A special occasion has marked the opening of the World Council of Churches Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) this morning. A 25-foot high Cross arrived by boat from the city of Jerusalem, near to the Agios Andreas Recreational Centre in Attiki, where the CWME is being held. It was received with prayers for peace and justice by representatives of churches from across the globe.

The olivewood Cross represents both the historic presence of the Gospel in Jerusalem and the call for worldwide support for peace building and for solidarity with the small Christian community.

The cross made from Palestinian olive trees is to serve as a focal point for prayer. There are also small cross pendants carved from olive wood, and olive oil to provide light in the conference's worship tent.

The crosses, large and small, were fashioned from trees uprooted around the city of Bethlehem on Palestinian land that were confiscated as barriers were constructed.

As olive oil illuminated a traditional lamp, the conference moderator Ruth Bottoms from the Baptist Union of the Great Britain recalled the olive branch borne to Noah by a dove, and the oil of anointing that served as a sign of God's power in healing and reconciliation.


[Source: WCC CWME]