BY Sam Eyoboka
THE Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, WCC, will meet from July 2 to 8, for its first full meeting since it was elected at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea in 2013.

The meeting, scheduled for the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, may deliberate on the current security challenges facing Nigeria, especially the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, on April 14 by Islamist militants, Boko Haram.

The Central Committee, which meets every two years, serves as the chief governing body of the WCC until the next assembly.

It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council.

During the upcoming meetings, the group of 150 representatives from the WCC member churches will review WCC programme planning for 2014 to 2017 and participate in a series of plenaries and committee meetings.

During the weekend of June 2 to 3, they will be visiting congregations in the Geneva area. The new Central Committee will also be welcomed to Geneva by leaders of the Swiss churches and local government.

The theme of the meeting is Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, reflecting the final message of the 10th Assembly which said, “We intend to move together.

“Challenged by our experiences in Busan, we challenge all people of good will to engage their God-given gifts in transforming actions. This Assembly calls you to join us in the pilgrimage.”

In addition to review of the programme plans of the WCC, there will be a series of plenaries on unity through solidarity with churches in conflict, climate change, economic justice, churches and the sharing of resources.