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Visit Christian Council of Norway

Visit of the Christian Council of Norway in January 2025.

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A seven-person delegation with pastors from the Church of Sweden in Germany, visiting from 9-11 January, received introductions and tours of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and the WCC. The delegation also met with leaders from the WCC, the Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, FAP, and the Church of Sweden in Switzerland. 

The delegation participated in Bible studies, and learned more about the Thursdays in Black campaign, voicing support for the global campaign for a world free from rape and violence. The group also toured Old Town Geneva, and discussed the work of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order.

We came to immerse ourselves in ecumenism together with you in the WCC,” said Rev. Pamela Garpefors, vicar and leader of the delegation. These were very rewarding days with current issues set in the light of the Gospel and further in service.”

Garpefors reflected that the group took with them the need to continue talking about Jesus in today's current context in today's society. We serve ecumenically to meet today's societal needs in the midst of xenophobia and rightwing populism in Germany and Europe,” she said. We ask for prayers for this work and for the joint worship work.”

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Church of Sweden Abroad

Visit of the Church of Sweden Germany in January 2025.

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An 8-person delegation with the staff from the Christian Council of Norway visited from 14-16 January, receiving a guided tour of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The group then met with the WCC Staff Leadership Group, received updates on WCC governance and consensus, the programmatic work and toured the Ecumenical Centre. 

The group also discussed events related to the 1700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 CE. Dialogue also focused on church and ecumenical relations, WCC communications, ecumenical formation, and the Green Village development project. 

Throughout the visit, the delegation learned more about the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. 

The purpose of the trip was to get more acquainted with the WCC and its services for the global Christian community, and to build closer relationships with employees in the organization,” said Rev. Henrik Erhard Hermansen, general secretary of the Christian Council of Norway. "This will also make it easier to maintain regular contact and help and support each other in our respective ministries.”

He added that he was very pleased to visit the WCC and receive great hospitality.

We are filled with gratefulness and have a renewed confidence in our global ecumenical body as an instrument and with potential to continue its prophetic and representative role to work to preserve Christian unity, testimony, and mission,” he said. We are filled with hope that through this, humanity will receive and benefit from the outpoured grace of God in Christ Jesus."

Hermansen added that the delegation received a deeper understanding of what it means to relate to the many church traditions, and see themselves within the great church family.

He asked for prayers that the Christian Council of Norway serve the wider body of Christ in Norway and the Norwegian population and take its due responsibility in global ecumenism. Pray also for our upcoming general assembly and new membership applications,” he added.

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General Secretary Norwegian Church Aid

Visit of the Norwegian Church Aid

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The general secretary of Norwegian Church Aid, Dagfinn Höybråten, as well as Anne-Grete Larsen, senior advisor, Global Ecumenical Partners for Norwegian Church Aid, met with WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. 

The importance of coming together, celebrating our fellowship in Christ, and supporting and challenging each other in our pilgrimage has become much clearer to me,” said Höybråten.

The most important role of the WCC in a polarized world is being ambassadors of justice, peace, and reconciliation, and to be principled and rooted—and at the same time relational in its approach,” reflected Höybråten. Pray for peace, protection, and courage—courage to keep up the fight for justice, to comfort the powerless, and speak truth to power, which sometimes implies making the powerful uncomfortable.”

Visit to the Ecumenical Center