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@WorldCouncilOfChurches @WorldCouncilOfChurches
@Oikoumene @Oikoumene
@WorldCouncilOfChurches @WorldCouncilOfChurches

20 - 25 May 2022

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHT
As WCC 11th Assembly approaches, anticipation and hope begin to bloom
ECUMENICAL PRAYER CYCLE

This week we pray for:
Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles
22 May 2022 - 28 May 2022

Next week we pray for:
Angola, Mozambique
29 May 2022 - 04 June 2022

NEWS


Churches diaconal work in Italy an essential tool in upholding human dignity of refugees
Rich examples of the work promoted by member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Italy in assisting refugees and migrants, have been the highlight of the first days of WCC delegation visit to the region this week. The majority of the initiatives visited are led by women.
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WCC on gun violence in the United States: “Our grief is deep, our prayers are strong”
World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, in a letter to the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, expressed grief about the ongoing gun violence in that nation.
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African women church leaders: “Where is there justice today?”
As African women church leaders gathered last week for an inaugural “Ecumenical Women’s Initiative for Leadership and Learning”, they lamented grave injustices, celebrated women pioneers, and nurtured a spirit of solidarity they hope will blaze a global trail for the future.
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Mandatory media accreditation for the WCC assembly
Media accreditation to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, to be held in Karlsruhe, Germany, 31 August – 8 September 2022, remains open.
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In “Untold Journey” podcast, WCC moderator reflects on the concept of peace
In a 20 May episode of the podcast “The Untold Journey,” hosted by Paska Nyaboth and the All Africa Conference of Churches, World Council of Churches moderator Dr Agnes Abuom reflects on the concept of peace.
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Middle East Council of Churches: “we walk courageously in the paths of our lives”
The Middle East Council of Churches held its 12th General Assembly on 16-20 May in Egypt, exploring the theme “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” A message from the gathering touches upon many challenges facing the Middle East.
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Committing to climate-responsible finance sends “strong signal of hope to all”
A webinar on 20 May underscored the importance of the recently released landmark joint appeal, “Climate Responsible Finance—A Moral Imperative Towards Children,” signed by the World Council of Churches (WCC), United Nations Environment Programme, Muslim Council of Elders, and New York Board of Rabbis.
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WCC responds to false reporting in Germany on Israel and Palestine
In a response to false reporting in Germany on Israel and Palestine, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca reiterated the WCC’s history of denouncing antisemitism and, at the same time, responding to the experiences and suffering of Palestinians.
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WCC extends condolences in wake of “senseless and horrific” shootings in USA
World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca extended condolences to the loved ones and to all those mourning the loss of those gunned down in a grocery store in Buffalo last weekend and a McDonald’s in Chicago this week.
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Upcoming briefing will cover global food crisis and urgent response
A briefing on 25 May at 12.00-13.30 CET will feature experts who will offer crucial updates on the global food crisis as well as a summary of urgent response from faith-based group, civil society, and governments.
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Media accreditation opens for the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting, 15 – 18 June 2022
The upcoming central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 15 – 18 June will be the sixth meeting of this central committee since it was elected at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea, in 2013.
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Assembly preparation meeting covers how to communicate sense of hope through many channels
At a pre-assembly planning meeting and informal networking session, the Karlsruhe local assembly office hosted a programme on 17 May to discuss the current status of planning for the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly. More than 150 people attended.
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WCC invites World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, highlights “Faith, Hope and Love in Action”
As the 2022 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel approaches in September, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land.
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As Horn of Africa drought bites, church leader highlights children’s malnutrition
In drought-stricken regions in eastern Africa, churches and church congregations continue to pray for rain, as the weather conditions leave millions of people without food, water and pasture for their animals.
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WCC executive committee to convene for assembly preparations and governing decisions
The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee will convene via videoconference from 30 May to 2 June to conduct regular business, and to prepare for the WCC central committee meeting in mid-June as well as the WCC 11th Assembly in August-September.
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As WCC 11th Assembly approaches, anticipation and hope begin to bloom
With the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly less than four months away, anticipation for the historic gathering of faith and fellowship is growing.
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“Changemakers” course will help empower the grassroots for freedom of religion or belief
A new “Local Changemakers Course” is being released by the Freedom of Religion or Belief Learning Platform to help empower local communities in their fight for human rights, particularly freedom of religion or belief.
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Reflections on “What Are the Churches Saying About the Church” share fruits of WCC Commission on Faith and Order
Below, Rev. Dr Susan Durber, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order and His Eminence Bishop Maxim, from the Serbian Orthodox Church and a WCC Faith and Order commissioner, reflect on the publication “What Are the Churches Saying About the Church?” The publication, which presents key findings and proposals from responses to “The Church: Towards a Common Vision,” is among the many fruits being harvested by the study groups of the WCC Faith and Order Commission for the WCC 11th Assembly.
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WCC hones plans for conference commemorating 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council at Nicea
The World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order is proposing a Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in 2025, a year that will mark the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council at Nicea.
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WCC thanks city of Karlsruhe for inspiring assembly preparations
As World Council of Churches (WCC) staff visited Karlsruhe from 17-19 May, local officials there expressed their excitement over hosting the upcoming WCC 11th Assembly on 31 August-8 September.
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Thursdays in Black ambassadors map how to keep moving toward a world free from violence
Eighteen Thursdays in Black ambassadors gathered on 12 May to discuss how to build on the momentum of many creative efforts across the world to move toward a world free from rape and violence.
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Catholic journalists visit WCC, gain insights into global fellowship
A group of Catholic journalists visited the Ecumenical Centre on 13 May, where they were received by Rev. Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus, interim deputy general secretary and director of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order.
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PHOTO GALLERIES
WCC Pilgrim Team Visit to Italy
Ecumenical Women Church Leaders Initiative Consultation
VIDEOS
Briefing on Global Crisis on Food and the crisis response
WEBINARS
Webinar: Climate-Responsible Finance - a Moral Imperative towards Children
RESOURCES
WCC Annual Review 2021
WCC Pre-Assembly meetings
PUBLICATIONS
Let the Waves Roar: Perspectives of Young Prophetic Voices in the Ecumenical Movement
Celebrate Christ’s Love! Sing and Pray
EVENTS

