NCC Newsletter – July 8, 2023

Summary of the WCC North America/Turtle Island Report to the World Council of Churches Central Committee

June 26, 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: WCC president Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith of the National Baptist Convention USA shares from the North American region as the World Council of Churches central committee gathers in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023, for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

By Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC President from North America/Turtle Island, National Baptist Convention USA Inc.   North America or Turtle Island, which is the indigenous name for North America, is one of three continents that make up the “New World.” The continent was new to 15th-century European explorers, but old to the indigenous peoples already living there. Indeed, North America/Turtle Island was populated for at least 15,000 years before Europe colonized Turtle Island and named it after an Italian explorer Americus Vespucci. Indeed, before “the Age of Discovery,” before explorers like Vespucci and Christopher Columbus, there were at least 1000 different languages among the indigenous population! During the decline and systematic assault of the indigenous population, many of these languages went extinct, and sadly, relatively few now survive. But even today, hundreds of languages are still spoken in North America/Turtle Island, primarily due to immigrant communities, despite the very few “official languages” from the dominance of the colonial footprint. Did you know the following about North America/Turtle Island? North America/Turtle Island, as a continent, is the third largest in the world after Asia and Africa. Canada is the second-largest country in the world, second only to Russia, at 3.855 million square miles. The United States is third. North America/Turtle Island has no landlocked countries. All the countries in the entire continent touch an ocean. Indeed Greenland, which is technically a part of Turtle Island and an autonomous territory covered by ice, is melting due to climate change. It is the largest island in the world and is the largest part of the North American continent 836,300 square miles. Turtle Island has had places within its spaces and even mottos such as the “Land of the Free and Liberty” that have benefitted some in this “New World.” However, the other truth is that, tragically, many did not come by choice. Some came as indentured servants. Others, mostly of African descent, my ancestors, were brought to North America as captives and enslaved. Still, others were and are indigenous, also my ancestors, and they were then and remain subjected to the legacy of colonialism. These people still find themselves at the bottom of today's racialized socio-political and economic order. That order has given rise to climate change, not only in North America, but also dramatically in other parts of the world, as other regions attested to in their presentations. This is a season in North America/Turtle Island for truth telling about its heritage of profound lament, and dare I say evil, but also of lifting the great hope of courageous followers of Jesus the Christ and other people of faith to prayerfully act on a vision of a new, re-imagined North America/Turtle Island and the world. During the week, 30 persons from North America/Turtle Island and this blessed community here remembered former Moderator and sister, Dr. Agnes Abuom. We remembered her visits with us about racism with former General Secretary Rev. Dr. Tveit and walking with on the shores of the historic embarkment of people of African descent 400 years prior in 2019 from Angola. The 30 spoke into their truths and brought their views to the historic, present, and future moments. In other words, Sankofa people. We also affirmed the voices of North America/Turtle Island delegates and representatives at the Karlsruhe Assembly who named their four themes for this next period until the next Assembly. Those themes are: (1) Racism/white supremacy/white Christian nationalism; (2) the historic and present wealth and income gap-poverty and an intersectional issue of hunger; (3) climate change/climate justice; and (4) solidarity with indigenous peoples. We made four brief presentations on this and related intersectional issues: Racism/White Supremacy—Rev. Dr. Jennifer Leath, African Methodist Episcopal Church (USA/Canada) Wealth Gap/Poverty/Generational Wealth-Income Disparities within North America—Very Rev. Fr Hrant Tahanian, Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia in Canada)  Climate Change/Justice—Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens, Christian Church, Disciples of Christ (USA/Canada) Indigenous Peoples/Communities—Bishop Riscylla Shaw, Diocese of Toronto-Anglican Church of Canada We look forward to the General Secretary and Moderator’s July visit with member churches, at the UN, and in Washington D.C., as well as possible visits during the 75th anniversary of the National Council of Churches in 2025, and possibly a visit with the Canadian Council of Churches. We look forward to coming together during and in between our regional meetings of the Central Committee, which was affirmed. We look forward to embracing the North American/Turtle Island Commissioners, Advisors, and you in accompanying us, and we with you, on this ecumenical journey.

