| | | | | | NCC Highlights: 2024 Christian Unity Gathering | | | Virtual 2024 WCC Gap-Year Central Committee Meeting for North America-Turtle Island Region | | The National Council of Churches (NCC) joined the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) for the 2024 World Council of Churches (WCC) Gap Meeting for North America-Turtle Island held online from Nov. 12-14. The meeting included key discussions among participants to assist with regional and global ecumenical engagements in the future. Several focus areas discussed included climate justice, poverty-wealth gap, solidarity with indigenous people and communities, and racism and racial justice.
The planning team included Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary; Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, World Council of Churches President from North America; and Pastor Peter Notebloom, CCC General Secretary.
During the first session, the CCC shared insights on Canada’s ecumenical work and accompanying resources. Participants also learned about the CCC’s upcoming 80th anniversary celebration in December. NCC’s session covered current and previous ecumenical work addressing the identified regional focus areas, as well as updates on the WCC’s Nicaea plans, and 75th anniversary activities.
Attendees included Rev. Dr. Prof. Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, who provided greetings and reflections during the final session.
This session also covered insights and recommendations in response to earlier sessions, in preparation for the WCC central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2025. | | | Young People in the Ecumenical Movement Commission First in-person Meeting | | Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC | The WCC commission of Young People in the Ecumenical Movement (Youth Commission) “seeks to ensure that the prophetic voices of young people are present and heard within the WCC; and to empower young people through networking and ecumenical commitment on various levels”. The commission includes young people actively engaged in ecumenical activities, with some members also serving on the WCC central committee, executive committee and other WCC commissions.
The goal is to reiterate role of the commission in the ecumenical movement from local to global context, to reinforce the foundation of the commission in strengthening relationships amongst themselves, to participate in critical discussions as faith actors pertaining to the YPEM Commission, and to produce youth-led activities and advocacy projects. | | | WCC, World Evangelical Alliance, and Global Partners Call for Immediate Release of Armenian Prisoners | | Photo: WCC | The World Evangelical Alliance, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Solidarity International, and a coalition of global organizations, has issued a joint statement urging international attention to Azerbaijan's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh as COP29 begins in Baku.
The statement expresses concern over Azerbaijan’s use of COP29 as a distraction from alleged human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, following the forced displacement of its ethnic-Armenian Christian population.
Azerbaijan’s pledge for COP29 to be a “COP of Peace” starkly contrasts with recent actions that led to the exodus of 120,000 ethnic-Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Since December 2022, Azerbaijan imposed a blockade on the Lachin Corridor, the sole passage connecting Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, exacerbating humanitarian challenges. The situation escalated further with Azerbaijan’s military operation in September 2023, resulting in widespread displacement. | | | Watch Minnesota Council of Churches CEO Installation Videos | | | | | | North Carolina Council of Churches
Eco-Justice Series | | The North Carolina Council of Churches (NCCC), in partnership with JustFaith Charlotte, developed eco-justice programs for churches across North Carolina to educate, inspire, and equip attendees to promote environmental sustainability.
Join NCCC for one of the upcoming 8–10 week programs: | | | Become a National Faith + Climate Forum! Host and Receive up to $500 | | | | | | You are invited to become a host within your local community for the National Faith + Climate Forum on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
This Forum is a national event, live-streamed to local in-person gatherings with interactive elements that encourage engagement, collaboration, and connection. Learn what hosting entails! | |
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