Primate promotes WCC child protection initiative

From Anglican Journal-

The primate of the Anglican Church of Canada is hoping Anglicans across the country will give a “strong endorsement” to the initiative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) aimed at promoting child protection.

In his New Year’s Day address at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, Archbishop Fred Hiltz said the WCC asks that each member church adopt the “Churches’ Commitments to Children” and make them their own. The Anglican Church of Canada has been a member of the WCC since 1948.

Launched in Geneva in March 2017, “Churches’ Commitments to Children” has been developed “to stimulate and strengthen action with and for children by WCC member churches and partners,” according to the WCC. “It is also a living resource which will be further developed over time through the WCC on the basis of member churches’ responses and experiences.”

More here-

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/primate-promotes-wcc-child-protection-initiative/

Ebola attacks what makes us human, says Archbishop of Canterbury

From Anglican News (with video)-

In a video recorded for a World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation on the Ebola response being held today in Geneva, the Archbishop also stressed the “absolutely crucial” contribution of churches and other faith communities in responding to the crisis.

The WCC meeting brings together representatives of Christian health, development and aid organizations and UN agencies to learn from each other and seek ways of collaboration to escalate their efforts.

In the video Archbishop Justin spoke of the "deep sorrow" he encountered on a visit to West Africa last month, where he met with the Chief of Staff of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) in Accra, Ghana.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/11/ebola-attacks-what-makes-us-human,-says-archbishop-of-canterbury.aspx

Archbishop of Canterbury hears of Dubai model of co-existence

From Emirates-

At the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Busan, South Korea, the Reverend Dr Ruwan Palapathwala spoke about the promises the UAE holds to the world to His Grace, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of 80 million Anglican Christians across the world.

Dr Palapathwala, the Senior Chaplain of the Chaplaincy of Dubai, Sharjah with the Northern Emirates, was in attendance at the Assembly, which took place between October 30 and November 8.

The WCC is the largest global ecumenical body, represented by 345 member churches, with a membership of over 600 million Christians all over the world.

Representing the Anglican Christians in the UAE and the Middle East at this Assembly, Dr Palapathwala said that he is also attending the Assembly as a voluntary goodwill ambassador to the UAE to share with the 5,000 participants the good news story of the presence of the Christian church in the UAE, and the privilege and freedom to worship the Christians have been granted by the gracious Rulers of the UAE.

More here-

http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/archbishop-of-canterbury-hears-of-dubai-model-of-co-existence-2013-11-12-1.527836

Anglican Communion Women’s Network celebrates WCC appointment

From ENS-

On the first day of their London meeting, members of the International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) Steering Group were delighted to learn of the election of Agnes
Abuom as the first woman and first African moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee.

IAWN Steering Group member Claudette Kigeme from Burundi, said, “I heard Dr. Abuom speak inspirationally at the All Africa Conference of Churches, when she highlighted, as one of several major challenges, the importance of the church promoting gender justice at all levels, and standing by all who suffer , especially ‘victims of human trafficking, packaged like commodities, sold as parts or pieces –  taking place on our doorstep, like slavery.’”

The IAWN Steering Group strongly welcomes such vision, echoing the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) resolutions committing the Anglican Communion to equal representation of women and men in all decision-making bodies of the church, and to the eradication of all forms of human trafficking.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/11/11/anglican-communion-womens-network-celebrates-wcc-appointment/

Anglican is first woman, African WCC moderator

From ACNS-

In one of their first decisions as the Central Committee for the World Council of Churches, the newly installed 150-member committee made history Friday by electing Dr Agnes Abuom of Nairobi, from the Anglican Church of Kenya, as the moderator of the highest WCC governing body.

Abuom, who was elected unanimously to the position, is the first woman and the first African in the position in the 65-year history of the WCC.

Two vice-moderators were elected, United Methodist Church Bishop Mary Ann Swenson from the USA and Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

"My open prayer is that we shall move forward together, in the next years, despite our diversities that have the potential to divide us," Abuom said shortly after her election, "…and that the WCC will continue to remain an instrument for providing a safe space for all who can come and share their hopes, aspirations and visions, and prophetic voice."

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/11/anglican-is-first-woman,-african-wcc-moderator.aspx

Welby tells of longing for church unity

From Church Times-

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has called on the international Church to renew its "commitment to the ecumenical journey" at the tenth Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at Busan, in South Korea.

Archbishop Welby spoke of his "tiny place among God's great Church", but said that his presence at the assembly in Busan was a sign of how important the fellowship was to Anglicans.

"We cannot be satisfied while there is a lack of visible unity," he said. "If we are satisfied, we defy the great high-priestly prayer of Christ himself."

Christians must seek peace and reconciliation, Archbishop Welby said - first between themselves and God, and then in unity with each other.

"We are to be one because we are more effective together than apart," he said. "We are to be one - one people worshipping one God, eating and drinking round the one table of the Lord; for that is Jesus's prayer for his disciples, then and for us now."

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/8-november/news/world/welby-tells-of-longing-for-church-unity

WCC Assembly listens to indigenous voices

From Ekklesia-

National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald has spoken about the "living relationship" that indigenous people have with the land.

He also shared his thoughts about the "sense of kinship" that people feel when they meet with others from around the world.

The indigenous leader from the Anglican Church of Canada was reflecting at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which is meeting through to 8 November 2013 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Jasmine Bostock, also a member of the Episcopal Church's delegation from North America, spoke about how being at the WCC Assembly helps facilitate exchanges of knowledge about indigenous issues worldwide.

The Episcopal Church's Sarah Eagle Heart expressed her thoughts about the connectivity of prayer and worship via images shared on social media.

Indigenous Christian voices from around the world – including Asia, India, Africa, Polynesia, Australasia, Aotearoa, the Middle East and North America – have been heard around Busan.

More here-

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19385

Justice, peace, reconciliation top main agenda for global Christianity

From ACNS-

Whether it’s advocating for gender equality, speaking out against religious persecution, addressing global poverty, discrimination, climate change, or a myriad of other concerns, global justice and peace issues are at the heart of theWorld Council of Churches’ 10th General Assembly, which has drawn thousands of Christians from 345 member churches in 110 countries to Busan in the Republic of Korea.

The theme of the gathering, meeting Oct. 30-Nov. 8, is “God of life, lead us to justice and peace.”

For Native Hawaiian Jasmine Bostock, one of the four official Episcopal Church delegates to the assembly, the WCC’s greatest gift is to play a facilitating role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues. “They’re the only eagle-eyed view … on a global ecumenical level that we have.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/11/justice,-peace,-reconciliation-top-main-agenda-for-global-christianity.aspx

WCC gets underway in Korea

From ENS-

The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) opened on Wednesday 30 October in Busan, Republic of Korea under the themeGod of life, lead us to justice and peace.

The opening service of common prayer on the first day of the Assembly honoured diverse faith traditions from around the world. The gathering prayer included deeply moving litanies of lamentations, cries and hopes from the churches in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific.

The first plenary session of the assembly welcomed delegates and participants to Busan. The mayor of Busan, Hur Nam Sik, moderator of the Korean Host Committee of the WCC assembly the Rev. Dr Kim Sam Whan and the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit welcomed all the assembly participants.

Tveit expressed thanks to the Korean churches, the city of Busan and the government for their gracious hospitality and welcome. Tveit addressed participants of the assembly which includes some 3000 participants representing 345 member churches of the WCC, including youth, WCC staff members, stewards, co-opted staff, interpreters and more than 1,000 Korean church members and day visitors. All these participants represent more than 100 countries.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/10/31/wcc-gets-underway-in-korea/