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Dear Young Pilgrims of Trust,
On behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC), a fellowship of 352 churches, I greet you with joy and gratitude as you gather in Tallinn for the 47th European Youth Meeting organized by the Taizé Community. Your Pilgrimage of Trust and the WCC’s Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity are deeply intertwined. Both call us to journey together as people of faith, living out the transformative power of the Gospel in a world yearning for healing and renewal. Justice calls for action, reconciliation calls for healing, and unity calls for humility—tangible expressions of faith that both pilgrimages embody. Your commitment as young pilgrims brings fresh energy, creativity, and determination to this shared mission.
The concept of pilgrimage is more than a physical journey; it is a transformative journey of faith, a paradigm for the Christian life. It calls us to walk together as companions, seeking God’s will in a world yearning for healing and hope. As an ecumenical journey, the pilgrimage paradigm reminds us that we are not isolated believers but companions on a common path. We are united by our faith in Christ, even amidst our diversity of traditions and expressions.
The pilgrimage of trust calls you to step out in faith, bridging divides and fostering relationships marked by mutual respect, understanding, and love. It is an invitation to move beyond comfort zones, to encounter one another in vulnerability and authenticity, and to build a future rooted in hope and shared purpose. This is the essence of ecumenism—journeying together as the body of Christ, celebrating our differences as gifts, and striving to live out Jesus’ prayer that we “may all be one” (John 17:21).
This meeting takes on particular significance as it coincides with the beginning of the new year 2025. The turning of the year symbolizes a threshold—a moment to recommit ourselves to this ecumenical journey. It challenges us to renew our dedication to being witnesses of God’s justice and peace in the world. Just as the pilgrimage is not always an easy path, neither is the work of reconciliation and unity. Yet, as we walk together in trust, we find strength in one another and in God’s unfailing presence.
As you reflect, pray, and share during these days, may you feel the embrace of the global Christian community walking alongside you. May your hearts be inspired by the knowledge that you are part of a greater movement—a movement shaped by the Holy Spirit and committed to making visible God’s reign of love and peace.
May this pilgrimage of trust renew your vision for the future and deepen your commitment to journeying together toward a world marked by justice, reconciliation, and unity.
With blessings for a transformative gathering and a hope-filled new year.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
