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WCC general secretary addresses United Bible Societies Assembly in Amsterdam

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addressed the United Bible Societies Assembly on 13 October in Amsterdam.

13 October 2023

WCC reflects on climate justice during Indian-German theological gathering

Dinesh Suna, coordinator of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Water Network, contributed a paper to a gathering, “Indian-German Theologians Meet: Mission from Post-Colonial Perspective,” held from 4-7 September in Breklum, Germany.

11 September 2023

No peace without justice: Peacebuilding and human rights training equips young ecumenical leaders

With a focus on peacebuilding and human rights protection, The United Evangelical Mission’s International Summer School 2023, organized in cooperation with the World Council of Churches and other partners, took place in August and September in Hofgeismar, Germany.

08 September 2023

A determined new member, driven by faith, courage, and curiosity

When Rev. Rita Famos became involved in the youth programmes of her local congregation in Bern, Switzerland, back in the early 1980s, a lifelong commitment to the Reformed Church and the ecumenical movement started to evolve.

04 July 2023

Kirchentag scarf with the theme for 2023, "Jetzt ist die Zeit"

German Protestant Kirchentag opens in Nuremberg

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.

09 June 2023

WCC general secretary to Patriarch Kirill: “the war in Ukraine must come to an end”

Exclusive interview: World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shares details on a recent meeting with Patriarch Kirill, including topics discussed at the meeting, what the WCC contributed to the dialogue, and steps forward.

25 May 2023

Menno Simons Sermon Award winner: “good storytelling should always reflect hope”

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.

04 May 2023

Heinrich Bedford-Strohm delivering a message

WCC moderator shares International Women’s Day message

On International Women’s Day, World Council of Churches moderator of the central committee Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm shared a special video message on his Facebook page about an important woman in the Bible.

08 March 2023

GPS360º: A virtual assembly

Thanks to a new digital tool, you can experience the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) 11^th Assembly online - whether you were present in Karlsruhe or not.

26 September 2022

Photo essay

Hospitality and encounter: The rich welcome of German churches

Hosting a World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly is an enormous undertaking for the churches in the city and country in which it takes place. For the 11^th Assembly in Karlsruhe, the local and national churches and partners went even further.

15 September 2022

WCC president from the Pacific: “We share our joys, our pains, our angers—and find common ground”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly elected eight new presidents on 5 September. Below. Rev. Francois Pihaatae, WCC president for the Pacific, reflects on the new role, and a vision for how insights gained at the assembly will carry forward.

08 September 2022

Women lead singing during the morning prayer service

Harmonies of unity: Wednesday morning prayers

To the lively, lilting accompaniment of an orchestral band, visitors to the prayer tent in Karlsruhe, Germany sang an adaptation of Psalm 133 by Hungarian poet and playwright Zoltán Sumonyi, “How good it is when God’s people play together”. The assembled faithful sang enthusiastically, “nothing compares to the sound when God’s people play together as they really were one. Here is the blessing, do believe: God composes life and music so the kingdom may come.”

07 September 2022

Bible studies bring ways to learn how Christ’s love moves us

Where two or three Christians are gathered, you will most likely find them in worship or enjoying fellowship over food. Gather a few thousand Christians in one place, and you will definitely find them engaged in a Bible study.

06 September 2022

Tahiti holds ashes in his hand as he reads from scripture

Island nations and churches provide leadership in prayers concerning the climate crisis

The groaning of a Creation awaiting renewal provided context for ecumenical common prayer at the 11^th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany on the morning of Monday 5 September. The theme for morning prayers was “Christ’s love means compassion for life”.

05 September 2022

Members of World Methodist Council denominations

Assembly participants come together as church families

With over 3,500 participants from all over the world, opportunities for “encounter” are rich and continuous at the 11^th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany. Intentional gatherings – from small “home” groups to regional meetings also help to connect participants and bring different perspectives to the concerns and hopes being raised under the Assembly theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity”.

04 September 2022

Opening prayer at the Ecumenical Youth Gathering

Diversity of gifts celebrated by Ecumenical Youth Gathering

An Ecumenical Youth Gathering held 27 August helped to usher in the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly with a spirit of praying, dancing, and singing, as more than 200 young people drew together at St Stephen’s Church in Karlsruhe, Germany, to assert an inclusive assembly ahead.

27 August 2022

Participants in the garden, Fifth International Conference on Receptive Ecumenism, Sigtuna, Sweden, 27-30 June 2022, Photo: Church of Sweden

Conference in Sweden explores how disciples use receptivity, learning, and listening

The Fifth International Conference on Receptive Ecumenism was held in Sigtuna, Sweden on 27-30 June, exploring the theme “Transforming Ecumenism – listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Rev 2:7)

05 July 2022

At pre-assembly meeting in Bern, Swiss churches offer prayers for delegates

An ecumenical worship service and workshops in Bern offered prayers and reflections for five delegates as well as stewards and Global Ecumenical Theological Institute students from Swiss churches who will be attending the upcoming World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

12 June 2022