World Council of Churches WCC 9th Assembly Porto Alegre 2006 An introduction.
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Transcript of World Council of Churches WCC 9th Assembly Porto Alegre 2006 An introduction.
World Council of Churches
WCC 9th AssemblyPorto Alegre 2006An introduction
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Welcome to the assembly
The WCC’s 9th
assembly will meet in
Porto Alegre, Brazil from
14 to 23 February 2006
A time of encounter,
prayer, celebration and
deliberation
A gathering of
thousands of Christians
from around the world
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The tasks of the assembly
The WCC’s highest governing body
Meets every 7 years
Gathers in prayer
Reviews programmes
Determines priorities
Issues a message
Elects Presidium and Central Committee
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The assembly theme
‘God, in your grace, transform the world’
A prayer
A sign of hope
Socially grounded
Spiritually centred
Vision of fullness of life and justice for all
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Dimensions of the theme
Through prayer and Bible study the assembly
will approach the theme holistically:
God, in your grace, transform our world
God, in your grace, transform the earth
God, in your grace, transform our societies
God, in your grace, transform our churches
God, in your grace, transform our lives
God, in your grace, transform our witness
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The 9th assembly logo
Inspired by the assembly
theme
In harmony with the
oikoumene symbol of the
boat and cross
Implies unity and diversity
A hint of Brazil
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The symbolism of the logo
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The context: Brazil
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Largest country in
Latin America
Hosted by the
Brazilian Council of
Churches (CONIC)
Diverse cultural and
religious context
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Porto Alegre
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Porto Alegre
The state capital of Rio
Grande do Sul
Dynamic centre of
culture and democracy
Population of 1.5 million
25 ethnic groups
Diverse church and
religious life
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The 9th assembly venue
The Pontifical Catholic
University (PUC)
Professional conference facility
Venue of the World Social
Forum
6 km from the city centre
Accommodation in hotels
Local transportation
High quality infastructure
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The 9th assembly venue
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Participation at the assembly
Representatives of over
200 councils, agencies
and non-member
churches
Latin American and
Brazilian hosts
Over 1500 visitors and
observers
Over 700 delegates from more than 340 member churches in 100 countries
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The 9th assembly programme
Prayer Life
Bible Study
Plenaries
Ecumenical
Conversations
Mutirão
Committees
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Spiritual life
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
A ‘Praying Assembly’
Opening and closing
celebrations
Common morning and
evening prayer
Bible study in home
groups
Mid-day Eucharist
services
Sunday worship with
host congregations
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The thematic plenaries
Churches’ involvement in …
Economic Justice focus on viable alternatives
Christian Identity & Pluralism context of secularism and religious
plurality
Church Unity churches and the future of ecumenism
Latin America celebration with Latin American churches
Overcoming Violence mid-decade celebration and renewal
God, in your grace, transform the world insights on the Assembly theme and
message to congregations
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Ecumenical conversations
Opportunity for sustained
dialogue on:
The changing religious and
cultural context
The changing ecumenical
context
The changing international and
political context
The changing social and
economic context
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
‘Mutirão’ – coming together to make a difference
An open space for
ecumenical partners,
congregations, student
groups and visitors
Offering prayer, Bible study,
seminars, exhibitions,
workshops
Living fellowship and shared
experience
Culture and celebration
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
The assembly business agenda
Reports of WCC general
secretary and moderator
Admission of new members
Programme and policy
committees
Statements on public issues
Decisions by consensus
New central committee
Assembly message
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
A youth assembly Young people - a central
part of assembly life
Youth camp alongside the
assembly
Ecumenical formation
Fresh insights
Youth pre-assembly
Stewards’ programme
during assembly
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Participate in the 9th assembly!
Pray for the churches and WCC towards the assembly
Organize discussions, Bible studies and events on the
assembly theme
Attend as a delegate of your church
Participate in the ecumenical ‘Mutirão’ partnership event
Use the resources on the assembly website
Make a donation to support the 9th Assembly
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Assembly website: www.wcc-assembly.info
WCC 9th Assembly 2006
Behind the scenes…
A major logistical and human undertaking
Assembly Planning Committee and Assembly Worship Committee
9th assembly office in Geneva Local coordinator in Porto Alegre Staff and volunteer support
Contact: [email protected]
WCC 9th Assembly 2006