As world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations Summit of the Future, we at Holy Trinity Church held a special service on Sunday 22nd September to reflect on the issues at stake using some of the experts available to us at the UN’s other home in Geneva, writes Revd Glen Ruffle who is the Geneva Representative of the Anglican Communion to the UN, and also Curate at Holy Trinity Geneva.

With leading lights from the UN and top Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), we brought the world’s problems to the Lord and prayed for leaders.

Blair Matheson, the director of Franciscans International, started us off by pointing out that the majority of Jesus’ words in scripture are about vulnerable and marginalised people. He pointed out that only around 10% of the world enjoys the rights available to us in Europe, whereas 90% of humanity lives in places that lack one or more of the basic rights we presume upon every day.

He reminded us that the gospel message is not just about my redemption and salvation, but extends to the renewal of societies and creation. It goes beyond the restoration of myself to God by extending to the restoration of myself to other people, and to the natural world around us.

Blair noted the way of St Francis, who saw the dignity of every human and chose to live with and serve lepers. A servant way of life that should inspire the Christian church everywhere.

Then we welcomed Humberto Henderson, a UN official and Church of England Ordinand, who told us that 2 billion people live in places affected by conflict, and that 700 million people live on less than 52 Swiss Francs a month (13 Francs a week). Humberto noted the causes of these conflicts and disparities: greed. Selfishness. Ignorance. The same sins of the human heart that Jesus confronted, and still confronts today. Humberto raised the importance of humility, the need for the church to love God and our neighbours, and to take up the calling to actively pursue peace.  

Jennifer Philpot-Nissen from the World Council of Churches then spoke on another of the themes being discussed in New York: that of artificial intelligence and technology. She called us to awareness that we can no longer be certain that killer robots are not being already used in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. These “robotic systems” select targets without human involvement, feeling no morality or guilt. Jennifer warned us: what if they were programmed to target people of faith? In so doing, she encouraged us to engage with society and governments to make sure the church’s voice is heard in bringing regulation to this worrying area of development.

Finally, Dr Michael Wiener from the UN spoke of the UN’s programme “Faith for Rights”, seeking to bring faith leaders and human rights together to understand the two are not enemies but absolutely entwined. He ended noting progress that, at the Summit of the Future, governments have finally recognised that involving faith-based organisations in responses to the world’s challenges is essential.

In reflecting on the service, two points stand out strongly: Humberto referenced the Anglican Five Marks of Mission, noting our call to transform unjust structures in society and to challenge violence and pursue peace and reconciliation. The Five Marks of Mission – beginning with the call to proclaim Jesus Christ and create disciples, and moving to the outworking of that – are such a gift to us: let us use them more in teaching and guiding our churches! 

And Jennifer reminded us of the hope in Isaiah 2:4: “He shall judge between the nations…they shall beat their swords into ploughshares…nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and neither shall they learn war any more.”

 Amen! Let us carry our calling to make this a reality!