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Baptists reflect on how to strengthen their voices and be in closer fellowship for the ecumenical vision

“As Baptists, we are concerned to strengthen our voices closer together and be in closer fellowship for the ecumenical vision. We see our presence in the Baptist World Alliance gathering coming up as a possible forum to do this,” said Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and Bread for the World in Washington, DC, during the Baptist confessional meeting that took place at the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting.

30 June 2022

Manager of New Imperial Hotel in Jerusalem: “We don’t need any more sympathy—we need action”

As a six-year-old boy, Abu El Walid Dajani began helping his father manage the New Imperial Hotel near Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem. The historic property is owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, and leased before 1967 to the Dajani family to run as a hotel. Now 77, Dajani has become the manager. But the threat of eviction is derailing a way of life his family has known for generations.

30 June 2022

Senior friends of WSCF: revisiting the past, creating a future

In 1895, student leaders from ten North American and European countries met at Vadstena Castle in Sweden to form the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). Among its founders were John R. Mott (US), Karl Fries (Sweden), Martin Eckhoff (Norway), Luther D. Wishard (US), Johannes Siemsen (Germany), and J. Rutter Williamson (UK). The WSCF was the first international student organization and together with YMCA and YWCA, it is one of the oldest youth movements still in existence.

29 June 2022

WCC celebrates life and legacy of Archbishop Willem T.P. Simarmata

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is celebrating the life and legacy of Archbishop (Ephorus) Willem T.P. Simarmata, who was the moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia. He passed away on 17 June at a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, in Indonesia. He was 68 years old.

29 June 2022

New opportunities to reflect on WCC 11th Assembly theme: nine translations now available

Nine translations are now available for the publication “Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity: A reflection on the theme of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Karlsruhe 2022.”

29 June 2022

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

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

127th Anniversary of WSCF: A Walk Down Memory Lane

During a 26 June service, participants from all over the world celebrated the 127th anniversary of the World Student Christian Federation in an 18th-century baroque church, Sophienkirche in Berlin, Germany.

28 June 2022

Lighting the lives of many

Empowering underprivileged women and their children to alleviate poverty was the main topic of one of the confessional meetings held during the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in mid-June.

28 June 2022

Young people, group photo, 37th Word Student Christian Federation (WSCF) General Assembly

WSCF 37th General Assembly: Rejoicing in Hope

The 37th Word Student Christian Federation (WSCF) General Assembly officially kicked off in Berlin with the theme, "Rejoice in Hope" (Romans 12:12), and a sub-theme of "Young People, Journeying Together Toward Justice and Peace.” Over 100 movements from 94 countries will attend this year’s assembly along with senior friends, partners, and guests from 24 -30 June.

28 June 2022

Blog post

Borders and Migrants

On 20 May 2022, a group of us, 14 pilgrims from different parts of the world (Kenya, Brussels, Germany, Hong Kong, Philippines, Poland, Rome, Korea, Canada, Fiji, Australia, London, Scotland, and Geneva—a very diverse group) gathered in Palermo, Italy for a Pilgrim Team Visit on the theme of migration.

24 June 2022

Rev. Dr Seforosa Carroll

WCC central committee dedicates prayers to Green Village project as “new way of working” takes shape

As the Green Village project—the future home of the World Council of Churches (WCC)—takes shape, WCC leaders, joined by leaders from development company Implenia, offered special prayers dedicated to a more sustainable way of working.

24 June 2022

African faiths launch climate change justice network

On 23 June, at a climate change consultation in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, African faith leaders launched a climate justice network to coordinate their work and increase visibility, as the first respondents to ecological crises at the grassroots.

24 June 2022

Boy looking out of the window of the train

As Europe feels the suffering of war, WCC Lutheran member churches share perspectives on war and peace

Sharing the concerns of World Council of Churches (WCC) Lutheran member churches around the world, a Lutheran confessional meeting took place during the recent central committee meeting at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva.

24 June 2022

Young people gathering for a discussion in a group

WCC shares greetings with World Student Christian Federation General Assembly

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca shared greetings with the 37th Session of the World Student Christian Federation General Assembly, which will be held in Berlin from 23 June to 1 July.

24 June 2022

Document

Statement: letter

Greetings from the WCC Acting General Secretary to the WSCF General Assembly, Berlin

Greetings from Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, the World Council of Churches Acting General Secretary To the World Student Christian Federation General Assembly in Berlin, 23 June - 1 July 2022.

24 June 2022

General Secretary

WCC general secretary-elect Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay: “If we learn to trust the work of the Holy Spirit, we can find each other even through difficulties”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee elected Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay as the ninth general secretary at its 17 June meeting. Below, Pillay reflects on his longstanding passion for ecumenism and his expectations for the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.

23 June 2022

WCC acting general secretary shares assembly insights with Evangelical Church in Germany

Two months before the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, visited the Church Conference and Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany and informed them about the planning. Sauca also took part in the St John´s Reception of the Evangelical Church in Germany on 22 June.

23 June 2022