Search results

WCC general secretary to Faith and Order: “your commitment to deep theological reflection is vital”

Speaking to the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order during the commission’s historic meeting in Indonesia, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed gratitude for the commission’s work, and hope for the ecumenical journey in 2025.

02 February 2024

Join an Easter prayer for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula

The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) has published a “2023 Easter Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula”, an annual observance which carries special significance this year, 70 years after the Korean War ceasefire established by the 1953 Armistice Agreement.

05 April 2023

Global Peace Prayer will draw Christians together in hope for better future

A Global Peace Prayer on 22 March will draw Christians together in hope for a better future. A communique from a prayer planning committee explained that Christians are called into prayer and advocacy for peace. “In a global context where war and violence abound, the practice of peace has become even more urgent,” reads the message.

21 March 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at the Interchurch Center in New York City

In New York City, unity prayers focus on how we “can join hands and minds and do the work that God has called us to do”

Christians in New York City opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 January by participating in a worship service at the Interchurch Center, an office building that houses many church-related organizations and many others focused on intercultural and religious exchange. The service was infused with themes of justice and unity, both from a perspective of African-American history and the urging of Christians today to put their faith into action.

24 January 2023

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Roman Catholic priest in Africa stresses churches’ unity for justice

As Christians in Africa joined the celebrations to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a Roman Catholic priest who is involved in ecumenism, stressed the unity of the churches as central to building a concrete response to poor people’s need for justice in the continent.

23 January 2023

Opening the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “we cannot do this work alone”

Aa the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity opened on 18 January, the World Council of Churches staff and partners gathered in a spirit of unity to “Do good; seek justice,” the theme of this year’s special week.

19 January 2023

Calling for Christian Unity requires “both a prophetic and pastoral approach”

Rev. Dr Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Below, he reflects on the challenges and hopes the team brought to the table as they composed the text.

18 January 2023

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson at the WCC Central committee meeting, 2018

Prayer life of Bishop Mary Ann Swenson has deep roots

From an early age, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson has tapped into the power of prayer.

31 January 2022

World mourns loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Today the world joins in mourning the passing of a towering figure in the struggle for freedom and for human dignity and rights.

30 December 2021

Perkins names Dr Evelyn Parker as 2021 Distinguished Alumna

The Perkins School of Theology Alumni/ae Council selected Dr Evelyn L. Parker as the 2021 recipient of the Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The award recognizes Perkins graduates who have demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support for the goals of Perkins and Southern Methodist University, outstanding service to the community, and exemplary character.

11 November 2021

St. Mary's cathedral of Ethiopian Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WCC offers prayer for the nation of Ethiopia

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca led a prayer for love, peace and kindness for the nation of Ethiopia during a service at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York on 19 June.

21 June 2021

Praying with Zimbabwe and Botswana: “it is the small acts that grow and have a big impact on people's lives”

The ecumenical staff gathered with people from Zimbabwe and Botswana on 14 June for a morning prayer and song that focused on the church as a place of refuge and trust.

15 June 2021

Geneva, Switzerland, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

On eve of Biden-Putin summit, WCC shares hopes and prayers for peace

The World Council of Churches (WCC), with an open letter and prayer, shared its hopes for peace on the eve of the first summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents, which will take place in Geneva on 16 June.

14 June 2021

G. Angela David speaks into a microphone

Week of Prayer in India: “opening myself to the word of God”

The following interview with G. Angela David, president of the YWCA of Secunderabad, in India, is part of a series dedicated to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

01 June 2021

Denise and Benoît Lokila, of the Cana Fraternity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sitting next to each other in front of the camera

Prayer for unity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a great warmth of love

The following interview with Benoît and Denise Lokila, of the Cana Fraternity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is part of a series dedicated to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

27 May 2021

In Minnesota, sacred stories of racial justice are being created: will the world listen?

How does a group of Christian leaders from Minnesota (USA) focus on writing reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2023 while, at the same time, addressing the urgent racism, violence and white supremacy surrounding them?

06 May 2021

Patrick Matsikenyiri, former AU choir director and author of the Africa University song, greets a member of the Jubilate Choir from the Pacific Northwest Conference during the March 23, 2013, 20th anniversary celebration of Africa University.

WCC remembers life of Patrick Matsikenyiri, a joyful song leader

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is remembering the life of Patrick Matsikenyiri, whose career included virtually all aspects of church music—singing, choral directing, composition, hymnal editor, festival leader, professor, and enlivener of global songs in venues around the world.

15 February 2021

Photo essay

Collage of some of the Week of Prayer pictures shared by Christians in different places

In pictures: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Prayers for unity took on a different look and feel this year, but they weren’t stopped by widespread restrictions on face-to-face gatherings. From prayer cards to personal reflections, online gatherings to new connections, the images worldwide convey the spiritual richness of an ecumenical family that came together in prayer.

01 February 2021