| | | | Father's Day 2024: Celebrating the Diversity of All Who Fit Under the Umbrella of Fatherhood | | | Up Next: RSVP for NCC Impact Week Upcoming Events | | | | | | | | Join us for panel discussions with notable leaders from across the country and learn how you can make an impact! | | Watch Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine Upcoming Juneteenth Ecumenical Prayer Service | | | | Show Your Support on
NCC Freedom Summer Sundays | | | Statement on the Escalating Crisis in Gaza | | “You are the God who sees me.”
Genesis 16:13 The executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on June 6–11, 2024, lifts the suffering of the civilian population of Gaza amid the ongoing attacks in the territory, with a death toll now surpassing 36,000 people, over two-thirds of them children and women, more than 83% of the population displaced (in most cases repeatedly), the complete destruction of medical, educational, and other civilian infrastructure, with more than 50% of homes destroyed, leaving over one million people homeless. These statistics provide compelling witness of the indiscriminate nature of the Israeli military actions in the territory, and of the lack of respect for fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and morality. Moreover, underlying these anonymous statistics, are all the children, women, and men of Gaza whose lives, livelihoods, families, communities, hopes, and aspirations have been destroyed in this brutal war.
The number of civilians killed, injured, and displaced is on the rise every day. In particular, Gaza’s children are paying the heaviest price of the war. More than 14,000 children have reportedly been killed, while thousands more have been severely injured, maimed, and orphaned. Gaza now has the largest cohort of pediatric amputees in the world. There are no safe places for Gaza’s children. All have been exposed to the traumatic experiences of war and loss, the consequences of which will be lifelong and intergenerational. | | | | Juneteenth and Solidarity with People of African Descent and Africa | | Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith speaking at the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent Palais d Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, April 17, 2024 | | Dr. Walker-Smith with the newly elected leader of the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent immediately after her election, Ambassador Dr. June Summers from St. Lucia (right), and Dr. Marie Lemy, Haitian (Ayiti) American Leader in the USA | | Dr. Walker-Smith with Ambassador David Comissiong (to CARICOM) from Barbados, Dr. Summers, and Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey from Florida | | World Council of Churches Video Feature on Juneteenth | By Angelique Walker-Smith Three years ago on June 19, 2021, the United States welcomed a new Federal holiday called Juneteenth, which we observe this month in the USA. President Biden said the following in his executive proclamation on June 17, 2021.
“Juneteenth is a day of profound weight and power. A day in which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll of slavery on our country –- what I’ve long called America’s original sin. A long legacy of systemic racism, inequality, and inhumanity. But it is a day that also reminds us of our incredible capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve.”
On August 2, 2021, the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent was established at the UN General Assembly. It was established as "a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent.”
Both historic events encourage our remembrances of not only the legal bondage and abolition of enslavement of African peoples in the USA and globally, but also remind us of the historic challenges that are still with us today. This, despite other significant remembrances of reforms this year, such as the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, and the 30th anniversary of apartheid falling in South Africa — steps that helped move the agenda of more equitable political and economic policies and practices led by the faithful leadership of African peoples and their partners. That same resilience led to the political independence of African and Caribbean nations, the Civil Rights Movement, and the first Black Republic, Ayiti (Haiti) in 1804.
Still, reforms and recognitions such as these have not reached the goal of a sustainable life that includes food security and sovereignty, economic justice, full employment, non-violence, and environmentally stable communities. At the “UN Permanent Forum,” leadership from Brazil, the largest nation-state of African peoples after Nigeria, the Honorable Anielle Franco, Brazil’s Minister for Racial Equality, said, “When we talk about happiness in Brazil, we talk about dignity, jobs, health, food, being able to explore one’s own culture.”
Since the enslavement period, discriminatory policies and practices still contribute to unsustainable life for a disproportionate number of African peoples who have fewer financial resources, such as savings or property, than their white counterparts. For example, as of 2020, the racial wealth gap showed White households have a median family net worth of $147,000 while Black households have a median family net worth of $3,600 in the USA. The median White family in the USA has 41 times more wealth than the median Black family.
Bread for the World celebrates the resolve, resilience, and faithfulness of African peoples remembered on Juneteenth and at the new UN Forum. Remembrances such as Juneteenth help to inspire and engage prayerful advocacy today that seeks to repair the past, present, and future.
We invite you to learn more about our advocacy agenda and join the movement at www.bread.org. | | | NCC Governing Board Member, Conferred Honorary Doctorate from Wayland Baptist Theological Seminary | | Rev. Dr. Angelique Keturah Walker-Smith, World Council of Churches President from North America. Photo: courtesy of Angelique Keturah Walker-Smith | Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA Governing Board Member, World Council of Churches President, and Strategist for Pan-African and Orthodox Faith Engagement, Bread for the World, was bestowed the "Ecumenical Harbinger Award," along with the Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree, honoris causa. | | | Register Today for Poll Chaplain/Peacekeeper Training with Faiths United to Save Democracy | |
Register today for Poll Chaplain/Peace Keeper training with Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) and help ensure that others have access to free, fair, and safe elections!
Training Days: Poll Chaplains / Peacekeepers will be placed in priority polling sites located in: AL, AZ, FL, GA, MI, NC, OH, PA, TX, and WI. | | | RSVP Today for Moral March in Washington, D.C., June 29 | | | | Join the National Council of Churches and Others at the Abolitionist Action Committee's Starvin' for Justice 2024 | | | 31st Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty June 29 through July 2 at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC
The annual Fast & Vigil at the U.S. Supreme Court takes place every June 29 to July 2 to commemorate two important Court rulings: Gregg v. Georgia (July 2) and Furman v. Georgia (June 29). The four-day event takes place on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building. Please consider joining the dozens of anti-death penalty activists who come regularly from across the U.S. and Canada — from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between — to join together for public education and outreach at the steps of the Supreme Court.
Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the U.S. and around the world pass by our vigil and tables, so the opportunity for dialogue and discussion at a real grass-roots level is invaluable to the movement. In addition to the strong public witness, this is an excellent opportunity to meet other abolitionists and "recharge your batteries" while engaging in public outreach and maintaining a physical presence at the Court.
Find out more about this annual abolitionist event by visiting http://www.abolition.org/. From there you can find the registration form, the sponsorship form, the full schedule, details on lodging, travel info, and other logistics. | | | |
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