Annual Report 2020 Living in HOPE in Pandemic Times 02 Living in Vivre dans HOPE L’ESPÉR ANCE en temps de pandémie 36 in Pandemic Times Leben in HOFFNUNG in Zeiten der Pandemie 70 CONTENTS Annual Report INTRODUCTION 05 INTRODUCTION Rev. Christian Krieger, President 2020 FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen, General Secretary 06 CEC IN THE YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC LIE AT THE HEART COVID-19: God, give us the courage to face illness and death, and never give up 08 PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN EUROPE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN 10 STRENGTHENING ECUMENICAL FELLOWSHIP AND PROMOTING Encounter and communion are physical affirmations A crisis also brings opportunities. In 2020 the CEC THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH of our common Christian identity. Exchanging Governing Board reflected on how the organisation Ecclesiology and Mission greetings is a gesture of peace, reconciliation and would emerge from the pandemic. How will Europe love, while hymn singing is a communal sign of change? How will CEC change with Europe? And what Rev. Christian Krieger celebration and sharing space. does Europe need from CEC? CEC President 12 RAISING CHURCHES’ VOICE IN EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS The usual ways of doing all of this became difficult Discussions have focused on CEC’s work with a 12 Dialogue with European Institutions, EU Policy and Legislation or impossible during a prolonged period in 2020. The view to improve a sense of ownership, enhancing 14 Human Rights COVID-19 pandemic struck and European churches organisational coherence and visibility. Particular 16 Care for Creation and Sustainable Development had to adapt to the challenges of the situation – each attention was given to the financial situation of CEC. and every church tradition and family did so in its own Even as 2020 yielded a positive result, we know that 18 Science, New Technologies and Christian Ethics unique way. challenges lie ahead and due diligence is needed. Education, Democracy and Diversity The Conference of European Churches (CEC) also felt For both CEC and for our Member Churches, 2020 20 Migration and Asylum the impact of the pandemic. was a year of saying many prayers. Praying together became a powerful vaccine against the loss of hope, In spite of obstacles, CEC still managed to deliver in against the absence of communal resilience and almost all areas in 2020. In-person gatherings, events against the lack of human sustainability. 22 GOVERNING BOARD and meetings were largely cancelled or postponed. 24 MEMBER CHURCHES Yet, just as did our Member Churches, we found ways Let us keep praying that in the future all may be safe - 30 NATIONAL COUNCILS OF CHURCHES and means to adapt. rooted and trusting in the triune God of love. 32 ORGANISATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP This Annual Report bears witness to the variety of activities that took place – even under these 33 FINANCES unforeseen conditions. Some events attracted more 34 STAFF participants than ever before because they were held 35 CONTACT online, with no travel or accommodation costs. Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen CEC General Secretary CEC IN THE YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC CEC IN THE YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC COVID-19: GOD, GIVE US On 25 March, CEC joined Pope Francis’s initiative to hold a global Lord’s Prayer as the COVID-19 pandemic THE COURAGE TO FACE emerged. Following the prayer a joint ecumenical statement was issued with other Regional Ecumenical ILLNESS AND DEATH, Organisations (REOs), facilitated by the World Council of Churches (WCC). CEC joined its voice to those of AND NEVER GIVE UP churches from across the globe to say, “This is a time to touch each other’s hearts, by what we say, share, and do.” The statement highlighted the urgency of adapting 2020 was a tumultuous year to say the least, laden with modes of worship and fellowship to the needs and uncertainties. As the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the constraints of the pandemic. world, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) To encourage people, families and communities reeling clearly professed its vision “Together in Hope and from the effects of COVID-19 in Europe, CEC together Witness,” advocating hope, bearing witness to Christ with its long-time Catholic partner the Commission through prayer, solidarity and action. of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union In response to COVID-19 in early March, CEC together (COMECE), issued a special message for celebrating with Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe Easter in exceptional circumstances. “May the Easter (CCME) put in place measures cancelling all physical Gospel stir this breath of hope in the hearts and operations in its offices in Brussels and Strasbourg, thoughts of Christians, may the breath of God animate resorting to continuing its mission only via online our steadfast expectation so that the Church and each communication. This became the basic modus operandi one of us become bearers of hope and light.” throughout the rest of the year, and was not without its As the pandemic continued to make its impact felt in challenges. religious, political, social and national spheres across CEC followed preventive health measures as set out by Europe, CEC came together once again with COMECE the World Health Organisation and the relevant local to say, “Let us remain united!”, calling churches to authorities, sharing updates with its staff, Member Give us the courage to face illness steadfastly affirm commitment to common European Churches, Organisations in Partnership, related values of solidarity and unity. Political decision- networks, as well as with visitors to the website. and death, and never give up. makers were encouraged by the churches to establish “measures alleviating social, economic and financial A prayer accompanied these practical actions: Give us the vigour to spread hope shocks”. Give us the courage to face illness and death, and never where fear darkens the world. Information about all initiatives undertaken by CEC give up. Give us the vigour to spread hope where fear related to the pandemic are available on the CEC darkens the world.Give us the strength to encourage website in a special section titled “Church response to people who feel lonely and excluded. Give us the strength to encourage COVID-19”. people who feel lonely and excluded. 06 07 PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN EUROPE PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN EUROPE Seeking to honour its history and legacy, CEC continued In response to the conflict, CEC shared a Prayer for its efforts to promote peace, justice and reconciliation Peace: in Europe, an important pillar of the organisation’s strategic priorities. God of goodness, The year 2020 witnessed the United Kingdom leaving in the middle of uncertainty, fear of illness the European Union. The CEC leadership, including its and death in our world, Vice-President Rt Rev. Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani from the people face each other in arms, Church of England, stressed that such developments hatred, violence and death destroy reconciling do not change the mutual ecumenical commitment of neighbourhoods and peaceful coexistence. European churches. “On the contrary, there is a call for Merciful God, in the glaring light of exploding shellswe us to intensify the commitment of churches towards hear the cry of our sisters and brothers for peace. reconciliation, cooperation and solidarity in Europe to In the deafening noise of weapons, we see eyes full shape our common future.” of tears and sorrow longing for justice. Affirming church voices from across Europe, CEC called With deep regret, CEC witnessed the conversion of for an immediate end to military actions in the Nagorno- Hagia Sophia, a world heritage site, from a museum Karabakh region. Engaging with the Organisation for into a mosque. CEC engaged with UNESCO and the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group European Institutions on the issue, urging concrete and the European External Action Service (EEAS), CEC actions from the Turkish government to prevent this urged both parties to increase their efforts to arrive at a change of status. sustainable peaceful solution. CEC Vice-President Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden CEC fully endorsed a statement issued by the WCC and All Scandinavia said, “In its status as a museum, expressing “deep concern about the violations of the Hagia Sophia brings together people and cultures humanitarian ceasefire agreed between Armenia and from all over the world. A change in this status Azerbaijan”. It called on “all parties to the conflict to end undoubtedly diminishes this remarkable structure’s all military actions immediately, to respect the ceasefire legacy as a universally accessible bridge uniting East agreement reached in Moscow, and to engage in and West, symbolising the peaceful coexistence, mutual Merciful God, constructive dialogue aimed at protecting human lives understanding and solidarity.” and rights, preventing attacks on civilian infrastructure in the glaring light of exploding shells and places of worship, and achieving a sustainable Following the devastating explosions in Beirut, which peace.” caused immense loss of life and property, CEC shared we hear the cry of our sisters prayers and expressed its solidarity with the Middle East Council of Churches. Similarly, in the aftermath of violent attacks in France and Vienna, CEC expressed and brothers for peace. its support and accompanied churches in prayer, showing solidarity at times of tragedy, while seeking to In the deafening noise of weapons, strengthen European churches’ commitment to peace and the building of hospitable and inclusive societies. we see eyes full of tears 08 and sorrow longing for justice. 09 STRENGTHENING ECUMENICAL FELLOWSHIP AND PROMOTING THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH ECCLESIOLOGY and Practices, and Pokrovskie Vorota Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia. Addressing a range of topics, a number AND MISSION of distinguished speakers from Europe explored the theme. Contributions to the conference were published online by St.