WCRC eNews: September 2021: New leaders, presidential presentations, more

eNews: September 2021   Collegial leadership begins guiding Communion The “Collegial General Secretariat,” composed of the WCRC's three executive secretaries, officially began its leadership responsibilities on 1 September. The three executives—Hanns Lessing (Evangelical Church of Westphalia), Philip Vinod Peacock (Church of North India), and Phil Tanis (Reformed Church in America)—will share the constitutionally-mandated responsibilities of the general secretary. While each will focus on specific areas of responsibility, all decisions will be made through discernment and consensus. Read more: Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Deutsch, English, Español, Français, Korean, Mandarin Chinese

An online conference on 1 October will focus on degrowth. President Kassab challenges leaders to a time of healing. President Kassab says the Church is called for hospitality: English, Français Facebook Twitter Website Email The collegial general secretariat visits partners in Geneva. The Minutes of 2021 Executive Committee are now available.

Copyright © 2021 World Communion of Reformed Churches, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because of your interest in the work of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Our mailing address is: World Communion of Reformed Churches Knochenhauerstr. 42 Hannover 30159 Germany

Embracing the Spirit: Love and Justice Gathering, A Free Seminar, and more! ✨

Love and Justice Gathering Coming Up! Are you Ready to ENGAGE?     From November 3-7, join changemakers on the Whova platform for the 2021 Love and Justice Gathering. This year’s theme is Engage! With daily themes of engaging deep spirituality, daring justice, courageous community, bold discipleship, and hope, the Love and Justice Gathering offers a space designed to inform, inspire, challenge, educate and provide opportunities for networking and connections. Love and Justice Gathering Attendees can look forward to opportunities to: Worship daily with teams from different United Church of Canada regions and preachers from all over the world Learn from workshop sessions that educate, enlighten, and speak to the soul Listen to plenary sessions made up keynote addresses (including some from youth and young people) on topical issues, and then engage in learning through conversation and discussion.  Reflect on the future and share personal vision with others. We invite all to create an Exhibitor’s booth and upload a video or recorded power point presentation to upload to the Whova platform to let people know what they do. Tell your story and connect! Email slevis@united-church.ca for more information! Be a part of this unique opportunity to create knowledge for action by inspiring collective leadership for different ministries. If you are seeking a connectional space for communities of faith, local and global partners who are involved in the justice seeking work, the Love and Justice Gathering is for you! Register here. Kamloops United Church in Community Rev. Caveney was very excited to talk about what’s going on at Kamloops United Church, and his feeling that the church has grown during the pandemic. Kamloops, which means “meeting of the waters”, has a population of about 100,000 people. KUC is affirming, love-based, and mission-focused. It thrives on engaging the community, trying to break down peoples’ preconceptions about church life and demystify what goes on within its walls. Inclusivity, partnerships with community organizations (like Pride Kamloops, ASK Wellness, and Thompson Rivers University Equity Program, among many others) to promote mutual assistance and understanding, and moving toward the idea that church isn’t just for Sundays are stated goals for KUC, and community engagement is crucial: from sewing and providing masks to providing winter clothes for homeless people to setting up shelters for those displaced by wildfires, KUC wants the Kamloops community to know that it’s there to help. Listen and be inspired by this story that starts and ends with people! Thank you, Rev. Caveney. Watch the entire EDGEy Conversation for the week of September 20 between Carla Leon and Rev. Michael Caveney of Kamloops United Church in British Columbia. [Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash] Free Seminar: Our Future World – The Church and Technological Change   Winnie Allingham was inspired to create this seminar to raise awareness about the issues of coded bias and creating a positive future for Canada. The seminar covers two key areas: How can the church be a spiritual and moral guide in a profit-driven future? How can the church address the next frontiers of racism and sexism—when there is hard-coded bias in the software that runs our lives? This Innovative Ministry offers the seminar for free to interested churches. Fast-paced and fun, the seminar is an hour long and conducted via Zoom. Its new twist on old themes provokes conversation and adds constructively to dialog about racism, sexism, and climate change. Please contact Winnie directly at winnieall@gmail.com to schedule a time to experience the seminar. Changemaker Virtual Conference Centre in Full Swing This Fall   It’s not too late to join us at for events at the Changemaker Virtual Conference Centre in the coming weeks! 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism: Sessions on October 12 and October 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and October 19, November 2, and November 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Learn more here. Community Innovation Challenge 2021 Workshop Series: Sessions on October 1, 5, 7, 19, and 26, and Nov 2  and 9, all from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET. All events free of charge! Register here. Love and Justice Gathering: November 3 – 7. All events free of charge. Register here. Money Matters: Financial Stability in New Faith Communities: October18, 7:00 p.m. ET. Register here. Way of Spiritual Fortitude Seminar Series: Sessions on October 20, October 27, November 3, and November 10, all from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET. Register here. [Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash] Embracing the Spirit is a learning network and innovation fund. It offers funding and support for innovation ideas hatched out of faith communities and communities in ministry. Some of the stories and best practices that are happening throughout The United Church of Canada are shared in this newsletter. If you have an idea that you want to launch, reach out and tell us about it! Proposal deadlines are quarterly, and due on the 15th of the month: January, April, July and October. Find out more.  Share Tweet Forward to a friend Sign up for the Embracing the Spirit newsletter! Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

Copyright © 2021 The United Church of Canada, All rights reserved.

