The preparation process towards EEA3 meeting in Sibiu 2007 has started. Between balancing the delegations, formulating agendas and technical preparations, a brief resume of the importance of the meeting.

"As we are on the way towards the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3, Sibiu, Romania, 4-8 September 2007), we commend the witness and struggle of Christians throughout the island of Ireland, whose efforts contribute to the reconciliation and peace-building process in Europe", stated the Central
Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CC) at their first meeting
in Northern Ireland. The meeting was held in Londonderry/Derry from 25-31 May 2006. It opened with an act of worship in St Columb's Cathedral (Church
of Ireland), closed with a reception hosted by the Mayor of Derry in the historical City Guildhall, and included a visit to the Corrymeela Community.

The 40-member governing body of CEC received and approved reports from its
different Commissions and desks. It also reviewed the restructuring process
of CEC, in connection with the forthcoming merger with the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the newly established
"Leadership Team" whose main task is to coordinate the work of the CEC
offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg. It also discussed plans for a
possible desk on gender-related issues, and the future shape of the "South
East European Ecumenical Partnership" project in the Balkans.

The Central Committee renewed the contracts of Rev. Rüdiger Noll, Director
of the Church and Society Commission and Associate General Secretary of CEC; of Father Prof. Dr Viorel Ionita, Director Designate of the Churches in
Dialogue Commission; and of Mr Jean-Daniel Birmelé, and Rev. Luca M. Negro, Finance and Press Officers respectively. It recommended that the post of "Researcher in European Mission", held by Rev. Darrell Jackson and based in Budapest, be continued and moved to Geneva, provided that the funding is
available.

Concerning the EEA3, the Central Committee recommends the member Churches to nominate balanced delegations which would include church leaders as well as ordained and lay persons, women and men, and youth. It encourages the creation of "twinnings" across Europe as part of the "pilgrimage" towards Sibiu, particularly with Churches in Romania. It invites the promotion of special collections for the EEA3 during the course of 2007.

Congratulating its members, H.B. Anastasios of Albania and H.E. Gennadios of Sassima on their election to the posts of (co-)President of the World
Council of Churches (WCC) and Vice-Moderator of the WCC Central Committee respectively, the Central Committee of CEC requested the General Secretary to foster CEC's creative participation in the discussion about all areas of the work of WCC in Europe.

The Central Committee released two statements on public issues: on Northern Ireland (see our press release 06-18 at www.cec-kek.org) and on trafficking in women during the football World Cup (see press release 06-20 at
www.cec-kek.org).

A highlight of the Central Committee was the encounter with the Irish
Churches, including a meeting with Irish Church leaders and a festive dinner
hosted by the Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Inter Church Meeting.
"We listened carefully to what the Churches in Ireland had to tell us about
their important work in promoting reconciliation", stated the Ven. Colin
Williams, General Secretary of CEC, "and we were deeply moved and
impressed". "We are now only fifteen months aware from the EEA3", he added,
"and this meeting made clear that we are well on the way towards an exciting
Assembly. We were especially glad to learn of a number of initiatives linked
with the Assembly process in countries across Europe".

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