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Religious leaders uniting for climate peace in solidarity with refugees, boost UN conference

The moment religious leaders from around 40 faith-based organisations worldwide agreed to keep defending the individual right to seek asylum during a gathering in Geneva marked a high point on the eve of the Global Refugee Forum, the world's biggest such international gathering.They met at a one-day event on 12 December at the World Council of Churches (WCC), chaired by an Armenian archbishop and a UN diplomat who was once a Turkish legislator.

14 December 2023
Feature story
Closing worship service at Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church in Kottayam. Photo CCA

Blending local and global ecumenism in Asia

After being postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) finally got underway in late September and early October 2023 in Kottayam, India. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation,” CCA member churches across Asia gathered to stake out the direction forward and evaluate accomplishments and challenges since the last assembly in 2015 in Jakarta. 

02 November 2023
News
Dr Mathews George Chunakara

Ecumenical Asia's 15th General Assembly looks to emerging challenges

This week, 500 participants from all over Asia gather in Kottayam, India, to evaluate the last eight years of ecumenical work and look to challenges ahead, such as the impact of youth migration. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation", the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) holds its 15th General assembly.

26 September 2023
News
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Global Peace Prayer will draw Christians together in hope for better future

A Global Peace Prayer on 22 March will draw Christians together in hope for a better future. A communique from a prayer planning committee explained that Christians are called into prayer and advocacy for peace. “In a global context where war and violence abound, the practice of peace has become even more urgent,” reads the message.

21 March 2023
Event
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Global Peace Prayer

22 March 2023

A Global Peace Prayer on 22 March will draw Christians together into prayer and advocacy for peace, and in hope for a better future. 

Online
Interview
Candlelight vigil for peace in the Korean Peninsula, part of "A Light of Peace" campaign sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Korea December 2017, Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC

On Korean Peninsula, “the churches and the country need reconciliation and unity”

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.

30 May 2022
Prayer
O, Lord, who give unto each nation its place and time and mission: grant us the gift of unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, that the ancient church, and all Christians of this land, each loyal to their confession, culture and nationality, may discover new forms of common Christian witness, and stand before the divided world as a united and humble fellowship. O Lord, who commanded your disciples to pray both for their neighbours and their enemies: give us such love for one another, that with one voice

Morning Prayer for Monday, 12 April 2021

This week in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray with the people and churches of

Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.

Prayers were prepared in cooperation with the Lutheran World Federation.

12 April 2021
Document
Liturgical text
Merciful God, You who saw the abused woman in her misery and rescued her. You hear the cries of the children in pain, and the mothers seeking life in fullness.

Morning Prayer for Friday, 4 December 2020

Merciful God, you who saw the abused woman in her misery and rescued her…

This week, the first week of Advent, in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are praying with the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

In a time of physical distancing, let us unite our hearts and minds as we prayerfully seek to overcome Sexual and Gender-Based Violence together.

04 December 2020
WCC Programmes
Document
Liturgical text
Elohim, You formed me – inside out; You knitted me together as I am in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works – You made me! – my soul knows it is so.

Morning Prayer for Thursday, 3 December 2020

Elohim, You formed me – inside out; You knitted me together as I am in my mother’s womb…

This week, the first week of Advent, in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are praying with the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

3 December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In a time of physical distancing, let us unite our hearts and minds as we prayerfully seek to overcome Sexual and Gender-Based Violence together.

Prayers were prepared by staff of the WCC's Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN).

03 December 2020
WCC Programmes
Document
Liturgical text
O Lord, you who understands the pain and trauma of being sold by those close to you, draw us into your presence as we gather this morning...

Morning Prayer for Wednesday, 2 December 2020

O Lord, you understand the pain and trauma of being sold by those close to you…

This week, the first week of Advent, in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are praying with the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

2 December is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. In a time of physical distancing, let us unite our hearts and minds as we prayerfully seek to overcome Sexual and Gender-Based Violence together.

Prayers were prepared in cooperation with the World YWCA.

02 December 2020
Ecumenical movement
Document
Liturgical text
God, you are our safe place to hide, ready to help when we need you. We stand at the cliff-edge of doom, in seastorm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains – fearless and courageous. Jacob-wrestling God fight for us, God-of-Angel-Armies come protect us.

Morning Prayer for Tuesday, 1 December 2020

God, you are our safe place to hide…

This week, on the first week of Advent, in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are praying with the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

1 December is World AIDS Day. In a time of physical distancing, let us unite our hearts and minds as we prayerfully seek to overcome Sexual and Gender-Based Violence together.

01 December 2020
WCC Programmes
Document
Liturgical text
O Lord, open to us the gates of righteousness, That we may enter through them and give thanks to you. This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Morning Prayer for Monday, 30 November 2020

O Lord, open to us the gates of righteousness…

This week, on the first week of Advent, in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are praying with the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

In the context of the 16 Days against Gender-Based Violence, this week marks World AIDS Day (December 1), the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (2 December) and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December).

30 November 2020
WCC Programmes
Interview
Jouni Hemberg, executive director of Finn Church Aid. Photo: Finn Church Aid

Jouni Hemberg: “Make the message more visible”

Our series of interviews with Thursdays in Black ambassadors highlights those who are playing a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Jouni Hemberg is executive director of Finn Church Aid.

19 December 2019