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Nazeli Kandakarjian, a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia) in Lebanon, is serving as a young adult steward at these central committee meetings. She arrived five days late for the training programme due to a series of visa difficulties, ultimately receiving her visa just a few hours before her rescheduled flight on 11 Feb. "It was like in the movies", she said of the last-minute rush. When she finally arrived in Geneva, though--her first trip outside the Middle East--she was warmly welcomed by the other stewards. They were eager to learn about her, and she enjoyed hearing their stories, as well. She said the group bonded quickly and has worked well together. "It's like being in the center of the globe", said Kandakarjian, who was born in Kuwait. "I have people from all over the world telling me their experiences. It couldn't be any better than this. I'm so happy to be here". A friend who attended the WCC Assembly in Porto Alegre in 2006 encouraged her to apply for the stewards programme. She did, because she liked the idea of actually working at the meetings and not just being an observer. Now Kandakarjian is carrying that same message to others. "I would like to encourage everyone to be in this kind of experience", she said, expressing an appreciation for the ecumenical work she was able to witness. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's great". All of the stewards were recognised at the conclusion of the meetings Wednesday with a round of applause and the moderator's thanks, and each received the gift of a WCC watch.

By Walt Wiltschek (*)

Gathered in a church dating from the 12th century, the World Council of Churches seemed like a relative youngster as it celebrated its 60th anniversary Sunday 17 February.

Mr. Khamphone Kounthapanya is president of the Lao Evangelical Church, one of two church bodies newly welcomed into full fellowship as members of the World Council of Churches at the 13-20 February Central Committee meeting. Kounthapanya shared some information about his church:

New expressions of Christianity. The growing prominence of the global South. The impact of globalization. Increasing religious diversity. These factors and others are contributing to a "rapidly changing ecclesial context," one that World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia addressed in his comprehensive report to the Central Committee on Thursday.

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Joyful anticipation of a continued "close cooperation with the Church of Greece in serving the cause of Christian unity" under the leadership of Archbishop Hieronymos II was expressed in a congratulatory message to the newly elected head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

The news of the death of His Beatitude Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, who died yesterday at his home in Psyhico (Athens) at the age of 69, was received with "deep sadness" by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. In a condolence letter to the Church of Greece, which the late archbishop had led since 1998, Kobia paid tribute to "a gifted head of church, an Orthodox primate looking at the modern world in an interesting and challenging way, a church leader committed to walk the path of Christian unity with courage and vision, perseverance and patience, care and humility."

Celebrating a 60th birthday for some is a milestone marked by visions of retirement - celebrating achievements and dreaming of new endeavours. The WCC, however, on its 60th "birthday" in 2008 does not want to rest on past feats as it looks ahead to the challenges of the 21st century. The largest, most inclusive fellowship of churches in the world, and the pre-eminent face of 20th century ecumenism, is grappling with a very different world today - politically, economically, religiously - than the one it faced following the second world war.

"With his analytical mind, great theological knowledge and deep engagement for the unity and common witness of the church, which was always combined with his passion for justice and peace, [Konrad Raiser] has made significant and remarkable contributions to the development of the World Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement in the last four decades," wrote WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a letter of congratulation to the organizers of a Symposium honouring Raiser on his 70th birthday, which he celebrates today, January 25th.

At today's ecumenical Vespers service presided by Pope Benedict XVI, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia underlined the importance of "a church that is one and united in its witness" to a world marked by violence and disunity.  The service in Rome marked the conclusion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The liberation of Clara Rojas and Consuelo González "is a sign of hope that shows that a negotiated solution to the situation in Colombia is possible", stated today Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme on Public witness: addressing power and affirming peace . Expressing joy at the liberation of the two women held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for about six years, Giddings Ivory congratulated the mediators and called on the Colombian government and the FARC "to look for peaceful ways of ending the long lasting violent conflict", in which "civil society has suffered the most", with hundred of civilians "victimized by the ongoing military operations". Giddings Ivory also affirmed that a "humanitarian agreement is still possible and urgent to put an end to the hostage situation". Several hundreds of people are believed to be held hostages by the FARC.