| | | | | | | Bishop McKenzie Preaches at AFL-CIO
MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference | | The AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference was convened in Austin, Texas recently to strengthen connections between labor, civil rights, and faith organizations. Hundreds of union members renewed their shared “…commitment to winning racial and economic justice for all.”
NCC President/ General Secretary Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie preached to encourage attendees that this is not the first time Americans have faced giant challenges. "We must be willing to work together to safeguard the pillars of democracy ever looking for new opportunities to advance an agenda of positive social change," she exhorted. | | Faith Leaders Convene at Seattle University | | Three days following the inauguration of a new presidential administration, the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University brought together faith leaders from across the region to address emerging challenges facing communities and their leaders. Led by founding director Dr. Michael Trice, the conference aimed to foster organizational transformation for social impact both locally and nationally. Attendees included a diverse array of religious leaders, all prepared to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the shift in executive and congressional leadership. The Center hosted NCC’s president and general secretary, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, and associate general secretary Dr. Tony Kireopoulos. The conference was hosted during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. At the event, Bishop McKenzie spoke on “The State of the Church.” Dr. Kireopoulos spoke on “Christian Nationalism in the United States, and Religious Nationalism Globally.” | | | | | | Leaders Offer Statement for World Interfaith Harmony Week, Feb. 1–7 | | Interfaith harmony: Implementing the transformative agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (Photo: UN Photo/Manuel Elias) | This year marks the 15th anniversary of World Interfaith Harmony Week—a global call to unity and justice. Leaders from the Lutheran, Anglican, and Moravian churches have shared a statement for World Interfaith Harmony Week.
February 1–7 of each year has been designated World Interfaith Harmony Week by the United Nations. It was launched in February 2011 to promote harmony among people of different faiths at a time when interreligious conflict is claiming lives and livelihoods all over the world. Their statement reads as follows:
In Psalm 150, the author says: “Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet… harp… lyre… timbrel… strings… flutes… and loud clashing cymbals.” If you’re counting, that’s seven different instruments that are referenced, all of them praising the Lord. Imagine how all of those playing together would make for a joyful noise! From February 1–7, people all around the world mark World Interfaith Harmony Week. It’s an initiative that arose from the United Nations in 2010, based on the desire to see people draw on the resources of spirituality, faith and religious traditions in support of the common good, rather than allowing those things to be co-opted to sow seeds or rivalry and violence, as they so often are. The year 2025 is the 15th anniversary of the launch of this global cause for justice and peace. | | | | | Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed deep concern over a number of new executive orders from the Trump Administration reversing decades of precedent for welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution. This includes an executive order indefinitely suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), as well as multiple actions that will limit access to asylum protection for people seeking safety.
“The sweeping executive actions put refugees, immigrants and other vulnerable families, including many with young children, at risk. They undermine our nation’s ability to live up to our values of welcome, generosity, and compassion,” said CWS President and CEO Rick Santos. “For many decades people of faith and conscience have welcomed refugees through resettlement and walked alongside them as they have become a vital part of our American communities—they are our co-workers, neighbors, community leaders, and friends.”
The USRAP executive order suspends refugee resettlement and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report within 90 days regarding whether the resumption of refugee admissions under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States. Though the order purports to permit case-by-case exceptions to the ban, it sets an extremely high bar for such an exception by requiring both Secretaries of State and of Homeland Security to jointly determine that the refugee’s admission is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.
| | | Register for Religious Nationalisms Summit on February 6 | | Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Time: 9 AM–5 PM; lunch will be provided
Location: The United Methodist Building/Hybrid (Zoom)
100 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Conference Cost: $30.00 (Scholarships Available)
Zoom Available: Please register to receive the link.
The inaugural Religious Nationalisms Summit will be hosted at the United Methodist Building in Washington DC on February 6. The conference falls under the umbrella of The Religious Nationalisms Project initiated last fall by the New York State Council of Churches. Many denominations and churches have focused on Christian Nationalism. The Religious Nationalisms Project concentrates on Christian Nationalism but also believes that any religion, not just Christianity, can be adopted by a government, twisted, and then weaponized against religious minorities and to deny people human rights.
Religions of all kinds can be used to reinforce empire-type government systems and can even be used to embrace characteristics of fascism. The Religious Nationalisms Project aims to highlight the common theological and ethical virtues of different religions and how these virtues can be used to critique government systems that use religion for their economic, militaristic, racist, sexist, homophobic, and anti-immigrant objectives.
Well-regarded scholars and religious leaders from five faith traditions—Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism—have been invited to lift up the authentic practice of these faiths, help us see interconnections, and advance a robust public conversation that is badly needed in the United States and around the world. | | | Arizona Faith Network Sponsors Virtual
Rapid Response Immigration Training
for Faith Leaders | | At the request of Arizona bishops and judicatory leaders, Arizona Faith Network is hosting a critical training session addressing the urgent challenges facing faith communities as new federal policies take effect. These changes demand immediate attention, and clergy and faith leaders must be equipped to protect their congregations, uphold their rights, and respond effectively.
