October 21, 2010

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is inviting members to pray and affirm their commitment to God's mission on Reformation Sunday in ways that strengthen their spirituality and worship and their sense of unity and passion for justice.

"As parishes throughout the world prepare to observe Reformation Sunday, it is a moment to give thanks for the creation of this new global expression of unity among many of the churches who trace their roots to the 16th century church Reformation movement," says WCRC General Secretary, Setri Nyomi.

WCRC was created in June 2010 from the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) at the Uniting General Council in Grand Rapids, United States.

At the conclusion of the historic council, two messages were issued: one addressed to adults and – in a departure from tradition – a separate message directed specifically to children. Both messages are written in a style that allows them to be adapted for use in a Sunday service.

"These messages constitute liturgical support resources for parish worship services. The children's message can be used for the children's story time during the service or during Church School classes," says Douwe Visser, Executive Secretary for Theology and Communion.

"Through the messages from Grand Rapids, WCRC is reminding us of the need to listen to our children and young persons and to be like children as we pray and respond to God's word together," Nyomi explains.

The last Sunday in October is observed by many churches in the Lutheran and Reformed church traditions to commemorate the gesture that is commonly used to mark the launch of the Reformation movement in 16th century Europe. On 31 October 1517, the Catholic cleric, Martin Luther, is said to have posted a note of protest to a church door, an act that provoked reaction in church and state circles throughout Europe and led to the eventual creation of the Lutheran and Reformed church movements.

Additional resources about the WCRC are accessible at http://www.wcrc.ch. These include photos of the vote to form the new Communion and video footage of the celebratory service to mark the launch of the new organization.

WCRC was created in June 2010 through a merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC). Its 230 member churches representing 80 million Christians are active worldwide in initiatives supporting economic, climate and gender justice, mission, and cooperation among Christians of different traditions.

World Communion of Reformed Churches