WCC news: WCC expresses deep concern on current situation affecting Armenian Apostolic Church

World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern regarding the current situation affecting the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo: WCC 7 August 2026 “WCC, as a global fellowship of churches, affirms the vital role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual, cultural, and historical life of the Armenian people and in the wider Christian family,” said Bedford-Strohm and Pillay. “As WCC, we express our  concern about undue interference in inner church matters.” Bedford-Strohm and Pillay extended hope and prayers that the conflict will be resolved in a way that will foster the flourishing of the whole Armenian people. They added, “We uphold the Armenian Church and its people in prayer and support during this time.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - After Charlottesville, did America miss the point?

After Charlottesville, a historian asks: Did America miss the point?   Antisemitism has been here before, but public understanding of it has not necessarily grown, argues James Loeffler, a historian of modern Jewish history. His new book examines how the public and courts have dealt with anti-Jewish hate speech since the end of World War II.   Loeffler was a professor of Jewish history at the University of Virginia in 2017 when white supremacists marched through Charlottesville wielding torches and chanting, “Jews will not replace us.”   Yet in the aftermath of the violent and deadly Unite the Right rally — originally planned to protest the removal of the statue of General Robert E. Lee from Charlottesville’s former Lee Park — the university’s focus was on addressing the racist, anti-Black bigotry espoused by the neo-Nazi protesters. The antisemitism so overtly displayed by the marchers was almost entirely sidelined by the university, Loeffler writes.   RNS National Reporter Yonat Shimron spoke to Loeffler about this perilous moment, Americans’ confusion about antisemitism and his years teaching.         Top Stories After Charlottesville, a historian asks: Did America miss the point? (RNS) — Antisemitism has been here before, argues James Loeffler, a historian of modern Jewish history, in a new book. But public understanding of it has not necessarily grown. Meditation, hunt-a-monk games and 2 hours of silence: Welcome to Buddhist summer camp (RNS) — While Christian and Jewish summer camps have flourished for more than a century, Buddhist camps remain rare, leaving a handful — like Dharma Camp — to come up with their own traditions. Opinion CatholicVote’s trademark fight raises troubling questions (RNS) — Who gets to speak for Catholic voters? Court spares New York nuns — for now — from complying with assisted dying law (RNS) — One can only hope that sanity prevails. The life you save may be your own. ICYMI Abdul El-Sayed could be the first Muslim senator. Here are 5 religion takeaways from his campaign. (RNS) — The 41-year-old Muslim's victory in the Michigan primary was greeted with pride from Muslims and trepidation by supporters of Israel. Adam Hamilton, mega-church pastor, wins Dem Senate primary. Now comes the hard part. (RNS) — With a record-setting fundraising haul, Hamilton still faces an uphill battle to become Kansas' first Democratic senator in nearly a century. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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UM News Digest - Aug. 7, 2026

UM News Digest - Aug. 7, 2026 Medical camp | Serving those who serve | Support for immigrants “I had suffered for years because I could not afford treatment. When I heard about the medical camp, I came very early because I finally saw hope.” — Fatuma Munga, an 18-year-old student who received medical care in Kenya. A patient receives eye medication during a free health clinic organized by The United Methodist Church at the Mwakirunge Dumpsite in the Kilifi District of Kenya. Photo by Selina Mutua, UM News. Camp brings healthcare to vulnerable community NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — More than 600 people living near a Kenyan dumpsite received free medical care through a United Methodist mission center’s outreach. Some of the beneficiaries had been living with disease and pain for years due to the long distance to health facilities and high costs of treatment. Selina Mutua has the story. Read story Higher Education and Ministry Serving those who serve in Chicago CHICAGO — A police officer in Chicago was called by God into ministry and ended up right back where she started — this time as a police chaplain. The Rev. Kimberly Davis, a deacon, leads Christian fellowship worship twice a week, develops relationships with officers, officiates weddings and funerals and offers guidance. The Rev. Benjamin Perry reports. Read story Michigan Conference A ‘helping hand’ for detained immigrants BALDWIN, Mich. — Michigan United Methodists have launched a new ministry, Helping Hands, to reach out to those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the North Lake Processing Center. The Rev. Cherlyn McKanders and members of Covenant Community United Methodist Church visit immigrants being detained and provide prayer, encouragement and funds for calls home on the processing center’s pay phones. Glenn M. Wagner reports. Read story ADVERTISEMENT Global Ministries Reviving young lives in Monrovia’s streets MONROVIA, Liberia — Young people trapped in addiction, prostitution and hopelessness are finding a new path through the “Zogos We Care” program. The initiative was founded by a National in Mission with the Liberia Conference, whose position is supported by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. In addition to getting people off drugs, the program seeks to transform lives and give young adults a second chance. Christie House and the Rev. Caleb S. G. Dormah have the story. Read story Ask The UMC Exploring ‘Our Living World’ NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a six-part series, Ask The UMC explores how United Methodists seek to sustain and renew links with one another, the world around them and the powers that lie behind it all. The series has been updated to include changes to the United Methodist Social Principles and Book of Resolutions following the 2024 General Conference.  Read series ADVERTISEMENT Garrett Seminary, MTSO Seminaries partnering on Course of Study EVANSTON, Ill. — United Methodist-affiliated Garrett Seminary and Methodist Theological School in Ohio are collaborating to form the Great Lakes Course of Study program, expanding the support and resources they offer United Methodist students seeking to become licensed local pastors. The course of study will begin serving students in the fall.  Read press release United Methodist Communications Best practices for adult Sunday school NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the many ways Christians grow in faith together is through Sunday school. While Sunday school is often associated with children and youth, it is equally vital for adults. Philip J. Brooks offers suggestions for creating space for deeper spiritual formation. Read story Photo courtesy of the Rev. Emily Kvalheim Deacons take God’s work beyond the church Read story Graphic by UM News 2026 annual conference reports Read story Aug. 17-19 Boards of Ordained Ministry Mid-Quadrennial Training Aug. 19-22 Discover Central Appalachian Missionary Conference More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos