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The world needs a “reformation of hope and confidence,” according to the moderator of the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, giving the Otto Karrer lecture in Lucerne, Switzerland. 

As the World Council of Churches celebrates its 75th anniversary, a series of feature stories from different regions of the world will portray ecumenism at the local level—within churches, communities, and individuals who embody the spirit of ecumenism in unique ways. The feature story below offers a glimpse of some facets of ecumenism present in Germany.

Strengthening the link between Christian perspectives and practical action for human rights, a symposium on human dignity and rights took place in the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey on 25-26 April.

“It’s okay not to be okay.” That’s the catchy way Denis Pattinasarany, from the Protestant church in the Mollucas, Indonesia, describes one of the most important things he learned at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.

Cuando comenzó la invasión rusa de Ucrania a gran escala, el 24 de febrero de 2022, ya hacía ocho años que las iglesias daban respuesta a las necesidades humanitarias del país, desde la anexión de Crimea, en 2014.  Los esfuerzos de las iglesias para colmar las necesidades de las personas desplazadas por la guerra no son novedad, en cambio sí lo es la escala del fenómeno, con la sobrecogedora cifra de catorce millones de desplazados en los seis meses transcurridos desde el inicio de la invasión.

Over 100 people including students, alumni, instructors, and guests from academic and theological institutions in Germany, Switzerland, and France gathered together to hear reflections as part of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) program culmination on 7 September during the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.

"God made me inquisitive by nature,” said Tavis Tinsley, 27, a graduate student from the United States and theologian from the United Methodist Church.

“The audacity to love as Christ loves,” said the Rt. Rev. Joy Evelyn Abdul-Mohan, is “an imperative, not an option” for churches in today’s world. “When we have our agenda inclusive of all, for the benefit of all, then the cooperation and the commitment of all will be assured, and Christ’s audacious love will become more real to us.”

One hundred twenty-seven young people from over 50 countries in all eight regions served as stewards at the World  Council of Churches (WCC) 11^th Assembly providing essential assistance in all activities and areas as well as contributing energy and perspective to  our life together as an ecumenical fellowship. Two of the stewards assisting the WCC Communication team share their experience as a letter and diary to future stewards at the 12^th assembly.

When the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, churches had already been responding to humanitarian need in the country for eight years, since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.  The work being undertaken by churches in meeting the needs of those displaced by the war is not new, but the scale is staggering as 14 million people have been displaced in the six months since the invasion began.

Is a successful dialogue between churches and politicians possible and what should it be based on? Can the European Green Deal inspire similar actions in other regions? What Christian values can contribute to the universal aspiration for a sustainable future?

Los datos están claros:  la última década ha sido la más cálida de todas las registradas. De los veinte años más cálidos, diecinueve han tenido lugar desde el año 2000. Y los hechos indican que la causa es el aumento de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero producidas por la actividad humana. Los científicos de todo el mundo han advertido de que, de seguir el ritmo actual, ya para 2023 el planeta habrá aumentado su temperatura en 1,5º C. Eso es dentro de menos de una década; aún vivirá la mayoría de quienes están vivos hoy.

Allí donde se congregan dos o más cristianos, con toda probabilidad, los encontrará en adoración o disfrutando de la comunión alrededor de la comida compartida. Reúna a unos miles de cristianos en un solo lugar e, indudablemente, los encontrará participando en un estudio bíblico.  

Las contribuciones a la sociedad y la comunidad realizadas por las mujeres indígenas en Asia con frecuencia pasan desapercibidas y no son reconocidas debido a la continua marginación y discriminación en la región y más allá. Los participantes de un taller celebrado el 2 de septiembre en la 11ª Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) fueron informados de que, aunque la igualdad de género cobra lentamente impulso a escala mundial, las mujeres indígenas siguen luchando por sus derechos: en primer lugar como mujeres y en segundo lugar como indígenas.

Where two or three Christians are gathered, you will most likely find them in worship or enjoying fellowship over food. Gather a few thousand Christians in one place, and you will definitely find them engaged in a Bible study.

The groaning of a Creation awaiting renewal provided context for ecumenical common prayer at the 11^th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany on the morning of Monday 5 September. The theme for morning prayers was “Christ’s love means compassion for life”.