The World Council of Churches (WCC) marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a public statement that acknowledges the shared values that underpin both the declaration and the WCC, also marking its own 75th year in existence.
At a WCC central committee meeting, members spend hours in plenary dealing with dozens of reports, developing documents, deliberating, discussing, and sometimes differing from each other. But there are also moments during breaks and on their way through the foyer where they enter another part of the life of the WCC.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) 75th anniversary celebration was joyous in the Ecumenical Centre on a hot June afternoon where ecumenical figures—young and old—reminisced on memorable occasions, highlighting with singing and happiness ruminating on their work.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has commemorated its 75th anniversary with an ecumenical celebration at Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, recalling the founding of the WCC in Amsterdam in August 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) seeks to create a world treating everyone with dignity and where peace prevails, and the Christian faith stands united in witness to God's love and mercy, a Greek Orthodox leader from the United States said in Geneva this week.
The climate emergency is already causing serious food insecurity on a global scale, members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee heard at a plenary session on 23 June—and they added that climate justice is a matter of both faith and action.
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Prof. Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay, in his first report to the WCC central committee, reflected on the WCC 11th Assembly theme, provided insight into the Strategic Plan 2023-2030, shared information about programmatic work, and offered a vision for the future.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting brings great joy, its moderator said, as its 148 members met at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva to discuss the governance of one of the planet's most diverse fellowship of churches.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee opened on 21 June with common prayer that recalled the 75th anniversary of the founding of the WCC in 1948 and remembered those active in the ecumenical movement who have died over the past year.
The World Council of Churches (WCC), in collaboration with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Soka Gakkai International, and Brahma Kumaris, convened a side event titled "Deliver climate action: Support a Robust Global Stocktake from a human rights and Ethical perspective," on 5 June in Bohn, Germany. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to emphasize the importance of integrating human rights, ethical considerations, and climate justice into the forthcoming Global Stocktake process.
With the topics of the war in Ukraine and climate protection as the focal points, the 38th German Protestant Kirchentag takes place in Nuremberg, Germany from 7 to 11 June. The World Council of Churches’ presence in the Kirchentag’s exhibition space “Market of Opportunities” (hall 9, stand 9-C32) enables lively encounters and an opportunity to learn more about the ecumenical movement.
In an exclusive interview, a prominent figure in the field of peace and justice, the former general secretary of National Council of Churches in Korea and former executive secretary for the Christian Conference of Asia, Rev. Hong-Jung Lee, shared insights into his journey and experiences working towards peace and justice in the Korean Peninsula. Drawing on his extensive experience and involvement in various ecumenical organizations, he shed light on the importance of healing, reconciliation, and the role of churches and Christians in advancing peace in Korea.
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in his report to the WCC executive committee, focused on strengthening the global fellowship by mapping a strategic plan that is grounded in unity and hope.
As the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting opened on 22 May, WCC central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm offered remarks focusing on what the church can do for a world facing multiple crises.
Andreas is currently in the midst of a “Cycling for peace” initiative in which he is bicycling from Linz, Austria, to Hamburg, Germany—a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers! Part of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, Andreas is also part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, which is helping to support his trip.
As he continues on his way, he took time to share some reflections.
The Konfessionskundliches Institut from Germany visited the World Council of Churches (WCC), focusing on strengthening relations with the WCC and following up on the work since the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.
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.
There is an old Lutheran adage that to be Lutheran is to be ecumenical, so the theme of the upcoming Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) taking place in Poland, "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope,” is seen as totally appropriate for the times.
An online seminar hosted by the Europe Region of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC Europe) offered insights for people striving for digital transformation, those seeking digital justice—and those wondering what the role of Christian communicators could possibly be.
