David Ball
National Coordinator, SCM Canada

In just over a week I set out for Montreal – more than a day of land travel from my home-base of Winnipeg, Manitoba. There's still so much to prepare for the General Assembly (GA), but I'm most excited to get to meet representatives of the other SCM movements from around the world; to be part of the incredible GA Commissions addressing topics of theology, solidarity, leadership and capacity; and to gather with Assembly Stewards (volunteers) to pray, serve, learn and inspire during the course of the GA.

I think my long journey to Monteral is symbolic of just how much has been accomplished since Canada was accepted as a host. What an honour it is to host everyone here! What incredible efforts the many volunteers and staff have put into making this a great gathering despite all the obstacles.

The Student Christian Movement of Canada is much smaller than many other movements – but we see ourselves as faithful prophets within the system of Empire we find ourselves in. And judging from the statements coming out of previous assemblies, we're excited to see what kind of prophetic global witness can be proclaimed within the Empire's walls of North America.

The WSCF 2006 Global Programme in Nairobi proclaimed:

“We live under a global system of domination that constitutes an Empire. We believe that the Empire's political, economic and military powers are used to subjugate the many for the profit of the few... The next steps are unmasking and engaging the Empire and creating alternatives” (Empire, Christians and Basilea Program, 2006).

This kind of radical analysis is what needs to be heard within the walls of North American privilege and power.

One of my greatest fears was that Canada would discriminate in issuing visas to participants from marginalized regions of the world; with the great help offered by supporters in church and government, we've managed to minimize the injustice of our immigration system here (but not without recognizing that so many others are denied movement across borders here).

But, of course, we in SCM Canada face lots of questions. What will the impact of the General Assembly be on the conservative political and religious climate of North America? How will SCM's efforts here compare to the courageous witness and risk-taking of other movements worldwide?

And, more on my mind: How will we represent “Canada” - a nation founded on colonial myths, conquest, genocide and occupation? Even the Assembly location (Montreal, Quebec) is a contested national space, because many argue that Canada has no sovereignty or control over the nation of Quebec, nor over the hundreds of Indigenous (“Aboriginal”) nations here before Europeans, or Christianity, or capitalism, arrived here.

I'm a person who loves hosting my friends for a meal at my home. I see this gathering as SCM Canada's chance to share what nourishment we have to offer, and to receive the gifts of friendship, shared ideas, inspiration and solidarity with the global movement we're proudly members of.

May all be fed! May we humbly be present to each other during this Gathering, open to learning, engaging, and yes, sometimes challenging each other to live up to the ecumenical dream.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Montreal!

Solidarity, in Christ the Liberator!