Monday, October 12, 2026

Top PC(USA) News of the Week: Hurricane rebuilding, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, Guns to Gardens, History

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Week of October 5 - 9, 2026

Music directors fill their cups at choir event

The third annual Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Mid-South Region Festival of Choirs is held in Kentucky 

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Presbyterian Association of Musicians director leaves for a new opportunity

Kelly Abraham, PAM executive director for nine years, will be the new president of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation 

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Guns to Gardens a modern expression of 'swords into plowshares'

Blacksmiths from several Guns to Gardens programs attended the recent gun violence prevention institute in Missouri 

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This month in Presbyterian history

A great fire in Chicago, a historic NCC election, and an oral history from a mission worker to Taiwan 

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

WCC Media Advisory: INVITATION: “What Connects Us. Interests Need Common Ground”

World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm will be speaking during a special evening, “What Connects Us. Interests Need Common Ground.” We warmly invite you to join us for the discussion.
Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
12 October 2026

WHEN: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | 5:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.)


WHERE: DATA Space | Rosenthaler Str. 38, 10178 Berlin (courtyard)

 

WHY: The discussion will explore the place of solidarity, human dignity, and international responsibility in political decisions – particularly when resources are limited and priorities compete.

 

INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Ahead of or during the event.

 

SPEAKERS:

Opening: 

(WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm

Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in conversation with Dr Christoph Benn. 

 

Martin Schulz, chair of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
 

Discussion on “What does it cost to stand by our values?” 

 

Niels Annen (state secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development)

Monsignor Prof. Dr Obiora Ike (Nigerian priest and professor of ethics)

Dorothee Klüppel (vice-president of the Central Committee of German Catholics)

Anna-Nicole Heinrich (president of the Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany) 

Lisa Ditlmann (Germany director of the ONE Campaign)

 

Closing: 

Former federal ministers Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and Hermann Gröhe 

 

Followed by music and a get-together.

 

For further questions, please contact the press representative below. We kindly ask you to register via the email provided below.
 

Press contact:
Fiete Lembeck
seebohm.berlin, on behalf of the organisers
+49 176 70879215
F.Lembeck@seebohm.berlin
 

An event organised by Friends of the Global Fund Europe, ONE Campaign Germany, the Center for Global Health Diplomacy, and the World Council of Churches.

See more
The World Council of Churches on Twitter
The World Council of Churches on Facebook
The World Council of Churches' website
The World Council of Churches on Instagram
The World Council of Churches on YouTube
SoundCloud
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 356 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
Kyoto Building
Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218
Switzerland

WCC interview: At Château de Bossey, “Come together, think differently, leave inspired”

Audrey Jung is the news sales and marketing lead for Château de Bossey. She took time to share what drew her to her new role, her vision for the Bossey Hotel and Conference Centre, and even one of her own favorite spots. 
Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
12 October 2026

What drew you to take on this important role?

Jung: After more than 20 years in the luxury hospitality industry in Paris and Geneva, I felt ready for a new chapter, one where I could bring greater purpose to my professional journey.

At Château de Bossey, I saw an opportunity to put my experience in hospitality, sales, and marketing to work in a different environment, one with a strong heritage and a meaningful identity. Contributing, in my own way, to preserving this place by helping develop its activity was particularly appealing to me.

From a sales and marketing perspective, there is also a very stimulating challenge ahead: increasing Bossey’s visibility, strengthening its brand identity, improving its digital presence, reaching new audiences, and developing offers that respond to their needs.

What makes this challenge particularly interesting is Bossey’s unique DNA. Being home to the Ecumenical Institute is an essential part of its identity and gives the Château a legacy of dialogue, learning, and encounter. The opportunity is to build on that heritage while making Bossey better known today as a Hotel and Conference Centre.

There is also a much more personal reason. I was genuinely struck by Bossey the first time I came here. Beyond the beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the mountains, there is a sense of space and tranquillity that is difficult to describe until you experience it. It is a place where you can step away from the pace of everyday life, reflect, recharge, and reconnect, with yourself and with others.

That combination of heritage, simplicity, and authenticity is what makes Bossey so distinctive, a place with a real soul. Part of my mission is to bring that identity to life, help people understand what makes this place special, and inspire them to discover it for themselves.

What is your vision for the Bossey Hotel and Conference Centre?

Jung: Our vision is for Bossey to be recognised as a destination in its own right: a place to stay, meet, connect, and celebrate, rooted in a rich heritage and a story that has been unfolding here for generations.

