| NCC-P Delegate Describes Conflict Between Churches, Government in Philippines | On Wednesday, July 12, a representative of the National Council of Churches – Philippines briefed ecumenical advocates in DC about the ongoing political violence in the country. They were joined by partners from the International Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines – US (ICHRP-US). The current situation in the Philippines is an eerie reminder of the Cold War. The Philippines is caught between two superpowers (in this case, China and the United States) vying for regional economic and military supremacy. The US has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to the Philippine government and often conducts joint military exercises as well. Many of the bases that are jointly used are also from where the Philippine military has perpetrated human rights abuses against the local population. In this context, the churches of the Philippines continue to carry out their mission of outreach to people experiencing poverty, displacement, and oppression. Many of the most at-risk communities are indigenous groups such as the Lumad on the southern island of Mindanao. The Lumad are a conglomeration of ethnic groups that came together recently during the rule of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s. It is these communities that are often targeted for development by global mining corporations and mono-crop agriculture projects to fulfill the needs of foreign industries and consumers. Churches in the Philippines have come under increasing pressure because of their work documenting human rights abuses along with partners such as ICHRP. NCC-P has been “red-tagged” by the government as being supporters of leftist resistance groups putting them at risk for harassment, arrest, and even extrajudicial execution. Human rights activists have documented numerous cases of people and communities that have resisted government oppression being displaced, robbed, raped, and killed by the military or police. NCC-P and ICHRP-US are currently in the US to tell the story of what is happening and to gather support for the Philippines Human Rights Act currently being considered in Congress. The Act would end US military support for the Philippine military or police until perpetrators of human rights abuses are held accountable and systems are reformed to impartially investigate abuses. NCC has endorsed efforts to pass the Philippines Human Rights Act and is grateful to our member communions who continue to work intensely on this issue, including the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You can learn more here. | | Reparative Justice Bible Study Continues July 18 | | | | House Task Force Holds Public Forum on Farm Bill Reauthorization On Thursday, the House Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition in the 21st Century held a public forum with national food and agriculture stakeholders to discuss their priorities for 2023 farm bill reauthorization. Under the leadership Rep. Bennie Thompson, the purpose of the task force is “to ensure farmers have the resources needed to thrive in the 21st century and push back aggressively on attacks on essential programs that address food security.” The farm bill priorities shared by the various stakeholders representing farmers and farm workers, the food industry, and environmental groups, ranged from preserving nutrition and food security to strengthening the economy and national security through agriculture to providing financial stability for farmers and protections for farm workers. A priority of many of the stakeholders at the public forum—and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA—is protecting food and nutrition programs funded by the farm bill, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC), and Meals on Wheels. These entities provide critical assistance for millions of people, especially children and older Americans. The task force members discussed the need for equity in food and nutrition programs, highlighting that while people of all races and economic backgrounds benefit, most recipients of food and nutritional benefits are white, and the food disparities for people of color continue to widen. According to the National Farmers Union, farmers receive only 14 cents for every dollar spent on food. The stakeholders discussed access to education, capital, and land as critical ways to improve the American agricultural system and provide support for young and disadvantaged farmers, especially Black farmers who have been institutionally discriminated against systematically through farm and land loss, credit discrimination, over loan collateralization, and exclusion from credit and conservation programs. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a financial assistance program to support Black farmers and others who have experienced discrimination in farm lending programs prior to January 2021. To learn more about the program, or to apply, visit the application website. During the forum, task force members restated their commitment, developing a 2023 farm bill reauthorization that meets the needs of all Americans, particularly those suffering from food insecurity. “Hunger is a policy choice, we are policymakers, and we have the ability to make different choices,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes who serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture and Horticulture. The members of Congress appointed to the task force are Rep. Bennie Thompson, Chair Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Lou Correa, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rep. Josh Harder, Rep. Jahana Hayes, and Rep. Kim Schrier. Biden Administration Announces $39 Billion in Student Loan Forgiveness for Qualifying Borrowers The Department of Education will contact borrowers “who have reached the necessary forgiveness threshold (20 or 25 months of qualifying payments) as a result of receiving credit toward IDR forgiveness for any of the following periods: Any period in which a borrower spent 12 or more consecutive months in forbearance; Any month in forbearance for borrowers who spent 36 or more cumulative months in forbearance; Any month spent in deferment (except for in-school deferment) prior to 2013; and Any month spent in economic hardship or military deferments on or after January 1, 2013.”
