WCC WEEKLY: Middle East violence escalates, Gaza & Golan Heights, Sri Lanka, Economic justice, Zimbabwe, Olympics, Ethiopia, Muslim Council of Elders

@WorldCouncilOfChurches @Oikoumene @WorldCouncilOfChurches

26 july- 2 august 2024 WEEKLY HIGHLIGHT WCC urges respect for human life as Middle East violence escalates ECUMENICAL PRAYER CYCLE

This week we pray for: Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe 28 July 2024 - 03 August 2024 Next week we pray for: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea 04 August 2024 - 10 August 2024

NEWS WCC urges respect for human life as Middle East violence escalates World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern over the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. “The situation has deteriorated significantly following the attack on Golan Heights, the subsequent Israeli attack in Beirut, and the assassination in Tehran on 30 July,” he said. “These attacks have not only intensified the conflict but have also entailed violations of the sovereignty of multiple nations.” Read more WCC urges release of detainees, respect for human dignity in Zimbabwe Upon news that three civil society leaders were taken out of a plane at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, were tortured, then released to the police the following day, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reiterated the WCC’s condemnation of all forms of torture and clampdown on civil society. Read more WCC reiterates call for free, fair elections in Sri Lanka The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed solidarity with the people and churches of Sri Lanka as they welcomed a recent decision by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court to hold presidential elections later this year. Read more Faith leaders advocate for economic justice at UN Preparatory Committee in Addis Ababa A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) attended the first United Nations Preparatory Committee (Prep Com) session for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) held in Addis Ababa 22-26 July. The delegation included Rev. Suzanne Matale and Brian Muyunga, who played key roles in advocating for fair financial systems and youth involvement. Read more Young people, mental health—and why churches need to provide care and hope A team from the World Council of Churches (WCC) conducted three workshops during the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's youth gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana, which convened 16-20 July. The gathering drew approximately 20,000 youth, young adults, and their adult leaders. Read more Workshop highlights survivors, solutions on World Day Against Human Trafficking A workshop on 30 July—World Day Against Trafficking in Persons—lifted up voices of survivors and experts, offering global solutions and best practices. Read more WCC invites all to observe Nuclear Prayer Day The World Council of Churches is inviting all people of goodwill to participate in the Nuclear Prayer Day, to be held 6 August. Read more WCC extends congratulations on 10th anniversary of Muslim Council of Elders World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Muslim Council of Elders. Read more WCC condemns attacks on St Porphyrius Church in Gaza and Golan Heights World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay condemned two recent attacks on 27 July in Golan Heights and a 29 July attack on the St Porphyrius Church in Gaza, where people have for many months been taking refuge from bombardments. Read more Workshop lays foundation for Iraq’s national diversity management strategy A pioneering workshop on “Drafting the National Strategy for Managing Religious, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity in Iraq” was held from July 23-25. Read more Ethiopian faith groups mobilize as landslide strikes country’s south Faith groups in Ethiopia are mobilizing humanitarian support, following a devastating landslide in Gofa Zone in Southern State that left at least 257 people dead, many injured and over 15,000 needing evacuation. Read more Prof. Dr Amos Nascimento reflects on why we still aspire to unity Prof. Dr Amos Nascimento, from the United Methodist Church, serves on the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation. In a video interview, he reflects deeply on how aspiring and dreaming toward unity keeps us reaching for the reality of unity. Read more WCC stands in solidarity with Ethiopian people in wake of deadly landslides In a letter to churches and people in Ethiopia, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed solidarity in the wake of deadly landslides. Read more Global churches unite for Feast of Creation and climate action The World Council of Churches (WCC) joined ecumenical partners for an online meeting titled “Assisi Reunion and Next Steps of Feast of Creation.” The event brought together faith leaders to discuss ongoing initiatives and plans for promoting the Feast of Creation, highlighting the critical role of faith communities in environmental stewardship and climate justice. Read more On behalf of global Christian fellowship, WCC calls for explanation of Olympics opening ceremony World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in a letter to the International Olympic Committee and the French Olympic Committee, urgently called for an explanation of what has been perceived as a depiction of the Last Supper during the Olympics opening ceremony. Read more WCC BLOG Reflections on the 56th session of the Human Rights Council 01 August 2024 As a WCC intern, I attended the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council, convened in Geneva between 18 June and 12 July. The WCC represents diverse voices from the world's Christian churches and their concerns at the global level. Read more Memories of the Ecumenical Women’s Group 31 July 2024 My first contact with the Ecumenical Women’s Group was a week after our arrival in Geneva, in September 1978, when a member of the group who was area hostess in Collex-Bossy, invited me for a cup of coffee, and two weeks later I went to the monthly general meeting in Salle 2-3 at the Ecumenical Centre. Read more Register for the event and save the date! PHOTO GALLERIES 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich 2024 Ecumenical Centre in Green Village VIDEOS Voices from the WCC Commissions: Prof. Dr Amos Nascimento, United Methodist Church WCC at the UN Human Rights Council: Faith actors must be part of the equation for a better world WEBINARS WCC webinar: Save Children’s Lives: Climate-Responsible Banking RESOURCES Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2024 PUBLICATIONS Ecumenical International Youth Day 2024 Toolkit Life in Church: Theological Reflections of Persons with Disabilities A liturgical opportunity; an ecumenical kairos Save Children's Lives: Responsible Banking Survival Guide EVENTS Asian Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute Dates : 21 July 2024 - 17 August 2024 Applications are open for an Asian Ecumenical Institute organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute and the Christian Conference of Asia. The deadline is 10 June. Read more Ecumenical International Youth Day 2024 Dates : 12 August 2024 - 12 August 2024 On August 12th, the United Nations observes International Youth Day. Since 2019, the World Council of Churches has introduced its own Ecumenical International Youth Day through the Youth Engagement desk. Throughout the years, the EIYD has addressed pertinent social issues for young people, such as mental health, issues with indigenous groups, and climate justice. Last year's theme focused on Young People’s Voices from the War zones. Read more GEM School 2024 Dates : 19 August 2024 - 30 August 2024 Applications are open for the 2024 Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and Management Economy of Life, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, 19-30 August 2024. Read more World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel Dates : 16 September 2024 - 22 September 2024 World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed on 16-22 September 2024. Read more International conference “Towards Nicaea 2025: Exploring the Council’s Ecumenical Significance Today” Dates : 04 November 2024 - 08 November 2024 The World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Institute at Bossey cordially invites emerging and senior scholars from diverse Christian traditions to participate in an international conference focusing on the ecumenical significance of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and its relevance in today’s rapidly changing world. Read more Executive Committee meeting Dates : 20 November 2024 - 26 November 2024 The 25-person Executive Committee is the WCC governing body, with members from churches in every region. It meets twice a year to monitor ongoing work, supervise the budget and deal with policy matters referred to it by the Central Committee. Read more Central Committee meeting Dates : 18 June 2025 - 24 June 2025 The Central Committee serves as the chief governing body of the WCC until the next assembly, meeting every 2 years. It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council. Read more Applications are open for the academic year 2025-2026 at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey! Support the work of the World Council of Churches with your donation! Learn more Share Tweet Forward

Stay updated following the World Council of Churches on social media: 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