WCC News: WCC central committee will gather, focus on post-assembly strategy to help the world heal

The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee will meet 21-27 June in its first meeting since the governing body was elected at the WCC 11th Assembly in 2022. The group will predominately focus on strategies and concrete measures for achieving goals staked out by the assembly. Turning priorities into actions in all programmatic areas and further strengthening the WCC’s influence on world affairs in a spirit of pilgrimage, reconciliation, and unity, are key objectives. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 19 June 2023 The agenda for the central committee will include adopting a strategic plan to guide the work of the council until the next assembly, as well as a financial strategy and communications strategy to support the work of the council, and a celebration of the WCC’s 75th anniversary on 25 June. The special day will feature voices of hope from different regions and perspectives, a photo exhibition, greetings from member churches, and commemorative music. The central committee meets normally every two years and serves as the chief governing body of the WCC between assemblies. The central committee is responsible for implementing the policies adopted by the assembly, as well as reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the council.  “The central committee is meeting for the first time after its constitutive meeting in Karlsruhe,” noted WCC moderator of the central committee Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. “In a difficult time for a wounded world, this WCC governing body has a great responsibility to develop strategies for the future which can help the world heal. We are confident that Christ’s love will help the world move to justice, reconciliation, and unity.” WCC Central committee meeting, June 2023 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 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland