Pre-Assemblies Preceding the Launching of the WCC 11th General Assembly in Germany
Towards the Consolidation of Ecumenism in a More Just and Peaceful World
Photo: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
From all over the world, the international and Middle Eastern ecumenical family meets in Karlsruhe, Germany, where the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches is taking place from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity". In fact, the theme is an affirmation of faith that Christ’s love transforms the world in the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, to a more alive and safer one. The love of the compassionate, crucified, and risen Christ is at the heart of this world, and wins over the powers of destruction, sin and difficulties.
Hence, the WCC 11th General Assembly is being held at a difficult time when the whole world is witnessing severe health, social, economic and security crises... Nevertheless, the Assembly is an event that calls, with Christ’s infinite love, the churches to work together unceasingly and with people of other faiths and all those of good will for just peace and reconciliation. It is a call for the visible unity of the church to become a prophetic sign and a foretaste of the reconciliation of this world with God, and the unity of humankind and all creation.
Before the WCC General Assembly kicked off, four pre-assemblies convened, with the participation of hundreds of people from the whole world in each one. The pre-assemblies included Indigenous Peoples, Ecumenical Youth Gathering, Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, and Just Community of Women and Men, and aimed at discussing and exchanging ideas, challenges and expectations.
Thus, the topics of the pre-assemblies will be discussed in the sessions of the General Assembly alongside other Christian, ecumenical and human issues. So the Assembly will end with conclusions and recommendations to work together in a practical way for a more just, secure and peaceful world.
Indigenous Peoples Pre-Assembly
The Indigenous Peoples Pre-Assembly was held between 28 and 30 August 2022, aiming at discussing the future of indigenous peoples. It was a time of dreaming together a continuing vision of a new heaven and a new earth. This pre-assembly was also a call to join the WCC in committing anew to act with compassion, practice inclusive and relational justice, and affirmed our unity in Christ whose love moves us to restoring wholeness in all of creation. As well as, it sought the restoration of harmonious relationships without fully addressing or engaging the sources and actions of oppression in the past and the present.
The theme of this pre-assembly was “Reconciliation: Restoring Wholeness in Creation.” Led by the Sami people in a special processional, 97 Indigenous delegates participated, and symbolically ushered in four elements which are Earth, Water, Fire and Wind, through biblical texts and various prayers.
During this pre-assembly, participants discussed ways of interaction with indigenous peoples, especially in Europe, and reflecting on the lessons learned from the Pilgrim Team Visits. Noting that indigenous communities are facing many conflicts and challenges which threaten their cultures. The pre-assembly also included lighting candles to remember where they came from, and interaction with assembly committee members and pre-assembly delegates… The recommendations issued by the Indigenous Peoples Pre-Assembly will be transmitted to the General Assembly so it may precise the WCC’s future programmatic work.
Photos: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
Ecumenical Youth Gathering
The Ecumenical Youth Gathering took place between 27 and 30 August 2022 at St Stephen’s Church in Karlsruhe, under the theme “Christ’s love reconciles and restores young people in the church and the society.” This gathering aimed at building bridges between youth from all around the world and strengthening solidarity between them.
More than 200 young men and women participated in the gathering, during which they exchanged ideas, suggestions and challenges, to strategize together a common agenda that will be brought forward to the assembly. Therefore, the youth gathering underscores that young voices and perspectives are essential in the ecumenical movement. As they gathered, young ecumenical leaders explored their strengths as role models for dedicated and ambitious young Christians, and as the ecumenical leaders of today and tomorrow. The event included sessions for praying, dancing, and singing to glorify the Creator…
During the Opening worship, Jussi Luoma, a 25-year-old, newly ordained pastor from Finland, shared how he had been waiting for this moment. He said, “With different backgrounds, different dreams, and different journeys as followers of Jesus, here we are, ready to celebrate this special diversity.” He also added, “For the next days, we form a body where each one of us has an essential part.”
WCC central committee moderator Dr. Agnes Abuom, via video greeting, welcomed the youth participants expressing her happiness. She said, “You are playing diverse roles during this assembly—very, very vital roles. I see you as young people who are a beacon of hope in a troubled world in an ecumenical boat. It’s a troubled world that this assembly’s theme seeks to address.”
From her end, WCC vice moderator Bishop Mary Ann Swenson also expressed, via video greeting, her excitement at the event as well as the participation of youth. She declared, “We are so very, very excited about the young people and the gathering that you are having as you prepare for the assembly.” She also added, “I know young people who started as very young people with the WCC and have spent their whole lives involved in the ecumenical movement and have helped us work together.”
After the opening worship, WCC Acting General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca welcomed the participants. He said, “Looking at your youthful faces gives me courage. I see in you the next central committee of WCC and some of you as staff of WCC. The future is yours.”
In another video message the UN Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake said that young people play a pivotal role in building bridges between religious institutions and society at large…
Photos: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Pre-Assembly
The Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Pre-Assembly started on 29 August and ended on 30 August 2022. It constitutes a new opportunity for induction of new persons with disabilities into the ecumenical movement, through the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, a journey which begins with the WCC 11th General Assembly.
This pre-assembly is an affirmation that people with disabilities shouldn’t be excluded from this ecumenical opportunity. Participants exchanged their reflections and opinions on the theme of the General Assembly “Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” as well as their expectations from this ecumenical event. They also explored the positive transformation in their lives through participating and discussing steps for future growth of the network and work on disability inclusion within the fellowship.
Rev. Kelli Parish-Lucas of First Congregational Church of Rock Springs at the USA, welcomed the participants and said, “We are happy when new persons join the ecumenical movement, as that means more people to keep the work going.”
Feedbacks from the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Pre-Assembly were positive and full of hope. Participants expressed their happiness after joining the ecumenical movement, stressing to use their talents to enrich the ecumenical spirit. They also said that it was a pleasant experience and are looking forward for an effective communication and learning from other persons with disabilities in other churches.
Photos: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
Just Community of Women and Men Pre-Assembly
This pre-assembly was held between 29 and 30 August 2022, and explored how the ecumenical movement can continue to seek reconciliation and unity among all God’s children. Participants discussed how faith calls us to gender equality, and how we can strengthen our commitment to overcoming sexual and gender-based violence.
Photo: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
As part of a special “Harvesting” event during this pre-assembly, a Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance was unfurled, the beginning of its display throughout the assembly. The tapestry, with 181 panels, carries the colorful visual stories from women around the world who contributed their creative expressions of their hope for a world free from rape and violence.
Moreover, a Christian vision of a Just Community of Women and Men was approached from many geographical and church perspectives during this pre-assembly. Participants discussed previous initiatives, current challenges and ways to fight violence and injustice... In fact, these discussions were held at a time societies are suffering from gender inequality at many levels, whether in leadership positions or in churches, public institutions and media… This is in addition to discrimination and violence which are destroying societies.
Rapporteurs listening to the sharing will be preparing a report to reflect the concerns expressed, and participants hopes to make concrete recommendations in the General Assembly to help churches feel the pain of sexism and racism, and inspire them to act against them.
In fact, these topics and other issues were set in the agenda of the WCC 11th General Assembly, knowing that our wounded world is suffering from many crises, such as consequences of the Corona pandemic, current climate emergency, manifestations of racism worldwide, which have further revealed structural economic inequality, gender discrimination, and other forms of injustice in our societies and world… Hence, the General Assembly is a glimmer of hope amid all the hardships experienced by this world, stressing the common responsibility for future generations.
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