One Body
A joint publication series produced through the partnership of FOCCISA and Nordic European Church Councils, addressing HIV and AIDS, gender justice, human dignity, and inclusion.
"We are one body…. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it."
1 Corinthians 12:26a
One Body began as a cooperation between national Church Councils in the Nordic European countries and FOCCISA, the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa. Together these councils created resources addressing HIV and AIDS (2006) and gender equality, including young people and the overcoming of violence (2014). In 2016, FOCCISA further developed a supplement as a response to the need for training within Southern African churches — continuing the same themes of Human Dignity, Gender-Based Violence, and the Unity of Humanity as One Body.
Volume 1 brings together a collection of reflections on the challenges facing the Church in the context of AIDS-related stigma. The second part of the volume offers resources for prayer, liturgy, worship and Bible study, combined with personal testimonies from people living with HIV and AIDS. The material emerged from deep North-South dialogue between church communities in Europe and Southern Africa.
As attitudes towards HIV and AIDS improved within partner churches, the One Body cooperation chose to expand its scope. Using the same method of dialogue and Bible study, new material was developed focusing on gender equality, the inclusion of young people, and overcoming abuse. A Facilitator's Guide was also produced, drawing on experiences from the first One Body series.
In 2016, FOCCISA created this supplement to the One Body series in response to the need for deeper training within Southern African churches. The material addresses the role of churches in confronting violence against marginalised groups, including people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI). It continues the One Body methodology of dialogue, using themes of Human Dignity, Gender-Based Violence, and the Unity of Humanity.
The most recent volume in the One Body series presents an inclusive, church-based approach to addressing gender-based violence. Building on the theology and methodology of the previous volumes, it calls on faith communities to ensure that no person — regardless of identity or circumstance — is left behind in the church's response to GBV.
The One Body series is a joint publication of FOCCISA and the Nordic European Church Councils. All resources are made freely available for use in churches, theological institutions, and faith-based organisations across Southern Africa and beyond.
View full series on NorgesKristenRad.no