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Prayer

Cross viewed in dim light with rising sun in the background.

Easter prayers – by Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni

Gracious God, when suffering and injustice seem unending, we pray for Sumud — the steadfast endurance and resilience that we find in you.

21 March 2024

Prayer

A palm leaf cross pictured against cobbled stones.

An Easter prayer – by Mgr William Shomali

Let swords be turned into ploughshares, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, starvation to prosperity, occupation to liberation, and peace and justice could be experienced by all.

14 March 2024

Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem statement on the recent attack on crowds gathering to receive humanitarian aid

02 March 2024

Bible studies

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 1: Water for peace in the Middle East region

The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Dr Munib Younan,* bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran World Federation. In this reflection, the author, as a Palestinian, in line with this year's theme of "leveraging water for peace,” reflects on Isaiah's promise of free water for the thirsty in the context of the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza that has worsened the water situation in Gaza to catastrophic levels.

14 February 2024

Background document

Overview: WCC statements, news, and features on Palestine and Israel (1 Jan. 2023 - 15 Mar. 2024)

Overview of WCC statements, news, and features on Palestine and Israel in the period 1 January 2023 - 15 March 2024.

25 January 2024

WCC Programmes

COP28 Side-events

30 November - 12 December 2023

Events with involvement of the World Council of Churches and ecumenical partners at the COP28 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 30 November - 12 December.

COP28, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photo showing some of the devastation of war

Weaponizing Women in War

08 December 2023

This hybrid event during 16 Days against gender-based violence focuses on the impacts of weaponizing women in war, the transformational healing required, and ways women's input can influence peace-building.

Ecumenical Centre, Geneva and Online

Message

Message CCME General Assembly 2023: Protect people, Protect our humanity

The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe, at its General Assembly held in Rome on 6-8 November, published a message entitled “Protect people, protect our humanity." The message acknowledged the immense work being done by churches and other people of good will all over Europe.

23 November 2023

WCC Programmes

WCC webinar: “Decolonizing beauty: mission, gender, racism, and health in the skin-whitening pandemic.”

04 December 2023

A webinar on 4 December will focus on “Decolonizing beauty: mission, gender, racism, and health in the skin-whitening pandemic.”

Online

Letter

WCC Greetings on the Occasion of the 50th Jubilee of the Middle East Council of Churches

The World Council of Churches (WCC) congratulates the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) on its 50th Jubilee.

16 November 2023

Letter

WCC general secretary letter to the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East on the attack to Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza

18 October 2023

Statement by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Church Unites in Prayer, Firmly Condemns Massacre at Hospital, and Grieves the Loss of Hundreds of
Innocent Civilians

17 October 2023

Statement: WCC outraged with news of an attack on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza; calls for a new reality based on justice and human dignity

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed both outrage and shock at the news of an airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza.

17 October 2023

Statement: WCC calls for a new approach to the conflict in Palestine and Israel

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in the aftermath of brutal violence where thousands of innocent civilians lost their lives, is calling for a new approach to resolve the conflict in the Holy Land.

13 October 2023

Screening of film “Our Land of Olives and Vines”

04 October 2023

The World Council of Churches will host the screening of a 10-minute movie “Our Land of Olives and Vines,” featuring Al Makhrour in Beit Jala, the last green area—rich in olive trees, fruits, and apricots—left in Bethlehem, and very connected to the heritage and future of Palestinian Christians.

Report

Report: WCC delegation visit to Armenia, 18-22 September 2023

25 September 2023

Sermon

H.B. Theophilos III homily at the Global Ecumenical Service of the WCC for the World Week of Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land

19 September 2023

Lecture - Speech

H.B. Theophilos III Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine remarks at the exhibition of the renovation and restoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem at the World Council of Churches in Geneva

12 September 2023

WCC general secretary statement on Christians denied access to holy site

After thousands of Orthodox Christians were denied access to Mount Tabor, in the Lower Galilee—site of the transfiguration of Jesus—World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed concern about the infringement on religious freedom in the Holy Land.

21 August 2023