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The newly upgraded status of Palestine in the United Nations (UN) is viewed as a positive step in the direction toward peace and a reaffirmation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) long-term commitment to a two-state solution, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC general secretary said on Friday.

In a recent World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation, participants analyzed the impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Africa’s sub-regions. They pointed out that more than sixty percent of deaths in battle-related conflicts are caused by small arms, and billions of dollars are spent every year on small arms.

With a robust evocation of the Word – written, spoken, incarnate – Bishop Martin Schindehütte of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) launched a day of planning with leadership of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other ecumenical organizations in Geneva for the celebration in 2017 of the 500th anniversary of the seminal moment in the Reformation when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg.

By Susan Kim (*)

Observing World Toilet Day in the village of Parja Suku in Odisha, India, brought forward the painful reality of many communities around the world where good, hygienic sanitation facilities are lacking.

“The fight against proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) is critical for peace and security in Africa,” said Peter Omurangi Otim, head of the Peace and Security department of the African Union (AU) at a World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, held from 22 to 25 November.

More than thirty participants from different Latin American countries will be meeting in Antigua, Guatemala for a regional consultation reflecting on peace and human security in Latin America.

Bishop K. H. Ting, who is remembered as a “great visionary” by the World Council of Churches has passed away on 22 November, at the age of 97. The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed admiration for Bishop Ting’s commitment to reconciliation between church and society, Christians and non-Christians in China.

[Joint release with the Conference of European Churches (CEC)]

International Review of Mission (IRM), the journal of the World Council of Churches (WCC) which celebrated its centenary this past year, focuses on one of the most recent ecumenical affirmations of Christian mission in its November 2012 edition. The title of the issue is “New Milestone in Mission.”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting individuals and congregations to join “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” through reflections, prayers and action towards overcoming violence against women.

[Joint release with the Conference of European Churches (CEC)]

To promote awareness and action against female genital mutilation (FGM), an evening featuring music, reflections, an art exhibition and wine tasting will be held on 3 December at 18:00 at the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has expressed deep concern about the conflict in Gaza and Israel. In a recent statement he urged both sides to “cease hostilities” to ensure that “civilians will be protected”.

To challenge the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Africa, and to find effective ways to deter this trend, the World Council of Churches (WCC) will hold a consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to strategize common priorities and actions to combat proliferation of arms in the region.

With millions of people on the move in today's world, a recent World Council of Churches (WCC) conference in Manila discussed migration from a Christian theological perspective. They explored how “dignity and justice” can become a reality for migrant workers and communities.

The Rev. Dr Kenneth Cragg, who died on 13 November at the age of 99, is recalled by the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as one of the pioneers of the modern ecumenical approach to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation, and especially to improved Christian-Muslim relations.

South African activist and Anglican priest Fr Michael Lapsley, SSM (Society of the Sacred Mission), will offer a presentation about his life and work in the Healing of Memories project. He will speak on 30 November at 15:00 in the Visser 't Hooft Hall of the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.

Bishop Justin Welby, current bishop of Durham in the Church of England, has received congratulations and the promise of heartfelt prayers and cooperation from the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) following an announcement on 9 November that Bishop Welby is to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit congratulated Barack Obama following his re-election as president of the United Sates, wishing him “all the blessings of God’s grace” as he continues work during his second presidential term.