Incoming President Najla Kassab speaks of gender equality and justice
By Amy Eckert “Here I stand, a Middle Eastern woman in the Pulpit of Luther.” So began the sermon delivered by Rev. Najla Kassab at the General Council worship service in Wittenberg on July 5. Now Kassab is poised to stand at the forefront of the WCRC as the Communion’s next president. Kassab has a […]
Tribute to the Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu
The World Communion of Reformed Churches received the news of the death of the Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu with a sense of sadness. He was a leader whose tremendous contribution to the Reformed family worldwide and the ecumenical movement in general are remarkable. In 1964, at the 19th General Council of the then Alliance […]
Consultation looks to empower regions
A Regional Empowerment Consultation held in Hannover, Germany, in February focused on ways in which the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) can strengthen its work through better engagement on a regional level. The consultation, which brought together WCRC officers, regional leaders and staff over three days, agreed on ways to improve work in the following […]
Ferguson, Tutu to receive honorary degrees
The Vancouver School of Theology (VST) is pleased to announce the recipients of VST’s 2017 Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and The Rev. Chris Ferguson. The 2017 VST Honorary Doctorates will be awarded to the recipients at the VST Convocation Ceremony on Monday, May 8th at 7 pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, […]
WCRC continues association process to the JDDJ
The 2010 Uniting General Council recommended “a consultation within WCRC to consider the possibility of associating with the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ).” The JDDJ, signed by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Roman Catholic Church in 1999, states that they share “a common understanding of our justification by God’s grace […]
Visser retiring after medical leave
The Rev. Dr. Douwe Visser, the executive secretary for theology, communion and mission for the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), will be taking early retirement in 2017 after an extended medical leave. The medical leave, which began in May, is due to the need for surgery on both of Visser’s knees, a process that […]
Communion pledges solidarity with Cuban churches
The WCRC’s 2016 Executive Committee meeting ended today, 13 May, with a flurry of activity focused on its host nation, Cuba. These activities included crafting a “Statement from Cuba,” a visit and interaction with Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel and a presentation from the FARC delegation currently in peace negotiations with the Colombian government in Havana. […]
Strategic foci proposed leading to council
Chris Ferguson, the general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), pointed the organization toward a strategically busy year leading to the 2017 General Council in his report to the executive committee. “We are, despite considerable challenges, moving forward with renewed vigour on many fronts,” Ferguson said. “The council’s theme of renewal and […]
Pillay calls for embracing deeper vision
In his annual address to the executive committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), President Jerry Pillay looked toward the 2017 General Council by engaging the council’s theme “Living God, renew and transform us.” “This theme is reflected as a prayer to God who lives and reigns in the world to make us […]
Stories of Strength: The Stewards of 2015 Executive Committee
Four young stewards from Syria and Lebanon participated in hosting this year’s WCRC executive committee held in Lebanon. Thanks to these young people the executive committee and WCRC staff were able to hear first hand accounts of the troubles the people of the Middle East are facing. They came from different walks of life: pastors, […]
