WCC NEWS: WCC Faith and Order leaders reflect on deep encounters

Leaders of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order reflected on their most recent meeting, which concluded in Lund, Sweden on 31 October. 26 October 2026, Höör, Sweden: World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator of Faith and Order Rev. Dr Stephanie Dietrich speaks during the Commission on Faith and Order meeting taking place 25-31 October 2026, holding a wooden cross gifted to participants in the Faith and Order world conference held in Egypt the year before. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 02 November 2026 Leaders of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order reflected on their most recent meeting, which concluded in Lund, Sweden on 31 October.  Moderator of the commission Rev. Prof. Dr Stephanie Dietrich expressed appreciation for the Nordic context and encounters with the Nordic sister churches.  “How do we understand ourselves and how can we work even closer together?” she asked. “I think our work can contribute to come closer together and to be a witness in the world for the unity which the world needs.” The world is divided, she reflected. “We are becoming friends, we are discussing, and sometimes it's really hard and difficult discussions, but still we are standing together, so I think the way we encounter each other on our journey as human beings and friendship actually plays an important role,” she said. “I pray for peace. I pray for wisdom for the world leaders, but also wisdom on all levels in our societies, in our families.” Dietrich added that she also prays for God's strength to give people the courage to be prophetic. “We are part of this walking together, like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, always searching for understanding and realizing that we don't understand too much,” she said. “But we also know that we have to walk together, and we hope and pray that finally Christ will reveal himself for all of us.” Faith and Order delegates pictured in dialogue during a visit to Lund, Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Rev. Jackline Makena, vice moderator of the commission, said she valued the genuine and honest conversations about the work of Faith in Order. “We are now for visible unity,” she said. “What does it mean to be charged today? What does it mean to be human today?” She asked how theology can respond to the issues facing people today. “I think unity is a gift to the ecumenical movement. It is a gift to all of us. And unity doesn't mean uniformity,” she said.  “How have we also contributed to a lot that is happening in the world? How can we be accountable? How can we acknowledge? And how can we move forward together?” She urged people to acknowledge that their disagreements are not really points of separation, but the beginning of real and honest conversations. “And this is what helps us to mutually live together and discern, discern together, reflect together, and look for ways forward in which we can really maintain the unity and finally our visible unity in terms of visible justice, visible human dignity,” she said.  Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, vice moderator of the commission, reflected on the importance of meeting face-to-face. “I think that personal encounters are decisive for the continuation of the work,” he said. “Because when you meet people, you eat together, you drink coffee together, you walk together, you travel together, this helps the work of the commission on different themes to understand each other better and also to make significant progress in our work.” Faith and Order delegates gather for prayer during the 2026 meeting in Höör, Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Metropolitan Job acknowledged Lund as a historical city for the ecumenical movement, and  for the Church of Sweden. “We have experienced many things. We are focusing on very specific topics. But it's very important to see as a commission, as a whole commission, where we want to go and what are the dynamics,” he said. “Where shall we go? What are the topics on which we should concentrate?” He noted the work in developing, reflecting, and discerning on the importance of developing a baptismal ecclesiology. “What we intend by baptismal ecclesiology is not a theological reflection on our baptism, but how our common experience of baptism, because all Christians do baptize, how this experience, our common experience of baptism can enlighten us on our reflection on the church, and how can our common experience of baptism can help us to reconnect with the unity of the church,” he said. “Another field which is quite challenging and quite new is how to decolonize theology.” Metropolitan Job also emphasized that we are incorporated into the body of Christ. “We are baptized into the church of Christ. We are becoming a part of the people of God,” he said. “So if we can start reflecting on that, this is a very powerful starting point that, although we might have been baptized in different confessions or separated churches, but nevertheless we have a mystical or sacramental experience in common. Going deeper in our understanding of that reality, perhaps will help us to come closer to each other and to realize that in a way we are already united.” Vespers in Lund Cathedral: moments of commemoration—and contemplation Photo gallery: Ecumenical vespers – Lund Cathedral 2026 WCC, LWF launch ’The Lund Thread’ – on 100 years of ecumenism in Sweden The Lund Thread – digital exhibition Webinar explores “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC feature 30 October 2026) Ecumenism: When uncharted territory “is a good place to be” (WCC feature, 29 October 2026) Young Nordic theologians voice what visible unity means to them today (WCC feature, 27 October 2026) Swedish “Singstunde” invites spiritual encounter with and through music (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2026) WCC Faith and Order meeting opens with path toward deep dialogue (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Newly launched report reflects rich tapestry of Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Webinar will offer special glimpse into “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Photo gallery: Faith and Order Commission – Sweden 2026 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: Vespers in Lund Cathedral: moments of commemoration—and contemplation

