| Liberia's Bicentennial, Reparatory Justice 101, and a Wordle NCC Newsletter February 11, 2022 |
| | | NCC Celebrates the Republic of Liberia’s Bicentennial |
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In a letter dated February 8, 2022, Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, extended congratulations to the country of Liberia on its bicentennial celebration to Bishop Kortu K. Brown, President of the Liberia Council of Churches, on behalf of the Governing Board of the NCC.
The letter states:
We rejoice that the voices of the Liberian churches are a part of this landmark anniversary!
The nation of Liberia was founded by formerly enslaved Americans seeking to escape ongoing oppression as the vestiges of American slavery continued to impact their lives. By God’s grace, the vision of freedom in their own country came to fruition and has survived for 200 years!
We join in this celebration with humble hearts and acknowledging that the church in the USA did not do enough to prevent the subjugation and discrimination of black people. In many instances, people of faith actively participated in this systematic enslavement and later marginalization of human life.
We join with you in celebrating God’s vision of unity for the church and a respect for all human life, regardless of race, color, creed, nationality or religion. May God strengthen us all as we strive to be voices of hope and advocates for justice.
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| | | NCC to Join the Presidential Delegation to the Liberian Bicentennial Celebration |
| | Representing the NCC, Bishop Jefferson-Snorton will be joining a Presidential Delegation to attend the Bicentennial Celebration.
In a press release, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Liberia to attend the Bicentennial Celebrations in Monrovia, Liberia on February 14, 2022. The press release states, “This marks the arrival of the first Free Black Americans to Providence Island in 1822, which led to the establishment of the City of Monrovia, and in 1847, the Republic of Liberia.”
Also announced to be a part of the delegation are: The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, who will lead the delegation; The Honorable Michael A. McCarthy, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia; The Honorable Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa National Security Council; and Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. |
| | | COVID-19 Pandemic Response: |
| | O Lord, lift our sorrow from us and comfort us. Bless the memories of our loved ones and friends who have died. Give us strength in this difficult time. Renew our spirits and lead us to love one another. Amen. |
| | | Attend "Reparatory Justice 101" Next Wednesday |
| | Come learn the difference between, equality, equity, and reparatory justice while also receiving an overview of the faith community’s US and global engagement in the reparatory justice movement.
Wed. 2/16/22 @ 2:30pm ET on Zoom
This webinar series provides education about the national and global reparatory justice movement in order to take faithful action to “repair the breach” as commanded in Isaiah 58:12. |
| | | Play NCC's Faith-based Wordle |
| | With only one Wordle available each day, people just can't seem to get enough of this new, simple word game! To fill the need for more Wordle and have a little fun, the NCC will include a faith-related Wordle in our newsletter each week.
If you are unaware of the Wordle craze, it was started by a programmer who wanted to give a gift to his partner. Their friends and family played it privately but after appearing in a New York Times newsletter, the game has become quite popular.
We've customized the game solutions to be religion-based each Friday. Click on the link to play. Instructions on how to play can be found by clicking the "i" for information.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family who may enjoy completing these special Wordles! |
| | | | | "Our Voices, Our Votes, Our Freedoms" |
| Hosted by Union Presbyterian Seminary, this public conversation will explore how faith and politics impact voting rights, social justice, and religious freedom concerns. The event will be held on February 15, 2022 at 6PM ET.
NCC's Chief Operating Officer, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune, will speak along with: • Dr. Sharon Grant, Associate Professor of History of Christianity, Hood Theological Seminary Maggie Siddiqi, Senior Director of Religion and Faith, Center for American Progress
• Amanda Tyler, Executive Director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
• Dr. Corey D.B. Walker, Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, Wake Forest University
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| | Do Your Part to End Child Poverty - Share about the Child Tax Credit |
| The monthly Child Tax Credits payments to families stopped in January and millions of families are still owed all of their 2021 Child Tax Credit. Because not everyone knows they are eligible, or that they must file a tax return in order to receive it, we ask NCC member congregations and faith partners to spread the word and make sure all low- and no-income families get the information, find tax prep help, and receive their full 2021 Child Tax Credit payment.
Join the national effort to share the link to ChildTaxCredit.gov through your organization's newsletter, social media accounts, or website from now through April 18, 2022. Encourage everyone in your community to check their eligibility then find help with tax preparation.
A toolkit is available to help your communication efforts in both English and Español. These community resources include images/messages to share on social media and how to talk to an audience with clear, concise & accurate information. |
| | | | MN Council of Churches Releases Statement on the Police Killing of Amir Locke |
| The Minnesota Council of Churches released a statement on February 8, 2022, entitled, "On Amir Locke: No More Words..." which reads:
"A young Black man, Amir Locke, was killed by Minneapolis police on Wednesday morning, February 2, 2022. Reminiscent of Breonna Taylor, Minneapolis police used a no-knock warrant to silently enter the private residence where he was asleep and they shot and killed Amir. They were looking for someone else.
We have no more words … First, we are still numb and in shock. Second, with the police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, we made statements, quoted Scripture, protested, and called for action. Our colleagues around the country who are speaking out about police killings of Black people, Native people, and other people of color in their communities are also feeling like they have said all that needs to be said already.
We have no more words … Yet Amir’s family needs our prayers.
We have no more words … Yet Black women, many who were Mothers, gathered on Monday to cry out for justice, accountability, and the transformation of public safety. So, we must join these courageous Black women and once again find the words, the Scriptures, the protests, and the actions to demand that the City of Minneapolis account for its racism and incompetence in policing. We must demand from the Mayor of Minneapolis to use his newly gained powers to transform public safety in Minneapolis. And we use the prophet Isaiah’s words to demand, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed” (1:17)."
The statement includes excerpts from the MCC Member judicatories and board members.
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| | | | WCC Central Committee Convenes to Prepare for WCC 11th Assembly |
| | The World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee is convening via video conference from February 9-15, 2022 to prepare for the 11th WCC Assembly, which will take place in August-September in Karlsruhe, Germany under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair, is attending on behalf of the NCC.
During the meeting, leaders expressed a clear commitment to move forward with the Assembly and member churches were encouraged to prepare their delegations to actually attend in person.
In addition to planning for the assembly—including approving thematic plenaries, ecumenical conversations, and pre-assemblies—the governing body will also address business matters and strengthen the WCC fellowship through sharing and prayer. |
| | | | Job Listings
Staff Assistant for the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations - to provide administrative, communications, and policy support for critical office functions and staff. Learn more. |
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