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Publication “Towards a Global Vision of the Church, Volume II” released during webinar

A new publication, “Towards a Global Vision of the Church, Volume II,” was released during a webinar on 14 December hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order.

21 December 2023

Miss Caldwell (the Bishop's niece), Bishop Heard of the African M. E. Church, Rev. Piotr Gorodiszcz at the World Conference on Faith and Order, Edinburgh, 1937

Thirty days that changed the ecumenical movement

No holidays for William Temple, Archbishop of York, early in August 1937. The ecumenical movement for the social responsibility of the churches, known as “Life and Work,” had just held its world conference in Oxford, 12-26 July, with the church struggle against emerging totalitarian states at the heart of its theme and work. Temple had drafted the final message of the conference, known for the motto “let the Church be the Church.”

23 October 2023

The tomb of saint Lazarus, in the Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca, Cyprus, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

WCC and the Roman Catholic Church jointly prepare materials for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025

A joint international editing group comprised of individuals appointed by the Dicastery for promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches met in the Bose Monastery, Italy, 11-15 September, to prepare materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 2025.

21 September 2023

New WCC Faith and Order Commission holds inaugural meeting

The new World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order held its inaugural meeting, where commissioners and the consultants came together to get glimpse of Christian encounter from many church traditions, and mapped out their work ahead together.

14 September 2023

Sister Rosa Le Thi Bong, a Vietnamese member of Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, says goodbye to people in Riimenze, a small war-ravaged village in South Sudan where she spent more than a decade as a member of Solidarity with South Sudan, a pastoral and teaching presence of Catholic clergy, religious and laity from around the world.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024: “You shall love the Lord your God ...and your neighbour as yourself…”

An ecumenical team from Burkina Faso facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community has been the convener for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 drafting group. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Vatican have now published the material in several languages.

14 August 2023

Blog post

Eileen Peralta and her 12-year old daughter Erin, who has autism, sit on the step of their home in the Malate neighborhood of Manila. They're being visited by other members of Kaisahan ng Magulang at Anak na Maykapansanan (Kaisaka), a mothers' group that carries out community based rehabilitation with families which have members with disabilities.

Recognizing autism as a disability

As a parent of an autistic child, it is important for me not only to embrace and accept that my child has autism but also to raise awareness on autism. We are all called upon to champion acceptance, embrace, appreciate, and accept autistic people as valued members of the community.

25 July 2023

Ann Kioi

Closing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, southern hemisphere reflects on “justice that restores communion”

As churches in the southern hemisphere closed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 28 May, they brought final reflections to this year’s theme of “Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17).”

31 May 2023

Congregants holding hands in prayer at Holy Family Church Singapore

Southern hemisphere celebrates Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Churches in the southern hemisphere will observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 21-28 May, the week between Ascension and Pentecost. This year’s theme is “Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17).”

22 May 2023

protrait photo of Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC programme executive for Spiritual Life

Barbados Gospelfest will express churches’ affirmation and celebration of persons with disabilities

The upcoming Barbados Gospelfest, set for 21-28 May, will express churches’ affirmation and celebration of persons with disabilities in musical and other creative ways.

17 May 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at the Interchurch Center in New York City

In New York City, unity prayers focus on how we “can join hands and minds and do the work that God has called us to do”

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.

24 January 2023

Opening the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “we cannot do this work alone”

Aa the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity opened on 18 January, the World Council of Churches staff and partners gathered in a spirit of unity to “Do good; seek justice,” the theme of this year’s special week.

19 January 2023

Countdown to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: inspiring resources accessible to all

Days before the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins, many across the world are getting ready by accessing the resources prepared by the Minnesota Council of Churches, based in the USA.

12 January 2023

Group of people, some dressed in religious garb and some in traditional Sami indigenous clothing, gathered in a circle in a church building.

Church of Sweden apologizes to Sámi people, this time in Sápmi

The Church of Sweden has renewed its apology to the Sámi people, this time in Sápmi in the Luleå Cathedral.

27 October 2022

Kathryn Lohre (right) with Rev. Nicqi Ashwood (left), WCC Program Executive of the Just Community of Women and Men, and Dr Agnes Abuom (center), former moderator of the WCC Central Committee, Photo: Courtesy of Kathryn Lohre

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America looks back on WCC assembly as “a beautiful reunion”

To the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, relationships are at the heart of its membership in the World Council of Churches (WCC).

06 October 2022

Press conference offers array of voices on unity as “fundamental mission that Jesus gave to us”

At a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly press conference held 7 September, Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox voices joined a WCC Faith and Order member to explore the meaning of Christian unity.

07 September 2022

Oasis of Peace Opening Prayer

This multilingual volume will guide the opening prayer of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches on 31 August. In addition to the order of service it includes the text of the homily to be presented by John X Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the youth testimony Ms Ann Jacob, United Methodist Church, USA.

30 August 2022

Christ’s Love (Re)moves Borders

GETI 2022 Prayer Booklet

The spiritual life during GETI 2022 embodies the WCC ethos of holding spirituality and critical reflection together as parts of an integrated whole. In that regard, this Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) is envisioned as a holistic process encompassing formative and informative dimensions of learning. This prayer booklet contributes to holistic learning. It is a resource for spiritual life, a formative dimension of the GETI 2022 experience and learning. It illuminates the theme “Christ’s Love (Re)Moves Borders” liturgically. This, therefore, serves as a resource for (spi)ritual and prayerful reflection for all during the residential phase of the study process that was also anticipated during the online phase.

15 August 2022

When He Saw the Crowds - Bible Studies

When He Saw the Crowds - Bible Studies

Und da er das Volk sah - Bibelstudien

Voyant les foules - Études bibliques

Al ver las multitudes - Estudios bíblicos

The plenary Bible studies are an important aspect of the work of the assembly. They give participants an opportunity to meet daily around a Bible passage to reflect on the theme and the experience of the assembly. Participants can discern together God’s purposes for themselves and the ecumenical movement. They meet in groups which are small enough to allow everyone to contribute and large enough to give a range of perspectives. The Bible study sessions provide an opportunity for participants to explore the assembly theme together in the light of the biblical texts, knowledge, and experience. To be involved in group Bible study is to be open to one another, to the Bible passage and to the Holy Spirit. It is not to win an argument or to persuade others to a particular point of view. These sessions should be a place where the participants can integrate all they have heard and done in the assembly and discover together the possibilities of transformation that God offers us.

15 August 2022