WCC invites churches in all places to celebrate Assembly Sunday

With two months remaining until the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly in 2006, the organizers have launched an invitation to churches and Christians everywhere to accompany and support the event.

"Assemblies are often turning points in the life of the World Council and this Assembly will surely leave its mark on ecumenical history," says WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in an appeal sent to WCC members and partner organizations.

"I invite churches, communities and Christians in all places to pray together on Sunday 12 February and during the days of the Assembly which will follow, united in a common faith and common vision, that the Spirit of God will come upon us and guide our work during that time, and to offer solidarity and support for the event and the proposals and vision which will emerge from the gathering."

The WCC 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 14-23 February 2006 will gather over 3,000 church and ecumenical leaders representing virtually all Christian traditions and regions in what is expected to be the broadest WCC Assembly ever.

A WCC Assembly Sunday information brochure, ideas for prayer and worship, and materials and reflection on the Assembly theme, "God in your grace, transform the world," are available in five languages on the WCC's official Assembly website or on request from the WCC.