Event

WCC 70th anniversary in Amsterdam

During a 23 August service in the Netherlands in the Nieuwe Kerk, a 15th-century church in Amsterdam, World Council of Churches leaders will celebrate the WCC’s 70th anniversary at the very spot in which the organization was founded.  A “Walk of Peace” through Amsterdam, and a symposium under the theme “Hospitality on a pilgrim's way to peace and justice”, at the Vrije Universiteit, will also be held on the same day.

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Prayer service marks the WCC's 50th anniversary in Amsterdam, 1998. Photo: Peter Williams/WCC

Prayer service marks the WCC's 50th anniversary in Amsterdam, 1998. Photo: Peter Williams/WCC

During a 23 August service in the Netherlands in the Nieuwe Kerk, a 15th-century church in Amsterdam, World Council of Churches leaders will celebrate the WCC’s 70th anniversary at the very spot in which the organization was founded.

Invited by member churches in the Netherlands, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and WCC moderator Dr Agnes Abuom, along with many representatives from the WCC fellowship, will participate in the ecumenical service. (Video livestream available.)

Also as part of the 70th anniversary of the WCC, the Protestant Theological University will organize a symposium under the theme “Hospitality on a pilgrim's way to peace and justice”, at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam on 23 August. (Video livestream to be confirmed.)

A “Walk of Peace” through Amsterdam will also be held on the same day, beginning in the Hoftuin of the Protestant Church in Amsterdam and ending at Dam Square. The peace walk will be symbolic of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace that has been the foundation of WCC’s work. During the walk, pilgrims will stop at various historic memorials particularly meaningful in a context of justice and peace.

The 23 August events will be preceded by a Youth Pilgrimage, gathering Dutch as well as international youth for an ecumenical experience in the lead-up to 23 August.

The 70th anniversary of the WCC in 2018 is an opportunity to mark the achievements of the past 70 years in working for Christian unity and action, and to look to the challenges ahead as a fellowship of churches responding to God’s call for unity, mission, justice and peace. This event is part of a series of anniversary celebrations taking place in various locations throughout the year.

Learn more:

Media advisory: WCC to celebrate 70th anniversary in the Netherlands

Anniversary Service

Symposium

Walk of Peace

Youth Pilgrimage (video)