WCRC eNews: June 2022: Applications Invited, New Leaders, More

eNews: June 2022 WCRC seeks new executive for mission and advocacy The WCRC invites applications for the new position of Executive Secretary for Mission and Advocacy. “The new executive secretary is not only vital for the work of the WCRC and its member churches but also for the ecumenical movement as a whole in as much as churches have a stronger impact in the public sphere if they join together in witnessing for and lifting the voices of the socio-economically marginalized and the politically disenfranchised,” said Athena Peralta, moderator of the search committee. Applications must be received by 15 July. Read more. Pillay elected new WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay, former WCRC president, was elected as the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). “This is a special day not merely for the Reformed family but for the ecumenical movement,” said WCRC President Najla Kassab. “Jerry will bring great gifts to the WCC. We look forward to working together and to continue the journey of building stronger relations between WCC and WCRC. His belief in unity and enthusiasm in working towards better relations among churches will provide new inspiration for the ecumenical movement.” Read more: Deutsch, English, Español, Français

AIPRAL's new executive committee has begun its work: English, Español Facebook Twitter Website Email A conference later this year will focus on online education.

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RNS Morning Report: Anti-abortion movement faces internal divisions after Roe’s fall

Top Stories Anti-abortion movement faces internal divisions after Roe’s fall (RNS) — After the Dobbs decision, abortion foes hope to ban abortion where they can and find ‘creative approaches’ like shareholder activism to punish abortion rights supporters.   Pope Francis pushes to purge liturgy of ideology in new document VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The liturgy, the pope wrote, should not be in service to ‘an ideological vision.’   In defiance of US bishops, Nancy Pelosi receives Communion at the Vatican VATICAN CITY (RNS) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the Vatican on Wednesday and received a blessing by Pope Francis.   What happened to United Methodists’ proposal to split the denomination? (RNS) — Before United Methodists could vote on the widely endorsed plan, traditionalists went ahead and launched a new denomination and several representatives of centrist and progressive groups revoked their support.   Grand Rapids church won’t remove gay deacon, votes to appeal denomination’s order (RNS) — Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church was ordered by the denomination to reverse its decision to ordain a deacon in a same-sex marriage. It has refused.   Hindu man killed as religious tensions boil in India NEW DELHI (AP) — Experts worry that the latest incident could worsen India’s religious fault lines that critics say have deepened since Hindu nationalist Modi came to power in 2014.   FBI opens sweeping probe of clergy sex abuse in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The probe could deepen the legal peril for the archdiocese as it reels from a bankruptcy brought on by a flood of sex abuse lawsuits and allegations that church leaders turned a blind eye to generations of predator priests. RNS Opinion America’s religious communities are divided over abortion: 5 essential reads (The Conversation) — Scholars explain why many see abortion access as a religious freedom issue and what the views of different faiths are on ‘ensoulment,’ the point at which the soul is believed to enter the fetus.   Mormons now look liberal on abortion — by not changing (RNS) — The GOP has swung so far to the right that Mormons’ nuanced abortion stance, once commonly accepted by fellow conservatives, now looks liberal by comparison.   The church-state divide, never a wall, isn’t about to fall (RNS) — The court long ago made clear the line of separation ‘is a blurred, indistinct, and variable barrier.’   Looking for a path to freedom, I follow my tingling feet (RNS) — In the current fascist counterrevolution, a watering hole founded by Motown songwriters offers peace. ICYMI ‘God’s Favorite Idiot’: Proof we need more religious comedies (RNS) — The show is a reminder that not all stories with a religious message have to be somber or existential. Sometimes they can — and should be — as sweet and simple as pecan pie.   Teacher-led prayer is back in the public schools (RNS) — At least, on the playing field. In Other News Can AIPAC still claim the middle ground? Religious unrest spreads in India with killing of Hindu Man   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend

WCC Media Advisory: Mandatory media accreditation for the WCC assembly

Media accreditation to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, to be held in Karlsruhe, Germany, 31 August – 8 September 2022, remains open. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 26 June 2022 The WCC will run both onsite and online press centres throughout the assembly and provide easy access for accredited media to press conferences, press briefings and other media services, as well as assembly documents and other material. It will thus be possible to cover the assembly, conduct interviews and participate in real-time press briefings, without being physically present in Karlsruhe. Regardless of whether you plan to be there in person, or participate from a distance, media accreditation is mandatory. For accreditations, please fill out accreditation form and return it to the WCC media inbox: media@wcc-coe.org.   Although accreditation is open up until the assembly, we kindly ask you to apply as soon as possible in order to facilitate a smooth and timely approval process.   Only online applications will be considered. In accordance with the WCC media policy, no subsidies or allowances are available. Should further questions arise at this point, please drop us a line in the WCC media inbox: media@wcc-coe.org. Please also visit our press centre at the WCC website, where you can follow news continuously and learn more about the WCC and the assembly.  Welcome with your application!  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 352 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 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

WCC NEWS: WCC celebrates life and legacy of Archbishop Willem T.P. Simarmata

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is celebrating the life and legacy of Archbishop (Ephorus) Willem T.P. Simarmata, who was the moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia. He passed away on 17 June at a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, in Indonesia. He was 68 years old. Archbishop (Ephorus) Willem T.P. Simarmata, moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia and member of the WCC central committee since 2013. Photo: Plaisir Muzogeye/UEM 29 June 2022 The Christian Conference of Asia organized an online memorial service on 29 June.  During the service, WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed great sadness at receiving the news of Archbishop Simarmata’s passing. He had served on the WCC central committee since 2013. “For us, Rev. Dr Simarmata was a leader of the largest member church of WCC in Indonesia Batak Christian Protestant Church—Huria Kristen Batak Protestan,” said Sauca. “He was an international ecumenical leader, as the moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia during past seven years and the present moderator of the United Evangelical Mission.” His life and work not only influenced the spiritual life of people, as his leadership extended to the secular realm, Sauca noted. “He was currently a member of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (Upper House),” said Sauca. “As a truthful, accountable and inspiring leader, he was a shining example of exemplary leadership to people all over the world.” Sauca extended condolences to Archbishop Simarmata’s family members and friends. “Let us celebrate Rev. Dr Simarmata's life and let us emulate his inspiring life,” said Sauca.  Archbishop Simarmata was the Ephorus (supreme head) of the largest Protestant church in Indonesia, the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP), from 2012 to 2016. A prominent leader of the Asian churches and the modern Asian ecumenical movement, Archbishop Simarmata was elected as the moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia at its 14th General Assembly of the CCA held in 2015. Christian Conference of Asia general secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara, said that Archbishop Simarmata’s unexpected death was a great loss to the Asian ecumenical movement. “He was a very fine human being, and was pastoral in his approach,” said Chunakara. “He dealt with everyone in a true spirit of nobility.” Chunakara added that Archbishop Simarmata consistently stressed the need for following the Christian social call of stewardship and care of creation and also promoted gender equality and the wellbeing of the marginalised and vulnerable groups in his communities. “His deep commitment and passion enabled him to strive for communal harmony by developing strong interfaith relationships, especially with the Muslim majority in his country, for the common good,” said Chunakara. “This was widely recognised by the people in his country and it was for precisely this reason that he was elected to the country’s parliamentary bodies in recent times.” Archbishop Simarmata was associated with the Christian Conference of Asia since the early 1990s, and was ordained as a pastor in 1983. A funeral service took place on 21 June at Samosir Island, North Sumatra. He is survived by his wife, H. Lersiany Purba, and five children. WCC tribute to Archbishop Willem T.P. Simarmata 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 352 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 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