ABOVE: WCC leadership (From left): Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, Jamaica Baptist Union, Vice Moderator, Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, and H.E. Archbishop Dr. Vicken Aykazian; BELOW: North American delegation of the WCC, under the leadership of WCC North American President, Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker Smith

Reparative Justice Bible Study Resumes July 11

Biden Administration Announces Measures to Lower Healthcare Costs

On Friday, July 7, President Joe Biden announced several measures the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to lower healthcare costs for the most vulnerable people in the United States and to further protect consumers from junk fees. These actions include:   Cracking down on junk insurance by closing loopholes that allow companies to offer misleading insurance products. Releasing important guidance on rules against surprise medical billing. New steps to protect consumers from unfair medical debt. A new Health and Human Services report that shows nearly 19 million seniors and other Part D beneficiaries are projected to save $400 per year on prescription drugs.   At the event, held in the East Room of the White House, President Biden decried the emotional and financial burden caused by exorbitant health care costs, especially when those costs come from hidden fees and what he called “junk” insurance policies. He reiterated his commitment to continue to fight for people who are “trying to do the right thing, only to get ripped off.”   These actions to lower healthcare costs follow last week’s efforts to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, including guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that detailed how they will negotiate lower drug prices for seniors later this year. Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Chief Operating Officer, represented NCC at the event, which included other faith leaders, healthcare and consumer advocates, and others concerned about lowering healthcare costs for the most vulnerable.

Karen Georgia Thompson Becomes First Woman to Lead United Church of Christ

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, newly elected General Minister and President of the UCC, speaks after her election at General Synod 34 in Indianapolis. (Curly Stumb photo)

In a historic vote, Rev. Dr. Thompson, a Black woman born in Jamaica, was elected by the UCC's 34th General Synod. The General Synod of the United Church of Christ made history Monday, July 3, when it elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President.  Rev. Thompson is the third woman nominated for the post, after the Revs. Yvonne Delk (1989) and Barbara Brown Zikmund (1999), but the first to be elected. A Jamaican immigrant, Thompson is the third person of African descent to serve as leader of the denomination.  “Today, United Church of Christ, we created a first together,” she said after the vote. “It won’t be the last first." Her election took place at the UCC's 34th General Synod in Indianapolis. She will start her new role Aug. 1, taking over from the Rev. John Dorhauer, who has served for the past eight years.   Thompson has been serving as Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive for Global Ministries since 2019. She has served in the National Setting of the United Church of Christ since 2009, previously as minister for racial justice and minister for ecumenical and interfaith relations. Prior to joining the National Setting staff, Thompson served on the staff of the UCC’s Florida Conference, as a church planter in Florida and in family ministries in New York.   Thompson holds a doctorate in ministry, with a dissertation in religious multiplicity among African Caribbean people, from Seattle University; a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary; and a Master of Public Administration degree from North Carolina Central University.  Read the full story here.

At the 500th Day Mark Join Ecumenical Prayer Service for Ukraine

As the world commemorates 500 days of Russia’s full-fledged aggression against Ukraine, Washington National Cathedral will host Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA Oksana Markarova and Ukrainian clergy for a special ecumenical prayer service on Sunday, July 9, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). The service will feature music provided by the choir of Washington National Cathedral, the choir of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, and the choir of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope, Provost of Washington National Cathedral, the Rev. Dr. Volodymyr Steliac, Dean of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (Silver Spring, MD), and Fr. Robert Hitchens, Pastor of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family (Washington, D.C.) will lead the ecumenical service. Join this special service online or in-person in the Cathedral Nave at Washington National Cathedral.

