The Rev. Carlos L. Malavé, executive director of the ecumenical movement Christian Churches Together (CCT), recently sent out the following announcement regarding CCT’s 2017 Annual Convocation, which had been scheduled for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 in Garden Grove, California:

“We write to inform you of the sad news that the Steering Committee of Christian Churches Together has decided to cancel the 2017 Annual Convocation. We did not have enough registrants for it to be a successful event.

Mennonite Church USA leaders have participated in past CCT gatherings. 

“At this point, we have some ideas of what may have caused the low interest, but we will be putting together a task force that will report to the Steering Committee, not only of possible reasons for the low interest, but also suggestions for moving forward. The one response we have received from many of our leaders is their resolve to engage in a process of discernment that may lead us to strengthen CCT. We have received many notes indicating that today, more than ever, we need Christian Churches Together,” continued Malavé.

“I hope you understand that this was a very difficult decision. We are very grateful to each one of you and for your support. We would appreciate your prayers as our leadership engages in a discernment process. Please feel free to share any insights with us.

“We thank God for the ways in which all of you faithfully respond to the call of the Gospel.”

A CCT forum titled “Let’s Talk About the Persecuted Church” is still scheduled for March 2-3 in Newark, New Jersey.