| NCC Newsletter
January 6, 2023
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| | | NCC Welcomes Truce, Prays for End to War in Ukraine |
| From the start of the unprovoked Russian invasion, the National Council of Churches has condemned the war in Ukraine. We have supported the Ukrainian people and the defense of their homeland, even as we have prayed for peace throughout the region. With these prayers in our hearts, and with hope that it will spare lives that would otherwise be lost over the next two days, we support the proposed Christmas truce.
Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, including Russian and Ukrainian Christians. Other eastern Christians celebrate on December 25, along with western Christians. While the two celebrations reflect calendrical differences, their deeper meaning is the same: that on this day, the Prince of Peace was born. It would be more than fitting for the fighting to cease during this time of solemn celebration.
The NCC is fully aware that the proposal of a truce by Russian President Putin may be guided by disingenuous intentions. For this reason, as the fighting may briefly cease, we urge Ukrainian President Zelensky to accept this truce, even as his military intelligence resources continue monitoring Russian troop and weapons movements in anticipation of the post-truce continuation of the conflict.
We are nearing the one-year anniversary of the start of this war. We continue to pray for its end.
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| | | NCC Reflects on January 6, 2021 |
| Reflecting on the events that took place at our nation’s capitol on January 6, 2021, NCC continues to urge people of faith—both collectively and individually—to pray for our nation, pray for our national, state, and local leaders, and to pray for the safeguarding of democracy.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, NRSVue)
As we humbly lift our nation in prayer, we call upon our communions and their members to not neglect opportunities to speak truth to power for the protection of voting rights, for the peaceful transfer of power, and for the preservation of the ideal of a democratic society.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NRSVue)
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| | | Faith Leaders Pray for Democracy and Healing on Jan. 6 Anniversary |
| | | Attendees bow their heads in prayer during a sunrise vigil at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2023. Photo: Kaila Nichols/Sojourners |
| | by Kaila Nichols, Sojourners/Medill News Service
Two years after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the in Washington, D.C., Christian leaders gathered Friday morning across from the Capitol for a sunrise prayer vigil in remembrance of the day.
With the Capitol building in the distance, a group of more than 30 people came together, some wearing clergy robes and stoles. As the sun slowly appeared on the horizon, they often nodded in agreement with prayers offered for democracy and healing.
Organized by Faithful America and Christians Against Christian Nationalism, members condemned the political ideology of Christian nationalism and white supremacy that helped “inspire and intensify” the insurrection in 2021. Participants asserted that Christian nationalism is a great threat to both the country and church.
While in prayer, many leaders sought to emphasize their opposition to nationalism and uplift those who seek a multiracial, inclusive democracy. Jemar Tisby, a historian, said the vigil felt more like a reunion among people who work to draw attention to Christian nationalism.
Mary Novak, executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, told Sojourners that remembrance was crucial to preventing another insurrection. In prayer, Novak also pointed out that Jan. 6 also marks the day of Epiphany in the Roman Catholic tradition, which celebrates the three wise men navigating political violence at the time of Jesus’ birth.
As the group remembered the violent day that left five people dead and hundreds of Capitol Police officers injured, they also recognized those who continue to work even after suffering so much trauma.
Although the gathering was somber, there was an air of fellowship and laughter among attendees. After the final prayer, attendees began singing “This Little Light of Mine,” changing the lyrics to “Won’t let Christian nationalism blow it out, I’m going to let it shine.”
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