Bossey online course in ecumenism
Dates : 14 March 2022 - 05 June 2022 The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey is inviting applications for a renewed version of the 10-week online course entitled “Together Towards Unity. Being Church in a Fragmented World” in 2022. Application deadline is 15 February.
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Executive Committee meeting (online)
Dates : 30 May 2022 - 02 June 2022 The 25-person Executive Committee is the WCC governing body, with members from churches in every region, meeting twice a year to monitor ongoing work, supervise the budget and deal with policy matters referred to it by the WCC Central Committee.
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WCC webinar: Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030
Dates : 30 May 2022 - 30 May 2022 28 May (Saturday) is Menstrual Hygiene Day. On 30 May, 2022 (Monday), the WCC Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) and the Just Community of Women and Men (JCWM) along with their partner Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) invite you to a webinar to mark this important day.
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WCC will offer churches’ perspective during June dialogue on humanitarian aid
Dates : 10 June 2022 - 10 June 2022 World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca will speak on “Churches and humanitarian aid” during a conference organized by the Foundation Dialogue for Peace, to be held 10 June in Geneva.
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Executive Committee meeting
Dates : 14 June 2022 - 14 June 2022 The 25-person Executive Committee is the WCC governing body, with members from churches in every region, moderated by Dr Agnes Abuom. It meets twice a year to monitor ongoing work, supervise the budget and deal with policy matters referred to it by the Central Committee.
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Central Committee meeting
Dates : 15 June 2022 - 18 June 2022 The Central Committee serves as the chief governing body of the WCC until the next assembly, meeting every 2 years. It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council.
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Steward programme 2022
Dates : 21 August 2022 - 10 September 2022 The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites ecumenical youth to be stewards at the 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2022. The Stewards Programme aims to bring together a dynamic and diverse group of 160 young people from all over the world, from 21 August to 10 September 2022. The invitation is open to young people from a variety of backgrounds, churches and regions.
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The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
Dates : 31 August 2022 - 08 September 2022 The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches will take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity".
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World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel
Dates : 15 September 2022 - 22 September 2022 World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed 15-22 September 2022.
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WCC Eco-School 2022
Dates : 20 November 2022 - 26 November 2022 The fifth edition of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Eco-School on Water, Food and Climate Justice, will be held 20-26 November 2022 in the North America region. Convening in-person at the Stony Point Center in New York, the event is open to young people under 30 years of age from the North America region only.
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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.

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