WCC NEWS: WCC assembly committees appointed as global fellowship gathers

The World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly business committee—which conducts the day-to-day business of the assembly—was elected on the first day of the WCC 11th Assembly, 31 August, as were six other assembly committees, including finance, message, nominations, policy reference, programme guidelines, and public issues. The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches is held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Gjermund Øystese/WCC 31 August 2022 With 29 members, the assembly business committee coordinates the day-to-day business of the assembly, managing the agenda, considering proposed changes to the agenda, determining the category of each business session, and reviewing reports in order to consider how best the assembly can act on them. A delegate may propose to the assembly business committee an item of business to be included on, or any change in, the agenda. The membership of the business committee includes the leadership of the central committee, general secretary, WCC presidents, co-moderators of the permanent committee on consensus and collaboration, moderator of the assembly planning committee, moderators of assembly hearings and committees, plus ten people nominated from assembly delegates who are not members of the outgoing central committee. Many members of the assembly business committee will moderate upcoming ecumenical conversations and serve as rapporteurs from among the member church delegates. The finance committee reviews the developments in and profile of the WCC’s finances over the past nine years. Following consultation with programme guidelines and a review of income perspectives, the committee proposes general guidelines for the financial strategy of the WCC in its next cycle of work. The message committee is responsible for listening carefully to what is happening at the assembly in its spiritual life, thematic plenaries, ecumenical conversations, and the Brunnen. Based on what is heard, the committee develops and presents for adoption by the assembly a text that captures the experience and hopes of those gathered in Karlsruhe. The nominations committee, based on recommendations from member churches, regional and confessional meetings, and delegations, makes proposals for the election of members of the central committee from among the delegates and presidents. The policy reference committee presents recommendations for action by the assembly based on the reports of the moderator and the general secretary, membership matters, and amendments to the WCC constitution and rules. The committee will also review, amend, and bring for final approval the “Unity Statement” of the WCC 11th Assembly. The programme guidelines committee reviews the evaluation and reports since the WCC 10th  Assembly, then prepares and presents them for adoption by the assembly. The committee also recommends future work in the areas of unity, mission, ecumenical relations, public witness, diakonia, ecumenical formation, and other crosscutting issues. The public issues committee prepares and presents for adoption draft statements on selected issues of international concern, including ecumenical engagement in peace-building, human rights, and justice. Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany 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