Originally published in 2020, the fifth reflection of the seven weeks for water 2023 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is by Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates, a minister of Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church of Suva, Fiji and a consultant chaplain at The University of the South Pacific. Bruce has been active in the Pacific since 1975 as an academic in social work, community development and social policy having served at the University of Papua New Guinea and The University of the South Pacific. In the following reflection he underlines the importance of human right to water and the onslaught of privatisation in the backdrop of world’s most famous bottled water which comes from his home country, the “Fiji waters”.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is sharing materials for a “Week of Prayer for Overcoming Racism and Xenophobia” in the week that includes the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March and the UN International Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on 25 March.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is sharing materials for a “Week of Prayer for Overcoming Racism and Xenophobia” in the week that includes the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March and the UN International Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on 25 March.
On 20 February, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, arrived in the city of Antioch, the historical capital of the Patriarchate, for an historic visit following the devastating earthquake that struck on 6 February.
Almost two weeks have passed since an earthquake that hit northern Syria and Turkey on 6 February, killing over 41,000 people. The disaster also caused thousands of buildings to collapse. In various cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia, over 115 schools were destroyed.
Installation of Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay as the 9th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will take place on Friday, 17 February 2023.
With this media invitation, it is our joy to invite you to attend the installation of Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay as the 9th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) during the afternoon of Friday, 17 February 2023.
Rev. Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus began to teach at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in 2004 and joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2007. Most recently he served as WCC interim deputy general secretary and Faith and Order director. Below, he reflects on his fondest memories, accomplishments, and hopes.
The new St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York City hosted a special Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in a church that was previously destroyed by terrorist attacks on 11 Sept. 2001.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) joins The United Church of Canada and many other churches and peoples across the world who are mourning the death of Omega Chilufya Bula, a beloved justice leader, sister, elder, pioneer, mentor, friend, and colleague.
At an ecumenical service hosted at St Paul’s Anglican Church by the Barbados Christian Council, those gathered prayerfully explored the symbols of stones and water as “the beginning of a decolonized spiritual practice.”
A group of Ecumenical Accompaniers completed their service in Palestine and Israel, handing their ministry over to the next wave, and celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the same time.
On the occasion of the upcoming World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023, which is observed annually from 1-7 February at the United Nations, my thought goes to the urgent call for biodiversity protection from the COP15 held in Montreal, from 7-19 December 2022.
In a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, representatives from 25 churches in Geneva drew together in the World Council of Churches chapel on 18 January.
Christians in New York City opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 January by participating in a worship service at the Interchurch Center, an office building that houses many church-related organizations and many others focused on intercultural and religious exchange. The service was infused with themes of justice and unity, both from a perspective of African-American history and the urging of Christians today to put their faith into action.
Students from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Bossey Ecumenical Institute began an 8-day study visit to Rome on 19 January, with a full programme that includes lectures, tours of the Vatican, and opportunities to interact with leaders from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
During a thanksgiving prayer and reflections on 20 January, World Council of Churches (WCC) leaders, former leaders, and staff gathered to express gratitude for the work that has led them toward a sense of unity and hope for the future.
During a prayer on 23 January, World Council of Churches (WCC) staff and partners gathered to observe the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and to pray with the peoples and churches of Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus.
Sermon of the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay during a prayer service on 23 January, when the WCC staff and partners gathered to observe the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
