| | | | | | | | | ARE YOU FOLLOWING NCC ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Check out our social media accounts for NCC updates! | | NCC Asks ‘What About the Children?' | | “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” ~Proverbs 31:8-9 NRSVue NCC Condemns Supreme Court Decision Enabling Efforts to Dismantle DoE Washington, D.C. — The lives and futures of millions of children are now in jeopardy because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s egregious decision to allow the Trump Administration to proceed with efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This decision is cruel, malicious, and morally indefensible. Eliminating the department will harm generations of Americans, further undermine public education, jeopardize the rights of children with special needs, and reverse decades of civil rights progress that have sought to redress more than 400 years of systemic injustice. The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has long championed public education, justice, and equity for all students. Our faith affirms that every human being is made in the imago Dei—the image and likeness of God—and is endowed with the right to reach their full, God-given potential. As stated in our 1999 policy statement, The Churches and the Public Schools at the Close of the Twentieth Century: “…[P]ublic schools are the primary route for most children—especially the children of poverty—into full participation in our economic, political, and community life. As a consequence, all of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, have a moral responsibility to support, strengthen, and reform the public schools. They have been and continue to be both an avenue of opportunity and a major cohesive force in our society—a society becoming daily more diverse racially, culturally, and religiously.” These words are even more urgent today. The administration’s embrace of Project 2025—a sweeping, regressive agenda that includes eliminating the Department of Education and instituting government-sanctioned inequities—places our nation’s children and their futures in peril. Denying educational opportunity to the most vulnerable among us will not make America great; it will diminish our global standing and moral credibility. In a moment when our nation is on the brink of inflicting great harm upon multiple generations by dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, we are reminded of a Maasai greeting, which translates to, “And how are the children?” The question is asked rather than a traditional salutation because of their belief that if the children are well, then the community and society are also well. Today, our answer is clear: the children are not well.
They are at risk.
They are in harm’s way. NCC prays that the lower court rulings will ultimately be upheld, justice will be restored, and these devastating actions will be reversed. The future of our children—and our nation—depends on it. | | | Churches Respond to Attacks on Taybeh | | A fire burns next to the archaeological site of the ruins of the Church of St. George in the West Bank town of Taybeh, July 9, 2025. Residents allege that local settler extremists started the fire. (Courtesy, Nabd ElHaya online radio station) | | | DC Nuclear Prayer Day Vigil August 6 | | The DC Nuclear Prayer Day Vigil will honor the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. August 6 and 9, 2025, mark 80 years since the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This day honors the legacy of the victims and survivors of the attacks and commits to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. Nuclear Prayer Day is organized by Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (a part of the United Religions Initiative) and invites all individuals of good will and all organizations of concern to draw strength from each one’s deepest convictions and longings for a better future on Nuclear Prayer Day, August 6, in Washington, DC. This is a global, prayerful commemoration of these anniversaries. This event will feature prayers for a world free of nuclear weapons, reflections from faith leaders and the nuclear disarmament community, music, and calls to action to support legislative measures and educational efforts to build a movement to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race. Date: Wednesday, August 6
Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Front Steps, United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 (Rain Location: UM Building Chapel) Complete this form by July 21 to co-sponsor. As a cosponsor, you agree to have your logo on the registration form and promote the event to your networks. You are welcome to provide a quote for the press release. | | Pop-up Webinar: SCOTUS Decisions, Thursday, July 24 | | Join the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations for a webinar on recent Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions and learn what impact they may have on communities. This term, SCOTUS issued major opinions on administrative power, religious freedom, corporate accountability, and other important issues.
Slated to participate in the webinar is Matt Wessler, a nationally recognized appellate litigator and principal at Gupta Wessler LLP, where he focuses on public interest and plaintiffs’ side appellate and complex litigation. This term alone, his firm argued four cases before SCOTUS and won three.
Drawing on his experience, including multiple arguments before the court, Matt will break down the most significant rulings, discuss their impact on vulnerable communities, and offer insight into what to expect in the upcoming term.
Note: A link to the recording will be made available to registrants who cannot attend. | | | Hindus for Human Rights Join Others to Send Message Against Hate | | On Tuesday, July 15, a coalition of interfaith leaders, human rights activists, and community organizers gathered on the steps of New York City Hall to send a clear message: “Hate has no home in our city.” This press conference was organized by the Savera Coalition and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) NYC organizer, Vrinda Jagota. This action was in response to Mayor Eric Adams' ties to a man identified by HfHR as a Hindu supremacist—Kajal Hindusthani—"whose presence threatens the safety and dignity of New York’s diverse communities.” The link below features videos of the event, including remarks from Rabbis for Ceasefire, Hindus for Human Rights, the Muslim Community Network, and many others who are standing for justice, inclusion, and accountability. | | ELCIC Holds National Convention | | The 2025 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s National Convention took place at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, MB, July 10-13. Delegates, special guests, visitors, and volunteers gathered over four days for worship, business sessions, bidding a proper farewell to our outgoing National Bishop, and fellowship. The following are a few of the highlights from the convention.
For full election and motion results, photos, and news stories, you are invited to visit: elcic.ca/national-convention. The livestream has been archived on the ELCIC YouTube channel.
Closing Worship of the 2025 ELCIC National Convention
The Closing Worship Service was highlighted with the procession of ecumenical guests and synod bishops. National Bishop Susan Johnson and Deacon Sherry Coman presided over the Closing Worship along with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, who delivered the sermon based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Read more here.
ELCIC Honours Outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson
On Saturday night, delegates, visitors, and special guests attending the 2025 ELCIC National Convention celebrated and honored the legacy of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson in “a night of thanksgiving, storytelling, and celebration.” Read more here.
Ben Johnston-Urey Named ELCIC Leadership Award Recipient
On Thursday evening, the ELCIC Leadership Award was presented to Ben Johnston-Urey of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories. Introduced in 2017 as a part of the ELCIC’s commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the award is given to an individual — rostered or lay — who demonstrates leadership and is committed to advancing the mission and ministry of the ELCIC. Read more here.
Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer Elected as Next National Bishop
Delegates at the 2025 ELCIC National Convention elected Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop. Kochendorfer becomes the fifth National Bishop in the ELCIC. Read more here.
View the Elections, Daily Highlights, and More!
Attendees to the 2025 ELCIC National Convention witnessed inspiring presentations from ecumenical guests and partners to key elections and motions. Highlights, which include stories, videos, and more, are available here. | | Black Anglicans of Canada Host Virtual Emancipation Day Service July 27 | On July 27, the Black Anglicans of Canada faith community is hosting its virtual Emancipation Day Sunday Service. Five speakers, including Saskatchewan Synod Bishop Rev. Dr. Ali Tote, will present during the evening service. | | | | | | Join OHOF for Plastic-Free July Resources! | | People of faith are called to make mindful decisions about the products they use! Join One Home One Future for access to a free checklist to reduce plastic use in your congregation and home, along with a collection of other Plastic-free July resources! Join One Home One Future today! |
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