NCC Newsletter – July 23, 2023

NCC Hosts New World Council of Churches General Secretary

July 20, 2023: The WCC delegation was welcomed by the leadership and representatives of member churches of the National Council of Churches (USA), in Washington, D.C. Photo: NCC

The National Council of the Christian Churches of Christ in the USA recently hosted the Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, the new General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in New York City and Washington, DC. This is his first visit following his 2022 election at the 11th WCC General Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, and installation this past February.   For the visit, Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker Smith, WCC President from North America, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mtata, WCC’s director of Public Witness and Diakonia, and Ryan Smith, WCC Programme Executive for the Ecumenical Office to the United Nations in New York.    While in New York, Dr. Pillay visited various United Nations offices and met with global leaders at WCC’s United Nations Office. He also worshipped at the recently rebuilt St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero.   While in Washington, Dr. Pillay met with ecumenical faith leaders at the Methodist Building, including NCC’s Governing Board Chair, Bishop Teresa Snorton, Treasurer, Rev. Terri Hord-Owens, Immediate Past Chair, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, and other Governing Board members, ecumenical officers, and partners.   NCC General Secretary and President Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie welcomed leaders from NCC member communions to meet with Dr. Pillay concerning strengthening ecumenical relations and exploring ways to work together on common issues of concern. The meeting was an opportunity for US member communions to provide a snapshot of what they are doing and the challenges they face both individually and ecumenically. Many highlighted the plague of racism as well as the need for better ways to engage young people who may have faith but are turned off by the church.   Following the meeting, the group gathered for a special prayer service followed by a reception where others in the global faith community had an opportunity to meet and dialogue with Dr. Pillay.

Above: The group engaged in meaningful dialogue regarding current issues. Below: Bishop Teresa Snorton and Bishop Vashti McKenzie address the group during a prayer service. Photos: NCC

Reparative Justice Bible Study Enters Final Week

NCC Legislative Update

President Biden Holds Press Conference on Artificial Intelligence On Friday, President Biden held a press conference announcing that the Biden-Harris Administration has secured voluntary commitments from some of the world’s biggest technology companies to ensure the safety, security, and trustworthiness of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The group, which in includes Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, promised to work diligently and responsibly to mitigate the risks of AI.   According to a fact sheet released by the Administration, the companies will accomplish this by: ensuring products are safe before introducing them to the public; building systems that put security first; and earning the public’s trust. President Biden noted that the voluntary commitments, “mark a critical step toward developing responsible AI.”   The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA understands artificial intelligence reflects the cutting edge of technology and provides various opportunities for advancement. We also recognize the challenges AI poses to society, such as increased bias and discrimination against marginalized people, potential threats to national security, privacy concerns, and risks to personal safety especially for children. The NCC will continue to follow this critical policy issue and monitor its progress at the federal level.

WCC General Secretary Issues Letter/Report to Member Organizations

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary issued a letter to member organizations last week about the WCC Central Committee activities that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, June 21–27. At this first full meeting of the Central Committee since he was elected by the 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, there were 143 members and presidents, and 76 advisors from member churches and ecumenical partners in attendance. The gathering was a celebration of faith and fellowship, marking the 75th anniversary of the WCC.   As WCC celebrates 75 years, the vision of the WCC has been expressed as a commitment to stay together, pray together, move together, and act together as a fellowship of churches seeking visible unity and common witness. The 11th Assembly invited churches to continue their journey together as a pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation, and unity.   “We affirm the vision of the WCC for the visible unity of all Christians, and we invite other Christians to share this vision with us. We also invite all people of faith and goodwill to trust with us that a different world, a world respectful of the living earth, a world in which everyone has daily bread and life in abundance, a decolonized world, a more loving, harmonious, just, and peaceful world, is possible. In a world weighed down with so much pain, anguish, and fear, we believe that the love we have seen in Christ brings the liberating possibilities of joy, justice for all, and peace with the earth. Moved by the Holy Spirit, compelled by a vision of unity, we journey on together, resolved to practise Christ’s love, following his steps as his disciples, and carrying a torch for love in the world, trusting in the promise that Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”                             – From the Unity Statement of the 11th Assembly   The assembly website contains the official report of the assembly, including the Assembly Message and Unity Statement. The site also includes the reports of Ecumenical Conversations responding to more than 20 issues affecting the life and mission of the churches today. Also posted there are the messages of pre-assemblies, including the Orthodox pre-assembly, the pre-assembly with specialized ministries, the youth pre-assembly, the just community of women and men pre-assembly, the Indigenous Peoples pre-assembly, and the pre-assembly of Persons with Disabilities.   The Central Committee affirmed the work of the WCC as a “pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation, and unity,” noting that it offers a powerful expression of “companionship” that strengthens the relationship between the churches. The report also includes more information on the strategic plan, financial strategy, and communications strategy approved by the Central Committee to guide the work of the WCC until the next assembly in 2030.   The Central Committee received four applications for membership in the WCC for an interim period of participation in the life and work of the WCC: Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria Church of Central Africa Presbyterian [Malawi] Apostolic Pentecostal Church International [Liberia] Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany In his letter, Dr. Pillay encouraged member churches to reach a consensus to receive the four churches as members when the WCC meets in 2025.   The Central Committee appointed members to existing WCC commissions and established a new Commission of the Churches on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development. The assembly identified the climate crisis as one of the most urgent issues calling the churches to act together. The Central Committee also approved bylaws for a new commission of 20–30 members to mobilize, coordinate, and empower the work of the churches in promoting a response to the climate emergency and sustainable development. More information about the WCC Central Committee meeting is available on the WCC website.

NCC President and General Secretary McKenzie Visits Mar Thoma Family Conference

Bishop McKenzie with Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa (left) and Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan. Photos: Mar Thoma Church

The 34th Mar Thoma Diocesan Family Conference of the Diocese of North America and Europe was held from July 6–9, at the Radisson Hotel in Northeast Philadelphia, hosted by the Regional Activity Committee of the South East Region. NCC President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti McKenzie made an official visit to the assembly on behalf of the organization. The gathering was inaugurated on July 6, by H.G. Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan in the presence of H.G. Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa, and in the presence of the Priests and the faithful from around the Diocese. Approximately 550 delegates from an estimated 220 families from various parishes and congregations around the Diocese attended the conference.   The conference theme was, “Witnessing Community for Transforming the World,” to meaningfully reflect upon their responsibilities as a faith community to live in Christ, to share the Gospel, and to promote the values of the Kingdom of God in the present context.

Join Reparations in Action, Wednesday, July 26

You are invited to join a webinar, "Reparations in Action: The Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan." After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join the webinar to learn more about how reparatory justice is becoming manifest in Lansing, along with ways your community can engage the reparatory justice process, too! Click here to access the registration link.

Dallas Megachurch Pastor to Succeed Rev. Jesse Jackson as Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Above: Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III Below: Rev. Jesse Jackson

The Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, who has led a Dallas megachurch for 40 years, has been chosen to succeed the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition for more than five decades. Like Rev. Jackson, the Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church has been known for preaching and protesting, following in the footsteps of role models such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Pastor Haynes, whose church is aligned with the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Progressive National Baptist Convention, and American Baptist Churches USA, also has made countless appearances across the country to discuss religious, political, and business issues. Click here for the full story.

Churches for Peace News

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. CMEP proudly co-hosts this webinar series with Embrace the Middle East.

Friendship Press Releases Classic Titles

Shop the Friendship Press Sale and Take an Extra 20% Off with code fp2023    Print copies can be ordered from the Friendship Press website or readers using Kindle can order on Amazon.

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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.

Employment Opportunities

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.