Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

HOW IS THE WCC ORGANISED?
From its central offices in Switzerland the staff of the WCC work to carry out, support
and coordinate ecumenical activities mandated by its member Churches. The on
going work of the WCC is supervised by the 150 member central committee elected
by the Assembly from among the delegates and its 3 standing sub-committees;
namely the Executive Committee, Program Committee and Finance Committee. At
the 8 th Assembly in Harare in December 1998, the structure of the WCC was changed
from program units to 4 clusters.
Cluster on Issues and Themes
This includes, Faith and Order Commission, Mission and Evangelism, Justice Peace
and Creation, Education and Ecumenical Formation.
Cluster on Relations
This embraces Church and Ecumenical Relations, Regional Relations and Ecumenical
Sharing, Inter-religious Relations and Dialogue and International Relations.
Cluster on Finance, Services and Administration
This involves Income Monitoring and Development, Human Resources and House
Services, Finance and Computer Information Services.
Cluster on Communication
This includes Public Information, Publications and Documentations.
WHAT DOES THE WCC DO?
The WCC promotes worldwide Christian unity. It does so through its programmes of
sharing, support and advocacy, through its studies and publications, through its
assembles and conferences, where a rich diversity of Christians, clergy and laity
(men, women and youth) gather and where common worship, prayer and bible study
form the backdrop for consultation and commitment on critical contemporary issues.
WCC ASSEMBLIES
Every seven years the WCC convenes an assembly to call together thousands of
voting delegates. The assembled delegates set policies for the council’s work in the
years ahead, in the light of the contemporary situation in church and world. The
inaugural assembly in Amsterdam in 1948 had the theme of: “Man’s Disorder and
God’s Order”. Representing the Coptic Church was the late Reverend Father Ibrahim
Luka (1897-1950) of St. Mark’s Church, Heliopolis.
Illinous USA in 1954 was the second assembly with the theme: “Christ – Hope Of the
World”. Representing the Coptic Church were Very Reverend Father Makarii El
Souryani (in 1962 became Bishop Samuel) and Dr. Aziz Sourial Attia.
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