| | | NCC Celebrates Diversity: Recognizing Women's Wellness and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage | | | | | NCC Spotlight: Spring Governing Board Meeting | Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton Installed
NCC Governing Board Chair | | NCC Governing Board, staff, and the Rev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver, Senior Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, attend the installation worship service of the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., on May 15. | Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was installed as Chair of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA's (NCC) Governing Board during a service held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., on May 15. The installation and worship service was attended by NCC Governing Board members, NCC staff and guests.
The service included remarks by Rev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver, Senior Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation and the Rev. Leila Ortiz, Bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod of ELCA, worship led by the Reformation Choir, and prayers and scripture readings. Bishop Eaton delivered the sermon based on the Spring Governing Board Meeting theme: "Navigating the Boundaries of Church and State." After the service concluded, attendees gathered for further fellowship and refreshments at a reception hosted by the church.
Participants in the program also included Kathryn Lohre, Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment (ELCA); the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, Ecumenical Officer (Northern Province of the Moravian Church); the Rev. Dr. Teresa "Terri" Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and NCC Governing Board Treasurer; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary; Fr. Nicolas Kazarian, Director for the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America); the Rev. Margaret Rose, Ecumenical and Interreligious Deputy to the Presiding Bishop (The Episcopal Church); Bishop Francis Krebs (Ecumenical Catholic Communion); Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate (Diocese of the Armenian Church of America) and Vice-Moderator of the World Council of Churches.
In 2021, NCC Governing Board achieved a milestone, electing all women as officers for the first time in its 71-year history—Bishop Teresa Jefferson Snorton, Governing Board Chair (Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Kimberly Gordon Brooks, Secretary (African Methodist Episcopal Church) and Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, Treasurer, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Bishop Eaton was elected Vice Chair during this historic vote and now succeeds Bishop Snorton as NCC Governing Board Chair.
NCC congratulates Bishop Eaton on her installation and expresses gratitude for her continued service and leadership! | | The Reformation Choir with its Director of Music and Arts, Paul Leavitt, at the Installation Worship Service held at Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., on May 15. | Rev. Jim Wallis Attends Governing Board Luncheon as Guest Speaker | | Rev. Jim Wallis, the inaugural holder of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and the Director of its Center on Faith and Justice, speaking at the Governing Board Luncheon at the Kellogg Conference Hotel Washington, D.C., on May 16. | Rev. Jim Wallis, the inaugural holder of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, and the Director of its new Center on Faith and Justice was a guest speaker at the NCC Governing Board Luncheon on May 16. He discussed his latest book, "The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy." Rev. Wallis also shared remarks related to the Governing Board Meeting theme, "Navigating the Church and State," unpacking the existence of a "kairos" moment faced by the country during this election season. "We can't go back to normal, normal hasn't been good for us and the people on the margins," said Rev. Wallis.
After the luncheon, NCC Governing Board Members and staff attended a book signing by the New York Times bestselling author and founder of Sojourners, the Christian social justice award-winning publication and advocacy organization. | | (l-r) The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, Rev. Jim Wallis, the inaugural holder of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and the Director of its Center on Faith and Justice and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, at the book signing of Rev. Jim Wallis' book, "The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy," during the Governing Board Meeting in Washington D.C., on May 16. | | Rev. Jim Wallis (right), NCC Governing Board Members and staff at book signing of "The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy," in Washington D.C., on May 16. | 'Case for Love' Film-Screening with Bishop Michael Curry Leaves Attendees Inspired | | The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, attends the film screening of "A Case for Love" at the Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 16. | Governing Board members, staff and other guests watched the special film screening of "A Case for Love," a feature-length documentary based on the teachings and writings of the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, at the Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 16. Bishop Michael Curry, and Brian Ide, director and co-writer with Karen Ide of "A Case for Love," were notable guests of the event and shared insights on the film released earlier this year. NCC Governing Board Members, staff and guests received official "Case for Love" t-shirts, student curriculum guides and more. | |
Brian Ide, director and co-writer of feature-length documentary, "A Case for Love," at the film screening at the Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 16.
| | NCC Staff Participates in 2024 CFBNP Virtual Summit | | Matt Markay, NCC Project Coordinator, served as the guest speaker on day 1 of the VA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships' (CFBNP) "2024 CFBNP Virtual Faith Summit" with the theme, "Uniting Communities with Veterans" on May 16. NCC values veterans and chaplains. Markay shared during his speech NCC's suicide prevention guide, which can be found here. Below is an excerpt from his speech:
"The National Council of Churches will continue to advocate for Veterans through our member communions and presence on Capitol Hill. We are thankful to the VA and other Faith-Based organizations on this call for their continued witness to Veterans and their families. In the Christian tradition, Jesus teaches us that there is no greater love than to give one’s life for one’s friends. Veterans show this love time and time again through the sacrifice they have made for their country. As faith-based organizations, it is our job to recognize this sacrifice and be a resource to all veterans facing poverty, mental health crises, addiction, and other hardships."
| | Introducing NCC's 'Voting Matters 2024 Election Empowerment Guide' | | NCC has released the "Voting Matters 2024 Election Empowerment Guide," designed to help clergy and lay leaders in member communions and other faith leaders navigate election season, share critical voting information, and promote civic engagement at the congregational level.
This guide includes a list of dos and don'ts for churches from the IRS, a theological perspective on civic engagement, scriptural texts, helpful tips for having conversations about voting and elections with family members, friends, and neighbors, outreach activities, along with additional resources from organizations such as Faiths United to Save Democracy, and more.
Share this news with your network and download the guide to equip and empower people of faith in your community to have their voices heard by voting! | | | Save the Date: NCC Impact Week | | | Friendship Press Undergoes Search
for New CEO | | Friendship Press, the publishing arm of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, is seeking an eligible candidate to serve as Chief Executive Officer and lead the program as it continues its work and honors its commitment to justice, fairness, and the welfare of all people. Learn more about the open position here and apply. | | | Application Deadline Extended for NCC Freedom Summer Fellowship | | The NCC Freedom Summer Fellowship application deadline has been extended to May 31! There is still time to apply for the opportunity to serve as an NCC Freedom Summer Fellow and work with local congregations in your community to educate, engage, and empower voters for the 2024 election. NCC's Freedom Summer initiative is a faith-based civic engagement campaign from June 19 – August 17, 2024, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964 effort to register, inform, and mobilize voters.
Contact freedomsummer@nationalcouncilofchurches.us for more information. Submit your application today! | | | Join North Carolina Council of Churches for Online Discussion on Christian Nationalism | | | | Learn About Holistic Reentry in Upcoming EJUSA Webinar | | EJUSA's Evangelical Network is hosting the next In the Movement webinar covering the topic of how churches can play a role in fostering holistic reentry in an interview with the group, One Parish One Prisoner, at 2 p.m. ET on May 23. Register today! | | | |
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