News
More than 35 WCC partners attended on 16 April to present their experience with the ecumenical year 2025. Working Together is an annual space for dialogue between the WCC and specialised ministries, aimed at strengthening collaboration, mutual understanding, and coordinated action.
Lydia Funck, head of church communication, from Bread for the World, described the online session as a teaser for the discussions to come when the group meets later in April. “The ecumenical movement looks back on a busy and encouraging year 2025—encouragement for common action and witness that is very much needed in light of the multitude of challenges our world is faced with today,” she said.
Marc-Henri Heiniger, WCC liaison with specialized ministries, said what stood out for him was the quality of the exchange — open, honest, and grounded in trust. “Working Together has always been about journeying alongside one another, and that spirit was very present,” he said. “There was a real willingness to name both what is working and where the gaps remain, particularly around collaboration.”
One insight that stayed with Heiniger was the question: what are we still doing alone that we should stop doing alone? “As we move to the in-person meeting in Bossey, I hope we can build on this openness — deepening collaboration and shaping more intentional ways of working together,” he said.
Rev. Dr Antti Laine, head of Church and Ecumenical Relations for Finn Church Aid, said that unity is needed more than ever. “The ecumenical movement has extensive experience in reconciling differing views and we can draw from that,” he said. “However, we cannot look merely to the past, but progress boldly.”
Laine further noted that, currently many of those in power question values like justice and compassion. “Helping one’s neighbour is no longer considered important,” he said. “This challenges churches and church-related agencies not only ideologically but also financially.”
Therefore, Laine said, closer and more concrete collaboration between both global ecumenical organizations and specialized ministries is needed. “The Working Together meetings and the high-level consultation provide a great opportunity to take the required steps forward.”
Laura Casorio, executive secretary at Fondation pour l'aide au protestantisme réformé, reflected that, among the richness of the WCC is a variety of actors who recognise themselves within the ecumenical family. “The variety and complexity of approaches, perspectives, and expectations enriches reflections,” she said. “While attending this meeting, it is evident the need to share energies and resources in a common work, though the world is pushing in the opposite direction: spaces for multilateral cooperation are reducing, but it is invaluable to share and learn mutually.
Casorio added: “And this is valid even for small organisations struggling at their own level as well as bigger ones who need bottom-up inputs to reinforce their prophetic voice.”
“Walking Toward Unity” - WCC publishes Annual Review 2025 (WCC news release, 16 April 2026)
