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WCC assembly communication team reunion
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With many wearing their assembly badges or drinking from signature coffee mugs, they took moments to share the humor, challenges, and accomplishments related to the assembly.

Members of communications teams—from the press centre to the web team to those running the day-to-day business of the assembly—shared their biggest takeaways from the assembly.

Photographers recounted moving an outdoor photo exhibit inside after an unexpected torrential rain. In spite of the unexpected chaos, people flocked to the exhibit every day during the assembly.

As Mike Dubose, who served as a photographer on the features team, said, We were able to adapt at the last minute to various unexpected things.”

In a complex communications operation with more than 150 communicators in-person and online, the teams became close-knit in a time of intense service. The Networking Zone team fondly recalled setting up the space that quickly became known for the finest coffee, the oldest printing press, and the best napping venue in Karlsruhe—until those slumbering were awakened by a vibrant book talk from WCC publications.

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Networking Zone assembly

4 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Communicators' networking session in the Networking Zone of the WCC 11th Assembly. The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches is held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity."

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Junita Junita, a young communicator, expressed her feelings through an African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”

Junita said her experience at the assembly showed her how true that proverb really is. That feeling of love, and that spirit were in the Networking Zone,” she said. It was really amazing to see the diversity of topics covered in the presentations.”

One of the most important fruits of the assembly—the WCC 11th Assembly Message—was supported by communicators who worked many behind-the-scenes hours.

The stories of the assembly—told through features, news, video productions, and images—were translated by a global team who worked onsite and online as well.

Trina Gallop, who worked as a writer on the WCC business news team, described a wonderful experience. You can tell how much thought was put into developing all these different teams for the communications roles at the assembly,” she said. I didnt see one single team that didnt gel.”

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press conference WCC assembly

31 August 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: a press briefing for the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches was given by Dr. Agnes Aboum, Moderator of the WCC Central Committee; H.E. Metropolitan Nifon, Vice-Moderator of the WCC Central Committee; Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Vice-Moderator of the WCC Central Committee; Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting General Secretary of the WCC; Bishop Petra Bosse-Huber, Evangelical Church in Germany; Rev. Bishop Prof. Dr. Heike Sprinthart, Protestant Church in Baden; Frank Mentrup, Mayor of Karlsruhe.

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The media team, which helped more than 350 journalists who covered the assembly, expressed appreciation for the stewards, many of whom helped the communications operation run smoothy.

Ruth Ann Gill, who served with the media team, said she was pleased to see so many journalists thankful to cover the assembly.

I had good times with journalists who came in not particularly happy, and it was wonderful to see their attitudes turn around, and see them express appreciation for how quickly we would answer their questions,” said Gill.

Theodore Gill, who was a steward in 1968 and has attended many WCC assemblies, served as a writer and editor in the features team. He said: I think that its been fascinating over the years to see how the founding principles of the WCC have continued to guide us on our journey as the membership becomes richer.”

The communicators reminded each other—and everyone around the world interested in the assembly—that photos, stories, videos, and messages can still be accessed on the WCC website.

After the time of sharing, WCC communication director Marianne Ejdersten shared parts of a work-in-progress WCC communications plan, inviting communicators to contribute their ideas.

WCC 11th Assembly

Message of the WCC 11th Assembly, “A Call to Act Together”