WCC news: Armenian Heritage Conference urges coordinated action: protect "living expression of faith, identity, and memory”

An Armenian Heritage Conference has closed with a statement urging coordinated international action to protect Armenian religious and cultural heritage, the human rights of its people, and the future security of the Armenian nation. The conference was hosted by World Council of Churches (WCC) in collaboration with Protestant Church in Switzerland, in Bern, Switzerland on 27-28 May.  Ivars Kupcis/WCC 28 May 2025 The conference statement outlines a framework of responsibility and response to the 2023 forced displacement of the Armenian population and the ongoing destruction of their sacred heritage.  “The conference is a response to the call of the Armenian Apostolic Church and organised by the World Council of Churches and the Protestant Church in Switzerland, who recognize the inextricable link between cultural heritage, identity, and justice,” reads the statement. “The gathering in Bern represents a collective commitment to truth-telling, memory preservation, and coordinated international action to safeguard humanity’s shared legacy.” The statement acknowledges the the forced displacement of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh following the September 2023 military assault and blockade. “We bear witness to the erasure of millennia of Armenian Christian presence in the region and to the widespread destruction of churches, cemeteries, monuments, and other sacred and cultural sites, as documented by independent bodies such as Caucasus Heritage Watch, Save Armenian Monuments, and Monument Watch and other cultural actors,” reads the text. “Drawing on the insights of international legal experts and practitioners, we reaffirm that the destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and can amount to a crime against humanity, and indicia of genocidal intent.” The statement calls on the international community to ensure accountability and uphold their mandates for the protection of cultural and religious heritage. “We also affirm the right of return of displaced populations to their ancestral lands under conditions of safety, dignity, and non-discrimination,” reads the text. “As churches and religious communities, we believe that protecting heritage is not only about monuments—it is about the living expression of faith, identity, and memory.” Religious leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Yezidi traditions joined voices at the conference to affirm that preserving religious heritage is an expression of their shared humanity and a path toward reconciliation. “We underline the role of interfaith collaboration in healing, rebuilding trust, and promoting the dignity of all people affected by displacement, war, and cultural cleansing,” reads the text, which calls for coordinated international action on many fronts. “Heritage, when protected, can be a source of reconciliation.” The statement expresses gratitude to those who shared testimonies of displacement, courage, and resilience, particularly survivors and representatives of Armenian communities from Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh. “Let this statement serve as a testimony to our shared responsibility and as a living document of solidarity, conscience, and commitment,” concludes the statement. “The heritage of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh belongs not only to Armenians, but to the whole of humanity and it is our collective responsibility to protect it." Final statement of the Armenian Heritage Conference As Armenian Heritage Conference opens, “we are not here to be bystanders” (WCC news release, 27 May 2025) WCC, Swiss Protestant Churches unite in fight for justice in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh (WCC news release, 28 May 2025) Photos from the Armenian Heritage Conference in Bern 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - 90 days after judge's order, Trump administration has failed to restart refugee program

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Uniting Church in Australia - An epic journey to Oodnadatta 🚗 Get the worship resource: multicultural church anniversary🙏 Learning on Country & more in National News 29 May

