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Together to Make a Difference |
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| Jim Winkler (left) joins with National Council of Churches staff to welcome representatives Rev. Kortu Brown and other representatives from the Liberian Council of Churches. This is just one of many ways the NCC promotes Christian unity here and in places all over the world. |
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Last March, a program that allowed Liberians to stay legally in the United States was set to expire.
Rev. Kortu Brown, President of the Liberia Council of Churches, reached out to NCC General Secretary and President Jim Winkler for help. 4,200 Liberians living under protected status in the US would endure forced deportation if the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program expired. DED had been in effect since 1991.
In March, the two Councils of Churches celebrated as the US government extended the deadline for one year. "We are grateful for the advocacy by our member communions and partner organizations that made this possible," the two Councils said in a joint statement. There is still work to be done, but the advocacy of the ecumenical movement made a difference.
This is just one of many examples of what can be done when we work together. |
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| In this time of deep division...
It has been often noted that the churches are some of the only places today where people come together, no matter what else might keep them apart. Sure, there's plenty of controversy everywhere, but when it comes down to it, we still worship, pray, learn, and work together in spite of our differences.
The National Council of Churches has been working for unity for seventy years.
Seventy years ago this year the National Council of Churches was founded in order to bring diverse denominations together: to worship together, learn from each other, and work together in common witness. Through our Faith and Order work we build understanding and community. Through our Action and Advocacy we work for a just society. And through our Christian Education work we engage hearts and minds for the challenges that lie ahead.
In this age of division and mistrust, we are serving with the Spirit of Christ, putting the words, "Blessed are the peacemakers..." to work.
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About the National Council of Churches
Since 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has served as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ. NCC is a diverse covenant community of 38 member communions and over 35 million individuals –100,000 congregations from Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African-American, and Living Peace traditions – in a common commitment to advocate and represent God’s love and promise of unity in our public square. NCC works with secular and interfaith partners to advance a shared agenda of peace, progress, and positive change.
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