Date: Thursday, February 6, 6:30 – 8:00 PM MST
Location: Zoom
This training will provide: Know Your Rights – Understand critical legal protections for faith communities in light of current federal policies. Information to host training in your congregation – Learn how to educate and prepare your members for the changing legal landscape. Safety Measures for Houses of Worship – Implement proactive steps to safeguard your congregation and institutions. Legal Updates and Advocacy Efforts – Get up-to-date insights on federal policies impacting faith communities and how we can respond together.
Given the urgency of these developments, we encourage all clergy and faith leaders to attend. Our faith communities need strong leadership in these uncertain times—let’s stand together in action and solidarity.
This training is hosted by Corazón AZ, Arizona Interfaith Network (Valley Interfaith Project, Pima County Interfaith, Northern Arizona Interfaith), and Arizona Faith Network. | | | Free Elder Care Hybrid Symposium Feb. 8 | | | Elder Health: Navigating the Health Care System to Long Term Care and Beyond on Saturday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). This event will cover essential topics including transitioning from hospital to long-term care (LTC), the roles of care managers and social workers, patient rights, advocacy, and the cost of care. Attendees will gain insights into the critical role of caregivers at home versus LTC, self-care strategies for caregivers, and end-of-life planning. For more information on this event, please click here. You may register to attend in person or online.
Featuring expert speakers, a lived experience advocate, and physicians specializing in elderly care, this symposium will cover essential topics, including transitioning from hospital to long-term care (LTC), the roles of care managers and social workers, patient rights, advocacy, and the cost of care.
This event promises to provide a comprehensive understanding of elderly health, healthcare navigation, and planning for the future, with a focus on advocacy and support for those caring for the elderly in the Black community. | | The Church of the Brethren Release a Statement on Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Church Members | | “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35, NRSVue).
“We have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them…. Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (1 John 4:16, 20-21, NRSVue).
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board expresses grave concern for those across the country who are of migrant, immigrant, or refugee status who may be under threat of deportation following recent presidential executive orders. These renewed threats of deportation are already affecting the lives of many in our denomination’s congregations.
Our concern is for all people—undocumented and documented—who are under threat. Our congregations and districts are urged to extend support to people in their communities who are living in fear for their own safety and that of family members and loved ones, as well as fear of possible losses that may include homes, jobs, livelihoods, and more.
God’s love is our greatest command, as Christians. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another,” Jesus said. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34, NRSVue). We believe this divine love is not delineated by political borders nor limited by national origin, ethnic identity, race, skin color, or other characteristics that often divide us.
| | | ICE Launches ‘Targeted Operations’
in Metro Atlanta | | DEA Atlanta took park in an ICE arrest operation in suburban Atlanta last Sunday. (Photo: DEA Atlanta) | The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began targeted arrest operations in metro Atlanta last Sunday. Community members say immigration officers arrested several people across the metro Atlanta area, although ICE says the operations are ongoing, and they do not have a final number of people arrested. Video shows a raid in suburban Lilburn early Sunday morning. ICE agents also came to a church in suburban Tucker around 12:30 p.m. A local television news reporter, Eryn Rogers, spoke to Pastor Luis Ortiz who says he was preaching when ICE knocked on the door. They could not get in because it was locked, but they showed papers for an arrest. Ortiz said once the man went outside, they handcuffed him. The Department of Homeland Security recently eliminated a Biden Administration policy that limited where agents could make federal immigration arrests. Churches were included on that list. Ortiz says the man was wearing a wrist monitor, but he did not say why. ICE said they are targeting people who have a criminal history or have final deportation orders. However, Ortiz says the operations are scaring people in his community. “The church is a (safe) place...but not now. Because when you cannot come and worship Jesus freely because (you’re) scared sometimes that immigration officers come and arrest all the people,” Ortiz explained. Immigration attorney, Peter Tadeo, who owns Tadeo & Silva Law, said his office had an influx of calls after President Trump signed executive orders regarding immigration on Monday. | | | Immigration Resources for Churches | Use the link below to access a list of resources for churches to use regarding the new administration's executive orders about immigration. Within these resources, you can learn what churches can do if ICE shows up at the door, different legal services and hotlines available, and online webinars and trainings that the ACLU and other organizations are hosting soon. | | | ACLU Offers Know Your Rights
Immigration Facts Web Page | If Law Enforcement Asks Your Immigration Status Regardless of immigration status, persons have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more below about immigrant rights and how to express them. Resources In Other Languages | | | | | | | | |
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