News in brief 
24. April 07
Kobia congratulates "heir of the Holy See of St Thomas in India" on his 90th birthday
In a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, who celebrates his 90th birthday on 27 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia evokes the outstanding ecumenical profile, and lifts up some of the exceptional qualities of the spiritual leader of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar.
23. April 07
US church visits WCC, explores "changing landscape of Christendom"
On the first leg of a visit to Switzerland, the Vatican, South Africa and Kenya, a twelve-person national delegation from the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. is visiting the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, just outside Geneva.
19. April 07
Churches develop common platform on climate change
Focusing on how to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to real change in the lives of communities through new forms of development, a 12-15 April WCC/Christian Aid consultation in London worked to determine elements of a common platform for churches' involvement in the UNFCCC COP 13 climate change negotiations in Brazil next November-December.
2. April 07
Common date of Easter
In 2007 - but not in every year - all Christians celebrate Easter on a common date. These frequently asked questions explore why a common date of Easter is important and how it might be realized.
30. March 07
International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP) less than six months away
Once again on Friday, 21 September, less than six months from now, churches and communities will be invited to observe an International Day of Prayer for Peace.
7. March 07
Visit by Turkish authorities to Syrian monastery
A recent sign of the presence and witness of Syrian Orthodox faithful in Turkey was a formal visit on 28 February by a delegation from the city of Urfa (historically, Edessa), led by the wali (governor) of the Turkish city, to the monastery of St Mary at Tel-Wardiat, Hassake, Syria.
5. March 07
CCA golden jubilee
"It was the first time the WCC would play a significant role in the formation of a regional ecumenical organization," says WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, in a 5 March letter congratulating the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) on the 50th anniversary of its founding.
1. March 07
Bossey Institute strengthens teaching faculty
The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey has announced plans for a strengthened teaching faculty that will reinforce its position as a leading world centre for ecumenical formation and research.
20. February 07
Kobia lays brick for multi-purpose shelter
Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, WCC general secretary, being received by villagers and Metropolitan Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus, CASA chairman, for a brick-laying ceremony of a multi-purpose disaster shelter. The shelter is the last of 85 houses built as part of CASA tsunami rehabilitation programme in Edavanakad, a coastal village about 25km from Kochi, Kerala, South India.
6. February 07
WCC deputy honoured by HAH Bartholomew
The honorific title of "archon" has been bestowed on World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary Mr Georges Lemopoulos by the ecumenical patriarch, HAH Bartholomew, in a 4 February ceremony at the Orthodox Church in Chambésy, Geneva.