News
WCC staff, planning together, nurture spirit of one humanity
World Council of Churches (WCC) staff gathered this week online, from 6-9 October, for the biannual Staff Planning Days to plan their programmatic journey together towards the 11th Assembly under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”
Series of WCC webinars to explore “Hate Speech and Whiteness”
A series of five webinars in five days convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC) will offer theological reflections on “Hate Speech and Whiteness.” Running from 19-23 October, the webinars are being produced by the WCC’s Theological Study Group of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.
In Trinidad and Tobago, “we do need to recapture some ideals”
Rt. Rev. Joy Evelyn Abdul-Mohan is moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago. She shares reflections on the role of prayer in developing a healthy democracy, and the unique challenges of her nation and her faith community.
Churches' Week of Action on Food creates path to “Grow, Nourish, Sustain Together”
Churches around the world will be observing Churches' Week of Action on Food from 11-17 October as hunger is a stark reality for 26.4 percent of the world’s population. The theme of the World Food Day, which falls on 16 October this year, is “Grow, Nourish, Sustain Together.”
As interest keeps increasing, WCC podcasts now available on Spotify
As interest in many channels of communication from the WCC continues to grow, WCC podcasts are now featured on Spotify. The outlet is one of many new paths the WCC has accessed during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the ecumenical family close together.
Thursdays in Black ambassadors map positive future
As the global ambassadors for Thursdays in Black gathered online, they looked ahead at what they can accomplish together, as well as ways to deepen their commitment even more to ending gender-based violence.
Interfaith panel addresses debt cancellation and reparations
A panel of experts of different faiths spoke on debt cancellation and reparations as tools for promoting justice, sustainability and life-affirming economies in the third 2020 Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management public webinar held on 2 October.
New WCC podcast focuses on the human right to water in times of COVID-19
The urgency and complexity of the human right to water and sanitation become clearer as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Besides the health and sanitary aspects of it, the lack of access to clean water in homes is putting women and children in even more vulnerable situations.
New 13 Million Campaign to help people living with HIV yet not receiving treatment
A 13 Million Campaign is underway to engage faith leaders, individuals and communities in promoting access to health services for the 13 million children, women and men living with HIV who are not yet on antiretroviral treatment.
Dutch Reformed Church expresses concern about corruption in South Africa
In a statement released 2 October, the Dutch Reformed Church expressed deep concern about the high incidence of systemic corruption in South Africa.
Join young people across the world to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula
Young people from across the world have gathered virtually to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and are inviting people to join them by viewing a video highlighting their prayers.
Dr Agnes Abuom reflects on “sustainable living by resting and restoring”
During an ecumenical prayer service on 4 October for the close of Season of Creation, World Council of Churches moderator Dr Agnes Abuom reflected on economic justice and care for the earth.
ACT Alliance general secretary reflects on “an opportunity to build a new spirit for humanity”
The World Council of Churches is publishing a series of interviews that portray insights and reflections from the leaders of faith-based global and regional humanitarian and development organizations. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria is general secretary of ACT Alliance, which has secretariats in Switzerland, Jordan, Thailand, El Salvador, Kenya, Canada and New York. In addition, the ACT Alliance Advocacy office to the EU is based in Brussels, Belgium.
WCC COVID-19 support team answers the latest questions from member churches
The World Council of Churches (WCC) COVID-19 support team continues to field questions related to COVID-19 from member churches. As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, the team strives to offer accurate information combined with a sense of spiritual care. The WCC also welcomes answers and ideas for best practices from member churches, as new voices of wisdom help us all.
1920 (4): Towards a Universal Conference of the Church of Christ on Life and Work
Hotel Beau-Séjour, Geneva, 8 August 1920. It’s been too cold an August, with average temperatures around 17.3 Celsius. Tomorrow is the opening day of a very promising post-war international consultation. Its title is “The Preliminary Meeting to Consider an Ecumenical Conference of the Church of Christ on Life and work.” However, I can tell you that a Church of Scotland delegate, J.-A. MacClymont, will certainly object to this awkward use of the word “ecumenical.”
In COVID-19 trimmed Meskel festival, Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch urges peace
In Meskel celebrations held under World Health Organization COVID-19 safety protocols, Abune Mathias, patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, called for dialogue, peace and reconciliation in the country, where ethnic tensions recently flared up.
Virtual greetings connect the ecumenical fellowship in the midst of COVID-19
During the global pandemic it is not any more possible to be present at special celebrations in the ecumenical and global fellowship. The new realities connect the local and global work in a new and innovative way. The WCC is present digitally in many gatherings.
Unity in church-based advocacy for migrants contributes to the EU Migration Pact
In a video interview, Dr Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe, gives a short analysis of the new EU Migration Pact, and how faith-based organizations are working to change unbearable conditions for thousands of migrants and refugees. The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe is helping to lead a dialogue between global religious groups and the European Commission offices in Brussels.
WCC gravely concerned by escalation of conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh region
World Council of Churches (WCC) interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed grave concern over the renewed and very serious escalation of conflict in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region since Sunday 27 September – reportedly following an attack by Azerbaijan’s military forces – which has already resulted in dozens of casualties including civilians, and which risks provoking a wider armed conflict in the region.
Christian Aid CEO: “There is power in a praying community”
The World Council of Churches is publishing a series of interviews that portray insights and re-flections from the leaders of faith-based global and regional humanitarian and development or-ganizations. Amanda Khozi Mukwashi is CEO of Christian Aid, which is based in the UK.
