| WCC's New General Secretary, the Shooting at St. Stephen's, and #ReparationsNow
NCC Newsletter June 17, 2022 |
| | | WCC Elects New General Secretary |
| | Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay was elected as the new General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Rev. Pillay, a member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, is currently dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, South Africa. He will replace outgoing Acting General Secretary Rev. Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, who began serving in that position in April 2020, when the previous General Secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, was appointed as the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway.
The General Secretary serves as the WCC’s chief executive officer, and leads the WCC’s work, including final responsibility for WCC’s work and its staff. He will start in the position on January 1, 2023.
(Photo credit: Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton)
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| | WCC Central Committee In Session |
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| (Photo credits: WCC)
The World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee is convening in-person June 15-18, 2022 at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva for the first time since 2018. In addition to the election of a new General Secretary in closed session, the agenda includes review and action on the draft unity statement for the assembly, as well as on amendments proposed by the working group on constitution and rules, and by-laws for two commissions.
Representatives from NCC at the meeting include Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, NCC Governing Board Vice Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church of America; Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, NCC Ecumenical Officer and Senior Associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement for Bread for the World; and Kathryn Mary Lohre, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment. |
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| Prayers Requested after the Shooting at an Episcopal Church in Alabama |
| | On Thursday night, a gunman shot three parishioners at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama at their Boomers Potluck dinner. One victim who was hospitalized has since died. We mourn the three lives lost.
In his pastoral response to his congregation, Rev. John Burruss, Rector of St. Stephen's, wrote, "I know many of you have been asking what we can do. We can pray and we can gather. People have gathered as followers of Christ for 2000 years because of the belief that God’s outstretched arms can reach all of humanity through pain and the most unfathomable loss. We gather because we know that love is the most powerful force in this world, and tonight, and in the days, months, and years that come, will hold onto that truth to know that Christ’s love will always shine." |
| Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the Shooting at St. Stephen’s
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| From The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church:
"Dear friends in Christ:
By now you are aware that last night a shooter entered St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, killing two children of God and injuring a third.
Even as I write, I am on the way to the commemoration of the nine who were martyred in 2015 at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The plague of gun violence in the United States affects us all, and now it has affected a congregation in The Episcopal Church.
We join together in prayer with Bishop Glenda Curry, Bishop Brian Prior, the clergy and people of St. Stephen’s, and the whole Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. I want to encourage us as a church to offer special prayers this Sunday for those affected by the shooting at St. Stephen’s—and for all victims of gun violence.
I commend to you the website of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, which has prayers, liturgical resources, and many other kinds of information.
As the prophet Isaiah wrote (41:10):
Do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I invite you to join me in prayer:
Eternal God of love, we know that you do not willingly inflict pain upon or grieve your children, and your dream for all is life abundant.
We come to you now in sorrow and sadness at the death and violence inflicted on our siblings of St. Stephen’s Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Receive the souls of those who have died. Grant them peace in your arms of love. Be with those who are injured and suffer, those who are grieving, and those who are frightened and dispirited. Help us as a nation to find ways to bring an end to this scourge of violence, which hurts your children and our human family. Give us the strength we need, the courage we must have, and the faith in you that will see us through. All this we pray and ask in the name of the prince of peace—your son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen."
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| | NCC Responds to the Tragedy at St. Stephens |
| Letter from Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC Interim President/General Secretary to The Episcopal Church:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NRSVue
"May the love of God surround you and shine through you!
To my brother and friend, Bishop Michael Curry, and the Episcopal Church, the National Council of Churches lifts you in our prayers and concerns in the wake of the recent tragic shooting at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
We find ourselves again with no words that lives were lost in a senseless act of violence. Yet, it is our faith that will strengthen us in a faith determined to rise above fear and intimidation.
Please know that NCC stands with you not only today but in the days ahead. It is ironic that today we remember the massacre of nine Bible study members and pastor at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I look forward to your prayers and comments tonight.
We must grieve this loss. Then we must work to help to bring healing to hurting people and the community. We must also shape policy and praxis that keep people safe in their homes, churches, supermarkets, and schools.
Let us be supportive in thought, word, and deed."
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| | | 7th Commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Martyrdom
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| For the 7th Commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Martyrdom, Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Jr. from the Healing of the Nations Institute and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference (SDPC) have partnered with Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church to offer a National Bible Study toward healing.
“What Kind of Soil Are We? What Kind is God Calling Us to Become?” is a nationally coordinated Bible study that will be held LIVE on Facebook, tonight, June 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT.
Dr. Forbes envisions this 7th anniversary as an opportunity for clergy across the country to preach on this material, asking within the nexus of race, history, and politics at this critical time: How can we become good soil in which seeds of the gospel of grace and redemption can grow? What is God saying to America about its spiritual dilemma?”
Bible study ministry resources prepared by Dr. Marvin McMickle and SDPC are available to review, download, and use.
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| | | | Week of Action for Reparations Now |
| | (Photo credits: Keith Swartzendruber)
This Thursday, June 16, 2022, a press conference began in front of a massive floral installation in the shape of the Pan-African flag, measuring 150' x 50', which had been created on the Ellipse in front of the White House by a broad coalition of civil and human rights groups.
The NCC joined with our partners in the coalition to call on US President Joe Biden to issue an executive order to study the harms of the legacy of enslavement and develop reparations proposals. The coalition included the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Color Of Change, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Black Voters Matter, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Human Rights Watch, and other members of the Why We Can’t Wait coalition.
