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WCC reaffirms importance of diaconal service and mission

Rev. Matthew Ross, who served as WCC programme executive for Diakonia and Capacity Building from 2018-2023, reflects on how the document “Called to Transformation – Ecumenical Diakonia,” which he edited, is being received in ways that affirm the importance of diaconal service and mission.

04 July 2023

People outside the chapel in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan

South Sudan Anglican Archbishop: We have sold our sorghum to aid fleeing Sudan refugees

In Renk, a small South Sudanese town on the banks of the White Nile, churches are working to help thousands of people fleeing the war in the neighbouring Sudan.

01 June 2023

Becoming true witnesses of God’s love

A reflection originally shared at the "Working Together" meeting between the World Council of Churches and specialized ministries, convened 3-4 May in Bossey, Switzerland.

23 May 2023

Jakob Sundmark

Activists call attention to climate change during a protest at the World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Specialized ministries roundtable: “we need each other more than ever before”

Leaders from specialized ministries who gathered for a high-level roundtable with the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 16 May reflected on how the ecumenical fellowship can tackle complex and difficult issues with theological reasoning and concrete actions.

22 May 2023

From exhaustion to excitement—to hope

A reflection originally shared at the "Working Together" meeting between the World Council of Churches and specialized ministries, convened 3-4 May in Bossey, Switzerland.

15 May 2023

Marie Anne Sliwinski

Visiting communities in southern Türkiye from 4-6 April 2023, the delegation met with churches in Mersin, Iskenderun, and Antioch, including communities in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Latin Catholics and others.

ÖRK und ACT-Bündnis auf Solidaritätsbesuch in der Türkei sehen große Not, aber auch eine großartige Zusammenarbeit: „Die Kirchen arbeiten alle Hand in Hand“

Nach ihrer Rückkehr von einem Solidaritätsbesuch in der Türkei haben der Generalsekretär des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen, Pastor Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, und der Generalsekretär des ACT-Bündnisses, Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, in einem Video-Interview über die einzigartigen Eindrücke während ihres Besuchs vom 4.–6. April während der Karwoche und über die Zusammenarbeit der Kirchen berichtet.

18 April 2023

During solidarity visit to Türkiye, WCC and ACT Alliance witness great needs yet great collaboration: “the churches are all working together”

After returning from a solidarity visit to Türkiye, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and ACT Alliance general secretary Rudelmar Bueno de Faria appear in a video interview speaking about what they saw, how churches are working together, and their unique reflections on their visit—held 4-6 April—took place during western Holy Week.

13 April 2023

Gebete im Zeichen der Forderung „Gesundheit für alle“ und die wichtige Rolle, die Kirchen dabei spielen können

Während eines Gottesdienstes am 3. April hat sich der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) mit dem Thema des diesjährigen Weltgesundheitstages auseinandergesetzt – „Gesundheit für alle“.

06 April 2023

Prayers focus on “Health for All”—and the deep role churches can play

During a prayer service on 3 April, the World Council of Churches (WCC) focused on the theme for the upcoming World Health Day—“Health for All.”

05 April 2023

Ibrahim Osman Mohammed (left) and his cousin Hassan Keyr Isaac cross a remote section of eastern Kenya near the Somali border. They left their home in Buale, in the Middle Juba region of Somalia, three weeks before because a severe drought had killed most of their animals. Their wives and children traveled ahead of them to the Dadaab refugee camp in vehicles, while they followed with the cart carrying their meager belongings. Already the world's world's largest refugee settlement, Dadaab has swelled in rece

Eastern Africa still needs relief, clerics and agencies say, even as rains bring hope amidst severe drought

Amidst rains in drought-stricken regions in eastern Africa, church leaders and relief agencies are warning the situation is still precarious and the people will need food aid during the next months.

30 March 2023

Churches respond to Malawi cyclone disaster

Amid a rising death toll, hundreds missing, and concerns over slow rescue services in Malawi’s cyclone disaster, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), United Methodist Church, and many other churches are appealing for support to aid populations affected by the weather phenomenon.

29 March 2023

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata: “God summons us to take action that is hope giving”

Below, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) director of Public Witness and Diakonia, reflects on the relevance of ecumenical diakonia and public witness today.

16 March 2023

Honduras_Hawkey_World_Renew_drought_20140805_919

Overcoming obesity—more than changing one's behaviour; it is a matter of ensuring systemic justice!

We mark 4 March as World Obesity Day. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. Obesity has more than tripled since 1975, and more than 1 billion people are obese in the world today.

04 March 2023

Masimba Kuchera

Participants in the Fridays for Future march in Glasgow, UK, 5 November 2021, during COP26.

Anglican Communion supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

According to the fifth mark of the Anglican Church's mission, the church aims to protect and renew the earth's creation and sustain it. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa environmental network is dedicated to helping churches and dioceses fulfill God's calling to be earth-keepers and to care for creation.

02 March 2023

HIV stigma still not eradicated—but we can change our mindset

The HIV response has more than forty years now; timely and accessible medications are effective and ensure long healthy lives for people living with HIV. We have more prevention tools and strategies, we know much more about the virus, there are many organizations and websites with dedicated information; yet, HIV stigma persists in deep thinking, having serious consequences for the 38 million people living with HIV across the world.

24 February 2023

Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga

In interview, Greek Orthodox H.E. Ephraim Maalouli describes how churches are responding to earthquake-related needs in Syria

Following the catastrophic earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey, the Middle East Council of Churches in Syria interviewed H.E. Ephraim Maalouli, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, Alexandretta, and Dependencies.

16 February 2023

Publication

Zur Verwandlung aufgerufen Ökumenische Diakonie

A joint publication of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and ACT Alliance, this study document aims to clarify the understanding of ecumenical diakonia and to provide a common platform for acting and reflecting together for the churches and ecumenical partners worldwide.

The major publication outlines the theological components of diakonia and offers practical content for those engaged in the service of diakonia. The study document is intended to be used for formation and training in ecumenical diakonia, to strengthen the institutional capacity of those involved in diakonia, and to foster dialogue and cooperation between churches, ecumenical partners, ACT Alliance and the WCC.

15 February 2023

Publication

Black and orange booklet cover with an AIDS ribbon

HIV and AIDS Civil Society Networks and the Faith Sector

Lessons Learnt from Strategic Engagement in India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Jamaica

This booklet highlights the lessons learnt in a project, Strategic Engagement of Civil Society Networks and Faith Actors in the HIV Response in Four Countries, implemented by the World Council of Churches (WCC), with the support of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), from July to December 2022

This initiative facilitated dialogue between civil society networks, faith actors, and key national HIV stakeholders in the Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

31 January 2023