Asia Sunday–2022 focuses on theme 'Christ's Love Reconciles and Unites'

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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02 August 2022

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will observe the Asia Sunday–2022 on the theme 'Christ's Love Reconciles and Unites'.

This year, Asia Sunday will be observed on 21 August 2022.

Although Asia Sunday is annually observed on the Sunday before Pentecost, this year Asia Sunday is being organised in the run-up to the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the theme of which is 'Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity'.

The CCA General Secretary, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, said, "It is hoped that the Asia Sunday–2022 will be a clarion call to the member churches and councils of the CCA to metanoia, or a complete spiritual transformation, that empowers us to be more self-giving and self-emptying. This specially prepared liturgy for Asia Sunday is offered as a pathway to becoming inspired, and to becoming a community in Asia that authentically lives out the ministry of reconciliation and unity, which are the obligations of abiding in Christ's love."

"The observance of Asia Sunday on the eve of the WCC Assembly will be an occasion for the CCA and WCC member churches and councils in Asia to reflect on the forthcoming WCC Assembly theme from an Asian perspective as well as to pray for the 11th Assembly," added the CCA General Secretary.

With a focus on reconciliation and unity in the Asian context, the special liturgy contains prayers of intercession for the people of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Philippines that are coping with challenging and uncertain times.

"O Lord of hope and love, hear the prayers of your people in need of healing, reconciliation, and unity. Let your mercy and love flow to your people suffering from poverty and indifference. Let your justice and peace flow like a river..." reads one of the prayers of the Asia Sunday liturgy.

Another prayer continues, "Our reconciling and uniting God, you revealed to us your compassionate love through the liberating work of Jesus. Through the cross of Christ, we affirm your compassion that transforms the world, in the midst of adversities, divisions, wars, turmoil, and crises."

The CCA encourages all member churches and councils as well as ecumenical partners to use the Asia Sunday liturgy in the coming days.

The text of the special liturgy can be accessed here: