It is almost impossible to keep up with all of our day to day obligations, much less to stay in contact with International Organizations.  As such, the ICPCC will begin to send short Updates every three to four months to keep you informed about our ongoing work and ministry.          
The 8th World-Congress of the International Council on Pastoral Care and Counseling, ICPCC, took place in Krzyzowa, Poland from August 7th to 14th, 2007.  The theme of the World-Congress was "Treasure in Earthen Vessels:  Care of Souls facing Fragility and Destruction – individual and systemic perspectives."  There was also a very moving pre - congress held in Dresden, Germany whose title was "Siblings by Choice:  Intercultural Empowerment Facing Global Processes of Conflicts by Story Telling, Research and Cooperation" that was organized and led by Professor Dr. Ursula Pfaefflin. The impetus of the pre – Congress was to enhance mutual knowledge among ICPCC members, and work toward ongoing networking.      
The World - Congress was chaired by Professor Dr. Ursula Pfaefflin from Germany, and designed and organized by the Convenor of the Congress, Rev. Helmut Weiss, along with an extensive International (Central European) Planning Committee.  The World-Congress was a great success!
The accounting and auditing of the World-Congress and Pre-Congress have been completed.  The total flow of funds was more than 130.000 Euro!  There is not space to thank all of our donors, but know that without your support and commitment this important event could not have taken place.  We would like to say a special ‘thanks’ to grants from Scandinavia, to a group of private donors from Belgium, and to the Society for Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counselling (SIPCC) for attracting many grants.      
The Previous Executive Committee decided to publish the Krzyzowa material; Helmut Weiß and Klaus Temme have taken responsibility for the editing.  The launching of the 2 books is well under way.  The German version will be printed in June, and the English version probably in July! More news will follow about price, and how to order the Books. [1]
Since then, we want to celebrate the retirement, from her teaching position, of our former President, Dr. Ursula Pfaefflin!  She was honoured with a celebration, in Dresden, Germany on March 28th, 2008, and the surprise publication of a book, "Gerechtigkeit und Heilung" ("Justice and Healing"), which includes chapters by various members of the ICPCC.
The new Executive Committee has been quite active since the World-Congress, dealing with questions of revising the Constitution, participation in International Conferences, and ensuring the ongoing life of the International Council.  We count on your ongoing support!

 Nalini Arles (President),
Daniel Louw (Vice President),
Klaus Temme (Treasurer),
Jenni Wegener (Secretary),
James Farris (Publicity officer),
Jim Biddle (2011 Congress Convenor)

 The next ICPPC Conference on Pastoral Care and Counselling will be held in New Zealand in 2011. For more information consult the site www.icpcc.net

Thank You, and may God Bless you and your ministry.

[1] Bibliographical information:

Helmut Weiss, Klaus Temme (Eds.)  Treasure in Earthen Vessels,  Intercultural Perspectives on Pastoral Care facing Fragility and Destruction , Bd. 6, 288 S., 24.90 EUR, br., ISBN 978-3-8258-1138-9
Serie: ContactZone. Explorations in Intercultural Theology

Helmut Weiß, Klaus Temme (Hg.)  Schatz in irdenen Gefäßen ,  Interkulturelle Perspektiven von Seelsorge angesichts von Zerbrechlichkeit und Zerstörung , Bd. 34, 288 S., 24.90 EUR, br., ISBN 978-3-8258-1137-2
Reihe: Ökumenische Studien / Ecumenical Studies