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An Easter Message from Bishop McKenzie |
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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1: 3, NSRVue As we come together in this Easter season, our hearts are heavy with the many challenges and injustices that plague our global village. We are confronted with fearmongering, hatred, racial injustice, war, and humanity's inhumanity towards one another.
No nation has been spared; no life has been untouched. We are all witnesses to the atrocious acts that have ravaged communities and countries across the globe—from Ukraine to Armenia, Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel to the Sudan, Haiti to Syria, and the threats to democracy in the United States.
Our work together as the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) demands that we follow Jesus into the margins with bold faith and courageous action. We must remain unwavering in our commitment to love and justice as we stand for our most vulnerable siblings.
The redemptive love of God binds us together in unity and ecumenical witness and stirs us to advocate for justice and righteousness. Through this love, we are able to work towards a world where all are treated justly and with compassion. I praise the Lord daily for the individual work done by our communions and for our collaborative work together.
By the Lord’s great mercy, we have been given a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). This reminds us of the hope and renewal that Easter brings. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful reminder for us to not “grow weary in doing what is right.” Light will triumph over darkness, love will conquer hatred, and justice will prevail over injustice “if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
On behalf of our talented staff, my prayer is that this Easter season will renew your spirits and strengthen your resolve to continue the critical work of NCC. May we be the Easter people, living out the message of resurrection hope in all we do to the glory of God.
By the Grace of God, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie President/ General Secretary National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC)
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Holy Week Prayers for Peace:
Good Friday Prayer for Gaza |
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Lenten Season Devotional |
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Hidden Figures: Celebrating the Female Officers of NCC's Governing Board |
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The National Council of the Churches Christ in the USA celebrates the women officers of NCC who serve their member communions as well as NCC with commitment, excellence, and compassion! |
Women's History Month:
Dolores Fernandez Huerta |
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Coming Soon: NCC Freedom Summer Fellowship |
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Save the Date: Spring Governing Board May 2024 Meeting |
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NCC Participates in Jim Wallis' The False White Gospel Panel Discussion at Georgetown |
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Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, served on a panel alongside Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor at Princeton University, for a conversation with Rev. Jim Wallis, inaugural Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice at the McCourt School of Public Policy and the Faculty Director of Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice, about his new book, The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy.
The Tuesday, March 26, conversation was moderated by Dr. Robert P. Jones, President and Founder of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), at Georgetown University's Healy Hall. |
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Easter Message: Jerusalem Church Heads Confirm Christ’s Triumph over Sin and Death |
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WC |
March 28, 2024 In issuing this Easter proclamation, we fully recognize the intense suffering that surrounds us here in the Holy Land, as well as in many other parts of the world,” reads the message.
“Speaking more directly to our own circumstances, we repeat our denunciation of all violent actions in the present devastating war, especially those directed against innocent civilians, and we reiterate our call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire.”
The message also renews a plea for the speedy distribution of humanitarian aid; the release of all captives; the unimpeded access of fully-equipped doctors and medical staff to tend to the sick and injured; and the opening of internationally facilitated negotiations aimed at ending and moving beyond the present cycle of violence.
Read more here. |
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days Gathering in May to Focus on Human Rights |
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Amid multiple wars, threats to voting rights, and ongoing discrimination based on race and ethnicity worldwide, Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) will focus on promoting and protecting human rights both domestically and around the world. EAD will be returning to an in-person gathering in Washington, DC, May 17–19.
The theme for this year’s gathering is “Faith in Action: Advancing Human Rights and Peace for All.” Sessions will include plenaries, worship, workshops, and times for state networking and organizing.
Registration is now open for the gathering. More details are available here. |
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Register for CMEP's 40th Anniversary Advocacy Summit |
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Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is celebrating Four Decades of Pursuing Peace at their annual Advocacy Summit, April 9–11, 2024. There will be an anniversary dinner on April 9; education and advocacy events will occur on April 10 and April 11. There will be a chance to advocate directly with your Congressional offices.
Learn more and register here. |
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Register for Yale's Inaugural Public Theology and Public Policy Conference |
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Birmingham-Southern College to Close |
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Birmingham-Southern College, a United Methodist-related school in Birmingham, Alabama, will close May 31 due to financial struggles. United Methodist officials noted that the school has sent many graduates on to seminary and clergy careers in the denomination. Photo courtesy of Birmingham-Southern College. |
By Sam Hodges
Birmingham-Southern College, founded by Methodists and with longstanding ties to The United Methodist Church, will shut down on May 31.
The small, academically distinguished liberal arts college struggled financially for years, and an effort to get emergency funds through the Alabama Legislature appeared doomed.
That led to the closure decision, made unanimously by the college’s trustee board on March 26.
“This is a tragic day for the college, our students, our employees and our alumni,” said the Rev. Keith D. Thompson, the college’s board chair, a member of its class of 1983 and pastor of Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham.
Bishop Deborah Wallace-Padgett oversees the North Alabama Conference and described herself and many others as “heartbroken” that the school will close.
Read more here. |
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Ecumenical Symposium to Honor
Fr. John Crossin's Legacy |
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The Washington Theological Consortium is hosting a symposium, the Ecumenical Future Symposium, honoring renowned Catholic ecumenist, Fr. John Crossin, on Thursday, April 18 from 6:30 – 9 p.m at at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C. This symposium will include a panel discussion on Crossin's last book, Moving Into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm for Christian Ethics. Read more about this upcoming commemorative event and register here. |
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Register for Upcoming National Faith and Climate Forum |
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Mark your calendar and register here for National Faith + Climate Forum on April 16 from 12:00 pm – 5:15 pm ET | 9:00 am – 2:15 pm PT. It offers local, in-person watch parties and engagement opportunities. We warmly invite all individuals of faith to participate.
Engage your congregation, gather with clergy, and foster a collaborative community event is streamed live, showcasing national faith leaders. |
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