World Council of Churches

WCC 9th AssemblyPorto Alegre 2006An introduction

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

Representatives of over

200 councils, agencies

and non-member

churches

Latin American and

Brazilian hosts

Over 1500 visitors and

observers

Over 700 delegates from more than 340 member churches in 100 countries

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