For two Syrian sisters, the General Council offers an opportunity to speak of difficulty…and hope
by Amy Eckert It’s difficult to live in Homs, Syria, in 2017. It’s even more difficult to live in the besieged city as an openly practicing Christian. Loujain Saad, a member of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), first learned of the WCRC in 2015. She was invited to volunteer as a […]
The “living God” challenges death and destruction, Jürgen Moltmann tells global gathering of Reformed churches
by Stephen Brown Without a vision for the future, new scientific and technological possibilities will be used for the death and destruction of humanity, according to German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, speaking at a global assembly of Reformed churches. “’Fullness of life’ is that kind of vision of the future, reaching far beyond what is possible […]
Faith has a duty to promote reconciliation, says German president
by Stephen Brown German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has appealed to a global gathering of Reformed churches to demonstrate the peacemaking role of faith at a time when religious beliefs are misused to justify violence. “Now more than ever the Reformed churches must make particular efforts to foster peaceful dialogue and to very consciously underline the […]
Reformation challenges church to rediscover spirit of protest, global Protestant gathering told
by Stephen Brown The commemoration of the Protestant Reformation challenges the church to undergo radical renewal and transformation, Indian theologian George Zachariah said in a keynote address to the global assembly of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Leipzig, Germany. “Even as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Reformation, we need to place […]
Newly commissioned Psalm part of the commemoration of the General Council in Leipzig
By Amy Eckert When the WCRC decided to commission a new musical work on the occasion of the 2017 General Council, there was quick consensus that only a psalm would do. “Psalms express sentiment in an extraordinary way,” said General Council Coordinator Hanns Lessing. “They speak bodily of themes that are understandable cross-culturally, such as […]
WCRC president urges prophetic voice to promote global renewal and transformation
By Stephen Brown A world in crisis needs a renewed commitment to justice and peace, the president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay, has told delegates attending the WCRC’s global assembly in Leipzig, Germany. “Today we live in a world in which the rich are getting richer and […]
Terence Corkin brings discernment processes to the WCRC in Leipzig
By Amy Eckert Terence Corkin, ordained minister of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) and a discernment facilitator and coach, arrived at the WCRC General Council in Leipzig with a new book in hand: The Church Guide for Making Decisions Together. The book, which was released in May 2017, offers a realistic look at the […]
Stewards work behind the scenes of the General Council
By Amy Eckert Attendees may never see the work done by the WCRC’s stewards. But without their volunteer hours, the General Council couldn’t function. Before most delegates ever arrived, a team of 75 stewards were unpacking trucks, ripping open boxes, setting up offices with computer connections and stuffing attendees’ bags with literature, meal tickets, a […]
Youth Gathering Kicks off before the General Council
By Amy Eckert Long before the WCRC’s General Council delegates began to arrive—even before the Women and Youth Pre-Councils landed in Germany—a group of some 120 young adults began a period of worship, study and interaction at a Youth Gathering. Held in a village northwest of Leipzig, the Youth Gathering at the local Begegnungszentrum Zwochau […]
Christian unity to be focus in Wittenberg
Five hundred years ago, Wittenberg was the site that sparked the Reformation, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door. This year, Wittenberg is not only the centre of a year-long commemoration of that event but will also, for a day at least, focus on bringing together the Church. On Wednesday, 5 […]