Member Church News: Easter Messages

In it’s Easter message, the World Communion of Reformed Churches says, “These are difficult days for many, but through the promise of the resurrection we know with whom we must walk, working hard to beat swords into ploughshares that nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” — English, French, Spanish, German

Here are a few more Easter messages and activities of WCRC member churches and partners:

In this season of Easter 2022, we need peace in the face of war and pandemic. Together, the presidents of the member churches of the Protestant Church of Switzerland light candles in the darkness of the Resurrection Eve and send you a message of hope.

In this year’s Easter message, United Church of Canada Moderator Richard Bott asks: Who are the messengers of the risen Christ today? What keeps us from believing their message and acting on that belief?

Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián, head of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, western Ukraine, in a message on Pulzus FM, a Hungarian radio station in Ukraine, encouraged church members in Ukraine and Christians beyond to embrace the restoring power of resurrection in their personal lives and in the Church.

The Protestant Church in the Netherlands and Kerk in Actie organize an annual Easter Greetings campaign to send prisoners an encouraging greeting.

With recent struggles of COVID weariness, a widening income inequality due to house prices spiralling out of control, and dismay at the brutal invasion of Ukraine, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Moderator Right Hamish Galloway has encouraged all to see “signs of lights through the cracks of despair.”

Easter greetings from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren: Peace be with you in these stormy times!

Uniting Church in Australia President Sharon Hollis encourages us to notice those whose acts of kindness and compassion bear witness to the Risen Christ, and remind us that in the face of darkness there is light.

The Christian Reformed Church in North America’s “Network” has shared How to Use Easter Traditions to Connect With Your Neighbors.

The National Council of Churches in Korea has published a 2022 Easter Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula with a message of reconciliation and unity.

The presidents of the Conference of European Churches and Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union issued a special Easter message from the Polish-Ukrainian border, invoking prayer and action for peace in Ukraine and beyond. “Let us continue to pray and work for justice, reconciliation and peace between people, cultures and nations.”

Amid feelings of despair in our world, Christ’s resurrection is a source of hope and new life, writes World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca in an Easter message.

“We must be vigilant today and always, because, like Mary, the Risen One also calls us and challenges us to open our eyes and recognize him in our surroundings and in our neighbors,” Lutheran World Federeation Council member Rev. Karla Steilmann Franco, says in this year’s Easter message.

Image: Easter tree decorations at Morningside Parish Church (Scotland).