WCC NEWS: Inspired and ready: videos look ahead to meaningful WCC pre-assemblies

Fabian Corralles has a vision of giving people with disabilities “their first opportunities to be much more important than they feel they are in their church and community.” He’s envisioning that scenario taking place at the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network pre-assembly being held before the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. 14 June 2022 Corralles is among a dozen other inspired speakers featured in a new series of videos beingreleased by the WCC to build hope and inspiration for the pre-assemblies, or gatherings held before the main event to nurture collaboration and build messages. Four pre-assemblies— Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, Ecumenical Youth Gathering (EYG), Indigenous Peoples, and Just Community of Women and Men—will take place at the end of August just before the full assembly begins on 31 August. Olivia Vakacegu, speaking on the Ecumenical Youth Gathering (EYG) in the videos, states: “I think it’s important that our leaders listen to the voices of young people and, at the same time, provide a space for young people to be a part of the process, to be a part of the decision-making.” Planners for all four pre-assemblies are working to create an experience in which people can work together in transformational ways. Rev. Mari Pauliina Valjakka, speaking about the Indigenous Peoples pre-assembly, says she looks forward to hearing the perspective on unity from Indigenous peoples. “We are really hoping that we can share the Indigenous wisdom not only about reconciliation and unity but also Indigenous wisdom about taking care of mother earth and taking care of our homeland—because I think that’s a very urgent thing,” she said. “Now is the time to listen to Indigenous peoples.” Pre-assemblies offer delegates and assembly attendees an opportunity to meet others with  similar interests and delve deeper into issues of concern. Pre-assembly participants will take their learnings into ecumenical conversations and other deliberations in the full assembly. Rev. Dr Anders Göranzon reflects, in the videos, on the Pre-Assembly: Just Community of Women and Men. “Women and men have to do this together, so I think it’s crucial that we work side-by-side in this endeavor,” he says. Assembly participants, when registering, are asked whether they wish to participate in a pre-assembly. Once they select a pre-assembly, a coordinator will confirm participation. Registration closes on 30 June. Link to pre-assembly page See more

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 352 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 acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland