| | Bishop McKenzie Receives
NCNW's Crystal Stair Award | | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) presented Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie with the Crystal Stair Award during the organization’s Uncommon Height Awards Gala on Dec. 8, at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, Md. The Crystal Stair Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime devoted to the protection of freedom, the pursuit of excellence in their career, and personal dedication to humanity as did Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of NCNW. NCNW is an “organization of organizations,” comprised of 330 campus and community-based sections and 33 national women’s organizations that enlighten, inspire, and connect more than 2,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist. Watch the video excerpts of Bishop McKenzie’s acceptance remarks on Facebook or Instagram. | | | NCC Participates in White House Call on Gun Violence in the Black Community On Friday, NCC staff participated in a conference call hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement and the newly created Office of Gun Prevention. During the call, Deputy Director Gregory Jackson, Jr., a long-time political strategist, advocate, and survivor of gun violence, reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to eradicating gun violence, which has become a public health issue. He said that the White House is working directly with cities and municipalities to fund local initiatives across the country that promote gun safety. During the Q&A session, one participant asked about funding churches that combat gun violence in their communities. Deputy Director Jackson said the best way for churches to get funding is to compete for local government grants that address gun violence.
The NCC has long advocated for gun safety laws that protect Americans. Earlier this year, NCC passed a Resolution on Rampant Gun Violence and Mass Shootings. Among the other equally important issues addressed in the resolution, NCC publicly recommitted to working collaboratively with member communions, partners, and allies to intensify advocacy for common sense and comprehensive gun reform. These measures include a ban on assault weapons and other weapons of war that have infiltrated our communities and working across religious and political lines to advocate for gun reform that ensures the safety and security of everyone (full text). NCC looks forward to ongoing engagement with the White House on the issue of gun violence. More information about the Office of Gun Prevention can be found here. NCC Urges Members of Congress to Close Funding Gap the SNAP for the WIC
This year, the NCC has built a stronger advocacy campaign for increased funding for the WIC program. NCC asks member communions, partners, and supporters to call or write your Member of Congress (find their contact information here) and urge them to sign on to a bicameral letter co-led by Senator Cory Booker (NJ) and House of Representatives’ Lauren Underwood (IL), Alma Adams (NC), Lucy McBath (GA), and Frankel (FL) urging House and Senate Leadership to fully fund the WIC program in fiscal year 2024. | | | | | The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem has made significant changes to its traditional Christmas celebrations due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In this video, Pastor Munther Isaac on Tuesday, December 12, speaks about the decision to cancel festive celebrations this year and focus on prayers instead. To convey a message of solidarity, the church in the West Bank has created a powerful display. A pile of rubble, symbolizing the destruction in Gaza, has been placed near a small tree inside the church. Baby Jesus, wrapped in a Palestinian kuffiyeh, lies on the rubble, evoking images of children rescued from the devastation. For more information, watch the video above and read here. | | Connecting Food and Faith | | Food and faith are intertwined in many ways. In many religious holidays, food is at the center—a tradition that brings us together in celebration of our faith. But beyond sharing food with family and friends, it is a tenet of many faith traditions to help ensure everyone in our communities has enough to eat. Food pantries across the country work hard to support thousands of our neighbors facing hunger by providing them access to healthy and nutritious foods. We trust that our faith will help us provide for our neighbors in need; however, more must be done to increase food security so all members of our community can access the food they need to thrive. Unfortunately, the recent stalling of negotiations on federal government funding has delayed Congress’ consideration of the Farm Bill—our country's most meaningful food and agriculture legislation. This holiday season, lawmakers in Washington are urged to tap into our shared values and strengthen government funding of food assistance programs by prioritizing Farm Bill legislation. In 2022, more than 44 million people in the United States, including 13 million children, lived in food-insecure households—an increase of nearly 31% and 44% respectively from the previous year. Feeding America’s recent Map the Meal Gap study found that people experience food insecurity in all 3,143 counties and county equivalents as well as every congressional district in the U.S. In the face of these challenges, faith-based organizations, through our pantries and meal programs, have offered families and individuals facing hunger a place of refuge to receive support, encouragement, and a renewed sense of dignity during hardship. But faith-based institutions and houses of worship can’t do the work alone—lawmakers must remain committed partners in the effort to end hunger. The 2023 Farm Bill presents a critical opportunity to address hunger and poverty in our communities. By supporting and strengthening nutrition and agriculture programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), we can help more families put food on the table and prioritize equitable food access for all. Food assistance programs like those in the farm bill are vital to neighbors facing hunger everywhere in the United States. TEFAP helps food banks and pantries keep shelves stocked with nutritious foods and supports our farming communities; SNAP helps families stretch their food budgets—particularly during this time of food price inflation—while they are facing tough times. As people of faith, we have a mission to help our neighbors. We call on all lawmakers to pass a strong farm bill that can help put an end to hunger in our country and pave the way for a more equitable and compassionate society. | | Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker Smith Receives Shirley Chisolm Award | | The Conference of National Black Churches hosted its annual Leadership Recognition Dinner on December 13, in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with their annual CNBC National Consultation. A number of awards were presented during the event, including the Shirley Chisolm Award, given to Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, Strategist for Pan-African and Orthodox Faith Engagement, Bread for the World, and NCC governing board member. The 2023 Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) Annual National Consultation is an influential ecumenical event for clergy of color. The 2023 theme was, “Coming Out of Darkness, Finding Light: The Black Church Responding to the Continuing Pain of the Pandemic.” The gathering brought together the top religious leaders of the largest historically black denominations (AME, AMEZ, CME, COGIC, NBCUSA, and PNBC). The denominational heads were joined by mainstream religious bodies, business, non-profit and thought leaders, policymakers, community activists, and social justice advocates to address some of the country’s most significant crises related to COVID-19 and race. The 2023 Consultation was a hybrid event and a cross-racial gathering convened to respond to the continuing devastating impacts of COVID-19 and the violence of racism that is wreaking havoc on America. Read more about the CNBC National Consultation here. | | 11th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence Held in Washington, DC. | | A Perspective Submitted by Marisa Prince, Filmmaker/Producer who attended the event. The annual event, sponsored by the Newtown Alliance, was a standing-room only gathering that centered, remembered, and honored victims, while challenging attendees to double down on efforts to eradicate the nation’s number one health crisis. According to one report, the pain in the sanctuary of St. Mark’s Church in Washington, DC, was palpable — and the two of us honestly became numb— as survivors and families from across the country lined up, one after another, to share their anguish and resolve. Currently, in the US, one out of every five Americans has lost someone close due to Gun Violence — and holding space for the seemingly endless accounts of tragedy and loss drove that statistic home like never before. | | | | | | | | | Preaching to Polarized Congregations | | Attendees participate in small group discussions during the second annual One America Movement Summit in May 2023 in Atlanta. (Courtesy photo) | Preaching to polarized congregations: A responsibility and a challenge, clergy say 'It's not about going from red to blue to purple,' Andrew Hanauer of One America Movement advises clergy. ‘It's about going above the partisan divisions.’ (RNS) — The Rev. Susan Sparks, a minister and a professional comedian, uses humor in her sermons to help her American Baptist congregation in New York City consider ways to approach those with whom they disagree. Pastor Joel Rainey, who leads a West Virginia evangelical church, hosts a “special edition” of his preaching podcast to answer questions he’s received from his politically diverse congregation about hot-button issues. Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin recently preached about anger, realizing it was an emotion felt by congregants of her Reform synagogue in Washington, no matter their stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Fueled by their work in comedy, psychology, and theology, some clergy say reducing polarization is both a spiritual necessity for them and an ever-increasing part of their job description. Sparks, who has been on the Laugh in Peace comedy tour with a rabbi and a Muslim comic, said she can see shoulders relax and smiles appear on faces when she starts a sermon in a joking matter — such as the battle over what topping is appropriate on a sweet potato casserole. But then she can move into tougher subjects as she addresses her multiethnic congregation. Read the full story here. | | The Rev. Susan Sparks regularly uses comedy both in the preaching and signage at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City. (Courtesy photos) | | Faiths United to Save Democracy Hosts MLK Voter Registration Event | | Faiths United to Save Democracy is hosting a virtual Call to Action Voter Registration Launch on January 15, 2024, 4:00 - 5:15 pm/EST. Please help them get the word out about the launch and the powerful January 15 messengers addressing the 2024 election question, "Why Vote?" Feel free to post the above flyer to your social media accounts and encourage attendance by clergy and voting rights advocates in your network before Christmas. Click here for more information. | | | Announcing Three New Friendship Press Journals
Three new journals will arrive and be ready to ship next week! Walking with Jesus in Suffering (Lent) Words of Wisdom (Proverbs) For Everything a Season (Ecclesiastes)
If you have preorders—or want to order them! They will be shipped to you next week. | | Friendship Press now has Bible Journal Gift Cards! If you want to give someone a journal but don't know which they would prefer, Friendship Press has created a $25 gift card that will cover one journal plus shipping. It's simple! Simply buy the gift card at the link below, and you'll receive a separate email with the code that you can email to the recipient or print/include with a card or note. | | | Recent & Upcoming People's Book Releases… | | | | | | NCC Seeks Marketing and Communication OfficerThe National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) seeks a talented professional to drive the external and internal engagement of our ecumenical, advocacy, and activist agenda. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and implement strategic communications initiatives, from concept to reality, aimed at promoting NCC's vision, mission, and values. The Marketing and Communication Officer will manage the organization's overall communication and marketing strategy, including written and verbal communications, media relations, social media presence, and relationship building with key contacts in Washington D.C. Joining NCC's team as a Marketing and Communication Officer offers a unique opportunity for a motivated and passionate individual to drive impactful external and internal communications strategies that advance our organization’s goals. If you are dedicated to utilizing your skills and experience to make a difference toward positive social change, NCC would love to hear from you. Full-time exempt. Work is generally conducted Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is a hybrid position with at least one to two days in the office each week. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required. Eligible for paid time off and retirement benefits. Salary range: $65,000 – $75,000. Faith in Public Life Position Openings Faith in Public Life is hiring for a few positions and is looking for candidates who would be a good fit. Click on the links below for more information: | |
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