| Statements on Judge Jackson's Confirmation and the Atrocities in Ukraine NCC Newsletter April 8, 2022 |
| | NCC Congratulates Judge Jackson on Her Confirmation to the Supreme Court
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On this historic day, April 7, 2022, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) commends the US Senate for confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States. Since the formation of the Supreme Court in 1790, there has never been a Black woman on the court. This historic confirmation reflects the diversity of our nation and is long overdue.
Since 2018 when the NCC began the A.C.T. Now to End Racism initiative, we have been committed to eradicating the entrenched racism that grips the United States and paralyzes our ability to see every human being as equal. We hold that diversity on our benches is a necessity because it increases the trust we have in our courts and ensures everyone is represented in judicial decision-making.
“As the National Council of Churches continues our work to end racism and advance civil rights, we welcome Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court. With her undeniable credentials, we know she will bring the wisdom and experience needed at this time in our nation. Today is a day to celebrate our diversity as we work to become the Beloved Community we envision.” - Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
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| | | NCC Condemns Russia’s Massacre of Ukrainians
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| | You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:13 NRSVue
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) cries out in anger and despair as we witness the brutal war in Ukraine. We condemn Russia for invading and murdering the people of Ukraine without provocation.
The horror of Russia’s missiles and bombs - that have destroyed and completely leveled entire cities and towns including homes, houses of worship, medical facilities, offices, and utilities - has now been compounded by the evidence of mass murder by the Russian army against Ukrainian civilians during the occupation of their communities. With the retreat of the Russian military from around Kyiv, evidence has mounted from credible sources of torture, rape, and mass graves filled with entire Ukrainian families killed and people bound while executed.
Lord, have mercy on all who have been brutally murdered and suffered through these attacks. Bring comfort to their remaining family, to their compatriots, and to all who are traumatized by this terror.
We continue to look on in horror at the assault on the Ukrainian people. As the war escalates, Ukrainians remain trapped without any means of survival or humanitarian corridors of escape due to Russia’s refusal to provide safe passage out of cities like Mariupol.
Lord, watch over those who are fleeing for their lives and bring them to safety.
The Russians who have committed these atrocities in Ukraine must be brought to justice. We call upon international bodies, including the United Nations, to investigate and punish war crimes committed by Russia. We commend the International Criminal Court for actively investigating the situation and beginning to collect evidence based on the referrals by many of its members to investigate any past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide committed on any part of the territory of Ukraine by any person. The NCC asks the United States to fully support this investigation by the International Criminal Court.
In light of the continuing evidence of these human rights violations, we applaud the United Nations General Assembly for voting to suspend Russia from its Human Rights Council.
In addition, under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Article 7, when the acts being documented in Ukraine are proven to constitute crimes against humanity, in addition to Russia being held accountable, Russian individuals should also be held criminally responsible for “any prohibitive acts committed including murder, extermination, deportation or forcible transfer of population, torture, sexual violence, persecution against an identifiable group, and enforced disappearance of persons, and inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.”
Lord, reign justice down upon us.
The NCC calls on President Joe Biden, all elected leaders, and all corporations to further the sanctions against the Russian government and all those who hold any power or influence within its government. Every possible effort must be taken to stop Russia from this continued massacre.
Lord, give us the moral courage to sacrifice our worldly goods to protect those who are under siege.
We cannot ignore the hypocrisy of the Russian lie about invading Ukraine to remove the Nazis. That any nation would use such a lie against any country, and in this case a country with a Jewish head of state, is abhorrent to us.
Lord, liberate us from evil and deception.
As Christians with interfaith partners, we know that all of our religions seek peace. We also lift up our joint efforts at peacemaking.
Lord, bring peace to Ukraine. Help us to find a way to create your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
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| | | Are We Ready to Call What is Happening in Ukraine Genocide?
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| | In his latest blog post, Dr. Tony Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary for Faith and Order and Interfaith Relations, writes about the horrors in Ukraine and the past genocides the world has witnessed. He begins, "World leaders and political commentators are all, to one degree or another, flirting with the charge that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. President Biden has already done so. It’s time to go one step further, as Volodymyr Zelensky has done, and to call out Putin’s crime against humanity for what it is: genocide." |
| | | | WCC Statement on Evidence of Atrocities in Ukraine
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| | On behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, Acting General Secretary, made a statement about Ukraine on April 4 2022, as follows,
"The reports now emerging from Bucha and other areas near Kyiv give much stronger indications of grave violations of international law. The World Council of Churches expresses its abhorrence at these reported atrocities, which must be fully investigated and documented so that those responsible can be held legally and personally accountable.
War is a context inherently conducive to such brutality, which underlines the need for systems of legal accountability to prosecute perpetrators, in order to curb the worst in humanity. Moreover, it underscores the urgent necessity of bringing this terrible conflict to an immediate end, for the sake of preventing yet more death, injury and destruction of communities.
We appeal to those responsible for conceiving, pursuing and supporting this war, to stop the bloodshed and destruction, and to save the lives of all the children, women and men in the way of their ambition."
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| | | | Exhortation Regarding the Russian Invasion of Ukraine |
| | Public Orthodoxy has published a slightly edited version of the public address made by Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on April 4, 2022 at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington, NY, during an event entitled “Understanding the Role of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.” |
| | | | | Register for "Housing, Land, and Debt" |
| | | | | Join Us at Ecumenical Advocacy Days |
| | Join the NCC at Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), the annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists who join together to delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day and lift their voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. This year's theme is "Fierce Urgency: Advancing Civil & Human Rights."
This week, the Opening Speaker was announced to be Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, who is described as "a committed prayer warrior and trusted confidante on The Hill."
From the event: "Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner understands how faith and public policy advocacy walk, hand-in-hand, in the fight for Civil and Human Rights. She brings an insider’s view to guide the strategy for pressing forward with fierce urgency. Expect to be enlightened and strengthened with vital tools for this difficult assignment in a challenging environment.
Beginning 2022, Dr. Williams-Skinner is currently coordinating a ten-state nonpartisan, multi-racial, interfaith, and multi-generation Faiths United to Save Democracy voter justice campaign with a toolkit to make voting easier for vulnerable populations Dr. Williams-Skinner holds a B.A. Degree from San Francisco State University, a Master of Social Work Degree and a Law Degree from UCLA; as well as a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC."
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| | | | COVID-19 Pandemic Response: What to Do After Testing Positive |
| | | Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and recently attended a religious service? Confidentially inform the congregational leadership so that they can be aware. If needed, they can work with public health officials to inform those who attended the same service and take the necessary steps to care for the community. |
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Job Listing
Director for Strategy and Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) - to lead the development and implementation of ELCA federal policy and advocacy strategy and support the integration of advocacy more fully into the service and justice ministries of the ELCA. Located in Washington, DC. Learn more. |
| | | | Each week, the NCC offers a faith-related Wordle. We've customized the games to be religion-based in each Friday's newsletter. Instructions on how to play can be found by clicking the "i" for information. Please share this newsletter with your friends, family, and faith community members who may enjoy completing these special Wordles! |
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