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The seventh reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri. She reflects on one of earliest conflicts over water recorded in the Bible, and draws our attention to today’s water conflicts, giving examples of transboundary water conflicts in her region in Africa. She highlights Isaac, who chose peace over conflict related to water, time after time—a fitting message for the World Water Day 2024 and its theme, “Water for Peace.” 

The  fourth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Dr Anupama Hial.  In this reflection, she recalls her struggles in the past as a Dalit woman in India to get access to clean water.  She challenges churches to be a catalyst for fulfilling the promise of Isaiah to provide free water to all who are thirsty, especially to the Dalit women. 

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 world’s climate and biodiversity. He urges all Christians to pray, fast, and act together for a sustainable environment and planet, especially during Lent.

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.

Thursdays in Black bible study by Betty Talbot, Scripture: John 4: 3-42 

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.

The greeting below is from the Fr Koryon of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate.

Rev. Dr Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, theologian in residence at the Middle East and North Africa Desk for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, reflects below on Holy Week and the path Jesus walked.

Atallah Hanna, Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, reflects below on the celebration of Easter.

Originally published in 2016, the seventh reflection of the WCC's Ecumenical Water Network Lenten campaign 2023 "Seven Weeks for Water" is from The Rt Rev. Dr Munib Younan, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Salaam and grace to you from Jerusalem, the Holy City. As an Arab Christian, I am thankful for the opportunity to write a reflection for this year’s “Seven Weeks for Water”. Of course, this part of the world always has been dealing with water issues because of its dry climate and few water resources. Today, however, the Palestinian people face an even greater water challenge. It is a crisis that grows worse year after year.

Thursdays in Black Bible Study "Exorcising the Silence in David’s House" on 2 Samuel 11-13 and Psalm 51, prepared by Rev. Dr Karen Georgia A. Thompson and Rev. Nicqi Ashwood.

Theological reflection on Romans 15:13 by Father Bashar Fawadleh, Spiritual guide for Christian Youth Movement in Palestine “The Homeland of Jesus Youth”, preparing for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be held 15-22 September 2022.

“Faith Active in Hope and Love”, theological reflection by Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, preparing for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be held 15-22 September 2022.

The fifth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2022 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is written by Peter Pavlovic.* He reflects that  Europe is a water rich continent, still, a lot of concerns related to water availability persist in the region.  Climate change makes this problem worse, our vulnerability is, as the last IPCC report warns, increasingly exposed.  Faith describes the world as a gift of God given to humanity. Fragility of our existence is closely related to disrespecting the limits of the world in which we live and is rooted in the failure of our relationship with God.

WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 Bible Studies: Identity Is Sacred, Bible Text: Jeremiah 1:5

WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 Bible Studies: Worship Is Sacred, Bible Text: Isaiah 56:7

WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 Bible Studies: Home Is Sacred, Bible Text: Isaiah 32:16–18

The third reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2022 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is written by Louk Andrianos.* He reflects on the  words of God found in James and John, by warning Christians about less recognized  “ecological sins" toward water: “pollution.” When our thirst is not quenched by Jesus Christ’s water and we follow the worldly consumption lifestyle, we act sometimes as springs of polluted water that are destroying creation instead of giving life to it. We cannot be the source of blessing and cursing (James 3: 10-11). 

Part of a series of Bible studies in preparation for the WCC 11th Assembly, this ninth text was written by Rev. Fr Mesrop Parsamyan, director of ministries at the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. 

Part of a series of Bible studies in preparation for the WCC 11th Assembly, this eighth text was written by Tamsyn Kereopa, a PhD candidate with the University of Otago, New Zealand.