WCC NEWS: A moment in history: WCC leaders sign the Golden Book of Karlsruhe

During a special reception at the Karlsruhe town hall on 3 September, the leaders of the World Council Churches central committee—Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator; Bishop Mary Anne Swenson, vice moderator;  Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște, vice moderator; and WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Ioan Sauca—were asked to sign the Golden Book of Karlsruhe. 3 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Mayor Frank Mentrup of Karlsruhe invites the leadership of the central commmittee of the World Council of Churches to sign the City of Karlsruhe's book of honour in connection with the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." In this photo: Mayor Frank Mentrup, WCC central committee moderator Dr Agnes Abuom and vice-moderators Bishop Mary-Ann Swenson and Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște, as well as WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 04 September 2022 The book featured a hand-painted inscription of the WCC assembly design and the hand-scripted names of the WCC leaders, under which they signed during a special evening honoring the assembly. The Golden Book of Karlsruhe is reserved for figures who are considered milestones in the city’s 300-year history. After the book signing, Karlsruhe mayor Dr Frank Mentrup invited the WCC leaders as well as assembly delegates and staff to attend a special light show at the Karlsruhe Palace. The lights have been designed to reflect many of the emblems of the WCC 11th Assembly, and to show the spirit of a warm welcome that has flowed through the streets of Karlsruhe since the assembly began. “This is more than just lights on a castle—this is a cultural event,” said Mentrup. Before the assembly began, the city of Karlsruhe placed a flag of welcome atop the Karlsruhe Palace tower. Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany 3 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: A light show at Karlsruhe Palace was among the cultural attractions enjoyed by participants at the World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. The assembly takes place August 31 to September 8 under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Mike DuBose/WCC 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