WCC NEWS: City street in Geneva will be named after former WCC president Annie Jiagge

The city of Geneva is renaming a street for Annie Jiagge (1918-1996), who was the first African woman to be a World Council of Churches (WCC) president (1975-83). She was also moderator of the WCC’s commission on the Programme to Combat Racism. Annie Jiagge at the WCC 6th Assembly in Vancover in 1983 Photo: Peter Williams/WCC 30 September 2021 She attended WCC assemblies at Evanston (1954), Uppsala (1968), Nairobi (1975), Vancouver (1983) and Canberra (1991). In 1968 she represented the WCC at the Roman Catholic laity conference in Rome. At home in Ghana, she served as counsellor for the Christian council and as chair of the commission on the churches’ participation in development. The street-naming initiative in Geneva is highlighting women who contributed to the history of Geneva at different periods. Annie Jiagge was the daughter of Robert Domingo Baeta, an assembly clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana. She became interested in the ecumenical movement when she attended a world conference of Christian youth in Oslo in 1947. After studies in law at the London School of Economics, she practiced law in Ghana and went on to become a magistrate, circuit court judge and high court judge. She served the YWCA at various capacities at home and abroad, including as vice chairperson of the World YWCA from 1958-62. As president of the UN Commission on the Status of Women from 1962-72, she was the author of the basic draft of the UN Declaration of the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. For her numerous contributions to the nations and the world, she received the Grand Medal of Ghana in 1969. 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 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

UC National News 29 September - 5 October - Taking action 4 climate, Season of Creation prayers, Older Persons Sunday, #ActionforAfghanistan and more

Take action for Climate this October As the world anticipates the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow next month, pressure is mounting on Australia to make clear its commitments to respond to the climate crisis. In the month of October, there are a number of opportunities to join our Church leaders and others in calling for a national plan that will drive down emissions and support people, nations and ecosystems that are most vulnerable to climate change.  As the Season of Creation comes to a close, we encourage you to add your voice and live out your commitment to care for all of God's creation, our common home.  A blessing at the end of the Season of Creation In our final prayer for the Season of Creation, Jessica Morthorpe reflects how we need the blessings of this season even more than usual this year. "May it be for us a time of deep connection with the God of life, who loves and is present within every creature and all of creation." You can find all six prayers and a video message from President Rev Sharon Hollis on our Season of Creation page or download them here.  If your church is doing great things for the environment, find out how you can be recognised by the Five Leaf Eco-Awards Dignity and hope for all ages - everywhere This Friday, 1 October, is the International Day of Older Persons, a day recognised by the United Nations in an effort to oppose discrimination and stigma faced by older people. Older Persons Sunday is an opportunity for Uniting Church communities to acknowledge ageism and to value the contributions of older people. Prayers and other resources are available from UnitingFriends of Ageing.  Assembly National Consultant Rev Dr Apwee Ting has shared this prayer in Indonesian and English. Join in taking action for Afghanistan  The Uniting Church continues to call on the Australian Government to take further action in response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Check out a range of actions and activities that you might like to support, including a calling party, visits to MPs, and messages you can share on social media.  Become an Everything in Common Advocate Become an Advocate for UnitingWorld’s annual Christmas gift catalogue, Everything in Common. Tell stories and help promote gifts like education, clean water, goats and health supplies. Even if your church isn’t meeting physically, you can still help get the word out about gifts that fight poverty and support the work of our overseas church partners. Role models for our time: Abraham Conference The annual Abraham Conference will this year focus on women leaders in the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith traditions. Entitled Role Models for Our Time, the Conference is taking place online on Sunday 10 October from 2:30 to 4pm.The Synod of NSW/ACT is a presenting partner in the event. Tickets are free. Join for an afternoon of interfaith dialogue and friendship.

Safety and Support Officer - Transitioning from Homelessness  This role with Uniting in WA will assist adults in crisis, working 1:1 with people to understand their individual needs and support them to access the services that are right for them. Lead Educator - Aspley Early Childhood Education Centre The Queensland Synod is searching for an enthusiastic Lead Educator for Aspley Early Childhood Education Centre. It is one of a number of vacancies in the newly created Uniting Education Early Learning section of the Uniting Church in Queensland.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: Older people in our families and communities. May we celebrate their contributions, listen to their experience and learn from their wisdom. A commitment from Australian and global leaders to take action on climate change and make decisions that will protect the future of all God's creation.  Those still trapped in Afghanistan who are fleeing danger. We pray they find safe passage, protection and welcome.  Copyright © 2021 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved. We're sending you weekly updates because you opted into news from the Uniting Church in Australia. Our mailing address is: Uniting Church in Australia Lvl 4 262 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia