Today I celebrate my first year working for the most important ecumenical organisation in the world. The World Council of Churches is a fellowship that brings together hundreds of different churches from several denominations.
In times when society seems increasingly divided, and faith is not rarely misused, working for a fellowship of churches can potentially be considered a waste of time. But I have testified how religious leaders play a crucial role in strengthening communities all across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Sometimes faith provides an entry point whereas other institutions struggle to reach vulnerable people.
On 20 May 2019, I joined the Communication team of the Council. It was a moment in my career in which I was thirsty for a new challenge. I was hoping to be part of a team, and I needed to follow my life decision on choosing a workplace where I could share my knowledge and skills but also make a positive difference in peoples lives.
Today, I can say that my journey at WCC has never been tedious. Never. I am challenged on a daily basis. But the most striking thing for me is that I can experience the beauty of ecumenism day by day.
In Geneva, most of the time, I share the office with a Latvian Lutheran man and a Greek Orthodox woman. God only knows how diverse we are! As a Catholic Brazilian growing up within the Focolare community, I simply can’t stress enough how fulfilled I am, as a Christian communicator working, particularly, with these two colleagues. It is beautiful to realise that despite our different faith backgrounds, our sometimes opposite worldviews, we are deeply connected by our love for communication and the strong commitment for justice and peace.
In my most ecumenical year, I understood that ecumenism is first and foremost a personal choice. The big lesson at the Council is that unity is a masterpiece that needs to be carefully crafted. And this presupposes my willingness to invest energy, skills, love and, especially, patience and compassion.
Luzia-Tersa Wehrle
Deeply moved by your life experience at the WCC, I thank you, dear Valter, from the bottom of my heart for this text. Your words reflect so much what I have experienced during my 40 years at this amaing place, the WCC, an instrument which contributes in such a precious, generous, wise and efficent way to the visible unity not only of the churches but of the whole of humanity. You are one of those pearls, dear Valter, and I do hope that for many more years you will be able to be part of this eucmenica family!!! may be for another 39 years!!! SMILE! My warmest good wishes and again with deep graittude for your BEING and WORKING at the WCC, yours Luzia-Tersa
Gusti
Caro Valter Hugo, un grazie di cuore per questa bella esperienza al WCC ed il tuo contributo “affinché tutti siano uno”.
gusti