WCC NEWS: Youth congress set to draw thousands with the theme “Africa: My Home. My Future”

A youth congress organized by the All Africa Conference of Churches on 31 October-5 November at the Pentecost Convention Center in Ghana will draw about 2,000 young people between the ages of 15-35. With the theme “Africa: My Home. My Future,” the congress will endeavor to increase awareness of the tremendous potentials of young people—and the opportunities that await. Below, Rev Dr. Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel, All Africa Conference of Churches director of programmes, reflects on the planning, vision, and prayers for the congress. 6 March 2018, Arusha, Tanzania: 31 young participants in the Stewards Programme of the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism visit YWCA in Arusha, Tanzania, for discussions on challenges faced by youth today, raising issues of facing unemployment, accessing education, and particilarly challenges in the context of prevention of HIV. Photo:Albin Hillert/WCC 30 September 2022 What are your hopes for discussion, interaction, and inspiration for the young people who will gather? Dr Lesmore: We have been listening to young people who want to address so many issues, among them irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling. We are trying to emphasize that, if the opportunity comes for you to leave the continent, leave with dignity—you don’t have to go through the desert and the sea. With the slogan “Africa: My Home. My Future,” we are partnering with our member churches, councils, institutions, ecumenical bodies, partners, and development agencies to support some aspect of the site events that issues and themes relating to patriotism and active citizenship, human dignity, peace, security, gender justice, climate change, inequalities, injustices, health, and human rights. The journey to this congress has had a lot of challenges. We have many young people who are trying to be part of the event but are financially handicapped. What are some signs of hope you see among young people? Dr Lesmore: When I see young people who choose not to dare the Mediterranean Sea or the Sahara Desert in search of greener pastures, it gives us hope. It is common sense to say: If there is a greener pasture somewhere else, then where you are is pretty green as well—can you make it even greener? In many ways, the political systems in Africa seems not to work for young people, with nothing being offered to them by the systems and structures. But there are still signs of hope, for example, when they see some other young people who became more creative and innovative, and traveled to Europe, America, and island nations for their holidays with the proceeds of their creative efforts. We are saying, you can dig down and it is not an easy route, but you need to roll up your sleeve and get into the modern work. We will bring a narrative of hope that, in turn, sustains their hope. What can your ecumenical family pray for you as the Youth Congress approaches? Dr Lesmore: We pray for a successful congress: that these young people who will be traveling to Ghana are not going there for ecumenical tourism but are going in order to sharpen each other, to dream, to envision a new Africa where their potentials are realized. Please, pray for all of this! All Africa Conference of Churches 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

WCRC eNews: September 2022: Reformation Resource, GRAPE Training, WCC Assembly

eNews: September 2022 Reformation Day liturgy available "Witnessing to the God of Life," the liturgy for the annual Reformation Day global worship service, is now available for download in both English and Spanish. The liturgy, created in partnership with the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship (CICW), includes prayers, confessions, Scripture, and a celebration of communion. CICW staff members, along with WCRC leaders, will gather in Rome to celebrate Reformation Day using the liturgy. The worship service will take place on Sunday, 30 October, at the Waldensian Evangelical Church at the Piazza Cavour. Read more. Applications invited for GRAPE training After successful launches in South Africa and Kenya, the Global Reformed Advocacy Platforms for Engagement (GRAPE) project is seeking applicants from South Africa and Kenya for its training program. GRAPE is a global initiative of the WCRC to address the enormity and complexity of the unjust economic dispensation coupled with the climate crisis. The GRAPE program aims to build advocacy campaigns for economic justice and peace-building, built by local churches, empowered through the global communion to become agents of decisive and tangible change on the local and national level and beyond. Read more.

Tax justice focus of workshop: English, Español Communion blesses Jerry Pillay. Facebook Twitter Website Email Journey to gender justice continues: Deutsch, English, Español, Français

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RNS Morning Report: Black church leaders: Public lands should reflect African American history

Top Stories Black church leaders say public lands should better reflect African American history (RNS) — The National Religious Partnership for the Environment has found a significant majority of them say Black history is not told adequately through national and local parks.   Dan Busby, longest-serving president of evangelical financial watchdog, dies at 81 (RNS) — Busby conducted hundreds of on-site compliance reviews of churches and other ministries aligned with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.   Following papal reforms, Vatican departments are ready to help local bishops (RNS) — A key Vatican department puts itself at the service of local churches, modeling Pope Francis’ vision for the Roman Curia.   In sacred Brazil dunes, critics see evangelical encroachment (AP) — Afro Brazilian religious groups see a public works project at the Abaete dunes as an attempt to Christianize yet another public space, part of evangelicals’ rising influence in the country’s halls of power. RNS Opinion For many Mormons who question, Faith Matters is a spiritual lifeline (RNS) — With a podcast, a magazine, a publishing imprint and a major in-person gathering in Salt Lake City in October, the young Faith Matters organization is on the move.   Iranian women are hoping their renewed protests will end differently this time (The Conversation) — Iran's Islamic revolution made clear that it would put an end 'fun'. It has also targeted women's freedom.   Remembering Brother Andrew, a fearless smuggler of Bibles (RNS) — He could not stand silent, knowing people were persecuted for their faith. ICYMI Survey: Confederate memorials still divide Americans and religion is a big predictor (RNS) — Majorities of Protestants, Catholics and Mormons support efforts to preserve Confederate monuments and memorials, a PRRI survey finds.   Hindu advocates sue California, arguing bans on caste discrimination misrepresent beliefs (RNS) — At the crux of the HAF lawsuit is the question of whether caste is inherently tied to Hindu dharma. In Other News Arizona Faith and Political Leaders Talk Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Religious ‘Switching’ Patterns Will Help Determine Christianity’s Course in U.S.   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 at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend

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