The World Council of Churches was formed in 1948 in response to Jesus' prayer 'that they may all be one ... so that the world may believe' (John 17:21). In fifty years the number of member churches has more than doubled. Its 330 member churches - Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed and Independent - in all continents now include 400 - 500 million Christians. The Council works in very close co-operation with the Roman Catholic Church, which is a full member of the Faith and Order Commission, the theological arm of the Council.
As a fellowship of churches the WCC brings together those who confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. Its aim is not to form a super-church but to deepen the fellowship of churches as they call one another to visible unity in one faith and eucharistic fellowship, expressed in worship and common life, through witness and service to the world.
We are invited on Sunday 20 September to celebrate the bond of peace that unites us and to join with thousands of other churches and communities in prayer and thanksgiving for the ecumenical movement in its many forms and for the WCC in particular. We have an opportunity to commit ourselves anew to strengthening this fellowship of churches in our own setting and around the globe.
Throughout its fifty years the World Council has not asked the congregations of the member churches to take special offerings for its work. The jubilee year, however, presents a fitting opportunity for individual Christians and groups to participate in the work of the Council in a special way. A Jubilee Fund has been set up by the World Council of Churches which will be used especially for the important tasks of reconciliation, healing and community building. It will form a permanent fund, a mark of our fellowship and a tangible sign of our commitment to make Christ's prayer for the world a reality, that 'all may be one so that the world may believe'.
item submitted by Lynn Winter
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