Feature story
With the WCC central committee gathering for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in 2022, Famos reminded those gathered of the interconnectedness of the local church and the worldwide fellowship of churches.
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Local churches in Switzerland invite WCC central committee members and advisors, stewards and staff to a reception at the Ecumenical Centre.
Albin Hillert/WCC
“It is with great joy that we are inviting you for this evening. Together with the Old-Catholic Church of Switzerland we are somehow the host churches for the WCC. We are proud and grateful for this,” Famos said, and added: “The openness to the world that the WCC represents and lives out on a daily basis benefits not only Geneva, but the entire country and all the churches in this country.”
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Appetizers served at the reception, prepared by a local catering firm known to engage refugees locally as part of their work.
Albin Hillert/WCC
Rev. Serge Fornerod – a central committee member – echoed the words of Famos, as he noted that “the WCC has helped immensely to open the minds of our churches, that there are churches elsewhere, that the world is a bit different outside Switzerland.”
“This has opened windows to many thousands of Swiss people about the worldwide dimension of the church,” he said.
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People from a variety of traditions and contexts gathered in conversation at the evening reception.
Albin Hillert/WCC
WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay affirmed: “We want to appreciate the support we have received as a council through all these years, and we want to acknowledge the work and the close relationships that we have together with you, and I can see that this relationship is getting stronger and stronger.”
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WCC central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford Strohm (right), President of the Protestant Church in Switzerland Rev. Rita Famos (centre), and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay (left) pictured together at the reception.
Albin Hillert/WCC
