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Women's World Day of Prayer will draw millions together for healing message

On 6 March, Christian women from 170 countries will observe a World Day of Prayer, drawing millions of people together for a healing message in a divisive world.

The 2020 theme is “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” based on John 5:2-9a, and has been crafted by the World Day of Prayer Zimbabwe Committee. Each year, materials are developed ecumenically and collectively within a certain country in coordination with the World Day of Prayer International Committee.

Father Jacques Mourad, priest held hostage by Islamic State, reflects on what he learned

Father Jacques Mourad is a monk and priest of the community of Mar Moussa in Syria. He is very active in Islamic-Christian dialogue and belongs to the diocese of Homs of the Syriac Catholic Church. In 2015, he was captured and held hostage by the Islamic State, before escaping with the help of Muslims. During Advent, Father Mourad visited the Ecumenical Centre, where he led a special midday prayer for peace in Syria and the Middle East.

Ecumenical prayer on the occasion of the Week of Action to Fight Inequality

20 January 2020

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is part of the “Fight Inequality” Alliance that aims to “build a global movement to counter the excessive concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a small elite and achieve a just, equal and sustainable world”. On 20 January, an ecumenical prayer service will be held in the WCC headquarters in Geneva as part of its involvement in the Week of Action to Fight Inequality 2020 (18 - 25 January).

Ecumenical Centre

South Africans draw hope despite recurring challenges

Gender-based violence and attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa have left communities wondering where to turn. In a visit of solidarity, a World Council of Churches (WCC) Pilgrim Team visited the nation from 7-12 December.

World Council of Churches kicks-off its Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace to South Africa by Discussing Gender Based Violence and Violence on Foreign Nationals in meeting with President

A high-level delegation of the World Council of Churches (WCC), who are being hosted by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) from 7-12 December 2019, have today kicked-off their official WCC Pilgrim Team Visit to South Africa with a courtesy call on H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa and some Cabinet Ministers, at Lakes Hotel, in Benoni.

Hospitality, food and gender-based violence

In the context of extensive migrations due to climate change and economic hardships, women are increasingly being left alone in rural areas, taking care of children, elders, and farms. It is estimated that women are responsible for carrying out 70% of agriculture in the world. However, few have legal rights to land and property and have poor access to resources. Much of the work women do in the context of providing for livelihood and care is not sufficiently acknowledged.

Webinar on Middle East racism: “Never lose hope”

A World Council of Churches webinar held on 25 November with the theme “Racism, Xenophobia and discrimination in the Middle-East Context” drew enthusiastic participants from the broader region inhabited by 411 million people.

Sharing is caring

"Sharing is caring" I hear my little granddaughter say. "Sharing is caring" children sing in nursery schools and on playgrounds. #SharingIsCaring in hundreds of thousands of tweets and social media posts. Sharing toys, sharing food, sharing joy, sharing love, sharing stories, sharing pain, sharing our lives, from our house to yours. “Sharing is caring” – it seems so simple, so logical.

New study illuminates children’s rights, hopes and burdens

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit reflected on the 19 November launch of “Faith and Children’s Rights: A Multi-Religious Study on the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” a new report developed by Arigatou International in collaboration with several partner organizations and advocates.

Dutch Reformed Church holds assembly, receives ecumenical support

The Dutch Reformed Church held its general assembly from 6-11 October in Benoni, South Africa.
The church adopted a new policy on sexual abuse and misconduct, and also publicly strengthened its commitment to gender justice. The new policy, the result of conversations over many years about the way in which women are sometimes treated in the church, describes in detail which acts could be seen as sexual abuse or misconduct.

Churches in southern Africa stand against violence, xenophobia

Churches across southern Africa are publicly saying #EnoughIsEnough,” with many denominations and congregations continuing to issue strong statements, arrange special prayer events, and speak out against rising levels of violence.

Both the Dutch Reformed Church and the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) have been discussing gender justice and how to keep the momentum going on the unprecedented public demand for change.