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WCC mourns passing of Fr. Leonid Kishkovsky

Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, a widely known and respected priest of the Orthodox Church in America, a prominent theologian and ecumenist, former member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central and executive committees fell asleep in the Lord on the evening of 3 August at the age of 78.

Youth gearing for future role as stewards at the 11th WCC Assembly

A diverse selection of 26 young people designated as stewards for the World Council of Churches (WCC) gathered online from 14-16 June 2021 to take part in an orientation of stewardship and ecumenical formation, designed to build awareness, develop leadership, and strengthen global solidarity, as well as an orientation on their participation in upcoming major WCC meetings. 

WCC shares overview of June central committee meeting

With 124 of 155 central committee members and presidents from around the world present, the WCC central committee convened to advance preparations for the 11th WCC Assembly, taking place in 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany under the theme Christs love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” The central committee also addressed membership matters and strengthened the WCC fellowship through prayer and sharing. 

As Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace continues, “pray for patience, wisdom, and insight”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Reference Group and Theological Study Group, which convened in mid-June, brought reflections, prayers and insights that will form a path toward the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022.

Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches (USA) and Pastor Peter Noteboom, general secretary of The Canadian Council of Churches, shared reflections on their recent gathering. 

Stewards bring fresh perspective to WCC as they convene online

A group of 26 stewards from all over the world are convening online this week for their orientation into serving during the upcoming World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting. 

The young people from all over the world will meet on 14-16 June for a programme that includes ecumenical formation as well as an introduction into the proceedings of the WCC central committee, which will convene 23-29 June. 

 

The imperative to go back to the ecumenical basics

Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, was asked about the WCC executive committee meeting held on 17-23 May 2021. The WCC executive committee set a tone of hope for the future while, at the same time, addressing multiple global crises with statements, pastoral messages, and calls for prayer.

The transition to online programming and prayers during COVID-19 has challenged the WCC, and the rest of the world, Abuom found, and said is a heavy burden” on all in the ecumenical family as the WCC prepares for its 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany next year.

Celebrating Charta Oecumenica, heed Paul's words, European churches’ head urges

If the historic ecumenical document, the Charta Oecumenica, signed 20 years ago, is to hold its relevance for another two decades and beyond, Christians need to continue heeding Paul's letter to the Galatians (3:28). That is the opinion of Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches, who was teaching in an ecumenical community in Birmingham, UK, at the now-disbanded Selly Oak Colleges, at the United College of the Ascension when the charter was signed in 2001.

As goodwill ambassador, Rev. Martina Viktorie Kopecka breathes fresh spirit into reconciliation in Czech Republic

Rev. Martina Viktorie Kopecka, a priest in the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, is moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) ECHOS Commission for young people. She also serves on the WCC executive and central committees. In February, she was named a goodwill ambassador by H. E. Tomáš Petříček, minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, a role she will serve for one year. Below, she reflects on her hopes and plans for sharing stories from the Czech Republic with the world, bridging divides in her home country, and, ultimately, bringing about new expressions of Christian love.

"USA: Race and income determine access to clean water" - interview with Michele Roberts

The Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform (EJHA) in the USA is dedicated to chemical safety and supporting healthy, toxic-free communities where people can safely live, work, play, pray and go to school. The alliance is rooted in the history of the environmental and economic justice movement. WCC-EWN talked to Michele Roberts of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance (EJHA) about challenges to safe drinking water in the USA, how these are closely related to systemic racism, and possible solutions to achieve water justice for all.

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