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Newsletter September 2024
 

Topic Overview:

  • Editorial
  • General Assembly 2024
  • News from the Council
  • News from the Member Churches
  • News From the Head Office

It was such a moving few days at the General Assembly in Sibiu, Romania! More than 200 participants from the member churches and the ecumenical movement came together to celebrate worship, receive the results of work and reflect on the challenges facing the church communion. The theme of hope, to which we are all called as Christians, accompanied us throughout. This newsletter provides an insight into various decisions made at the General Assembly.

Yours, Mario Fischer

General Secretary of the CPCE
 
General Assembly 2024
Final Report Now Available for Download
 

The Final Report of the 9th CPCE General Assembly in Sibiu, Romania is now available to the public! Check out the Documents tab or click the link below to read about our time spent together in worship, fellowship, and discussion.
 
Read the Final Report
 
Statement: Migration from the Perspective of the Countries of Origin 

The topic of ‘migration’ is usually viewed and discussed from the perspective of the destination countries. However, the fact that the conversation surrounding this topic is one-sided is a concern for the churches from Central and Eastern Europe, which used the General Assembly to present their perspective, the perspective of the countries of origin.
Read the Statement
 
Statement: Existence of Churches as Ecclesiastical and Linguistic Minorities

Regionally, Protestant churches are minority churches that have a long tradition of reflecting on and shaping their coexistence with the respective majority churches. In the present day, however, traditional majority churches - across Europe - are also becoming minority churches as a result of a variety of processes. This change requires social and theological reflection. The General Assembly has adopted a statement on this trend.
Read the Statement
 
Statement: Interreligious Relations in Europe in the context of the Violent Conflicts in the Middle East

Many CPCE member churches are involved locally and regionally in the dialogue between religious groups. However, the violent conflicts in the Middle East are seriously jeopardising this dialogue. The General Assembly is now calling on the churches not to let up in this commitment..
Read the Statement
 
Statement: Strengthening Democratic Culture for a Flourishing Unity in Diversity

As Protestant churches in Europe, the CPCE member churches are convinced that they make a vital contribution to democratic coexistence, which helps to shape a common future. The General Assembly has adopted a declaration to this effect. 

Read the Statement
News from the CPCE Council
New CPCE Council Elected
 

The members of the new CPCE Council and their deputies were elected by the General Assembly in Sibiu on 29.08.24. In the period until the next General Assembly, the Council is responsible for and coordinates the work of CPCE. The Nominations Committee had to ensure that the different regions of Europe, the different church traditions (Lutheran, Reformed, United and Methodist) and people of different genders and ages are represented on the Council.
 
More Information
 
New CPCE Presidium Elected
 

3 of the 13 Council Members were elected by the Council to take on the role of Presidium member, the leading members of the Council. The Council elected Rita Famos, Georg Plasger, and Marko Tiitus to the Presidium for the 2024-2030 term, with Rita Famos elected as Executive President of the CPCE. The Presidium has already met for the first time online along with General Secretary Mario Fischer as they plan for the future of the CPCE's work. 
News From the Member Churches
Flood Disaster in Central Europe
 

Heavy and prolonged rainfall has caused severe flooding in large parts of Central Europe. While the water levels have fallen again in most places, the major rivers are still at high water. The extent of the disaster is only becoming clear as the clean-up operation gets underway. The Protestant churches in the region and their social welfare organisations are offering help to those affected and appealing to the public for donations. CPCE has collected a list of resources which can be found on our website. 
 
More Information
News From the Head Office
Dr Oliver Engelhardt appointed Deputy General Secretary
 

By amending the CPCE Statute, the General Assembly has made it possible to create the post of Deputy General Secretary. The CPCE Council has appointed Dr Oliver Engelhardt as Deputy General Secretary with effect from 1 September 2024. Since 2020 Dr Engelhardt has been responsible for church relations in the CPCE office. We congratulate him!
 
Follow CPCE on Facebook and Instagram
 

Digitalization has been a burning topic within the CPCE member churches and at the General Assembly in Sibiu, the delegates agreed that this topic should be a focus of the CPCE in the coming 6 years. CPCE has always had a strong digital presence and will continue to develop means of digital networking and communication. 

If you have not already done so, be sure to check out the CPCE Facebook page and the newly updated CPCE Instagram page here:

https://www.facebook.com/leuenberg

https://www.instagram.com/gekecpce/

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