Pilgrimage theme to engage local churches

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Bishop Simo Peura and the WCC Communications liaison for Europe Marianne Ejdersten Launikari

We met Rev. Dr Simo Peura, bishop of the Diocese of Lapua in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, and a member of the Central and Executive Committees of the World Council of Churches (WCC), in the chapel at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.
It is the final day of the biannual gathering of the WCC Central Committee. Meeting 2-8 July in Geneva, Switzerland, the group has convened for its first full meeting since its selection at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea, in November 2013.
Along with prayer, Bible study,  addresses from the WCC leadership of the WCC, and greetings from the Swiss churches, the conference also included plenary sessions on unity, climate change, economic justice and churches in solidarity with one another in sharing resources.
These and other presentations during the Central Committee strongly focused on the theme, “the pilgrimage of justice and peace,” mandated by the 10th Assembly and introduced in the opening sessions by WCC Central Committee moderator Dr Agnes Aboum.

Invited to discuss and share

Simon Peura plans to address the theme “pilgrimage of justice and peace” when he returns to Finland.
“I like the theme ‘pilgrimage of justice and peace’.  It is a good way of inspiring and expressing the life and the work of the ecumenical movement. I think it is also a way to involve assorted people; youth, ordinary church members and theological experts – something for everyone. The theme invites discussion and sharing as a part of their own self-understanding. I will try to encourage people in the Evangelical Church of Finland to discuss the pilgrimage in local congregations. “

Open atmosphere with spirituality

The WCC Central Committee will hold meetings every two years until the next assembly in approximately 7 years’ time. The committee, which consists of 150 members from all global regions, is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the WCC 10th Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council. The 10th Assembly, which elected the members of this Central Committee, took place at Busan, Republic of Korea in October and November 2013.
Simo Peura feels very committed and inspired after the week with the WCC Central Committee;
“There have been very inspiring discussions and many expressions of spirituality. I’m especially thinking of the pilgrimage and the daily morning prayers. The atmosphere in the plenary has been very kind, with a rich attitude of openness. I’m looking forward to our next meeting.”

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