WCC 11th Assembly, Karlsruhe Report
World Council of Churches offers insights
Two Fig Tree staff and two freelance writers/volunteers participated as accredited press in the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Aug. 29 to Sept. 8 to share with this region insights from the global vantage point. Articles are included in this issue and will be in upcoming issues.
Participating were editor Mary Stamp, editorial associate Marijke Fakasiieiki, volunteer editor Catherine Ferguson SNJM—who "attended" online—and Gen Heywood, pastor of Veradale United Church of Christ, who went in person. Because sessions are available at the WCC YouTube, Kaye Hult, a staff writer, wrote a story, too.
Each of the stories includes links to videos of the full sessions. The videos will continue to be online and can be used by congregations for study sessions and discussion starters.
The worship services are also available at the WCC YouTube channel with ideas that can be incorporated for prayers and new songs to bring new and multi-cultural, multi-liingual songs to use in worship. After assemblies, many songs related to the themes are widely used.
The Assembly section begins with two articles sharing voices of young indigenous people, describing impact of climate change on their lands and lives.
An overview of statements and decisions the assembly made by consensus is the article: Decisions impact people who are vulnerable, oppressed, marginalized, excluded
Reports of the General Secretary Ioan Sauca and Moderator Agnes Aboum on work they have overseen for the WCC and its programs.
A plenary on European churches' response on Ukraine and refugees is summarized in article entitled: "Europe Plenary reviews churches' response to war in Ukraine and to refugees".
An assembly is an opportunity for encounters with new people. Gen's interview with Carmen Lansdowne of the United Church of Canada is entitled: "Indigenous United Church of Canada leader acts to reduce climate change".
A world Jewish leader depicts the WCC's interreligious partnerships in a story entitled: "Rabbi elucidates understanding built in ongoing global interreligious ties".
The Sounding Board this month contains a report about the Thursdays in Black project and an artwork displayed at the Assembly.
"Inundated in a society where men still dominate in running media and defining news, a journey into the world with the WCC lends to new perceptions and possibilities," said Mary.
