Young Nordic theologians who are participating in the ongoing meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order voiced their reflections on what visible unity means today.
26 October 2026, Höör, Sweden: Rev. Hilda María Sigurðardóttir, Church of Iceland, speaks on a panel entitled ‘Church in Transition: Learning from the Nordic Experience’, offering an encounter with Nordic churches as part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order meeting taking place 25-31 October 2026.
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The young theologians, who are interacting with the commission and each other, collectively represent the Church of Sweden, Uniting Church of Sweden, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Orthodox Church of Finland, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, and Baptist Church of Denmark.
Among the topics they discuss are learning from the Nordic experience in shaping the church’s understanding; major ecclesial transformations; Indigenous reconciliation and ecclesial repentance; and many more.
Young theologians in attendance at the Commission on Faith and Order meeting. Left to right: Rev. Hilda María Sigurðardóttir, Church of Iceland; Elin Kakko of the Church of Sweden; Rev. Anne Heikkinen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland; Johan Wahlström of the Uniting Church in Sweden.
Elin Kakko, from the Church of Sweden, expressed appreciation for being able to see how the commission works both formally and informally. “It’s fun to see a commission work in a smaller setting and not a world assembly, and to see the study groups and how they discuss and interact with each other, and how the theological discussions are going through the study groups to the plenary, to the lunches, and to the hangouts between the commissioners.”
Rev. Johan Wahlström, from the Uniting Church of Sweden, said he appreciated being able to relate his studies at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey to the proceedings of the meeting. “It is very much a lived experience, ecumenism,” he said. “You’re learning how to navigate the landscape of different church traditions, and then it is about friendship—and that friendship is, I think, the truest form of visible unity, in a way.”
Rev. Johan Wahlström Uniting Church in Sweden gives a presentation at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order meeting taking place 25-31 October 2026.
Rev. Anne Heikkinen, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, said that it was interesting to see how the message of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute of 2025 is being carried forth during the commission meeting.
“I feel like it has been resonating with the commissioners because they have been talking about it and addressed the message of young people in Egypt,” she said. “So, I really, really appreciate it.”
Dard Meer, from the Orthodox Church of Finland, appreciated great discussions and courageous speakers. “The fact that we are here is already visible unity,” said Meer. “I would say that the greatest gift that the Nordic churches can give to others is that we have a history of dialogue with other churches.”
Dard Meer of the Orthodox Church of Finland gives a presentation at the WCC Commission on Faith and Order meeting.
Rev. Hilda María Sigurdardóttir, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland, said she was learning about new traditions and also learning how to speak to other churches. “Many churches are dominant, and so it can be easy for them to lead the conversation and not listen to the smaller voices, really, although they listen but not in practice,” she said. “I know they have been talking, and getting to know each other, and healing old wounds so that’s good—the conversation is so important.”
Evening prayer in the form of a Swedish Singstunde providing participants with an opportunity to experience the spiritual richness and musical depth of the music from the Church of Sweden, with the presence and musical leadership of Karin Runow and Per Harling. Here, young theologians Elin Kakko and Johan Wahlström, both from Sweden.
The young theologians will also participate in a symposium at the Center for Theology and Religion University of Lund, which will address “When the World Falls Apart, the Churches Are Getting Together.” They will be present as well at table discussions with the Diocese of Lund, and at other local events.
On 30 October, they will attend a session entitled “Visible Unity in a Changing North: Ecclesiology, Leadership, and the Future of the Churches.”
WCC Faith and Order meeting opens with path toward deep dialogue (WCC news release, 26 October 2026)
Swedish “Singstunde” invites spiritual encounter with and through music (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2026)
Newly launched report reflects rich tapestry of Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (WCC news release, 26 October 2026)
Webinar will offer special glimpse into “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC news release, 26 October 2026)
Photo gallery: Faith and Order Commission – Sweden 2026
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