NCC Newsletter – May 10, 2024

NCC Newsletter May 10, 2024 NCC Celebrates Mother's Day 2024   Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Releases Statement on Conversion of Monastery of Chora to Mosque Former Historic Monastery of Chora in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Public Domain The National Council of Churches laments with all Orthodox Christians worldwide, but especially the Greek Orthodox community, over the conversion of the beautiful and historic Monastery of Chora in Istanbul into a mosque. This follows the conversion of the Great Church of Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia, into a mosque in 2020. For a summary of this unfortunate act on the part of the Turkish government, please click the link below to view the press release from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Read the Press Release NCC Joins Faith Organizations in Letter to President Biden About Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba The National Council of Churches joined 20 faith-based organizations in signing a letter to President Joe Biden urging a change in U.S. foreign policy that includes removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, moving towards the end of the economic embargo and improving the humanitarian assistance process. Read the letter to President Biden here. Deadline Approaching: NCC Freedom Summer Fellowship   Apply Now for NCC Freedom Summer There's Still Time: Register for 2024 Spring Governing Board Meeting   More Information Governing Board Agenda Register for Special Film Screening with Bishop Michael Curry   Register for a Movie & Conversation with Bishop Curry The Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs, Pastor Emeritus of Huntsville First Missionary Baptist Church, Passes Away at 82 The Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs. Photo: Robin Conn/The Huntsville Times The Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs, Immediate Past President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., beloved Pastor Emeritus, and former Senior Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, at the age of 82. "Pastor Emeritus Scruggs was a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and he has made known the love of God to us. As we process the shock of his unexpected transition, our hearts are united in grief and loss, even as we draw strength from the faith we share — a faith we shared with him. Let us remember Lady Josephine Scruggs in prayer, along with Jennifer and Reverend Marty, the grandchildren, and the entire Scruggs family. Indeed, God remains faithful," First Missionary Baptist Church wrote in a statement issued on social media. Rev. Dr. Scruggs' service spanned multiple organizations. He was a Board Member of the NAACP, a former Board Member of Selma University, and he also sat on the Board of Trustees at American Baptist College, and many other organizations. He served numerous congregations throughout his more than 50 years of ministry and led various domestic and foreign service initiatives, including those focused on housing, health, and education. Learn more about the faithful leadership and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs here. Registration Still Open for EAD Spring Summit Register for EAD Spring Summit North Carolina Council of Churches to Host Online Discussion on Christian Nationalism Register for Confronting Christian Nationalism Online Event

 

CMEP Calls for Protection of Student Protestors

As the deadly violence in Gaza stretches into the seventh month, student protests are sweeping college campuses across the country, calling on college administrations and universities to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Many of the groups are also using their encampments to highlight that: many Palestinians in Gaza have been killed or injured, including students and academics; most Palestinians in Gaza are displaced and living in tents; all of Gaza’s universities have been destroyed; and Palestinian academics in Israel are being targeted for harassment.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) admires the students’ commitment to highlighting the realities unfolding in Gaza.

Read more of CMEP's press release here.

Attend SAMHSA's Faith Weekend of Action for Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar

Friday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. EDT Join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a webinar discussing mental health resources for community and faith-based organizations on May 17 at 1 p.m. EDT.  Attendees will receive the SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit and additional resources from national faith-based organizations for free. Use these resources during the Faith Weekend of Action on May 17 - 19 and throughout the year with your community. Speakers include: Lisa Carr, Public Health Analyst, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Rev. Sarah Lund, Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice, United Church of Christ, National Ministries Laura Howe, Founder, Hope Made Strong Register for the upcoming mental health webinar here.

Save the Date for Poor People's Campaign Upcoming Moral March

Register for Poor People's Campaign's Moral March

HIU Master of Arts International Peacebuilding Program

Hartford International University for Religion and Peace's (HIU) Master of Arts in Peacebuilding Program (MAP) is a one-year, residential, 36-credit, master’s degree program where students develop interreligious literacy and acquire constructive conflict intervention skills through a combination of service-learning, traditional courses, experiential courses, and project-based learning. Students live in interreligious housing on the HIU campus. HIU is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 MAP cohort. Full scholarships are available for accepted students in this highly competitive program. Candidates must already have a BA and excellent English. Strong candidates will display a commitment to peacebuilding and interreligious understanding. The deadline to apply is on a rolling basis for domestic students. For more information or questions about the admissions process, contact info@aarstrategies.com. Follow the National Council of Churches on Our Social Media Platforms to Receive Daily Bible Readings and Updates on the Work of NCC. If you find our newsletter informative, please forward it to friends and colleagues!    To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, sign up here. Your gifts help us build a more just and equitable community that chooses grace over greed, love over hate, and faith over fear. NCC Needs Your Support! Click Here to Donate 110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 108, Washington, DC 20002, United States

E-ssentials: New Shared National Office Space, Statement on Rafah, and more!

Anglicans, Presbyterians, and United Church to Share National Office Space in Toronto     It’s official! The United, Anglican, and Presbyterian churches have signed leases to share national office space at the redeveloped site of Bloor Street United Church at 300 Bloor St. West. in Toronto. The agreement reflects the churches’ ongoing commitment to nurturing ecumenical relationships and cooperation, to reducing costs, and to lessening their carbon footprint. The Venerable Alan Perry, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada; the Reverend Victor Kim, Principal Clerk at The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Reverend. Michael Blair, General Secretary of The United Church of Canada, met at the construction site to see the progress of the project and to offer prayers of blessing for the safety and wellbeing of the construction workers. “We’ve marked a formal agreement between the Presbyterian Church, the United Church and the Anglican Church of Canada as we prepare to move in together in shared office space in a couple of years. I’m very excited about the possibilities of what this partnership will produce in the years to come. A happy day for all of us!” - The Reverend Victor Kim, Principal Clerk at The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Located in downtown Toronto's Annex-University of Toronto neighbourhood, the development includes a refurbished Bloor Street United Church and office, community, commercial, and worship spaces. The floor plans reflect a more efficient and flexible use of physical space for the new offices and were drafted with input from all three denominations. The archives of all three denominations will also move to the new national office building, and be shared, along with meeting and video spaces. Read the full news story. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] The United Church of Canada Statement on the Israeli Military Assault on Rafah     The United Church of Canada condemns the Israeli military assault on Rafah, which constitutes a grave breach of the Genocide Convention. Rafah has been considered one of the only “safe zones” in Gaza. The humanitarian situation there is dire: famine is a current reality, the death toll rises, people are unable to access basic necessities for life. For months, humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm against any military offensive in this extremely densely populated refugee camp, where thousands who have been displaced multiple times are forced to seek shelter. “There is nowhere to go,” says the International Committee of the Red Cross. United Church partners also clearly state that people in Rafah cannot flee to safety from further hostilities. This assault on Rafah causes irreparable harm to the right of an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide under Articles II and III of the Genocide Convention. As a party to the Genocide Convention, Canada must abide by its obligations and take every diplomatic, political, and economic step available to prevent the crime of genocide unfolding in Gaza. Canada must hold Israel and Hamas accountable for crimes against humanity. Find out ways you can take action, pray, and advocate for lasting peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. [Photo credit: Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash] Mutual Accountability and Budget Planning General Council Executive Summary for May 10–11, 2024     The General Council Executive (GCE) met virtually on May 10–11, 2024. Among the items GCE engaged with were updates from the the Partner Council, accountability reports from the Moderator and General Secretary, as well as reports on the Strategic Plan, Kindred Works, Faithful Footprints, the 2025 Operational Budget, and more. Read the full summary on GeneralCouncill44.ca. [Art credit: Ron Mader] Asian Heritage Month Webinar: Filipino Faith Journeys from United Church Ministers   This May, dive deeper into Asian Heritage Month with a special webinar on May 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stories and Narratives: God-Talks from Diasporic Filipino Ministers in The United Church of Canada will explore the faith journeys and experiences of Filipino ministers. Our panellists will share how immigrating to Canada shaped their understanding of God and offer insights into Filipino theologies. You'll gain a richer perspective on themes like: Women in ministry Christian activism in Filipino diasporic communities Emerging Filipino theologies This is a unique opportunity to learn and be inspired by the experiences of Filipino ministers. Register now and broaden your understanding of faith and heritage during Asian Heritage Month! [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Mission and Service Stories: Connecting for Global Peace and Security   Project Ploughshares is a Canadian peace research institute with a focus on disarmament efforts and international security. It is also one of our dedicated Mission and Service partners. Duncan Etches, The United Church of Canada’s representative on Project Ploughshares’ management committee, comments on how wise and inspirational the whole team is, sharing that “they keep hope in impossible situations.” Your support through Mission and Service provides encouragement and hope to leaders of Project Ploughshares, a vital connection point for those passionate about global peace and security. Thank you. [Photo credit: Duncan Etches] The United Church Bookstore: Empower Young Minds with Anti-Racism Curriculum      Empower yourself and young minds with I Am a Changemaker: Teaching Anti-Racism with Children. This brand-new United Church resource equips Sunday school teachers, parents, and youth leaders to: Spark important conversations about race and equity with children ages 6-12. Nurture anti-racist values in a supportive, faith-based environment. Help kids become changemakers for a more just world. The six sessions also explore scripture and theology and link to supplementary videos. Download your copy today! You can view a few sample pages online. P.S.: Don't forget to browse our other resources for fostering social justice and inclusion. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia - May 17, 2024 Pentecost - May 19, 2024 Asian Heritage Month 3 - May 19, 2024 Trinity Sunday - May 26, 2024 Asian Heritage Month 4 - May 26, 2024 Pride Sunday - June 2, 2024 Environment Sunday - June 2, 2024 Second after Pentecost - June 2, 2024 100th Anniversary Kick-off Service - June 9, 2024 Union Sunday - June 9, 2024 Third after Pentecost - June 9, 2024 Indigenous Day of Prayer - June 16, 2024 Fourth after Pentecost - June 16, 2024 World Refugee Day - June 20, 2024 For more inspiring worship ideas and resources subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Our gifts for Mission & Service bring healing, justice, and hope to life.  Donate today.

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