This double issue of Reformed World is almost entirely devoted to the WARC centennial consultation, which took place in St Andrews University at the end of August 1977. I shall not attempt to comment on it, but since the event also marked the end of my work for WARC, I have been given the opportunity of "taking leave" of you.

Twenty-seven years is a very long time, but I must confess that it did not seem long. When I started my work, I had just recovered from a three-year illness which hit me a few days after I got my interpreter's degree. I had never heard the word "Presbyterian" and I did not know that I was Reformed! I naively believed that I was a Protestant. I had, therefore, a lot to learn, and my first assignment was to read the volumes of WARC Proceedings in order to establish an accurate list of member churches. I then read Calvin's Institutes, and finally did my best to follow Dr Pradervand's (our former general secretary's) leadership. There were just the two of us in the office and, if I am not mistaken, our annual budget was around 9,000 dollars, including salaries and travel. The roof leaked in the barrack at 17 route de Malagnou, and the floor was not draught-proof. But it was wonderful to see the work grow and to get to know an increasing number of member churches. We were surrounded with world maps and, looking at them, we thought of the joys or difficulties of our churches. Though I never met all our correspondents "in the flesh", the continuous exchange of letters and news gave me the feeling that they were very good friends, and I wish to thank them all for this friendship. I pray God's blessing on all of them and on their churches' work and witness.

Our staff increased too in the course of the years, and I am grateful to all my colleagues, past and present, for their friendship and cooperation. My very special thanks go to Dr Marcel Pradervand "who taught me all I know".

What should I wish WARC at the beginning of its second century of service? I must confess that although I am willing to believe that organization may be necessary, I have less and less faith in organizations, and I hope, therefore, that WARC will remain essentially a family of churches. One of its distinctive features is that its staff is very small and its structures are flexible. Besides, it is made up almost entirely of minority and small churches. Some may consider this a handicap. It is in fact a great asset and prevents the Alliance from becoming an end in itself. My wish, therefore, is that WARC may remain a family, nothing more, and an instrument in the service of its member churches, and to the glory of God.

Reformed World, vol.34 nos.7-8 (September-December 1977)