Its history gives this positioning real meaning. Dialogue and encounter have been part of Bossey’s identity for decades, and that spirit remains very relevant today. The more than 900-year-old chapel, the historic buildings, the park, the terrace, and the panoramic views all contribute to Bossey’s strong sense of place. This heritage, together with the natural surroundings and longstanding tradition of dialogue, is not simply a backdrop. They shape the way people experience the Château, creating a sense of openness that encourages them to take a deep breath, connect, exchange ideas, and see things differently.

Our heritage is a wonderful foundation, but it also needs to remain alive and relevant to today’s guests. This means continuing to develop what we offer, whether for companies, international organisations, groups, families, celebrations, or individual travellers.

Food and hospitality have an important role to play in this. They create opportunities for shared moments, from a business lunch or a year-end celebration to more informal experiences such as afternoon tea on an autumn day.

The setting naturally takes people out of their usual environment and creates space for conversation, creativity, and new ideas. This can be particularly valuable for meetings, seminars, and team-building activities, where a change of setting can help create a different dynamic.

If I had to express the Bossey experience as a meeting place in just a few words, I would say: “Come together. Think differently. Leave inspired.”

We are also a relatively small team, which allows us to be flexible and responsive. There is a genuine human quality to the service here. For me, this combination of place, people and purpose is at the heart of the Bossey experience and an important part of what makes people want to return.

Why should people follow Château de Bossey on social media channels?

Jung: Social media gives us a wonderful opportunity to open a window onto Bossey and share what the place is really like today.

As we work to increase Château de Bossey’s visibility, these channels allow us to reach people naturally, across generations and borders, and to show the many different sides of Bossey rather than simply describe them. Above all, we want our content to inspire, to capture the spirit of the place, spark curiosity, and give people a reason to discover more.

So, I would say: “don’t spend too much time on social media but do take a moment to follow us! Think of it as a little invitation to escape, wherever you are.”

We want to take our followers through the seasons, behind the scenes, and into the stories that have shaped Bossey. We will introduce the people who bring the Château to life every day, from the kitchen and restaurant teams to those preparing our rooms and meeting spaces. We will also explore the surrounding region and share ideas and activities that can enrich a stay here.

Most importantly, we want people to be able to imagine themselves at Bossey for a peaceful weekend, a business meeting, a family gathering, or a special celebration.

Ultimately, our social media channels are another way of sharing the spirit of Bossey and inviting people to become part of its story.

What are some new or longstanding aspects or events you’d like to highlight? Perhaps the delicious food?

Jung: One of Bossey’s great strengths is its versatility. The same place can welcome a conference for more than 100 participants, a wedding in the gardens, a graduation ceremony with more than 500 guests, a company celebration, or a relaxed family gathering—and each occasion takes on its own character.

What remains consistent is the setting and the human approach of the team. Our role is to understand why people are coming together and to help create the right atmosphere for that moment.

Food is naturally part of this experience because it creates moments of conviviality and connection. Our restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with a focus on seasonal and locally inspired cuisine.

Going forward, our food and beverage offering will continue to evolve as part of Bossey’s development. We want to make it clearer and more attractive, not only to our resident guests and groups but also to the local community, with seasonal experiences and special occasions throughout the year.

Whether people join us for a meal, a meeting, a celebration, or a longer stay, we want the experience to feel welcoming, genuine and true to Bossey.

What place within Château de Bossey do you choose for your own inspiration or sense of peace?

Jung: I particularly love the old trees in the park. There is something very grounding about them. Their scale and beauty naturally command respect: they were here long before us and, I like to think, will remain long after us.

One of my favourite places is in the shade of the chestnut trees, looking back towards the Château. From there, you are slightly removed from everything, yet you can still observe the life of the Château in the distance and enjoy the panoramic views towards the lake and the Alps.

It is a very peaceful spot. Spending a few moments there helps me recharge, step back, and return with a clearer mind.

Château de Bossey Hotel and Conference Centre

Special WCC page: 80th anniversary of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey

See more
The World Council of Churches on Facebook
The World Council of Churches on Twitter
The World Council of Churches on Instagram
The World Council of Churches on YouTube
World Council of Churches on SoundCloud
The World Council of Churches' website
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 356 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
Kyoto Building
Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218
Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - Archbishop Coakley, evangelical leaders condemn plans to livestream execution of Fort Hood gunman

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