a surprise to me from the mailbox! I remember being delighted at being offered this opportunity. Personally, I enjoy serving people and I have seen that quality in each one of the stewards who I have met during the Assembly. We are connected by the one common thread of having a spirit of service and being there for the participants and to keep things running and running smoothly.
Shamar: Yes, I think it is my quality of helpfulness too, I am constantly looking out for those around me. I have people tell me I have a very loving personality as I tend to go out of my way to assist individuals whenever I can. I think these were the characteristics that made my church select me for this role.
CWM: What are some of the basic scopes that a steward is sees to during the Assembly?
Shamar: As Priyanka has mentioned earlier, we are all here to ensure the smooth running of the Assembly. For example, we make sure that the delegates know where they are supposed to go, and we also help remind them of the timing of each programme as the schedule for each day can get very hectic.
Stewards are on hand to see that the meeting rooms and conference halls are prepped, or that the stages are set and ready for the next programme or session. We also always make ourselves available, to be an assuring presence to the participants that help is never far away.
The keyword here is comfort and stewards are here to provide that.
While we see to the wellbeing of the participants, Tahima and Rev. Julie, the CWM staff leading us, were also great in making us feel comfortable and never hungry (laughs).
Priyanka: Yes, I think Shamar has outlined the role of the steward really well! I would like to add that the role of the stewards is guided by 1 Peter 4:9 which says “Be hospitable to one another without complaint” and the spirit of servanthood that is defined in Philippians 2:4 as one that “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others,” and like Shamar said, the entire steward team has been looking out for each other, making sure that we as a smaller unit are well taken care of so that we can in turn, take care of the entire Assembly.
CWM: We have come to the fourth day of the Assembly. Was there a memorable moment for you thus far as you discharge your duties?
Shamar: I would say that the Assembly is the first time that I have ever come to an event where I witnessed a such a deep sense of unity present amongst such a gathering of peoples from different countries, backgrounds, and churches. This is such a mind-blowing experience right off the bat. The various sessions so far like the worship services, the Bible study tracks have been an eyeopening experience for me as I saw that even though many perspectives were tabled and presented, participants are still united in a common purpose and spirit.
Priyanka: I absolutely agree with Shamar. I think the most heartwarming thing for me for the past four days has been the little moments in between right from the moment we stewards met as a group at Dubai airport in a layover before coming to Dubai, bonding with one another almost immediately despite all of us hailing from different countries and contexts and having only just met virtually on Zoom prior to our long flights.
As a close-knit group of 16, I must say that we just got along with each other organically as we connected and empathised with one another. We could all feel the presence of the Holy Spirit working with us as young people who have just a week ago have never met physically and have come from such eclectic backgrounds. It is really moving for me.
I also felt that Rt Rev. Lydia’s sermon during the opening worship really set the tone of the entire Assembly. It has been most impactful to me and has kept me going and has gave me something to think about.
CWM: What do you hope to see achieved by the end of the Assembly?
Shamar: To be honest, even though there are a few days left to the end of the Assembly, I feel that we have already achieved what I would love to see accomplished and that is the sense of oneness. In fact, I think it was already there from the first day! To be able to come alongside so many lovely people who would think nothing but to pour out their love for one another during the Assembly and to see it displayed so clearly, it is evident to me that all these are only possible through the spirit of God.
So while, yes, there may be official businesses to see to such as the election of the key appointment holders, I have every confidence that all these will be done and done with great success.
Priyanka: I think for me and for the rest of the stewards as youth, it is very exciting for us to be a part of this electoral process that will take place during the Assembly. I think for most of us back home, we do not usually get involved in the governance of the church at such a young age and to be here and to see how it is all done is very exciting.
For me, as we will go through the first round of the various elections to follow, I hope to see a well-represented, determined, dependable, and dedicated Board of Directors and like Shamar, I am very sure we will see that happen.
As stewards, we pray for CWM and for us to continue to be able to contribute to the work that is required of us during this Assembly.
