A compilation of the most-read stories published by the World Council of Churches (WCC) reveals a global fellowship focused on a better future even amid the grave challenges the world faced during 2021. Stories of interest to young people—including those about the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, stewards, the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, and the young generation’s solutions to the climate emergency—were the top choice of many readers. News about the upcoming WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2022, also held readers’ interest, including reflections on the assembly theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” Special observations such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, International Women’s Day, the 95th birthday of German theologian Prof. Dr Jürgen Moltmann, and even the naming of a street in Geneva after former WCC president Annie Jiagge also attracted avid readership. Finally, the world’s challenges—particularly vaccination hesitance and praying together in the time of COVID-19—drew the global fellowship closer together, held the interest of many, and suggested a way forward together. These stories were shared with WCC member churches, distributed to the press, and featured on the recently designed WCC website, which itself brought a spark of hope in communications during 2021. “With these stories and many others, we journeyed together through 2021 as a global fellowship. The stories we told continually reminded us that we are called to be prophetic voices in our churches and our societies,” said WCC director of Communication Marianne Ejdersten. “The top 12 stories reflect your diverse voices around the world—your expressions of solidarity, concern and, most of all, hope for 2022 and beyond.” Most-read WCC stories in 2021: 1. Applications open for Global Ecumenical Theological Institute 2022: “Christ’s Love (Re)moves Borders” 2. WCC invites youth to Stewards Programme for 11th Assembly in 2022 3. Applications open for communicators to support WCC 11th Assembly 4. On International Women’s Day, pray for women around the world 5. Vaccination hesitance poses yet another challenge 6. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022: “We saw the star in the East…” 7. City street in Geneva will be named after former WCC president Annie Jiagge 8. Deep appreciation abounds as renowned German theologian Prof. Dr Jürgen Moltmann turns 95 9. Let us pray together in the time of COVID-19 10. Bossey Ecumenical Institute invites applications for online course, expands repertoire 11. WCC invites young generations to promote climate-friendly financial choice 12. World Council of Churches assembly theme urges an “ecumenism of the heart” |
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