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At a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly press conference held 7 September, Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox voices joined a WCC Faith and Order member to explore the meaning of Christian unity.

Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria travelled from the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany, to join a 5 September ceremony marking 50 years since 11 Israeli athletes died in a terrorist attack at the Olympic Games in Munich.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby addressed the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly on 7 September.

Speakers during a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly plenary under the theme “Christian unity and the churches’ common witness” on 7 September reflected on unity, mission, and reconciliation in the fellowship and ecumenical movement. The plenary theme included conversation on accomplishments and challenges to Christian unity and mission since the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, and mutual accountability and witness to the love of Christ in a changing landscape and looking forward.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected its 150-person central committee on 6 September during a session at its proceedings in Karlsruhe, Germany. The WCC central committee serves as the main decision-making body of the WCC between assemblies.

At a press conference held on 6 September as part of the ongoing World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, global ecumenical leaders spoke about the needed response from churches regarding gender justice, persons with disabilities, and the rights of the earth.

Hear about what peace would mean to separated families in Korea. Learn about Christian Blind Mission. Dip into the Networking Zone. Listen to hopes and prayers uttered from across the world. Witness a tree-planting in New Zealand.

Witnessing a spectacular display of movement and grace through para-dance, the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly was challenged to boldly proclaim the truth about injustices, show a commitment to transformation, and be agents of reconciliation by recognizing complicity.

In a video greeting at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly on 5 September, Catherine Namakula, chairperson of the UN Working Group on People of African Descent, commended the work the two organizations have done together—and called churches to the tasks ahead of them in combatting racism.

The International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations told the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly that its meeting in Karlsruhe coincides with the Hebrew repentance month of Elu.

In a special greeting to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, presiding bishop of the Church of Norway and former WCC general secretary, expressed what a miracle the assembly gathered is.

Unless the efforts of youth are mobilized for institutional change, their efforts to live sustainably, ethically, and mindful of consumption will not have an impact, warned Ruth Mathen, delegate of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, during a WCC assembly press conference on 5 September.

During a plenary session held 5 September as part of the ongoing World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, women, men, youth, Indigenous peoples, and people living with HIV and AIDS challenged ecumenical leaders to counter injustices and affirm wholeness of life.

Learn more about Karlsruhe’s beautiful Golden Book. Hear voices from across the world talk about what reconciliation means to them. Watch highlights from Sunday’s ecumenical service. And go inside the Prayer Tent.

During a special reception at the Karlsruhe town hall on 3 September, the leaders of the World Council Churches central committee—Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator; Bishop Mary Anne Swenson, vice moderator;  Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște, vice moderator; and WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Ioan Sauca—were asked to sign the Golden Book of Karlsruhe.

The mayor of Karlsruhe Dr Frank Mentrup welcomed World Council of Churches leaders at a special reception at his German city’s town hall on 3 September, expressing his delight that the WCC has brought the global fellowship to his city.

In a process described as, “a journey of walking together, praying together, and working together,” Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC moderator, began the second business plenary with a review of the assembly decision-making process. “The decisions of the assembly are expressed through the final reports of the assembly committees,” she said, noting the distinction between earlier messages and final messages, which are expected to come to assembly next week.

See women and men, standing in front of the beautiful Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance. Hear the sounds of Korean drummers. View on-the-spot interview clips with people from all regions of the world—and local Karlsruhe voices, too! From your computer or smart phone, take one-to-three minutes to view the online Daily Assembly News Show.

The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly began its assembly in the German city of Karlsruhe on 31 August, with Dr Agnes Abuom opening the gathering, her last as moderator.