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WCC delegation visits Humanitarian Aid Center in Moscow and Theological Academy in Sergiev Posad

During its travels in Moscow, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation visited the Humanitarian Aid Center, a church initiative which started in March 2022, after the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Most of the refugees from Ukraine who arrive in Moscow have friends or relatives in the Russian capital. Nevertheless, their need is great. Around 500 people knock at the door of the Refugee Centre every day. At the refugee drop-in centre, they receive daily necessities, basic food, products for personal hygiene and, if they do have children, the necessary basic equipment for them. Many of the people who come to the drop-in centre suffer from psychological problems and traumatic experiences. After initial treatment, they are referred to professionals.

WCC acting general secretary visits Moscow

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca visited Moscow this week, meeting with H.H. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia, and representatives from the largest WCC member church.

Reflections from GETI underscore friendship coupled with knowledge

Over 100 people including students, alumni, instructors, and guests from academic and theological institutions in Germany, Switzerland, and France gathered together to hear reflections as part of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) program culmination on 7 September during the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.

Ukraine: Responding to humanitarian need

When the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, churches had already been responding to humanitarian need in the country for eight years, since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.  The work being undertaken by churches in meeting the needs of those displaced by the war is not new, but the scale is staggering as 14 million people have been displaced in the six months since the invasion began.

Children of God unite in Tuesday morning prayers

From the clashing of an Asian gong to soft strumming of a Hawaiian ukulele, from reggae to jazz, from a contemporary praise song in Mandarin to a gospel response in Arabic and a liturgical chant in Syriac, from a Scottish prophetic refrain to a sprightly Colombian recessional march, the beauty and diversity of world Christianity were celebrated in the Tuesday morning prayer at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany. The theme for the service was “Christ’s love moves us to be faithful”.

Uppsala 1968: The times, they were a’changing

By rights, it should have been Africa. The World Council of Churches’ (WCC) First Assembly had been held in Europe (Amsterdam), the second in North America (Evanston, USA), the third in Asia (New Delhi). Hopes were raised that Africa would be the next continent to host the council. But questions arose concerning acts of violence and military conflicts in Africa throughout the 1960s, from the Biafran region in Nigeria to Zanzibar and Eritrea, from Algeria to Mozambique and Rhodesia. And so the Fourth Assembly returned to the “safety” of Europe, to Uppsala in Sweden. In one of history’s ironies, Soviet tanks would roll into Prague one month after the assembly’s close.

Assembly participants come together as church families

With over 3,500 participants from all over the world, opportunities for “encounter” are rich and continuous at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany. Intentional gatherings – from small “home” groups to regional meetings also help to connect participants and bring different perspectives to the concerns and hopes being raised under the Assembly theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity”.

Business plenary discusses draft unity statement as milestone on journey of our common life in Christ

In a process described as, “a journey of walking together, praying together, and working together,” Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC moderator, began the second business plenary with a review of the assembly decision-making process. “The decisions of the assembly are expressed through the final reports of the assembly committees,” she said, noting the distinction between earlier messages and final messages, which are expected to come to assembly next week.