The Biden administration has approved more than $116.6 billion in loan forgiveness for more than 3.4 million borrowers, according to the Department of Education. | | FEMA Hosts Community Listening Sessions about Community Disaster Resilience Zones | The Community Disaster Resilience Zone Act of 2022 requires FEMA to use a data and mapping tool to identify and designate community disaster resilience zones. This new initiative designates high-risk geographic zones to advance resilience in our nation’s most vulnerable communities through targeted financial and technical support. In addition to the Request for Information published in the Federal Register, FEMA is hosting several listening sessions for states, tribes, territories, local communities, public and private sector entities and non-profit organizations to provide feedback. FEMA is seeking public input on the risk methodology, designation of zones, and post-designation support for each zone. There are four listening sessions planned in July and August. There is a maximum of 1,000 participants allowed. All opportunities will be on Zoom and recorded. The transcript of each session will be published on FEMA’s website later. Risk Assessment Methodology and the Method to Designate Community Disaster Resilience Zones. Frameworks for Delivery Services and Technical Assistance
to Designated Zones
In addition, FEMA has scheduled a specific consultation on this topic for tribal nations to discuss how best to include Tribal Lands in zone designations, use of census data, and strategies to communicate designation of zones to tribal nations for Aug. 2, 3–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For additional information, the agenda and to register, visit the Tribal Consultations webpage on FEMA.gov. | | WCC Recap: Central Committee Meeting, June 21–27 | | His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered the opening sermon to the Central Committee (Photo: WCC) | August 22, 2023 signals the 75th anniversary of the convening of the World Council of Churches' first assembly. Delayed by two years as a result of war, when the delegates met, one of their core aims was to establish a ‘fellowship’, that is peaceful collaboration and witness of visible unity, which was under threat from the traumas of World War II. This desire for unity and intentionality toward peace-making and reconciliation remains part of our identity today. Then, as now, we struggle to determine how this unity manifests in our work and witness together. As was the case in many meetings of yesteryear, there was an expectation that women would not assume an active role in decision-making. Then, as now, women articulated their agency, and, supported by a faithful few males, lobbied for transformation resulting in the inclusion of women’s concerns in the work of the WCC. Reconciliation is hard and often thankless work, and so is striving for visible unity. However, we can realize transformation when we choose to work together. As the chief governing body of the World Council of Churches, the Central Committee convened at the Ecumenical Centre from June 21–27. Participants, including stewards, delegates, observers, and advisors, as well as WCC staff, met to mobilize the strategic plan for the new season leading to the next assembly. The time together included a plenary and church service in commemoration of the WCC’s 75th anniversary. The Women at the Central Committee met, learning more about the programs of the WCC and continued to practice solidarity in community. On Thursday, June 22, participants, women and men alike had the opportunity to join the Thursdays in Black social media campaign ‘Share Your Hope’. More details about the meeting, decisions, and photos from the time together may be found on the WCC website. | | WCC Central Committee Vice-moderator Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley preached during the closing prayer of the WCC Central Committee. (Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC | | United Church of Christ (USA) Thursdays in Black Activity | According to 2021 studies, two in five people who menstruate in the United States of America face period poverty (inability to purchase, or lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, sanitation facilities, or waste management). As part of their observance of Thursdays in Black during the General Synod, the United Church of Christ encouraged delegates, particularly the youth, to support their efforts in assembling hygiene kits to combat period poverty. The campaign, which resulted in the assembly of more than 3,000 kits, garnered the support of young and old alike, with active participation from Thursdays in Black ambassador Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, incumbent General Minister and President. | | International Association of Women Ministers | Get a copy of the July – September edition of the Women’s Pulpit and become part of the association. Also, get early bird information on the 2024 Assembly in Puerto Rico. | | Rossing Center Hosting Webinar on Increasing Hostility Toward Christians in the Holy Land | | In recent months, an alarming rise in attacks against Christians, both physically and materially, has been observed around the Holy Land and in the Old City of Jerusalem. From spitting at clerics wearing habits or Christian symbols to defacing houses of worship with graffiti, these acts of hostility are deeply concerning. As an organization committed to fostering understanding and dialogue, the Rossing Center is dedicated to shedding light on these events and offering a nuanced analysis of what is happening in the field. Panelists will put events into context from different angles. Wadie Abu Nassar, co-founder of the Forum of Holy Land Christians, will present the profound impact this escalation is having on local communities and the Churches at large. Hana Bendcowsky, will shed light on the urgent need to address this issue from an Israeli Jewish perspective, examining what this says about changes within Israeli society and exploring potential solutions to tackle the problem. | | | | Join Churches for Middle East Peace and Embrace the Middle East for a four-week series in conversation with Christians across the Middle East. Rev. Colin Chapman will speak with Christian leaders from Iraq, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt, discussing the intersection between political context and personal faith. Learn about the work Christians are doing to address various issues present in these countries, and how Christians outside of these countries may still have a role to play.
Delve into these rich conversations on four Mondays in July and August. Mondays | July 17, 24 & August 7, 14
(No Event on July 31)
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EDT) | Via Zoom Click here to learn more. | | Friendship Press Releases Classic Titles | | Shop the Friendship Press Sale and Take an Extra 20% Off with code fp2023 | | | Register for March on Washington 60th Anniversary Event | | Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network; Arndrea Waters King, President, Drum Major Institute; and Martin Luther King, III, Chairman, Drum Major Institute enlist your participation in the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington to be held August 26, 2023, in Washington, DC to mobilize the faith community across America, for "March on Washington Not a Commemoration, a Continuation!"
Please use the link to register for the march and to confirm your participation and that of your congregation, peers, and colleagues. The link has information you can use to share with your contacts.
| | | | | Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul Seeks Chief Executive Officer Ballinger | Leafblad is pleased to conduct the search for a Chief Executive Officer at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota. Interfaith Action mobilizes diverse faith and spiritual communities to support individuals and families who are striving for stability and economic mobility. Together with the interfaith community, Interfaith Action provides critically needed shelter for families, free legal assistance, and emergency services related to food and clothing. View profile here. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) is looking for a Local Programme Coordinator, 100 percent based in Jerusalem, who will be responsible, in coordination with the Jerusalem Liaison Office Coordinator and the Program Executive for the Middle East, for the development, planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on WCC-EAPPI’s work. More details are available online or apply here. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: August 13, 2023 AACC Seeks Program Assistants The All Africa Conference of Churches is thrilled to announce a fantastic opportunity for aspiring Program Assistants! Join their team as an Intern and gain valuable experience in ecumenism. For more information, please visit here, or use this link to access the application form. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: July 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. |
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