The last reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is jointly written by Rev. Audra Hudson Stone and Jacob Stone. They argue that natural disasters are not natural anymore; rather, they are human-induced. These disasters are the groaning of the earth, which is drawing our attention to mend our ways. The Stones are hopeful that, as Jesus rose from the shackles of death, the mother earth, too, will rise from its despair, suffering, and death through the “water of life”—Jesus Christ. To that end, we need to facilitate and practice “resurrection” of the earth!
The World Council of Churches (WCC), in partnership with the Church of England’s The Clewer Initiative (TCI), is launching a groundbreaking Lent resource addressing modern slavery. This resource aligns with WCC Churches' Commitment to Children, supporting churches and partners in their efforts to strengthen protection against exploitation.
Sinéad Ní Bhroin, from the EAPPI UK and Ireland team, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Bethlehem from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompaniesthe local people and communities, offering a protective presenceand witnessing daily struggles and hopes. Below, a reflection on what she witnessed while in the field.
No holidays for William Temple, Archbishop of York, early in August 1937. The ecumenical movement for the social responsibility of the churches, known as “Life and Work,” had just held its world conference in Oxford, 12-26 July, with the church struggle against emerging totalitarian states at the heart of its theme and work. Temple had drafted the final message of the conference, known for the motto “let the Church be the Church.”
Who could have been the author of a paper on the relation of prayer to Christian unity published by the movement for a world conference on Faith and Order in its early years?
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on Azerbaijan for the immediate lifting of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, as more than 120,000 people—including 30,000 children—are suffering under an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis.
On 27 July 1953 – 70 years ago today – the Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed in Panmunjom by senior representatives of the United Nations Command, and military leaders of North Korea (the Korean People's Army) and China (the Chinese People's Volunteer Army).
Originally published in 2020, the fifth reflection of the seven weeks for water 2023 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is by Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates, a minister of Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church of Suva, Fiji and a consultant chaplain at The University of the South Pacific. Bruce has been active in the Pacific since 1975 as an academic in social work, community development and social policy having served at the University of Papua New Guinea and The University of the South Pacific. In the following reflection he underlines the importance of human right to water and the onslaught of privatisation in the backdrop of world’s most famous bottled water which comes from his home country, the “Fiji waters”.
Alexander Brock, an international development practitioner from Ireland, recently returned from a deployment with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. On 1 March, he gave an eyewitness account of what it’s like to monitor human rights in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank. He was part of a group of 27 ecumenical accompaniers from all over the world.
Die vierte Betrachtung zu den Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2020 des Ökumenischen Wassernetzwerks des ÖRK kommt von Pastor Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates, einem Geistlichen der Presbyterianischen Kirche St. Andrews von Suva, Fidschi und beratender Kaplan der University of the South Pacific. Bruce ist seit 1975 als akademische Lehrkraft für Sozialarbeit, Gemeindeentwicklung und Sozialpolitik im Pazifikraum tätig und hat an der University of Papua New Guinea und der University of the South Pacific gearbeitet. In den nachfolgenden Betrachtungen unterstreicht er die Bedeutung des Menschenrechts auf Wasser und den Ansturm der Privatisierung vor dem Hintergrund, dass das berühmteste in Flaschen abgefüllte Wasser der Welt, „Fiji Waters“, aus seinem Heimatland komm
Christians in New York City opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 January by participating in a worship service at the Interchurch Center, an office building that houses many church-related organizations and many others focused on intercultural and religious exchange. The service was infused with themes of justice and unity, both from a perspective of African-American history and the urging of Christians today to put their faith into action.
Rev. Dr Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Below, he reflects on the challenges and hopes the team brought to the table as they composed the text.
As severe drought and food shortages march on in eastern Africa, church leaders are calling for increased humanitarian aid to avert the possible starvation of millions..
Queen Elizabeth II held the title "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England," but for the seven decades of her monarchy, these were not mere titles; many have spoken of her deep Christian faith and how she lived it.
It is with humble gratitude that I want to express my deep appreciation to the leadership of the central committee for their daily accompaniment and direction. Their leadership during challenging times makes a difference.
As World Immunization Week is observed from 24-30 April with the theme “Long Life for All,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its vaccine champions continue to support sharing accurate information about vaccines as well as access to vaccines across the globe.
