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Photo: Weite Wirkt Festival

Photo: Weite Wirkt Festival

At the Wider Outlook Works Festival, as people observed the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit spoke about repentance and a change to a better direction.

“It makes a lot of sense both to celebrate and to face the challenges of today in the one world in the light of the legacy of the Reformation,” he said.

The festival – held in Halle / Westphalia, Germany – combines music and art with speakers and events to offer a transformative experience for people. The three Protestant regional churches in North Rhine-Westphalia – the Evangelical Church in  Rhineland, the Evangelical Church of Westphalia and the Church of Lippe – have planned the campaign “A Wider Outlook Works – Reformation and One World 2016” as a joint project with Bread for the World-Protestant Development Service, the United Evangelical Mission and other partners.

“Repentance means change, change to a better direction,” Tveit said. “Why is change necessary? Luther said: Because sin is a reality. Our time gives us no reason to think otherwise. This is not a time to believe that humanity is done with sin.”

Refugees from around the world, accompanied by volunteers, will play a significant role in the festival. Tveit presented his reflections as part of the festival opening on 6 May as refugees shared their own thoughts amid musical offerings.

“Repentance is an attitude open for change to what is good. It means alertness to the critical voice, understanding the dimension of tragedy, and willingness to name what is wrong. Repentance comes from hearing carefully the voice of God’s total forgiveness.”

Participants will also discuss topics such as climate justice, the future of the ecumenical movement, and the future of Christianity in the Middle East.

“…we can change to focus on the needs of the other; particularly those who need more attention for the sake of justice and peace,” said Tveit. “This is about making the best values of the Reformation a living reality today.”

Read the presentation by the WCC general secretary in Halle, 6 May 2016

Video presentation on the WCC work on the refugee situation