Churches for Peace News

CMEP Condemns Ongoing Military Raids in Jenin, Calls on the US to Take Action

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) condemns the attack on Jenin that started yesterday and has killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded 100, including civilians. The year 2023 has already become the deadliest year for West Bank Palestinians since 2005. We call on the US government to take diplomatic actions to prevent further escalations and loss of life.  On Monday, July 3, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted what many are calling the largest military raid since 2005 in Jenin, resulting in the death of three minors and significant infrastructure damage. The Israeli military has claimed that their operation in Jenin is a "counter-terrorism operation" targeting Palestinian militant groups concentrating in Jenin. IDF have used drones, about ten airstrikes, ground attacks, and bulldozers to demolish streets in the densely populated refugee camp. At the time of writing, the raid continues even as 500 families have been evacuated from the camp. Jenin has been a frequent attack location this year in particular. During a raid in January, the Israeli military killed nine Palestinians, including five minors. Last month, the Israeli military killed seven Palestinians, including two minors. Seven more were killed on June 19, and three more in an Israeli drone strike on June 21. Palestinian militants killed four Israeli settlers on June 20.  The Biden Administration’s failure to give urgent attention to the ongoing violations of rights and violence perpetrated by IDF has only served to embolden the most radical far-right Israeli government. The Biden Administration must take immediate diplomatic steps to intervene and call for a de-escalation of violence and respect for civilian life. Furthermore, the Biden Administration must ensure U.S. military aid and defense articles are not used to destroy civilian infrastructure and injure or kill civilians. As long as the U.S. continues to provide aid without any conditions, the Israeli military will act with impunity. CMEP’s Manager of Middle East Partnerships, Kevin Vollrath, based in the Jerusalem area, says, “How many youth and civilians must be killed before the US says ‘enough’”? Since 1967, Palestinians have suffered consistent human rights violations while living under military occupation for decades.

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.

His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa Condemns the Aggression on the City of Jenin Following the new aggression on the city of Jenin, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned these violent acts in a statement in which he said: “In the past two days, the city of Jenin has been subject to unprecedented Israeli aggression, which also caused a lot of damage to our Latin Parish in Jenin. We condemn this violence, demand a ceasefire, and hope for the pursuit of peace and dialogue to prevent other future unjustified attacks on the population.”   The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem Calls for an End to the Attack on Jenin and for a Safe, Dignified Life The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem sent an appeal this morning, July 4, to the international community and the forces concerned with the cause of peace in the Holy Land, asking them to work to stop the attack on the city of Jenin and its camp, and to put an end to violence and bloodshed based on the values of peace and justice proclaimed by the Abrahamic religions.   In the statement, the Patriarchate stressed that today the world is witnessing an alarming escalation of violence and bloodshed in our region, and that the world, with great regret, is silently witnessing the continued violation of human rights and the targeting of innocent civilians, and that this painful reality requires everyone to take urgent action to prevent further human losses and suffering.     The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Prays for Peace in the Holy Land Following the aggression on the city of Jenin, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem prays for peace in the Holy Land. You can find a Prayer in Arabic, which was published on the Facebook Page of the Patriarchate.

Episcopal Church Sponsors "It's All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement"

Join the Episcopal Church for “It’s All About Love,” a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, to be held Sunday, July 9 through Wednesday, July 12, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Register here. “It’s All About Love” is organized around three Jesus Movement festival “tents”: Evangelism, Racial Reconciliation, and Creation Care. Get ready for evening revival worship and daytime speakers, workshops, panels, and practice opportunities around the big tent themes. Stick with one tent or explore across the tents, following the themes of worship and liturgy, formation, justice and advocacy, leadership, preaching, stewardship, and youth and children. Featured speakers, preachers, and artists to include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris, Brian McLaren, the Rev. Mariama White-Hammon, Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, Sarah Augustine, Lilly Lewin, Dr. Catherine Meeks, the Very Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, the Rev. Winnie Varghese, Live Hymnal & Friends, and more! Lodging: Discounted room blocks have been reserved for participants near the Baltimore Convention Center

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.

Shop for Friendship Press Books Now!

The Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour

The ACU Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action invites everyone to join them for the Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour, July 9–17, 2023. The Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour will serve as one form of direct spiritual action. It will publicly demonstrate that we are against violence and racial division by visually demonstrating that we are for racial healing.   The Bus Tour will bring together people of faith and goodwill from various ethnic backgrounds to publicly promote racial healing and biblical justice, and to advance social peace across America. The revival and bus tour will start in Dallas (TX), with stops in Memphis (TN), Birmingham (AL), Charleston (SC), and ending in Washington (DC). The revival services will include featured speakers and congregational singing in each city. Tour participants will visit the International African American Museum in Charleston and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.   Click here for event information and registration.

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 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.