WCC NEWS: Are you a #ThursdaysinBlack trailblazer?

On the final day of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) 11th Assembly, participants are contributing to a strong visual statement of their solidarity for a world without rape and violence through the Thursdays in Black campaign. 29 August 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Judith Königsdörfer shares a testimony during a harvesting session for the Thursdays in Black campaign -- for a world without rape and violence -- and launch of a quilt tapestry representing a waterfall of solidarity and resistence, gathering personal testimonies from people around the globe on overcoming rape and violence. The 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches is held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 08 September 2022 They are also invited to strengthen the impact of the Thursdays in Black campaign by recognizing  “trailblazers” who have made a real impact in raising awareness about gender-based violence in their communities and networks. One such trailblazer is Janine Marja Schneider, the artist behind the Waterfall of Solidary and Resistance currently on display in the Gartenhalle. Not only did she design and sew the over six by eight meter tapestry, she reached out to schools, churches, and women’s groups to raise awareness of the initiative, and the opportunity to share stories through art in a common effort to overcome gender-based violence. As Schneider sewed together each 30x30cm panel, she thought of the women behind their artistic contribution and what they represent: “I think of each one of you women friends who have gone through what you have, or had a loved one who went through violence, and that we want a different world.” The WCC wants to recognize and highlight the initiatives of such “Trailblazers” – young people, pastors, lay leaders, survivors – who  have reached out and through their commitment, energy, and innovation, made Thursdays in Black a global movement of solidarity and hope. The Thursdays in Black Trailblazers initiative aims to inspire and multiply our collective efforts against rape and violence. For more information on the intiative and how to nominate a trailblazer, visit www.oikoumene.org/trailblazers. #ThursdaysinBlack Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance video Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany 1 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Assembly participants from Finland gather for a group photo in front of a tapestry supporting the campaign against gender-based violence that hangs at the World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. The tapestry is designed as a waterfall with messages and images from around the world. The assembly takes place August 31 to September 8 under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Mike DuBose/WCC 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 352 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 acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland