WCC NEWS: WCC executive committee opens with heartfelt thanks for caring, prayers for the global fellowship

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting opened online on 17 May, moderator of the WCC central committee Dr Agnes Abuom took time to offer a very personal thank-you to the WCC leaders and fellowship surrounding her with care and prayers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC, 2016 18 May 2021 “I grew up in a village in my earlier years as a child, and many a time I accompanied women—especially my mother—to church, to draw water from the river, and to the market to sell vegetables,” shared Abuom. “There were times one saw a lady or a man simply overloaded with goods and almost at the point of falling.” Out of nowhere, Abuom said, a person would appear with a bicycle or a person with a lighter load would help. “Once this happened, a sigh of relief would immediately be expressed by the person assisted,” she said. “Likewise, while the WCC transition has in many ways been a heavy burden to all of us, I personally feel blessed to walk, and work with each and every one of you, because of your care and willingness to pray and assist to ensure the work of WCC continues uninterrupted.” The WCC executive committee is convening from 17-20 May, and if needed on 25 May, with a focus on preparing for the upcoming WCC central committee meeting, planning for the WCC 11th Assembly in Germany in 2022, and issuing a public statement on overcoming global injustice and inequity to defeat COVID-19. WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, in his report, reflected that the global health situation remains disturbing. “The pandemic seems out of control in places like India and Brazil,” he said. “We continue to lose many dear friends and we are troubled by so much suffering.” As vaccines continue to become more widely available, Sauca said that, more than anything, the WCC fellowship wants to be together for the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2022.“We must remain full of hope that we will meet in Karlsruhe next year,” said Sauca. “We must also continue to monitor the situation, relying on facts and the professional advice of health experts.” Like Abuom, Sauca also expressed gratitude for those around him. “I am grateful for your devotion to the WCC,” he said “I am grateful for the dedicated service of commission members, advisory groups and our partners for their contributions and support. I am ever grateful to the WCC staff and staff leadership group for their tremendous dedication in serving the fellowship of WCC member churches.” WCC assembly a chance to overcome injustice and trauma, says moderator(WCC press release of 17 May 2021) WCC executive committee will convene, call for unity in defeating COVID-19(WCC press release of 17 May 2021) WCC resources on the COVID-19 pandemic The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches WCC organizational structure and governance 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 350 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