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Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 4: "Water - Gift and Source of Life", by Ivo Poletto

Originally published in 2018, the fourth Reflection of the “Seven Weeks for Water” 2023 series of World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Water Network is by Ivo Poletto, a philosopher, theologian and social scientist from Brazil. He is also national advisor to the Climate Change and Social Justice Forum in Brazil. In the following reflection, he analyses the water cycle of Brazil, the “flying rivers” of the Amazon but also laments on fast depleting forests which are breaking the water cycle and making clouds as well as aquifers disappear.  He insists that water is one of the common goods that require special care, as there is no life without water.

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 3: "Feminization of water poverty in Africa", by Dr Agnes Abuom

Originally written in 2017, The third of the seven reflections of the Lenten Campaign: Seven Weeks for Water 2023 of the Word Council of Churches’ (WCC) Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) is by Dr Agnes Abuom, former moderator of the WCC’s central committee. 

Dr Abuom was the first woman and first African to hold this important position. She is also the Executive Director of TAABCO Research and Development Consultants, based in Nairobi, Kenya. In her reflection, being an African woman on the eve of International Women’s Day, she explores the linkages between poverty, water scarcity and its impact on women.  It is also contextual in that today Kenya is reeling under a serious drought which is deteriorating the situation for women as they are mostly responsible for fetching water for their families.

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 2: "God’s Gift of Water", by Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Originally written in 2019, the second reflection of the “Seven Weeks for Water 2023” of World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Water Network is by Grace Ji-Sun Kim, an ordained minister of PC (USA). She received her PhD from the University of Toronto and works as a Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion. She is a prolific writer and the author or editor of 21 books including, Making Peace with the Earth. Kim is part of the World Council of Churches working group on climate change. In this reflection, she recollects her early days in Korea and how she looked at the water then and now, as an eco-feminist theologian. She further reflects on the promise of God "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground…" and contrasts it with today's consumeristic lifestyle, which is polluting our water bodies and denying millions from enjoying this life-giving gift of God – Water!

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 1: "The rainbow color of the pilgrimage of water justice in North America", by Michele Roberts

Originally published in 2021, the 1st reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2023 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Michele Roberts*, from the Environmental Justice Health Alliance. In this reflection, the author, based on several instances of large scale water contamination in many cities in the USA, comes to a conclusion that lack of access to clean water in USA is a result of systemic racism.

HIV and AIDS Civil Society Networks and the Faith Sector

Lessons Learnt from Strategic Engagement in India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Jamaica

This booklet highlights the lessons learnt in a project, Strategic Engagement of Civil Society Networks and Faith Actors in the HIV Response in Four Countries,  implemented by the World Council of Churches (WCC), with the support of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), from July to December 2022 

This initiative facilitated dialogue between civil society networks, faith actors, and key national HIV stakeholders in the Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement (2nd Edition)

Since its first publication, this dictionary has become an indispensable tool for all those who search for basic information and reliable orientation in the highly complex environment of contemporary ecumenism.

The writers and editors have carefully reviewed and updated the original entries and added a substantial number of new ones. Together they have produced a resource reflecting the richness and diversity of ecumenical thought and action, of events and persons.

Towards a Global Vision of the Church Volume I

Explorations on Global Christianity and Ecclesiology, Faith and Order Paper 234

 As a part of the reception process of the convergence document The Church: Towards a Common Vision (TCTCV), the ecclesiology study group of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order undertook a wide range of conversations on global Christianity and ecclesiology. This  included perspectives from various regions (especially Asia, Africa, and Latin America), denominational families (such as evangelical, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and independent churches), and forms of being church (such as ecclesial movements, new forms of monasticism, and online churches) which have not always been clearly or strongly represented in the discussions on the way to TCTCV. 

This first of two volumes offers a taste of the insights, contributions, lively dialogue, diverse perspectives, and mutual exchange of ecumenical gifts between the members of the commission and theologians from  around the world, which took place through a series of international consultations between 2015-22.

The fruit of this work is offered with the hope that it will contribute towards a clearer, global vision of the Church in the 21st century.

Digital Justice

A Study and Action Guide

Are you worried about fake news and social media causing real-world problems? Are you concerned about online hate speech and trolling? Are you committed to ecological and social justice, but are not sure how this relates to anything digital

Do you, or does anyone you know use digital technologies to build community, work, and advocate for justice? If you said yes to any of these questions, this guide is for you.

Whether used for group discussion or individual learning, the guide explains some of the key justice dilemmas of our increasingly digital world, with fast facts, case studies, faith connections, discussion questions, and suggestions for further resources. 

The guide is a co-publication of the World Council of Churches and the World Association for Christian Communication [www.waccglobal.org]

Ecumenism and Peace

From Theory and Practice to Pilgrimage and Companionship
Fernando Enns

This publication provides a practical overview of global ecumenism and reconciliation. The globally reconciling-conciliar Church is on the path - the via transformativa - toward unity through action and reflection, guided by the gospel visions of justice and peace. Fernando Enns analyzes what has been learned in recent decades on the ‘testing grounds’ of ecumenical theory and practice, then demonstrates how the new era of the WCC’s action-oriented programs produce ongoing, diverse ecclesial efforts toward social and spiritual transformation.

Achieving Consensus

A Guide for Conducting Meetings

This guide is intended to introduce the reader to consensus decision-making in the World Council of Churches and to the procedures for implementing it in the conduct of meetings. Both the rule for the conduct of meetings (Rule XIX) and these guidelines are worded so as to apply to a meeting of the assembly of the Council, and they are to be used also in meetings of all its governing and consultative bodies. Finally, the flowchart of consensus procedures outlines the different steps involved in achieving consensus during the meetings.

Christ’s Love (Re)moves Borders – GETI 2022 in images

GETI 2022, the third global iteration of a Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, brought together some 100 young theologians from across the globe for six weeks of intense ecumenical sharing and learning – first online for four weeks and then for two weeks in person onsite – as the World Council of Churches (WCC) recently gathered for its 11th assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Health-Promoting Churches Volume III

Contextual Bible Studies on Health and Healing

Health and healing have always been important in the work of the World Council of Churches. and the WCC has previously used the Contextual Bible Study methodology to good effect in helping churches address various challenging issues.  In this publication, the focus is on a range of challenging health issues including women’s health, disability, mental health, and health inequality, among others.

Bible studies in this manual was produced by participants from churches around the world, through a series of online workshops, ensuring that various voices and experiences are represented, enriching the publication for a global audience.

In the mood for vibrant music? Or deep reflection? Visit the Networking Zone

Whether you need vibrant music, a lively dialogue, calming atmosphere, or a quiet coffee, youll find it in the Networking Zone of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly. Located at the front of the assembly grounds, the space invites participants to engage one another in a more relaxed and social area apart from the plenaries.