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29 May 2025 National Update Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story AN EPIC JOURNEY TO OODNADATTA Planting hope: vision, volunteers and a community revitalised In remote outback South Australia, a decades-long dream was recently fulfilled. Under the visionary leadership of Frontier Services Bush Chaplain Pastor Julia Lennon, the tiny community of Oodnadatta celebrated the opening of a new church and garden – symbols of hope, faith and unity – brought to fruition through faith, dedication and the joyful collaboration of many hands and hearts. Two weeks ago, people from across the Assembly, Synod of South Australia, Frontier Services and the wider Uniting Church made the epic journey to the heart of the continent, ready to get their hands dirty preparing the site for the opening, and to celebrate this incredible achievement. Frontier Services’ National Director Rob Floyd writes about his experience of the week leading up to the church’s doors opening to the local community for the first time. Read the story MULTICULTURAL CHURCH ANNIVERSARY Marking 40 years of our multicultural Church: Worship resource now available 40 years ago, in 1985, the Uniting Church proudly declared: 'The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church'. A worship resource is now available to help Uniting Church communities mark this significant milestone on 15 June 2025. In honour of the anniversary, a three-day National Theological Consultation will be held from 10–12 June, co-hosted by the Assembly and United Theological College, with local hubs streaming in from around the country. ACT2 PROJECT Chairs appointed to lead new National Commissions The Uniting Church Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Chairs to lead two new Uniting Church National Commissions, established by the 17th Assembly. Rev David Fotheringham has been appointed Chair of the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration, while Rev Dr Cathie Lambert has been appointed Chair of the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership. AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking Earlier this year, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology in Adelaide launched its first Indigenous Studies unit, led by Adnyamathanha Elder Rev Dr Aunty Denise Champion and Dr Rosemary Dewerse. Called ‘Yarta Wandatha’, this immersive learning experience invited students to journey through the Ikara Flinders Ranges, discerning Arrawatanha-God’s presence in ancient story and fostering spiritual reflection. NATIONAL CONFERENCES Indonesian National Conference joyfully gathers in Sydney The 2025 Indonesian National Conference was recently held in Sydney, gathering leaders to share insights on the Assembly’s work and conversation on the challenges and joys of ministry. Held over three days, it celebrated unity in diversity with congregations sharing stories of faith. The Assembly affirms its commitment to journey with Indonesian communities, embracing their leadership in Christ’s mission across the Uniting Church and wider Australian community. UNITING ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER CHRISTIAN CONGRESS A pastoral note – Cassius Turvey First Nations peoples should be aware this article invokes the name and uses the image of someone who has died. Rev Mark Kickett, from the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, has written a pastoral note of thanks to the Uniting Church following the completion of the criminal trial relating to his nephew, 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy Cassius Turvey. Cassius was brutally attacked in October 2022 and died of his injuries 10 days later, sparking grief and outrage across the nation. Two men have been convicted of his murder. UNITINGWORLD EOFY APPEAL The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe needs your help Across rural Zimbabwe, hunger and water scarcity are forcing children out of school, and families into poverty. Our partner, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, is leading bold and practical solutions, providing clean water and building food security. But they can’t do it alone. UnitingWorld has launched their End of Financial Year Appeal to help grow this work to impact thousands of children and families in Zimbabwe and beyond. President's Conference 2025 Experience a God-inspired four-day event with Rev Charissa Suli in Tonga this November. Sign up for more information. NCCA statement on humanitarian aid in Gaza welcoming the consensus of international leaders calling for Israel to allow passage of aid into Gaza. ICYMI: Read our President's statement affirming the solidarity of the Uniting Church with suffering Palestine. ICYMI: Assembly Pride Circle Expressions of Interest are now invited for Advocate and Members of the Panel for the new Assembly Circle for LGBTIQA+ members and allies. ICYMI: Catch the engaging new video series Aboriginal Spirituality & Culture featuring theologian Rev Dr Garry Worete Deverell. Next edition of National Update   Please note that National Update is now sent fortnightly on a Thursday. Our next regular edition will be on 12 June. Shorter editions are often sent in between. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. Email comms@nat.uca.org.au Join us in prayer for... Shelter, support and comfort for residents of northern NSW who are dealing with the aftermath of recent heavy rain and major flooding. Christian converts in Kyrgyzstan who face violence, family rejection and government restrictions, as evangelism provokes backlash and rising persecution drives tighter control over religious expression. The mission and ministry of the Indonesian National Conference and the Indonesian community within the Uniting Church. Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Jobs: Minister/Pastor, Geraldton - Synod of WA A full-time position leading a multi-generational, contemporary and evangelical congregation. Jobs: Storyteller - Nightcliff Uniting Church, Darwin (Northern Synod) A storyteller experienced in marketing and communications.

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