WCC news: New GETI publication explores future of Christian unity

A new publication from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) brings together the voices and theological reflections of young ecumenists from around the world who attended the 2025 edition of the WCC Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI). It brings fresh inputs to the pressing question for the churches today: Where now for visible unity? From left: Rev. Prof. Dr Meehyun Chung, moderator of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation; Prof. Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Theological Education and coordinator of GETI 2025; Rev. Dr Nathan Digby, GETI 2025 facilitator and member of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation; during the launch event of the GETI 2025 book on 8 October. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 12 October 2026 “GETI 2025: Voices and Visions of Transformative Unity,” edited by Prof. Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi and Rev. Prof. Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa, emerges from the WCC’s 4th GETI, held in the context of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. The publication, launched on 8 October, during the biannual meeting of the EEF Commission, comes at a significant moment. “The fruits of ecumenical dialogue must take root in the lives of our churches,” said Ghazaryan. “The GETI 2025 message brought this bold challenge to the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order and the wider ecumenical movement: let the unity we confess become the life we share.” This publication carries that call forward, she added, through voices and visions rooted in different churches, cultures, and lived realities. “Their theological reflections invite us to ask how the fruits of ecumenical dialogue can shape our communities, deepen our relationships, and renew our common witness,” said Ghazaryan. “They call us to listen more deeply, confront exclusion, and share responsibility for the future of our churches.” Bossey students who took part of GETI 2025 shared their testimonies during the launch event. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC The volume presents a global and contextually grounded exploration of Christian unity. Its contributors reflect on reception, Nicaea, pilgrimage, trust and companionship, while also addressing colonial wounds, trauma, migration, ethnic violence, Palestine, digital ecumenism, and ecological crisis. Rather than treating unity as an abstract theological ideal, the book emphasizes unity as something that must be embodied through relationships, truth-telling, healing, solidarity, and public witness. Its concluding message describes young ecumenists as contributors to the present and future of the ecumenical movement. GETI 2025 facilitator and EEF commissioner Rev. Dr Nathan Digby explained that a central goal of the WCC’s Ecumenical Theological Education work is to provide opportunities for emerging ecumenical leaders to be formed in ecumenism and to ensure that their voices are heard, encouraged, and shared with the wider church.  “The publication of GETI 2025: Voices and Visions for Transformative Unity gives concrete expression to this commitment,” he said. “As part of their theological formation, students participating in GETI 2025 developed academic papers exploring the theme of visible Christian unity in relation to their own theological interests, contexts, and experiences.” This volume recognizes and celebrates their intellectual and theological work while creating a platform through which their perspectives can contribute to broader conversations about the future of Christian unity, added Digby.  “By bringing these emerging voices together in one publication, GETI 2025: Voices and Visions for Transformative Unity not only documents an important dimension of the GETI experience but also invests in the next generation of ecumenical thinkers and leaders, whose insights and visions are essential for shaping a more transformative and visible unity among Christians.” Published by WCC Publications, the book offers churches, theological institutions, students, and ecumenical partners a rich resource for reflection and conversation on the future of Christian unity. The session also included the presentation of the GETI Visual Report and a short video featuring voices and moments of GETI 2025. The EEF Commission is meeting at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey 4-9 October. Download this publication GETI 2025 Visual Report Video: GETI 2025: a journey we will never forget WCC programme director strengthens strategic vision for ecumenical formation (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) Rev. Prof. Dr Meehyun Chung shares overview of WCC education, formation (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) WCC general secretary shares encouragement with WCC education commission (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation to meet at Bossey (WCC news release, 30 September 2026) Photo gallery 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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Message from GETI: “announce with prophetic courage the hope which dwells within us”

