World Council of Churches

World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, in his report to the WCC executive committee, posed complex questions and reasons for hope.

In a report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected that, particularly during the past several months, his focus has been to lift the profile of the WCC. “I believe that this is being achieved in major proportions,” he said. “I am also grateful that many of the invitations that come my way are also graciously funded by the inviters and this certainly helps our budget constraints, especially when the requests for the general secretary’s presence are so numerous.”

The Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement (YPEM), during its meeting in the Philippines, elected four new vice moderators: Ann Chris Jacob (United Methodist Church USA), Lorena Bonilla Garcia (Mennonite Church of Colombia), Rev. Bjorn Warde (Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago), and Danil Arakelian (Russian Orthodox Church).

Black Awareness Day in Brazil is observed annually on 20 November. It is a day to reflect on the contributions, culture, and history of Afro-Brazilians and to address the ongoing fight against racial inequality in Brazil. 

World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement (YPEM) moderator Karen Erina Puimera, is from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia. As YPEM’s meeting in the Philippines drew to a close on 19 November, she took time to reflect reflect about what inspired her, the challenges that lie ahead, and YPEM’s goal for engaging and inspiring even more young people.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement completed its meeting in Manila, Philippines, with inspiration drawn from local connections and determination to carry forth messages from young people into the wider ecumenical movement. 

A webinar on 3 December organised by the World Council of Churches and World Association for Christian Communication will explore "Religion and Disinformation: How to be a trusted source.”

In the midst of the devastating war sweeping Lebanon, killing and displacing its people, the Women's Pastoral Office of the Maronite Church in Bkerki, Lebanon has launched a cry and  issued a statement entitled “Stop the Madness of War, Lebanon deserves to live!" Abboud Mzawak, coordinator of the office, took time to reflect on the motivation behind the statement, some of the daily realities women are facing, and how women across the world can help.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shared a special message with the Global Network for Religions for Children Sixth Forum, taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 19-21 November under the theme “Interfaith Cooperation to Build a Hopeful World for Children.”

During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Patricia Mungcal, a young climate advocate and humanitarian leader from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a member of the ACT Alliance delegation. Speaking from Baku, Azerbaijan, Mungcal reflected on the challenges faced by frontline communities in disaster-prone regions, the barriers youth face in accessing decision-making spaces, and the hope she finds in collective resistance and solidarity.

The World Council of Churches in partnership with the Christian Conference of Asia organised a conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 14-16 November, on “Reversing the HIV Epidemic in Asia: Faith-Based Engagements.”

A day after World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and a day before World Toilet Day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) morning prayer on 18 November mourned those lost to traffic accidents, and also called for addressing the global sanitation crisis.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee convenes in Paralimni, Cyprus, from 21-26 November to focus on planning for 2025, including the budget and implementation of WCC strategies.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) co-hosted two side events addressing the non-economic impacts of climate change. These discussions focused on how climate change affects vulnerable communities worldwide, particularly Indigenous peoples, by disrupting cultural heritage, spiritual practices, and community resilience.

During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Pastor Eugenio Albrecht from Argentina, communications officer for the Evangelical Church of the River Plate and a Lutheran World Federation Latin America Communications Network member. Albrecht reflected on his first COP experience, shared insights on Latin America's challenges, and emphasized the importance of diakonal faith in fostering hope and action for climate justice.

The North America-Turtle Island regional gap-year session, a critical convening between World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meetings, took place online 12-14 November. 

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in collaboration with UNAIDS and national resource persons, conducted capacity-building programs on HIV, mental health, and human rights during the annual youth assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia from 31 October to 3 November in Ondangwa. Nearly 500 youth participated in the assembly.

Dr Andrej Jeftić, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission, answered questions about his expectations for the Ecumenical Year 2025, as well as how the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea might inspire churches today.

The World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, and Council for World Mission signed a letter to G20 leaders that embraces the theme of the 2024 G20 Leaders’ Summit, “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.” 

The All Africa Youth Network, in collaboration with the Africa Christian Health Associations platform, along with the WCC, organized an online consultation on 11-12 November to embark on a journey of promoting the holistic mental health and wellbeing of youth in Africa.