| | | | This Lenten Season, Let's Commit to Do, Love, Walk | Each week during the Lenten season, the National Council of Churches will highlight focal areas for prayer, contemplation, and service based on Micah 6:8 (NRSVue):
He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Focal topics include poverty, reparations, democracy, community advocacy, and more. Follow the topics on all of our social media accounts and share your story using the hashtags #DoLoveWalk and #Micah6v8. | | | Interfaith Groups Meet to Discuss Advocacy Strategies
for Farm Bill Reauthorization | This week, the NCC participated in several meetings with interfaith groups to discuss advocacy efforts to reauthorize the Farm Bill. The current reauthorization, which includes funding for programs that address food insecurity, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expires on September 30, 2023. NCC will continue to work with member denominations, interfaith groups, and other partners to develop and implement robust advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill to secure food for communities most in need and provide racially equitable farm assistance and lending opportunities for Black farmers. | NCC Strongly Opposes Florida House Bill 999 | The NCC strongly disapproves of Florida House Bill 999 sponsored by Representative Robert Alexander “Alex” Andrade. The bill seeks to erase pivotal parts of our nation’s history by directing the state university system’s governing board to remove any major or minor degree program “that is based on or otherwise utilizes pedagogical methodology associated with Critical Theory, including, but not limited to, Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Studies, Critical Ethnic Studies, Radical Feminist Theory, Radical Gender Theory, Queer Theory, Critical Social Justice, or Intersectionality…or any major or minor that includes a curriculum that promotes the concepts listed….” NCC urges Florida residents to contact their representative and tell them to vote “NO” on House Bill 999. | | Make Plans Now to Join the NCC's
Spring Governing Board Events and
75th Anniversary Celebration Launch in May | | | Prepare now to participate in the NCC's Spring Governing Board events, beginning on Monday, May 15, 2023, with a special, sponsored luncheon for the Governing Board and the new Health and Wellness Task Force, and ending at noon on Tuesday, May 16. All events will be held at the National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle. Hotel reservations can be made at: The Madison Hotel 1177 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 Book your reservations by April 24, 2023, using the following link. https://book.passkey.com/e/50515911 Monday, May 15, 2023 10:00a–11:15a Health and Wellness Task Force Meeting 11:00a–12:45a Sponsored Luncheon for Governing Board & Health and Wellness Taskforce 1:00a–5:00p Governing Board Business Session 5:30p–6:45p Dinner 7:00p–Anniversary Launch Worship Service Tuesday, May 16, 2023 8:00a–12:00p Governing Board Business Session 12:30p Box Lunch 1:00p–3:00p Policy Roundtable | | WCC Condemns Church of Gethsemane
in Jerusalem Attack | World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay has condemned an attack that took place on Sunday, March 19, in the Church of Gethsemane in Jerusalem and expressed solidarity with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in calling for international protection of holy sites.
“This terrible attack – which appears to have purposely targeted religious leaders – is an egregious violation of international law,” he said. “We stand in solidarity with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and all those calling for the protection of holy sites, and we reiterate our calls for such protection during Christian holidays and during all days of importance for all faith communities. The WCC is extremely concerned about the increasing attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem and deems it necessary to facilitate a meeting of key religious leaders in the near future to discuss what can be done to stop these uncalled for attacks on religious leaders, sacred places, and institutions.”
In a statement, the Patriarchate denounced “the attempt to cause physical harm to Archbishop Joachim, who was leading the service, as well as the attack on one of the priests in the church.”
The Patriarchate deplored the crime, which came at the time of Lent preparations for Easter celebrations.
“The Patriarchate also emphasizes that terrorist attacks, by radical Israeli groups, targeting churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties, in addition to physical and verbal abuse against Christian clergy, have become almost a daily occurrence that evidently increases in intensity during Christian holidays,” the statement reads. “This dismal situation hasn’t drawn any appropriate reaction, locally or internationally, despite appeals, requests, and protests made by the Churches of the Holy Land.
The Patriarchate Calls on the International Community to Support the Hashemite Custodianship and Its Protection of Jerusalem Holy Sites
Read More: The Patriarchate Calls on the International Community to Support the Hashemite Custodianship and Its Protection of Jerusalem Holy Sites | | Frank T. Griswold III, 25th Presiding Bishop
of The Episcopal Church, Dies at 85 | | The Rt. Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III, the 25th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, died on March 5 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Griswold, 85, was bishop of the Diocese of Chicago when he was elected at the 72nd General Convention in Philadelphia in 1997 and served until 2006. “Please join me in prayer for Bishop Griswold’s family and for all of us who give thanks for a remarkable and faithful servant of God who served among us as the 25th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. May the soul of Bishop Griswold, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace and rise in glory,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said in a statement. Known for his ecumenical and interreligious work, Griswold helped to shepherd The Episcopal Church’s full-communion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Griswold was funeralized at The Rite of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 18, and is survived by his wife, Phoebe, daughters Eliza and Hannah, and three grandchildren. Services are available for viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3eFTWpsaRY | | IIC Asks Faith-based Organizations to Send Letters to
Biden Administration About Ending Title 42 | On March 7, the New York Times reported that the Biden Administration is planning to “turn to increasingly restrictive measures as his administration prepares for the end of Title 42” and is now considering bringing back detaining entire families in ICE detention centers as they seek asylum at the U.S./Mexico border.
Detaining children and their parents is a cruel and unnecessary approach, especially after escaping precarious conditions often void of dignity. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition invites faith-based organizations to sign a faith letter, urging the administration to not detain families as they seek safety and security in the U.S. Faith-based organizations are asked to support this letter by signing on here by Wednesday, March 22. | | Watch The Ants & the Grasshopper Virtual Screening and Panel Discussion! | | Reimagine a classic fable and explore the most pressing issues of our time with the award-winning documentary, The Ants and the Grasshopper. Go on a journey with two Malawi women as they witness to US farmers and organizers about the global impact of climate change on food production.
Anita Chitaya will take viewers through her enthralling story of resilience and change as the film explores the intersections of gender, race, advocacy, and agriculture. Ten years in the making, this documentary will transform the way participants view their place in the world. Join the Creation Justice community on March 28, 2023, for an online screening of this unique and moving documentary, followed by a Q&A session with its filmmaker, Raj Patel. LINK | | DHN/WISC Urge Signing Debt Ceiling Letter | The Domestic Human Needs Working Group of the Washington Interreligious Staff Community (DHN/WISC) healthcare tables are calling on faith-based organizations to sign this letter urging no cuts to housing, food, and health programs in budget negotiations on the debt ceiling: https://forms.gle/37hbgYgerSd9cZcP8. While it appears Social Security and Medicare are off the table for cuts, these programs remain vulnerable to decreases. The deadline to sign on is COB Tuesday, March 28. There have been significant proposals put forward this week that would cut funding and restructure these programs to the detriment of those struggling to escape poverty. In addition to the National Council of Churches, the following organizations have already signed on: Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice United Church of Christ Justice and Local Church Ministries MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice Franciscan Action Network Poligon Education Fund Church World Service Union for Reform Judaism NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
| | Syria and Turkey Still Need Our Help! | | Aerial photo of collapsed buildings and destruction in Hatay, Turkey | The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) continues to mourn the loss of thousands of lives in Turkey and Syria following a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the early hours of Monday, February 6. To date, the death toll has reached more than 53,000 people.
NCC is urging congregations in the US to join the global community in praying for and supporting those impacted. You can view many opportunities to give on NCC's website. | | | | | | Ecumenical Advocacy Days Registration Open | |
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