Time for God’s peace
The Christian Council of Sweden invites all churches to come together for the Ecumenical Year 2025.We celebrate 100 years since archbishop Nathan Söderblom, initiated the Ecumenical Conference in Stockholm 1925 that became a significant beginning for the modern ecumenical movement. We will also draw attention to the fact that it is 1700 years since the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325. The early church convened to bring consensus concerning the confession of a united faith that would become a firm foundation for the church of Christ.
Time for God’s peace is the theme for all events taking place during the ecumenical year. This theme unites us with those who gathered for the Stockholm conference in 1925. The horrors of the First World War were still fresh in the minds of the people, so the theme of peace was central to the discussions. The Conference was arranged with the idea that it was high time for the churches to take initiative as peacemakers in the world – both through active peace initiatives and as a reminder of the peace we already have through Jesus Christ.
This is still of greatest importance today. Every time is time for God’s peace, even more so when war and other conflicts are ravaging the world. God’s peace is active even when there is no peace.
The ecumenical movement’s aim for Christian unity has therefore always been to promote peace. Real unity assumes there is a strong will to live peacefully together despite our differences.
The church is called to work together with all its good attributes, to oppose divisions, polarisation and war. A credible and just peace has many dimensions: Peace between people, peace between nations, peace between beliefs and religions, peace with creation and peace with God. It concerns all aspects of peace that the Bible calls Shalom and is personified in the person of Jesus himself.
The Ecumenical Year 2025 will arrange events that take place nationally and together. Local engagement for the unity of the church is, however, the most important foundation for meaningful ecumenism. Therefore, we – the churches within in the Christian Council of Sweden – encourage each other during 2025 each in its own area, to actively take steps to deepen ecumenical relationships with all the means we have at our disposal.
What steps can you take towards ecumenism?
Lord, our protector, help all who work for peace in the world. Look mercifully upon all who are suffering from fear, injustice, war and destruction. Take the defenseless into your care, be a shield for the poor and oppressed. Inspire us to have mercy and to help wherever we can. Give us a burning desire for justice and truth. Extinguish hate and contempt; break down walls between people. Fill the church in our country with your spirit and bring healing to the Christians in our world. Gather us together in your eternal peace. Amen.
Prayer of Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of the Church of Sweden 1914–1931
Summer course: Ecumenical Peacebuilding in Times of War 7,5p
The University College Stockholm will make available a digital summer course for you who wish to delve deeper into the heritage from Stockholm 1925. The teaching will be given during June and July with the possibility of participating in the Ecumenical Week I Stockholm in August 2025.
For more information contact The Ecumenical Summer Academy 2025 – University College Stockholm