An ecumenical vespers service in Lund Cathedral on 31 October, Reformation Day, commemorated significant moments in the history of ecumenism—and drew a procession of people who are wrestling with the future of ecumenism as well. 31 October 2026, Lund, Sweden: Choir members sing as part of an ecumenical vespers held on Reformation Day in Lund Cathedral – marking the 10th anniversary of the historic joint Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that was held in the same place in 2016. The vespers is led by Roman Catholic Cardinal Anders Arborelius and Lutheran World Federation president Bishop Henrik Stubkjær, and with representation from a wide range of churches and partners locally, regionally and globally, including the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order at the conclusion of their meeting in Höör and Lund, 26-31 October 2026. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 01 November 2026 The vespers marked the 10th anniversary of a joint commemoration of the Reformation held in the very same cathedral in 2016. Procession moves through Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Roman Catholic Cardinal Anders Arborelius, from Sweden, and Lutheran World Federation president Bishop Henrik Stubkjær, from Denmark, proceeded into the cathedral with members of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church speaks during the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær delivers the sermon. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Archbishop emerita of Church of Sweden Antje Jackelén – who served as primate of the church during the joint commemoration in Lund in 2016 – reads a passage of scripture. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC The vespers took place at the conclusion of the commission’s weeklong meeting in Höör and Lund, Sweden, during which commissioners gathered to contemplate such questions as: What does visible unity require now? Which voices, wounds, and forms of knowledge must shape the next phase of ecumenical work? And what might churches do together that they have not yet imagined? Faith and Order Commission members and other gathered in attendance for the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Faith and Order Commission members and other gathered in attendance for the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Lund is the founding location of the Lutheran World Federation in 1947, venue of the Third World Conference on Faith and Order in 1952, and the place where Lutherans and Roman Catholics— alongside ecumenical guests from a wide variety of church traditions—jointly commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2016. Five “ecumenical imperatives” were signed at the Joint Commemoration in Lund in 2016.  Sweden holds more than a century of ecumenical history. It begins with Stockholm 1925 and moves through the founding of the Lutheran World Federation in Lund in 1947, the Third World Conference on Faith and Order in 1952, the WCC 4th Assembly in Uppsala in 1968, the Lutheran–Catholic commemoration of the Reformation in Lund and Malmö in 2016, and the ecumenical centenary celebrations in Stockholm and Uppsala in 2025. With the return of the Commission on Faith and Order in October 2026, the history now contains a new chapter.  Church leaders gathered on each side of the altar in Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Church leaders gathered on each side of the altar in Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Throughout the decades, Swedish churches have continued to receive, interpret, and reactivate ecumenical memories in changing circumstances. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church (left) and Bishop Johan Tyrberg of the Church of Sweden diocese of Lund (right) share in giving the benediction together. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC As those gathered prayed together, the question remained on hearts and minds: Where is ecumenism heading? Visible unity is not simply a matter inherited from earlier generations. It remains a task for the churches in the present. Procession moves through the church at the conclusion of the ecumenical vespers. Here from left to right: Bishop Johan Tyrberg of Lund, Church of Sweden: Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church; LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark; Archbishop emerita Antje Jackelén of Church of Sweden, and former LWF President bishop emeritus Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Photo gallery: Ecumenical vespers – Lund Cathedral 2026 WCC, LWF launch ’The Lund Thread’ – on 100 years of ecumenism in Sweden Webinar explores “Visible Unity in a Changing North” Ecumenism: When uncharted territory “is a good place to be” (WCC feature, 29 October 2026) Young Nordic theologians voice what visible unity means to them today (WCC feature, 27 October 2026) Swedish “Singstunde” invites spiritual encounter with and through music (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2026) WCC Faith and Order meeting opens with path toward deep dialogue (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Newly launched report reflects rich tapestry of Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Webinar will offer special glimpse into “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Photo gallery: Faith and Order Commission – Sweden 2026 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

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for November 01, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, November 1, 2026

First Reading Revelation 7:9-17 9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying,      “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing,      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom      and thanksgiving and honor      and power and might      be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15  For this reason they are before the throne of God,           and worship him day and night within his temple,           and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16  They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;           the sun will not strike them,           nor any scorching heat; 17  for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,           and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,      and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Psalm Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1   I will bless the Lord at all times;           his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2   My soul makes its boast in the Lord;           let the humble hear and be glad. 3   O magnify the Lord with me,           and let us exalt his name together. 4   I sought the Lord, and he answered me,           and delivered me from all my fears. 5   Look to him, and be radiant;           so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6   This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,           and was saved from every trouble. 7   The angel of the Lord encamps           around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8   O taste and see that the Lord is good;           happy are those who take refuge in him. 9   O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,           for those who fear him have no want. 10  The young lions suffer want and hunger,           but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 22  The Lord redeems the life of his servants;           none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Second Reading 1 John 3:1-3 1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Gospel Matthew 5:1-12 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. . 7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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