Welcome the WCRC!

During these lazy, hazy crazy days of summer, an important gathering has been taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan for churches of the Presbyterian and Reformed Tradition.

The newly-formed World Communion of Reformed Churches unites two previous ecumenical organizations: the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (of which the Presbyterian Church USA has long been a member) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council. The new ecumenical body will group 227 member churches representing 80 million Christians in 108 countries.

"The coming into being of the World Communion of Reformed Churches will be a historic moment for the churches of the Reformed family and for the church of Christ everywhere", said the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, who is attending the uniting event.

"This is a new expression of the visible unity of God's church, and as such it represents both a gift from God and a sign of hope", Tveit added. "I trust that it will strengthen the contribution of the Reformed churches to unity, peace and justice."

(adapted from Ecumenical News, an electronic newsletter of the Presbyterian Church USA)