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Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 6: "Cured water, peaceable people: A reflection from Pasifika (Pacific)"

The sixth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Dr Jione Havea from the Pacific region. Reflecting on the interesting story of the Bible where Moses turns the bitter water of Marah into drinkable water, with the help of God, Havea argues that drinkable water can bring peace while lack of water is a source of conflict. Then he encourages the readers to advocate for water justice. 

End Femicide: Invest in Women’s Lives

08 March 2024

A webinar on 8 March—International Womens Day—will address the societal norms and structures that perpetuate femicide—and steps for churches to seek healing and justice. 

Online

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 3: "Celebrating Jesus’ life in water through the lens of justice”

The third reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Very Rev. Dr Augustinos Bairactaris. In this reflection, he underscores that the water justice issue is a theological task for all, and that the health of the water is vital to human civilization, and for the stability of the worlds climate and biodiversity. He urges all Christians to pray, fast, and act together for a sustainable environment and planet, especially during Lent.

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.

Inter-Religious Ceremony for Peace in Solidarity with Refugees

12 December 2023

Refugees, regionally diverse international and local religious leaders, faith representatives and institutions will gather for a special ceremony of inter-religious prayer, co-curated by the Plateforme InterReligieuse de Genève, and the World Council of Churches, as part of the event “Religious Leaders Unite for Climate Peace in Solidarity with Refugees”, linked to the Global Refugee Forum.

Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Hope for Palestine

Rev. Sally Azar, of the Lutheran Church in the Holy Land, offered the reflection below on how Easter reminds us there is hope for Palestine.

Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2023, woche 2: "Wasser - eine Gabe Gottes", von Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Die zweite Betrachtung der Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2023 des Ökumenischen Wassernetzwerkes des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen wurde von Grace Ji-Sun Kim verfasst. Sie ist Pastorin der Presbyterianischen Kirche (USA). Kim promovierte an der University of Toronto und arbeitet als Theologie-Professorin an der Earlham School of Religion. Sie hat 21 Bücher verfasst bzw. herausgegeben, darunter auch Making Peace with the Earth. Kim gehört der Arbeitsgruppe des ÖRK zum Klimawandel an.

In dieser Betrachtung erinnert sie sich an ihre Kindheit in Korea und vergleicht ihre Einstellung zu Wasser damals und heute aus ihrer Perspektive als öko-feministische Theologin. Außerdem befasst sie sich mit Gottes Versprechen „Ich will Wasser gießen auf das Durstige und Ströme auf das Dürre“ und stellt es dem heutigen konsumorientierten Lebensstil gegenüber, der unsere Gewässer verschmutzt und Millionen Menschen die lebensspendende Gabe Gottes vorenthält – Wasser!

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 2: "God’s Gift of Water", by Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Originally written in 2019, the second reflection of the “Seven Weeks for Water 2023” of World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Water Network is by Grace Ji-Sun Kim, an ordained minister of PC (USA). She received her PhD from the University of Toronto and works as a Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion. She is a prolific writer and the author or editor of 21 books including, Making Peace with the Earth. Kim is part of the World Council of Churches working group on climate change. In this reflection, she recollects her early days in Korea and how she looked at the water then and now, as an eco-feminist theologian. She further reflects on the promise of God "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground…" and contrasts it with today's consumeristic lifestyle, which is polluting our water bodies and denying millions from enjoying this life-giving gift of God – Water!

Seven Weeks for Water 2022, week 4: “Water for peace: an interfaith perspective”, by Susanne Öhlmann

The fourth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2022 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is written by Susanne Öhlmann.* She says water and peace are similar to each other. We do not miss them until they are absent. On one hand, Europe, a water rich continent, has started to feel the pinch of water shortages in recent times, and on the other, peace and security of the region has started to destabilize in the wake of war in Ukraine. Drawing inspiration from the prophet Amos, she prays for peace and justice to prevail.

Specialized Ministries Pre-Assembly

09 - 10 March 2022

The pre-assembly with the leadership of specialized ministries is the opportunity to articulate a common response to the most pressing issues of our time and to propose common action as we move together toward the WCC assembly in Karlsruhe.