From 24 to 26 September 2019, the first meeting of the Ecumenical Officers and Secretaries of Theology took place in Kaunisniemen Leirikeskus, Finland, about an hour’s drive from Helsinki, within the framework of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Over the two days there were opportunities to learn the latest news from member churches of the CEC and to shape its ongoing ecumenical program.
In addition to the reports from the member churches, the ecumenical meeting was enhanced by contributions from the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) by Prof. Dr. Martin Friedrich and a report from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) by Prof. Dr. Stefan Dienstbeck (Strasbourg). In addition, Dr. Marc Witzenbacher presented the plan for the 2021 Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Karlsruhe, Germany.
The group plans to meet annually to address the theme of “migrant churches” and in general to explore new steps for ecumenism in Europe.