A message released 28 October from the World Council of Churches Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) emphasized unity amid the world’s multiple crises, urged churches to allow ancient confessions to speak anew, and called for announcing with prophetic courage the hope which dwells within us. 22 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt: Participants in a Global Ecumenical Theological Institute held in connection with the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order taking place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” pose for a photo as they visit the Saint Mark Cathedral in Cairo, of the Coptic Orthodox Church.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 28 October 2025 The message was shared with the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, convening in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.  "We celebrate the work of Faith and Order while also lamenting the expanding gap between dialogue and praxis, manifested in the lack of robust reception of ecumenical texts,” reads the message. “Ecumenical theology often seeks unity through doctrinal coherence, and yet, we must also explore how unity becomes visible through our embodied experience.” GETI participants asked: What does it mean to be truly ecumenically and prophetically courageous in our world? “GETI’s hope is in shared humanity and an ecumenism born of pain and promise,” reads the message. “We call Faith and Order to deepen its engagement with the lived theologies of people at the margins.” Visible unity cannot be achieved solely through institutional or doctrinal dialogue, the message notes.  “If ecumenical councils such as Nicaea stood to articulate our shared, common faith, what will Faith and Order do to protect justice, human dignity, and the integrity of all creation?” GETI participants asked. “GETI showed us that unity is God’s gift, received when we are brave enough to be wounded together and discover we have always been one body.” The message expresses a vision of a new, contemporary visible unity. “Unity takes shape in acts of solidarity, shared lament, and collaborative service,” reads the text. “Indeed, churches are confronted with a world faced with intersectional multi-crisis.” GETI urged Faith and Order to employ a theological language speaking meaningfully into today’s wounded world. “Let us act with humility, walk in unconditional solidarity, and announce with prophetic courage the hope which dwells within us,” concludes the message.  A Message from the WCC Fourth Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) 2025 to the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order GETI 2025 photo gallery Learn more about GETI 2025 As World Conference on Faith and Order opens in Egypt, hearts and minds look to unity (WCC news release, 24 October 2025) Conference session lifts up hope and determination of Christians in the Middle East (WCC news release, 25 October 2025) His Holiness Pope Tawadros II receives WCC delegation (WCC news release, 27 October 2025) Conference livestreams and recordings Photogallery: Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, 2025 Learn more about the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order 22 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt: Participants in a Global Ecumenical Theological Institute held in connection with the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order taking place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” pose for a photo as they visit the Saint Mark Cathedral in Cairo, of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Photo: Albin Hillert/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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Pilgrimage encounter strengthens unity at Anaphora Retreat Center

Participants in the World Council of Churches (WCC) 6th World Conference on Faith and Order, together with students and young theologians from the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI), were warmly welcomed by the Coptic Orthodox Church for a special evening on 26 October at the Anaphora Retreat Center in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Among those pictured, Arne Fritzson of the Uniting Church in Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 October 2025 The visit formed part of the weeklong conference program focused on deepening visible Christian unity. The evening at Anaphora offered a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual gifts and hospitality of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Participants joined in prayer, enjoyed live local music, and shared fellowship around the table in a spirit of joy and gratitude. Father Kyrillos El Machari guides people through a model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Metropolitan Thomas, founder of Anaphora Retreat Center, spoke to the group about the center’s vision and the deeper meaning of community. “Our first vision at Anaphora is to lift up the person, and the whole person. Every person is a gift of God to us,” he said. “I am inviting all of you to carry this vision, that it will enable you to see beyond what you see, to sit in the eyes of Jesus, and look through his eyes to the world.” He emphasized that the “liturgy after liturgy” continues in the way Christians encounter and uplift one another each day. “The liturgy after liturgy is every meeting, and every face, and every person,” he said. On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the experience. “We are so blessed to be here tonight,” he said. “We have heard a lot about the church that needs to show what it talks about, that needs to radiate the love that we talk about. That is what we feel tonight. We will go home inspired, very much inspired. We will radiate the spirit of Anaphora, the spirit of love, of faith and of beauty and hope, and we will spread that all over the world.” On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on how such encounters strengthen the global Christian fellowship. “When I see us gathered in this place in such great diversity from around the world, it reminds me that Christian unity is possible,” he said. “We have come to witness what it means to be co-pilgrims together.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shares a reflection, as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Rev. Dr Stephanie Dietrich, moderator of the WCC’s Faith and Order Commission, expressed gratitude for a moment where unity was not only spoken about, but lived: “We are thankful to you for enabling spaces where visible unity is not only discussed, but experienced.” H.E. Archbishop Angaelos of London reflected on the hospitality evident in the special evening and throughout the 6th World Conference on Faith and Order. People stand for a closing moment of prayer as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC “It is a recognition of the image of God in every person, whether it was the greeting of the strangers in the Old Testament, whether it is the washing of feet that we see in the New Testament, or it is in the breaking of bread as we have seen today,” he said. “This is a beautiful house of God.”   As World Conference on Faith and Order opens in Egypt, hearts and minds look to unity (WCC news release, 24 October 2025)   Ancient faith, living tradition: global delegates encounter Coptic monastic life in Egypt (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2025)   Conference livestreams and recordings   Photogallery: Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, 2025   Learn more about the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Metropolitan Thomas of the Coptic Orthodox Church shares words of welcome as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference.  Photo: Albin Hillert/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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland