WCC news: "Time for God’s Peace” service focuses on church unity for the sake of the world

A “Time for God’s Peace” service at the Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden on 24 August brought ecumenical voices together in a commemoration of 100 years since the closing service of the Life and Work meeting in Stockholm in 1925, led by then-Archbishop Nathan Söderblom. 24 August 2025, Uppsala, Sweden: Church leaders from around the globe accompanied by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his wife Rev. Birgitta Ed, pose for a group photo following an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 24 August 2025 The World Council of Churches (WCC) was represented in the service by Bishop Ingeborg Mittömme, a member of the WCC central and executive committees. The service was led by Archbishop Dr Martin Modéus and Dean Matilda Helg. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the Nicene Creed in Greek during the service, as the Patriarch of Alexandria did at the service in the cathedral in 1925.  Bishop Ingeborg Midttomme of Church of Norway and other church leaders from a range of different traditions gather to present an ecumenical appeal on the theme 'Time for God's Peace' during an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC An Ecumenical Appeal was presented, acknowledging that church leaders were gathering in a time that cries out for peace. “A peace that is not merely the absence of war, but is marked by justice and reconciliation,” the appeal reads. “In this time, God calls us—as churches, as siblings in faith, as fellow human beings—to be bearers of God’s peace.” The appeal reminded those gathered that the mission of the church is not for our own sake, but for the sake of the world.  “We stand together—different in traditions, languages, contexts, and expressions—yet united in Christ,” reads the appeal. “Our unity is not uniformity, but a reconciled diversity that reflects God’s creative love. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (left), Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York (right) and behind them Archbishop Dr Martin Modéus of Church of Sweden, exit the church in procession at the conclusion of an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC The appeal also emphasized the common responsibility to work for peace. “The pursuit of peace and the possibility of reconciliation are central to the churches’ common witness,” reads the appeal. “We urge one another to stand against violence, to promote dialogue between religions and cultures, and to be a voice for those who are not heard.” The appeal reflected that God’s peace is not passive. “It is active. It seeks justice. It builds bridges. It heals wounds and creates space for reconciliation,” reads the appeal. “Therefore, we cannot remain silent when people are displaced, when hatred takes root, when human-caused climate change threatens the future of life.” Many of the churches that were represented with guests at the 1925 meeting are now established in Sweden. In 1925, the theme for the Stockholm meeting and the service in Uppsala was that the unity of the church is for the sake of the world. The meeting was part of the efforts for peace and understanding after the First World War, in a tumultuous time when the church sought its mission in relation to modernity, industrialization, and new social forms. Photo gallery: Ecumenical Week in Stockholm 2025 Service at Stockholm Cathedral marks centenary of 1925 conference on Life and Work (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) Peace festival high point of Ecumenical Week in Stockholm (WCC feature, 24 August 2025) Archbishop Söderblom honoured for 1925 Stockholm conference at centennial event (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) Roundtable focuses on urgent need for God’s peace (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) "United in faith and action,” global church prays together (WCC news release, 22 August 2025) Called to Transformation” dialogue explores prophetic role of diakonia (WCC news release, 22 August 2025) WCC releases Life and Work Digital Collection (WCC news release, 21 August 2025) Reflections on Life and Work consultation call for moral leadership, deeper unity (WCC interview, 21 August 2025) “Reclaiming the Spirit of Life and Work for Ecumenical Renewal” (WCC news release, 18 August 2025) With anniversary just around the corner – churches from across the globe to gather in Stockholm (WCC news release, 15 August 2025) 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