Conference of European Churches

13th Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) to be held in Lyon, France, from 15 – 21 July 2009. In Lyon, CEC will bring together, for the thirteenth time in its history, representatives of the Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches in Europe in an Assembly under the theme “Called to One Hope in Christ”.  Approximately 800 participants, half of them delegates from the 120 CEC member churches and 40 associated organizations will participate.  Delegates at the Lyon Assembly will review CEC’s work over the past six years and identify the main tasks and priorities for the future, an important responsibility at this point in time as the ecumenical movement and Europe itself are facing major new challenges.   Throughout the Assembly, speakers and preachers will be highlighting the theme of hope.  A list of speakers will be published later on the Assembly website at assembly.ceceurope.org.   At this Assembly, the churches in Europe will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of CEC. The Central Committee of CEC has stated that the 13th Assembly will include a joyous celebration of this Anniversary as well as the opportunity to look forward to the future of ecumenism in Europe. A film entitled “Hope: European voices crossing boarders” will be presented at the Assembly together with a pictorial history of CEC on DVD and a booklet on “CEC at 50”.   Another highlight of this Assembly will be the celebration of the integration of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) within CEC. CCME will become the third commission within CEC; the others being the Churches in Dialogue Commission and the Church and Society Commission.