WCC NEWS: As Bread for the World visits WCC, the focus is on common witness

The leadership team of Bread for the World visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 2 November with a focus on being together in the midst of the changing COVID-19 pandemic—and what togetherness means for common service and spiritually.  Photo: Gloria Koymans/WCC 03 November 2021 Discussions centered on what has been learned about communicating a sense of care in creative ways as the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world forever. WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca shared how the WCC is preparing in earnest for the 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany with an eye toward nurturing the next generation of the ecumenical movement. In his opening remarks, Sauca expressed gratitude, even amid pain and suffering. “The world changed in ways we could not imagine,” he said. “We lost many friends, members and leaders.” He shared how the WCC adapted in serving the fellowship, as well as some of the challenges the WCC is facing. “We have entered a new phase of work in the pandemic,” he said. “Things are beginning to open up. We have begun to travel again for in-person meetings.” He also emphasized that we must continue to protect one another and the people we meet.  Sauca shared a sense of joy in anticipating the assembly in 2022. "The assembly comes at a time when the world seems more divided than ever with increasing disparities, increasing racism, increasing populism and increasing violence,” he said. “More than anything, the vision of being together under the theme ‘Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity’ inspires us and compels us to keep moving forward.” The meetings included discussions on the cooperation between Bread for the World and the WCC. The visit included time at the WCC Bossey Ecumenical Institute and an encounter with Bossey students. The Bread for the World leaders joined a round table discussion on WCC programmatic work. The delegation also visited ACT Alliance and other ecumenical organizations in the Ecumenical Centre.    Learn more about Bread for the World  The Ecumenical Institute Bossey  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 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 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