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Menno Simons Sermon Award winner: “good storytelling should always reflect hope”

Pastor Joachim Leberecht, from Herzogenrath/Germany, has won the international Menno Simons Sermon Award from the Center for Peace Church Theology (University of Hamburg) together with the Mennonite congregation Hamburg-Altona.

04 May 2023

Photo essay

Hospitality and encounter: The rich welcome of German churches

Hosting a World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly is an enormous undertaking for the churches in the city and country in which it takes place. For the 11^th Assembly in Karlsruhe, the local and national churches and partners went even further.

15 September 2022

Photo essay

Christ’s Love (Re)moves Borders – GETI 2022 in images

GETI 2022, the third global iteration of a Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, brought together some 100 young theologians from across the globe for six weeks of intense ecumenical sharing and learning – first online for four weeks and then for two weeks in person onsite – as the World Council of Churches (WCC) recently gathered for its 11^th assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

13 September 2022

Interview

When guests became citizens of Karlsruhe

The long-awaited World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, and the arrival of more than 3,500 participants from around the globe, has had a huge impact on the city of Karlsruhe.

12 September 2022

Blog post

Bossey is branded unity of love

The World Council of Churches (WCC) was able to gather believers from different parts of the world for its 11th assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. The assembly proved to be one of love and unity.

12 September 2022

Fr Andria Saria

Interview

Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflects on new role as moderator

On 8 September, the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee elected Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria as its new moderator. Below, Bishop Bedford-Strohm reflects on the path ahead.

09 September 2022

Interview

WCC president from the Pacific: “We share our joys, our pains, our angers—and find common ground”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected eight new presidents on 5 September. Below. Rev. Francois Pihaatae, WCC president for the Pacific, reflects on the new role, and a vision for how insights gained at the assembly will carry forward.

08 September 2022

Interview

Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC president from North America: “the assembly has given us motivation and a model for a way forward”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected eight new presidents on 5 September. Below, Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC president from North America, reflects on the new role, and a vision for how insights gained at the assembly will carry forward.

08 September 2022

Interview

WCC president from Europe: “I believe that unity begins with relationships – Christ becomes visible as we look with attention to each other”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected eight new presidents on 5 September. Below, Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe, reflects on the new role, and a vision for how insights gained at the assembly will carry forward.

08 September 2022

Interview

Promoting human dignity through art

“Affirming justice and human dignity” was the theme of the fourth thematic plenary of the World Council of Churches(WCC) 11th assembly on 6 September. The presentation featured a wheelchair dance performance by Fadi El Halabi, a wheelchair user and Ms. Karen Abi Nader, an international artist. In the freestyle dance, Halabi effortlessly spinned around his wheelchair and, with slow coordinated moves together with his dance partner, threw hands in the air symbolizing the joy that can only be felt when all exclusionary and disempowerment practices in church and society are addressed.

06 September 2022

Blog post

Entrance to the WCC 11th Assembly venue in Karlsruhe

Under the canopy of yellow leaves

Ushered into the venue of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, one finds a sanctuary, a safe space under the canopy of yellow leaves. Under the shade of trees with leaves slowly going through the withering process is the springing of hope for a better world engaged in conversations and dialogues that promote life at its fullness.

04 September 2022

Klein Fausto Emperado

Photo essay

In the mood for vibrant music? Or deep reflection? Visit the Networking Zone

Whether you need vibrant music, a lively dialogue, calming atmosphere, or a quiet coffee, you’ll find it in the Networking Zone of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly. Located at the front of the assembly grounds, the space invites participants to engage one another in a more relaxed and social area apart from the plenaries.

02 September 2022

Interview

Prof. Anne Pattel-Gray urges: “include ancient wisdom and knowledge of First Nations people”

During the World Council of Churches (WCC) Indigenous People’s Pre-Assembly, Prof. Anne Pattel-Gray shared the reflections below.

30 August 2022

Interview

Dr Andrés Valencia: “We are called to be a voice in the desert”

Dr Andrés Valencia is international president of the International Ecumenical Fellowship. Below, Dr Valencia reflects on the fellowship’s recent congress in Liverpool, and preparations for the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly.

22 August 2022

Interview

Rev. Prof. Dr Heike Springhart: “We as churches are strong when we keep the horizon open”

Rev. Prof. Dr Heike Springhart is bishop of Landeskirche in Baden. Below, she offers reflections on her hopes for the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly and, more broadly, how ecumenical relationships can help us all sustain a sense of hope during these challenging times.

07 July 2022

Interview

From the desk of Dr Marc Witzenbacher, coordinator of the local office of the WCC 11th Assembly

Oberkirchenrat Dr Marc Witzenbacher serves as coordinator of the local office of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe. In this interview, he shares how the city is preparing to welcome visitors from all over the world.

28 June 2022

Interview

Bishop Petra Bosse-Huber of the Evangelical Church in Germany: “only together can we meet the challenge of our times

Bishop Petra Bosse-Huber of the Evangelical Church in Germany, a member of the WCC central committee, reflects below on her hopes and prayers as the assembly draws ever-closer.

28 June 2022

Video feature

Inspired and ready: videos look ahead to meaningful WCC pre-assemblies

Fabian Corralles has a vision of giving people with disabilities “their first opportunities to be much more important than they feel they are in their church and community.” He’s envisioning that scenario taking place at the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network pre-assembly being held before the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

14 June 2022

Media advisory

Media accreditation opens for the 11th WCC Assembly

Media accreditation to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, to be held in Karlsruhe, Germany, 31 August – 8 September 2022, will open on Monday afternoon 31 January 2022, at 5 pm CET.

31 January 2022

Interview

Prayers, stories will be the heartbeat of the WCC 11th Assembly

Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Krause-Vilmar is moderator of the Worship Planning Committee for the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly. Below, she updates us on preparations for the spiritual life of the assembly.

25 January 2022