Friday, September 22, 2023

WCC NEWS: Enhancing understanding: specialized ministries reflect on seminar

As they participated in an Ecumenical Formation Seminar this week, representative of specialized ministries reflected on the value of learning even more about the ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches.
A seminar for colleagues of specialized ministries, being held 17-21 September, offered an introduction to the ecumenical movement, especially the World Council of Churches (WCC). Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC
22 September 2023
Pastor Maricar Delfun, program coordinator of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera (RECCORD), Northern Luzon, Philippines, United Church of Canada, said that the seminar is enhancing understanding.

“I am honored to be part of this Ecumenical Formation Seminar as it affirms the life and work of the ecumenical movement that we have been doing at RECCORD as the expression of our faith and response  to societal issues at the grassroots level,” said Delfun. “My hope is to help in strengthening the ecumenical movement at the grassroots to contribute in realizing the ecumenical vision of hope, peace and justice.”

Delfun added: “This seminar will enhance my understanding  of the ecumenical movement as program coordinator of RECCORD, and the commitment to impart such knowledge of the ecumenical movement, being a teacher of ecumenics at our Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines.”
Pastor Maricar Delfun, program coordinator of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera (RECCORD), Northern Luzon, Philippines, United Church of Canada Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC
Patrick Ndung’u, head of program, DanChurchAid Kenya, said the seminar was both eyeopening and inspirational. "It brings to the fore the many opportunities and untapped potential in offering a contemporary ecumenical vision and road map towards faith-driven, unified service and transformation towards healing and hope as well as justice and peace back in my country Kenya at both the national and grassroots levels,” he said. “Having participated in the discourse at the recent Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, I look forward to an ecumenical movement with new impetus and fit for purpose to make practical and visible the oneness of the body of Christ in addressing and offering solutions to the pressing global challenges, including climate change through local agency, dialogue, and solidarity that is inspired and driven by eco-theology and relevant prophetic massages.”
Patrick Ndung’u, head of program, DanChurchAid Kenya. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC
Johanne Rygh, administration advisor for Norwegian Church Aid, said that the week has been very insightful. “Engaging with colleagues from around the world on ecumenical topics has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of unity in faith,” said Rygh. “Drawing on the closing session, my hope for the ecumenical movement is that it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our world, with a stronger emphasis on practical ecumenism on the ground.”
Johanne Rygh, administration advisor for Norwegian Church Aid. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC
The Ecumenical Formation Seminar is giving staff in specialized ministries the opportunity to get to know the ecumenical movement and its organizational expressions. The programme is also providing possibilities for ecumenical encounter with the WCC and other ecumenical organizations, including ACT Alliance.
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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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

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