World Council of Churches

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
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

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:
 wccassembly@wcc-coe.org

WCC 9th Assembly 2006