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A man standing up hands a pair of woven gloves to a man sitting down, both dressed in religious garb.

Finnish bishop meets Pope Francis, gifts gloves “to keep warm in a cold world”

In an annual audience during the ongoing Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Bishop Bo-Göran Åstrand of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland gifted a pair of gloves to Pope Francis, described as “a modest gift, to warm the Pope’s hands in an otherwise cold world.”

22 January 2024

WCC president from Europe reflects at Christian Aid assembly

World Council of Churches president from Europe Rev. Dr Susan Durber shared reflections at the Christian Aid assembly, expressing appreciation for the meaningful gathering of churches and ecumenical leaders.

21 November 2023

WCC hosts visitors from Finland, Germany, and Sweden

The World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted Bishop Dr Jukka Keskitalo and Rev. Pekka Mustakallio from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, to discuss the ecumenical agenda of 2023 and the harvesting of the WCC 11th assembly, as well a group from the Centre for Ecumenism of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau, and 21 ordinands from the Church of Sweden.

29 September 2023

Dr Stephen G. Brown delivering keynote address

Ecumenical Review editor reflects on the ecumenical theology of Joseph Ratzinger

In his first address after his election on 19 April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work for the full and visible unity of all of Christ’s followers, Dr Stephen G. Brown, editor of the World Council of Churches journal The Ecumenical Review, has recalled in an address to a symposium in Dublin.

19 April 2023

Rev. Dr Susan Durber: “We belong to one, highly interconnected, world”

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity fast approaches, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission Rev. Dr Susan Durber reflects on the theme “We saw the star in the East,” and on what unity means for the world today.

14 January 2022

signs of Church of Scotland and Scottish Episcopal Church

Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church sign “Saint Andrew Declaration” to deepen their relationship

The Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church, on 30 November, signed a “Saint Andrew Declaration,” in which they each formally recognised one another as part of the one Church of Jesus Christ and deepened their relationship.

30 November 2021

From faithful living to solar panels, Scottish Episcopal Church is addressing climate change

A Scottish Episcopal Church has become one of the first churches in Scotland to obtain planning permission for the installation of solar panels on a listed building situated in a conservation area.

24 November 2021

Rev. Kleber Machado from Glasgow: no social justice without climate justice

Rev. Kleber Machado is a minister of the Church of Scotland at the St Andrew West Paris Church, in Glasgow, where COP26 is taking place. Below, he reflects on wider climate justice issues, as well as how he is bringing hope in his church’s own backyard.

12 November 2021

Glasgow Cathedral to hold special COP26 service on Sunday with Christians from around the world

A special COP26 service involving Christian churches and organisations from around the world will be held at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday afternoon. (7 November). The event, which has been organised by Glasgow Churches Together, will be attended by guests from countries including Australia, Fiji, and Zimbabwe, as a show of solidarity for global climate justice.

06 November 2021

Climate pilgrims leave the ferry terminal in Newcastle.

On the way to COP26, climate pilgrims arrive in England after ferry crossing

The 5th Ecumenical Pilgrimage for Climate Justice from Poland to Glasgow crossed the English Channel from IJmuiden in the Netherlands to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England on 11 October. They were given a warm welcome on site.

14 October 2021

Scottish and UK religious leaders call for urgent climate action

Scottish and UK religious leaders have signed a declaration urging governments to take transformational climate action at the COP26 in November.

20 September 2021

Blog post

Reflection on Climate Sunday in Glasgow

Ecumenical occasions often work a bit too hard to please everyone. Or maybe they work too hard not to offend anyone.

10 September 2021

Rev. David Coleman

Climate Sunday: an opportunity for churches to act for creation

The Climate Sunday initiative is inviting local churches across Great Britain, Ireland and across the world to hold a climate-focused service on any Sunday before the United Nations climate change conference (COP26) begins in Glasgow on 31 October-12 November.

06 September 2021

scottish delegation at COP21, Paris 2015

As COP26 approaches, “Climate Sunday” calls on churches to focus on creation

With less than three months until the United Nations climate change conference begins in Glasgow, Eco-Congregation Scotland is renewing calls for churches to commit to action before talks begin.

03 August 2021

Arctic communities to WCC pilgrims: “We need your voice”

Lorraine Netro, who was raised in the Gwich’in First Nation of Old Crow, Yukon (Canada), is part of an indigenous community—but she’s also a global citizen.

“Today’s Arctic peoples are important members of global society,” Netro said. “The survival of Arctic cultures and communities remains tied to the wildlife and landscape of the Arctic Refuge.”

11 May 2021

Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

"Doors Open for Unity” paper to guide hearts and minds for Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

The Bishops’ Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland approved the ecumenical policy paper “Doors Open for Unity and Fellowship,” which provides an orientation for the ecumenical work at various levels of church life until 2026.

05 May 2021

WCC podcast deals with death and dying

The new surge in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths has drastically increased the need for pastoral care almost everywhere. Brazil and Great Britain are two hard-hit countries, where the pandemic has brought existential questions on the table.

15 December 2020

In preventing gender-based violence, “together we are stronger and our message is louder”

Rev. Dr Antti Laine is senior advisor for Theology and Ecumenical Relations with Finn Church Aid. He reflects below on how, while the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated gender-based violence, faith-based and humanitarian groups, can provide hope—especially when they work together.

10 December 2020