| Peace for Ukraine and the Departure of Jim Winkler
NCC Newsletter January , 2022 |
| | | Governing Board Announcement on the Departure of Jim Winkler |
| | On January 26, 2022, the following announcement was released:
"The Governing Board of the National Council of Churches (NCC) announces the departure of the ecumenical organization’s President/General Secretary, Jim Winkler. Mr. Winkler has served the organization in this role for eight years, completing two terms under contract. Winkler assumed the leadership role shortly after the NCC reorganized its governance structure in 2013. The Council has been a long-time advocate for Christian unity and for peace and justice. Under Winkler’s leadership, the organization established Friendship Press (who manages the NCC’s Bible properties), and in fall of 2021 completed the project to publish a New Revised Standard Version, updated edition (NRSVue) of the Bible.
The National Council of Churches, consisting of 37 member denominations, is committed to continuing its work through interfaith and inter-religious dialogues, the international uniform Sunday School lesson series, and the work of four convening tables who lead dialogues around issues of faith, theology, ecumenism and advocacy. The A.C.T. Now to End Racism initiative has been a priority since it was launched with a rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC in 2018. Each fall, the NCC hosts its Christian Unity Gathering (CUG), as well as webinars, public action and advocacy throughout the year.
An interim President/General Secretary will be named soon, followed by a formal search for an elected leader."
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| | | NCC Appeals for Peace for the People of Ukraine
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| | The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) joins with the World Council of Churches in an urgent call for peace for the people of Ukraine. We fervently pray that a diplomatic solution will be accepted, and that Russia will remove the troops on three sides of the Ukraine without resorting to a destructive and deadly conflict. Every possible means must be attempted to prevent the escalation of this confrontation into an armed conflict and the devastating threat of nuclear retaliation that it could bring to all the people of the world.
As the NCC has long upheld peacemaking as one of its core principles, we implore the US government to work tirelessly toward a strong response that protects the people of the Ukraine from harm without resorting to war. We agree with the use of diplomatic tactics instead of warfare, including the Biden administration’s use of a novel export control focused on Russian industries, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civilian aerospace. We applaud President Biden’s efforts to diffuse the situation including his reassurance that the Ukraine will not be joining NATO in the near term. We support the US stance against the placement of nuclear weapons in Ukraine and encourage the enactment of a formal agreement prohibiting nuclear weapon placement by either NATO or Russia. Additionally, we call on the US to rejoin the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty and for Russia to return to compliance of that treaty, which will prohibit intermediate- and shorter-range land-based missiles and allow inspections to ensure compliance.
At this crucial moment, we pray for the safety of all who live in Ukraine and join with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, one of our member communions, in asking, “May God hear our loving petition and soften the hearts and minds of all, within and without Ukraine during these dangerous times.”
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| | | | | Statement by Faith Groups on the Situation in Ukraine |
| | This week NCC signed onto a statement about the situation in the Ukraine with the American Friends Service Committee; Church of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Maryknoll Office for Global Concernss, Religions for Peace USA; Sojourners; The Episcopal Church;The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society; Presbyterian Church (USA); and United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries which read:
"As people of faith, we are united in our conviction that we must do all we can to achieve and secure peace when there is the threat of conflict. Political leaders must do everything in their power to protect human lives and prevent war.
We are gravely concerned by Russia’s apparent preparations to conduct a military invasion of, or to otherwise attack or destabilize, Ukraine. We urgently call on all parties, including the U.S., to invest in efforts that will prevent violent conflict and to avert actions that will likely lead to grievous and unnecessary human suffering, long-lasting environmental destruction, and widespread economic harm.
To this end, we reject the threats and intimidation that escalate tensions and the likelihood of war. Rather than relying on militaristic approaches, our leaders must invest in efforts to sustain peace and prevent harm to those who would suffer the most from the devastating and long-term impacts of conflict. Only by vigorously pursuing all avenues for peace can we fulfill our sacred duty to respect the equal dignity and worth of every person."
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| | | | January's Reparatory Justice Series Webinar |
| | Each month, the interfaith Reparatory Justice Table presents an in depth discussion on one aspect of the injustices requiring reparations in our nation. “The Interconnection of Reparations and Voting Rights” held on January 19, 2022, reflects on the theology of this justice work and the important connection between voting rights and reparations. The event features: a welcome by Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Esq., NCC Associate General Secretary, Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace; an introduction by Rev. Antonia M. Ruth, Program Coordinator, The Center for Reparatory Justice, Transformation, and Remediation; an overview of HR40 by Christian Brooks, Representative for Domestic Issues, PC (USA) Office of Public Witness; a theological reflection by Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould; a Voting Rights Panel with Christian Brooks and Israel Harris, Legislative Assistant at Religious Action, message on voting rights from Rev. Mark Thompson, and a call to action by Mary Novak, Executive Director of Network.
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| | | COVID-19 Pandemic Response: |
| New Government-provided Resources
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| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created an event planning guide that answers basic questions about events that may be helpful to faith communities concerned about vaccination status, testing, and gathering size. Find the CDC’s guidance on event planning at this link.
As one in four people turn to faith leaders before they seek help from clinical professionals, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has written a document to help faith leaders respond to people experiencing anxiety and fear because of COVID-19. Find the HHS resource on faith, community and mental health during the COVID-19 crisis at this link. |
| | | | Job Listing
Executive Director, Center for the Study of Law and Religion - Emory University seeks a highly energetic and entrepreneurial Executive Director to advance its mission and manage its operations. The Executive Director will lead the internal and outward-facing activities of CSLR to enable CSLR to deliver on its core mission of producing and disseminating leading scholarship in law and religion. Learn more |
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