News
The World Council of Churches Assembly Planning Committee (APC) is holding its first meeting on 1-6 February in Bossey, Switzerland. The purpose of the meeting is to assist the WCC Central Committee in preparing the 11th WCC assembly in 2021.
As a body, the APC is tasked with monitoring the timeline for assembly preparations and reporting on progress to the central committee; visiting the proposed assembly venues in order to propose how the space will be used; and undertaking further preparatory and assembly responsibilities as assigned by the WCC Central Committee and bring recommendations.
In this initial meeting, the APC will approve the terms of reference; reflect on, discuss and recommend possible themes; and consider the nature and style of the assembly including building blocks for an assembly, for recommendation to the central committee.
The APC will also offer guidance for the discernment process of the central committee in deciding the venue of the next assembly; discuss and offer guidance for the development of the assembly spiritual life. Reflect on seat allocation and consider the number of member church delegates and bring recommendations to the central committee.
Finally, the APC will discuss and recommend the best ways and means of communicating and promoting the assembly with member churches and ecumenical partners; as well as discuss and monitor the development of the assembly budget including fundraising.
During the meeting Metropolitan Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima, vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee and moderator of the APC and WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit will speak about what has changed in the ecumenical landscape since the Busan assembly. Committee members will also share a significant assembly memory from the WCC assemblies or other gatherings in the ecumenical movement.
