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The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee closed its meeting after convening from 12-17 November, leaving with a sense of hope, even while publicly expressing grave concern over many global injustices facing the world today.

During a special service concluding the Church of Sweden’s General Synod on 24 November, Archbishop Antje Jackelén made an official apology from the Church of Sweden to the Sámi for historical abuse.

How will the churches use the wide range of new opportunities in the post-pandemic context? How will they call to faith and trust as we move beyond the global health crisis to a time of renewal? These were the core questions that representatives of the European region addressed during a discussion that took place at the World Council of Churches central committee meeting, 23-29 June.

In a special message to World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee received on 27 June, H.B. John X, patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the East, affirmed “closeness in prayer, and in accompanying the work of the meeting through the communication with the devoted delegates of the Holy and Apostolic Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East.”

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting opened online on 17 May, moderator of the WCC central committee Dr Agnes Abuom took time to offer a very personal thank-you to the WCC leaders and fellowship surrounding her with care and prayers.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee will convene from 17-20 May, and if needed on 25 May, with a focus on preparing for the upcoming WCC central committee meeting, planning for the WCC 11th Assembly in Germany in 2022, and issuing a public statement on overcoming global injustice and inequity to defeat COVID-19.

The organizers of Germany’s biggest ecumenical gathering planned for 2021 have announced they intend the event to go ahead but on a reduced scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with strict hygiene measures.

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, met with the general of The Salvation Army, Brian Peddle, at The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London. The two leaders focused on the relationship between The Salvation Army and the WCC, and on the upcoming 11th WCC Assembly to be held in 2021 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church Department of External Church Relations, visited the WCC at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 5 June, during a visit to Switzerland.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly Planning Committee (APC) is meeting in Cyprus from 9-16 January to develop central building blocks of the WCC 11th Assembly. The APC will also discuss the allocation of seats, input to the spiritual life of the assembly, communication strategies and the local programme.

The WCC continues to receive messages of thanksgiving and encouragement from member churches, sister organizations and the wider ecumenical movement as the fellowship marks 70 years in working for Christian unity and action.

The WCC Executive Committee met in Uppsala, Sweden from 1-8 November to approve the 2019 programme plans and budget, follow up and decide on a variety of assembly matters, review the WCC strategic plan, discuss world affairs and issue seven statements in response to current situations. The Executive Committee also discerned the way forward for the WCC’s Communication Strategy.

On 11-13 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) staff are gathering to develop a common work plan for the year ahead.

The World Council of Churches Assembly Planning Committee (APC) is holding its first meeting on 1-6 February in Bossey, Switzerland. The purpose of the meeting is to assist the WCC Central Committee in preparing the 11th WCC assembly in 2021.