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NCC Newsletter
December 9, 2022
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From Darkness to Light – 2022 Advent
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Daily Advent devotionals are available on all NCC Social Media Networks. Come, let us reason together! Members of the National Council of Churches and all communion partners are invited to join in praying for hope, unity, and healing during this Advent/Christmas season (November 28 – January 1).
We give thanks to our NCC staff for offering daily prayers and to the Committee on the Uniform Lessons Series (CUS) for their work in developing the Scripture readings published in the Home Daily Bible Readings (Monday-Friday) and the Guide to Lesson Development (Sundays). You can find NCC devotionals and other updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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NCC at National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women Event
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Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President/General Secretary addressed the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL) recently. “This group of legislative women is uniquely positioned to use their collective power to enact social change,” said Bishop McKenzie. “I was honored to share a message of encouragement.”
The NOBEL Women Annual Legislative Breakfast assembled more than 700 African American legislators from across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Held annually during the National Black Conference of State Legislators annual convention, this event is one of the jewels of the convention and is attended by legislators, staff, corporate and philanthropic supporters.
The 2022 NOBEL Women breakfast is being named in honor of the late California Assemblywoman Gwen Moore. Assemblywoman Moore was a tireless advocate in the California legislature for more than 16 years. NOBEL President Juandalynn Givan, invited Bishop McKenzie to share on NBCSL ALC’s theme “Forward: Together Our Actions Impact Change.”
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Research Organization Barna Hosts Jesus Now Summit
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Barna, the Christian research organization that provides leaders with credible research and reliable insights, sponsored the Jesus Now Summit recently to release new findings and collaborative innovative ideas to do ministry in a complex and changing culture. Representatives from diverse denominations, congregations and ministries were selected to attend, including the National Council of Churches.
“We began wrestling with the question ‘Who Do Americans Say Jesus is,’" said Bishop McKenzie about the experience. "I was encouraged to learn that younger generations are hungry to learn more about Jesus, pray and are strengthened by prayer disciplines."
She continued, saying research showed that “Practicing Christians are 5 times more likely to turn to the church amid feelings of depression. This may encourage local congregations to invest in ways that churches can let communities know they are motivated and prepared to come along side people in troubling times.”
Main stage presentations and responses included such speakers as Ed Stetzer, Jason Vanderground, Barna’s David Kinnaman and Craig Stetzeron, along with American Bible Society’s Dr. Nicole Martin, Bishop Claude Alexander, Christine Caine, Charles Dates, Dr. Kara Powell and NCC’s Interim President/General Secretary, Bishop Vashti McKenzie.
Other presentations were made by the He Gets Us campaign and Gloo. Attendees participated in working group strategy sessions to explore ways of using the data to strengthen ministries and ignite a new movement to elevate Jesus Christ. The working groups focused on Spiritual Formation through Creative Expression; City Gospel Movement: The Power of Cooperative and Outreach; Deep Dive: What More Can We Do; and Catalyzing a Redemptive Jesus Movement.
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| NCC Joins 105 Civil Society and Interfaith Organizations to Call for End to US Involvement in Yemen War |
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On Wednesday, December 7, a letter was sent to Congress urging members to support efforts to repeal the authorization for the US to participate in the ongoing war in Yemen. For the past seven years the US has provided lethal military aid to Saudi Arabia in support of its war against Yemen. The war and Saudi-led blockade of Yemen has resulted in extensive suffering for the people of Yemen and led to a humanitarian crisis. Along with NCC, other faith groups signing the letter include the Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church (USA), The Episcopal Church, The United Methodist Church, and Churches for Middle East Peace.
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| North Carolina Council of Churches Joins Rally Against the Death Penalty Dec. 10 |
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On Saturday December 10, join the North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NCCADP) for a march and rally calling on Governor Cooper to commutate the state's 135 death sentences. Commutation is the reduction of a sentence to a lesser punishment. Participants will meet outside the gates of Central Prison at noon and walk 2 miles to the Governor's Mansion. The march will be followed by speeches, music, and more. Come to both locations or join us at the Governor's Mansion. The North Carolina Council of Churches is a member of the NCCADP. Click here to register.
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| North American Academy of Ecumenists Hosts Event on Christian Nationalism |
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The NAAE is hosting a webinar in partnership with the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute’s webinar on Monday, December 12, from 12:00-2:00pm ET.
The webinar, “Christian Nationalism in International Perspective: Lessons and Legacies,” has a four-person panel of distinguished scholars, Prof. Pamela Cooper-White, Dr. Nicola Brady, Prof. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, and Very Rev. Archimandrite Cyril Hovarun, speaking on the history of Christian Nationalism and how that looks in different areas of the world. This event continues to emphasize the importance of questioning civil norms, as well as government-imposed politicized life, and what effect this has on Christian Nationalism in various countries.
This event is free to attend, and more information as well as reserving tickets can be found here.
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| Registration Open for Conference of National Black Churches |
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| The Conference of National Black Churches will be holding its 2022 consultation December 13-15, in Orlando, FL. The theme of this year's gathering is "Making Crooked Places Straight: Confronting the Impact of COVID-19 and the Broader Pandemic of Racism." You can get more information and register at https://www.thecnbc.net/2022consultation. |
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| Creation Justice Ministries Hiring Theological Education & Training Coordinator |
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| This role will be responsible for managing the church-oriented and theological education programs at Creation Justice Ministries. This role will be responsible for building and managing Creation Justice Ministries public-facing theological education materials, trainings, and relationships with churches and seminaries. The Theological Education and Training Coordinator will report to the Co-Executive Directors.
The ideal candidate will be a person who is passionate about the church, theology, and the environment. The Theological Education and Training Coordinator should have some formal theological education or training and a strong understanding of creation justice theology. Candidates must be comfortable working in an ecumenical, multi-ethnic, and multiracial Christian environment. The ideal candidate will have a vision for the Creation Justice Ministries church engagement and theological education program and the ability to turn that vision into reality.
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JustFaith Ministries Is Seeking a Marketing Director
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JustFaith Ministries is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring action to address the root causes of injustice while serving with love. Through small-group programs designed for individuals, churches, and more broadly spiritual audiences, we invite learning and inspire action around contemporary social issues. We are seeking a Marketing Director who will bring a passion for social justice to our marketing needs. For more information and a job description, click here. The deadline for resumes is Dec. 15, 2022.
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| Metropolitan Baptist Church Senior Pastor Vacancy |
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The Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland is prayerfully seeking its seventh full-time Senior Pastor in its 158-year history to lead a congregation of over 1200 active members, with approximately 600 persons attending weekly either virtually or in-person. The successful candidate will be a transformative leader and motivator, with dynamic preaching and teaching ability, strong administrative talents, and the capacity to engage a multigenerational congregation. Metropolitan is seeking a Senior Pastor with a fresh vision for our church who also embraces the core mission of our ministry: to bring persons into a saving and redemptive relationship as disciples of Jesus Christ. As we live by Christ’s example, we empower others to carry out the commands of God’s Word. We seek only to be God’s servants as agents of healing, wholeness and justice in a wounded and fragmented world.
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