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The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey was inaugurated in 1946 at the scenic Château de Bossey—and it’s thriving in unprecedented ways today. It draws not only students but families, theologians, and vacationers who visit the Hotel & Conference Center for many different reasons.

Rev. Matthew Ross, who served as WCC programme executive for Diakonia and Capacity Building from 2018-2023, reflects on how the document “Called to Transformation – Ecumenical Diakonia,” which he edited, is being received in ways that affirm the importance of diaconal service and mission.

In an exclusive interview, a prominent figure in the field of peace and justice, the former general secretary of National Council of Churches in Korea and former executive secretary for the Christian Conference of Asia, Rev. Hong-Jung Lee, shared insights into his journey and experiences working towards peace and justice in the Korean Peninsula. Drawing on his extensive experience and involvement in various ecumenical organizations, he shed light on the importance of healing, reconciliation, and the role of churches and Christians in advancing peace in Korea.

Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches, reflects on hopes for the upcoming assembly Tallinn in June, as well as on the role churches play amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame was elected to chair the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She is also a commissioner for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, as well as an active member of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network.

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), reflects on the challenges 2023 may bring, how he will relate to WCC member churches, how he plans to include and inspire youth in the ecumenical movement, and what prophetic leadership means to him.

Dr Agnes Abuom, immediate past moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, took time to reflect on the deep meaning of her WCC leadership role, and to share Christmas greetings with the fellowship as she moves on to serve as a lay canon with the Anglican communion in Kenya.

Gracia Ross, World Council of Churches programme executive for Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, sees herself as a bridge between communities living with HIV and churches.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee elected Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay as the ninth general secretary at its 17 June meeting. Below, Pillay reflects on his longstanding passion for ecumenism and his expectations for the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.

Global Christian Forum sustains imperative role in a post-pandemic world and reaches out to new groups of people. Global meeting to be held in Ghana in 2024.

Rev. Dr Hyunju Bae represents the Presbyterian Church of Korea on the World Council of Churches central and executive committees and serves on the WCC Gender Advisory Group. She is a former professor of New Testament Studies at the Busan Presbyterian University, Republic of Korea, and now a co-president of the Korea Christian Environmental Movement Solidarity for Integrity of Creation.  Below, she reflects on a recent prayer vigil for peace, as well as other ecumenical activities in South Korea.

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity fast approaches, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission Rev. Dr Susan Durber reflects on the theme “We saw the star in the East,” and on what unity means for the world today.

The WCC executive committee held a special meeting on 4 January and reached a decision to hold the upcoming WCC central committee meeting, scheduled for 9-15 February, online rather than in-person as previously planned. Below, WCC central committee moderator Dr Agnes Abuom shares some details behind the decision, and plans for moving forward.

The Pacific islands are in grave danger and at the frontline of global climate change, so that is why the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, known as COP26, in Glasgow is so important for islanders, says Rev. James Bhagwan. He is general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, a Methodist minister based in Fiji, and visited Geneva on his way to COP26, in Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow, from 31 October to 12 November.

Dr Salters Sterling, 84, readily sees the ties between his three biggest passions: the ecumenical movement, supporting people on the periphery of society, and speaking out on what churches need to do to survive in today’s digital world.  

Sterling spent his career as a senior university administrator of Trinity College in Dublin, then began teaching there after he retired.

 

Olivia Baro believes achieving true digital justice in the Pacific islands needs some serious work—and that young people can lead the effort.

Baro serves as the ecumenical youth enabler for empowerment and engagement with the Pacific Confer-ence of Churches.

 

Digital justice is relevant to everyone in the digital age, yet it is more important to those living under an autocratic government that can use digital technologies for surveillance of civilians, says a Protestant Christian who works in advocacy.

Her work involves supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across Asia and Europe, and she asked for her name not to be used.

 

Jorge González Nuñez, 29, lives in Matanzas, Cuba. Nuñez serves as president of the Movimiento Estudiantil Cristiano de Cuba, and studies theology at the Seminario Evangélico de Teología de Matanzas.