WCC NEWS: Share the WCC Pentecost message—globally and locally

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Pentecost message—developed by WCC regional presidents—is now available in many languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Greek, Ukrainian, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian. 16 May 2024 The World Council of Churches (WCC) Pentecost message—developed by WCC regional presidents—is now available in many languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Greek, Ukrainian, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian. In addition, the WCC invites people who have the message in other languages to share their own translations with the global fellowship.  The message, which reflects on how much we need the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit, is especially aimed at a world facing many challenges.  “The Pentecost is the descent of the Holy Spirit on the church and the empowerment of its missionary outreach,” the message reads. “In a world in which life in its human and ecological dimensions is threatened, we need the Spirit of life to protect the sacredness, wholeness, and integrity of the God-given life.” The WCC is also sharing social media cards to help get the message of renewal to even more people.  The message also reflects on the need for the intervention of the Holy Spirit to tear down walls that divide. The message reads: “Help us to replace hatred by love, violence by dialogue, and self-centeredness by mutual acceptance. Make us instruments of justice, apostles of peace, and messengers of life.” Full text: A Message for the Churches – At Pentecost (available in English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Greek, Ukrainian, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, and Indonesian) 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 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