The 1982 general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Presbyterian and Congregational, began its life on August 17, as an assemblage of isolated individuals nodding shyly to one another, uncertain of their schedules, overwhelmed by the mass of materials put into their hands. The council adjourns on August 27 having become a family with all the joy, sorrow and tension of a family.

As we adjourn, we wish to record our sincere thanks to those who made it possible for us to learn to live and to work together, and also who made it possible for us to experience the broad range of activities and feelings that bring a family into being. We have recorded achievements and failures. In some of our decisions we have felt the guidance of God's spirit. But in others we have felt only our human confusion. We give praise and thanksgiving to God for the guidance this general council has received and pray God's corrective blessing upon our work.

We hereby acknowledge our gratitude to those persons who have made our stay amidst the beauty of Ottawa a pleasant one and have made our meeting efficient. The Honourable Edward Schryer, Governor General of Canada, the Honourable Marion Dewer, Mayor of Ottawa, the Mayor's representative Miss Nancy Smith, University of Ottawa's rector, Roger Guido, OMICC, Mr Franco Monopoly of the University's convention service, and his colleague Mr Walter Cibischino ably assisted by Mademoiselle Monique Archambaud and Monsieur Yvan Perron, these have spoken to and acted for us in ways which made us feel welcome, helped us in ways which made our work easier.

The members, officers and ministers of the congregations of the United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church in Canada also made us welcome, and through worship in their Congregations and the guidance of their officers strengthened us for our tasks. moderator Clark MacDonald of the United Church, moderator Wayne Smith of the Presbyterian Church, and the host churches for major public worship in Ottawa, Knox Presbyterian and Dominion Chalmers United are due special thanks, as is Rev Dr A W Curry who served as the Ottawa representative to the general council.

For the welcome received upon arrival, to the moment of our final adjournment, the delegates and visitors attending this 1982 general council have been greatly helped by Rev Mr Peter Praamsma, United Church of Canada, and Ruling Elder John A MacFarlane, Presbyterian Church in Canada, who have served us as joint moderators of the local arrangements' committee. The general programme committee was chaired by Rev Dr Dennis Tarr and the superb visitors' programme developed by Rev Dr Ronald White, both of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA. We wish to express our deep gratitude to these persons, for their leadership, creative planning and unstinting labour. As for the work to which we have been here called, the plenaries, committees, sections and other aspects of this general council, that work has been made possible by the labours of many servants to whom we wish to vote our appreciation.

Rector Jan M Lochman, who moderated the programme committee, and whose stimulating address on the theme guided our thoughts through these days together; to Professor Jürgen Moltman and president James I McCord, who preached; to the Right Rev Edward W Scott, Bishop Dr Karoly Toth and Mrs Prakai Nontawasee, who gave major addresses which challenged our thinking and our styles of living; to Dr Allan A Boesak, Professor James A Wharton, Mrs Phyllis Smyth and Professor George B Caird, who led Bible studies. To Dr Fred Anderson who worked to bring us services of formal and informal worship that would express the rich variety of our family of churches as well as the setting in which we met, and to Mrs Judy Guder and to Rev Rebecca Taylor whose musical talent guided much of our worship here.

The Geneva staff of the Alliance: general secretary Edmond Perret, department secretaries Richmond Smith and Aldo Comba, financial assistant Jacqueline van den Akker, and her colleague in registration matters Joanne Weil, and the devoted secretaries Colette Jacot and Irma Eugster, all of whom began preparation for this meeting more than three years ago, and will have to live with the results for years to come.

And what more shall we say: For time would fail us to tell of the Gideons, the Baraks, the Samsons, the Jephthahs, the Davids the Samuels, the prophets of this general council, who through faith conquered mountains of paper, survived rivers of work, trusted in our promises, were patient before the mouths of delegates, quenched the fires of our discontent, won strength out of our weakness and put folly to flight. They have refused release from the tortures of long hours of imprisonment in electronic booths and rowing benches of our typing tables.

Let us name all we know and pray forgiveness for all those whose names were lost on small pieces of paper, but whose contributions are held precious in the heart of God: Dr Darell Guder of the USA and his team of able translators: Heinz Birchmeier, Alain Blancy, Tony Coates, Walter Dedi, Judith Schuster-Gyenge, Robert Hasler, Claus Kemper, Hugo Lautenbach, Hartmut Lucke, Moises Mendez, Arnold Mobbs, Renate Sbeghen, Ray Teeuwissen, Daniel Vidal, Cherie White, Francis Gerber, David Lewis. Stewards Brian Dunham, Jean Porret, Jean Roger Mensah, Marco Roy and his wife, Dany and Andre Petit, Al Pritchard, Deborah Laing, Garth Nelson, Geerlof Lockhorst, Craig Barnes, Greg Thomas, Tomas Lochman, Dennis Schulz, Tony Broyles, Sandra Tarr, Sherrie White, Questa Anderson, Robert Hotchkiss. Typists and other vital labourers: Hannie Verwold and Margaret Thompson.

To God be the glory for these servants and for this experience of oneness in Jesus Christ. Amen!

Moderator, I move that this resolution be approved by the delegates and that the officers and staff have the editorial privilege to add names called to their attention and at a subsequent time.

Rev James E Andrews moderator of the resolutions committee