The "Juneteenth #ReparationsNow Garden Installation" can be viewed on the Ellipse today until 8pm ET and Saturday from 8am-5pm ET. On Sunday from 12pm-2pm ET, the plants and mulch will be given away. |
| | Near the beginning of the press conference, the Secret Service alerted the gathering to a security threat and made those in attendance move to a location about 100 feet away. After waiting for two hours without any further explanation, the speakers resumed the press conference on the sidewalk.
Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Esq., NCC Associate General Secretary of Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace, was not deterred and made her remarks amid the street noise:
"Many of us have been watching the televised January 6th hearings. The hearings seek to get to the truth of the insurrection attempt by white supremacist groups that violently stormed the capitol with the intent to overturn the will of the people in the 2020 national election. People died that day and the lives of others were threatened. At the center of the committee’s premise is that these terrorist did what they did based on “the big lie.”
The truth is that America has been built upon the biggest lie. America was built on the lie that we are a democracy when democracy was aborted before it was ever born. When all white male, land owning, enslavers, sympathizers of enslavers, and those willing to acquiesce to chattel slavery, as a compromise, intentionally excluded the first people of this land and people of African descent as part of the “We” or the “People” in the revered preamble to our glorified constitution.
The lie that black people were no more than animals prevailed well before the 20 and aught stolen and enslaved persons arrived from Angola on the White Lion in 1619. That lie is in the DNA of this nation. That lie is soaked in the ground from the blood of the enslaved and in the mindset and spirit of those who perpetuated the massacres in Tulsa, Mother Emanual AME church, the Tops grocery store in Buffalo NY, the January 6th insurrection, and acts of hatred and violence in between, since and to come. It is also reflected in redlining, the criminal legal system, unfair housing, the education system, and so on and so on. Jesus tells us that the truth will set you free. If truth is freedom lies are bondage.
I am reminded of the warning from the Prophet Jeremiah speaking for God saying:
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.
They acted shamefully, they committed abomination;
yet they were not ashamed,
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,
Until we reckon with our past our future is fragile. The Commission to Study and Develop reparation Proposals for African Americans by Executive Order from President Joseph Robinett Biden will be a step towards making a more just future for all. The work of this commission will codify the truth and we will then be on the path to being “we the people”. This is a Kairos moment where opportunity meets God’s timing. We Can’t wait!"
A Reuters news reporter asked Rev. Alexander, "Why do you say we can’t wait?" to which she responded, “We are preparing for a bloody summer. The concern is that groups like those who were part of the January 6th insurrection are gathering all over the country. They are growing an army. We are fighting for our right to fight for our freedom!”
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| | | | | Join NCC and the Poor People's Campaign This Saturday! |
| | The Saturday, June 18, 2022, the NCC will be standing with the Poor People’s Campaign as a mobilizing partner for an historic gathering of poor and low wealth people in this country, The Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls. The NCC will livestream the rally on our Facebook page.
Will you join thousands of poor and low-wealth people to make the country hear and see the pain either in person or virutally? Together, we will lift up a moral call to revive the heart and soul of our nation by centering the poor and lifting this country up from the bottom. Be counted! RSVP to come in person or watch online! |
| | Make sure you RSVP in advance and when you do, select "National Council of Churches USA" as your Mobilizing Partner on the form. |
| | | Continued Need in Buffalo |
| The Buffalo community continues in shock after losing ten of their neighbors to White supremacist violence last month. In addition to continued prayer, financial support to meet basic necessities and respond to the crisis is also critical.
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| | | Greetings from Korea and a Call to Action |
| The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) has sent a letter of congratulations to Bishop Vashti McKenzie on becoming the NCC Interim President and General Secretary, noting that the Korean Church "holds its partnership with the Church in the US in high esteem as we have struggled alongside each other for justice and peace in each of our regions."
The letter signed by Rev. Dr. Hong Jung Lee, NCCK General Secretary, states, "We will always appreciate the work of solidarity that the NCCCUSA offered to us as we were struggling for democratization in South Korea and seeking liberation from the oppression of a military dictatorship and the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. We also appreciate the way NCCCUSA allowed us to take part in acts of solidarity struggling for civil rights in the US as communities of color sought liberation from the oppression of racism.
We hope that we can continue to honor that past as we seek cooperation and partnership based in Christ’s love and mutual respect. We thank you for your participation in our recent international conference for the Korea Peace Appeal, as the words you shared with us lifted our spirits. We look forward to opportunities for solidarity and mutual support in the future."
We call our communions to join with the NCC in taking action with the NCCK on their campaign for a peace agreement to replace the armistice and end the state of war on the Korean peninsula. Since the 7th World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Busan 2013, the NCCK has sought support for this "monumentally misunderstood conflict." Take part in this effort by writing a letter or making a phone call to your government representatives, or by sharing the facts to educate the members of your community. |
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COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Vaccines are Safe for Children
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| According to We Can Do This, over 10 million children ages 5–11 in the United States have received a COVID-19 vaccine. This means that nearly two-thirds of all eligible children in that age group remain unvaccinated and unprotected from the dangers of COVID-19.
Churches can play a part by increasing vaccine confidence among families in your community by sharing this video from U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. He explains that COVID vaccines help protect children against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
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| | | | | Here's this week's faith-related Wordle! We've customized the game solutions to be religion-based each Friday. If you have never played, click on the "Play" button and you will be able to find instructions 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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