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WCC opens its arms to migrant Christian communities

To recognize the contribution of migrant communities in church life and continue the search for more authentic forms of Christian unity, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has invited members of the diverse migrant Christian communities in Geneva to a conference on “Migration and the Ecclesial Landscapes: An Ecumenical Response to Migration” from 30 September – 1 October 2011 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.

The Valihan'i Jehovah Choir—, a group from the ecumenical community of Madagascar based in Switzerland, sang at a prayer service celebrated in Geneva's St. Pierre Cathedral marking the WCC's 60th anniversary in 2008.

The Valihan'i Jehovah Choir—, a group from the ecumenical community of Madagascar based in Switzerland, sang at a prayer service celebrated in Geneva's St. Pierre Cathedral marking the WCC's 60th anniversary in 2008.

28 September 2011

To recognize the contribution of migrant communities in church life and continue the search for more authentic forms of Christian unity, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has invited members of the diverse migrant Christian communities in Geneva to a conference on “Migration and the Ecclesial Landscapes: An Ecumenical Response to Migration” from 30 September – 1 October 2011 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.

The event is being held in partnership with Witnessing Together in Geneva, a programme of John Knox International Reformed Centre, which unites seventy Christian communities of various ethnic, lingual and national backgrounds. These communities will be having a significant opportunity of engagement with the WCC and its sister organizations at this event.

Migration is a deep concern for the WCC, advocated by its Just and Inclusive Communities programme. The project encourages the work and experience of migrant communities, by promoting their theological contributions to churches, as well as support of their struggles for justice, peace and human dignity.

“Migrants form an integral part of the WCC and its member churches,” says Sydia Nduna, WCC programme executive for Migration and Social Justice. “Many of them are actively involved in the life of the churches. In fact, most staff of the WCC and its sister organizations and specialized ministries, who live and work in Geneva, belong to a migrant congregation or a church.”

“This event will focus on concerns pertinent to ‘Just and Inclusive Communities’ project, which offers an ethical challenge to the WCC’s pursuit of unity and mission, by advocating its relevance to those members of our churches, and societies, who are disempowered, discriminated and excluded because they are migrants,” Nduna added.  

This event is a step to reach out to local Christian communities in Geneva, reaffirming the concerns of migrants in the ecumenical movement. This will also be a chance for delegates to interact with each other, and to know more about WCC’s sister organizations in the Ecumenical Centre, such as Act Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

For more information contact: Dr Maria van Heemstra (WCC) or the Rev. Roswitha Golder (Witnessing Together in Geneva).