World Council of Churches

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World Council of Churches

• WCC 9th Assembly
• Porto Alegre 2006
• An introduction

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Welcome to the assembly

• The WCCs 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

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The tasks of the assembly

• The WCCs highest governing body
• Meets every 7 years
• Gathers in prayer
• Reviews programmes
• Determines priorities
• Issues a message
• Elects Presidium and Central Committee

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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

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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

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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

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The symbolism of the logo
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The context Brazil

• Porto Alegre, Brazil
• Largest country in Latin America
• Hosted by the Brazilian Council of Churches
  (CONIC)
• Diverse cultural and religious context

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Porto Alegre
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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

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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

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The 9th assembly venue
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Participation at the assembly
Over 700 delegates from more than 340 member
churches in 100 countries

• Representatives of over 200 councils, agencies
  and non-member churches
• Latin American and Brazilian hosts
• Over 1500 visitors and observers

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The 9th assembly programme

• Prayer Life
• Bible Study
• Plenaries
• Ecumenical Conversations
• Mutirão
• Committees

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Spiritual life
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Assembly website www.wcc-assembly.info
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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
• wccassembly_at_wcc-coe.org

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