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According to the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, this week the WCC offered prayers with and for the people and churches of Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
A reflection was given by Commissioner Jane Paone, secretary for International Ecumenical Relations for The Salvation Army.
“I am amazed that the Lord uses the most unlikely people in unexpected places to witness to the fact that He is indeed risen!” said Paone. “The reality of our risen Lord’s presence is not something to be experienced in isolation, but in community: we become aware of his peace, his forgiveness.”
Paone prayed that we would respond to the risen Christ in our midst today – as a community.
“In accepting Christ’s peace and forgiveness, we go out and share his forgiveness, and we find true joy,” she said. “We know we are not alone!”
Paone was part of a Salvation Army delegation that met with Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC programme executive for Spiritual Life, who invites representatives from world communions to lead the weekly Monday morning prayer. The Salvation Army group also met with other WCC staff in dialogue about gender justice, preventing gender-based violence, Faith and Order, and other topics.
Cristian Papaeftimiou, who is stationed in Geneva as a Salvation Army officer, reflected that ecumenical relations has always been part of the role.
“I lived ecumenism in the field and it is moving to be here now, at the international headquarters,” said Papaeftimiou. “It feels like coming full circle. I am happy that I have lived ecumenism at the WCC and also in the field.”
Markus Hofer expressed joy at being able to lead the prayer at the WCC.
“It was really inspiring to see the efforts of the WCC and to realize how challenging it can be to find unity in diversity within all the churches that are a part of the WCC,” he said. “I believe that the WCC plays an important role in unifying voices to advocate for peace, social justice, and against violence. This morning, we heard about the WCC’s stand on violence against women, which was very inspiring.”
