Follow NCC on Social Media! | | | | | | | Download the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide | | | | NCC to Join One World: One Humanity Conference, August 29 | | The National Council of Churches will be represented among the 150–200 invited participants at the One World: One Humanity Conference, a high-level interfaith leadership summit affirming our common humanity in a fractured world.
The day-long event will be held in New York City on August 29, with NCC President/General Secretary Bishop Vashti McKenzie among the scheduled presenters.
One World: One Humanity Conference is a global convening of the World Council of Religious Leaders, an independent body that works to bring together religious resources to support the work of the United Nations in a common quest for peace.
This interfaith gathering is organized to foster mutual understanding, respect, and dialogue among diverse faith traditions. The views expressed by individual speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of all participating organizations or attendees.
The event is not intended to promote partisan political positions or to diminish any faith tradition. All participants are expected to engage in a spirit of respect, harmony, and constructive exchange. A bridging voice for a divided age.
At a time of war, polarization, disinformation, and deep social fragmentation, faith leaders remain among the few trusted figures able to speak to both conscience and community.
The summit is designed as a consequence: a single morning of plenary conversation and shared resolve that ends in a public declaration the world can read, remember, and carry forward. | | CWS Action Alert: Urge Congress to Pass the
Protecting Sensitive Locations Act | | The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061/S. 455) would limit immigration enforcement at sensitive locations or within 1,000 feet of such places. Take action to urge your lawmakers to pass guardrails on immigration enforcement in sensitive locations.
Currently, there are no policies in place to prevent federal immigration enforcement agents from deliberately targeting spaces that represent key pillars of civic, religious, and community life. The threat of immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” — such as houses of worship, schools, hospitals, courthouses, food pantries, and places where people receive essential services — is preventing refugees and immigrants across the country from accessing the resources they need.
Use the link below to access a tool to urge your elected officials to codify limits on immigration enforcement so refugees and immigrants can seek spiritual support, education, medical care, and other key resources without the fear of arrest, detention, or separation from their families. | | | CCGW to Host Virtual Meeting with DC Interim Police Chief, August 24 | | Join The Council of Churches of Greater Washington's (CCGW) Zoom meeting with Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll (August 24, 6-7 pm) All are invited to a Council of Churches Community Meeting to hear Chief Jeffrey Carroll speak about policing and public safety in the District of Columbia. Chief Carroll will also respond to questions from community representatives covering issues such as the deployment of federal troops, crime statistics, and community relations. Please register to join the Zoom webinar by using this link. CCGW.Eventbrite.com. Please feel free to share The Council's upcoming meeting with your network of faith communities, colleagues, family, neighbors, and friends. | | CJM Announces September Launch
of Creation Justice Courses | | How do we help faith communities understand the climate crisis not as someone else's problem, but as a call rooted in our own theological tradition?
That question has led Creation Justice Ministries to launch Creation Justice Courses! This new online platform offers accessible, high-quality education in environmental justice through the lens of historically marginalized Christian traditions. Simply put, it's theology, history, and justice woven together for people of faith who are ready to go deeper.
This September, CJM will launch its inaugural live course, "Is a River Sacred?", a conversation led by Derrick Weston, acting executive director/director of theological education, alongside Father Pete Nunnally. As they wade into the Season of Creation next month, this course asks what it means to treat rivers, watersheds, and water itself as sacred—and what that demands of people of faith and neighbors in their communities.
The registration link to the course will be available soon.
| | PLANTED Conference: Growing Food, Faith, and Community Resilience | | Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, in collaboration with Impact DCD UMC and a coalition of faith-based, nonprofit, and community partners, invites you to the inaugural PLANTED Conference, October 25–27, 2026, in Atlanta.
PLANTED is a growing movement to equip households and congregations with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to grow fresh, nutritious food in small spaces—from patios and decks to raised beds and community gardens.
The initiative seeks to reach 250,000 households over the next three years, strengthening food access, resilience, sustainability, and self-reliance across generations.
Join the movement to help families and communities grow what they need to thrive!
| | | | | | | Where the Crickets Sing: Tools for Prison and Jail Ministries | | National Benevolent Association’s Community Engagement team will host the “Where the Crickets Sing: Tools for Prison and Jail Ministries” webinar on Wednesday, August 26, at 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT!
Whether you are a pastor, chaplain, volunteer, community leader, or someone exploring ways to engage in this ministry, you’ll leave with practical resources, new ideas, and renewed inspiration.
Because every person is more than their worst mistake, and every community can play a role in restoration.
Join to hear about practical tools, restorative justice insights, and real-world experiences from those engaged in ministry alongside incarcerated individuals, their families, and their communities. This virtual event is free to attend, but registration is required.
| | Blessed Tomorrow Lunchtime Series: Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities! | | Join Blessed Tomorrow for six lunchtime screenings of the film series: Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities, each Wednesday from September 2 — October 7, 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm EST/ 11:00 am-11:45 am PST. This is a 7-part film series for congregations to build knowledge, have deep discussions, and then engage in creation care and climate solutions. The series highlights over 30 powerful voices of Christian, Muslim, Indigenous, Baha’i, and Jewish faith leaders from 14 states, including clergy, youth leaders, and interfaith organizers, who are leading with hope, compassion, and courage. They share inspiring stories and hope for our shared future. Watch the introductory film (above), To Tend and to Keep: People of Faith Caring for the Earth. Screening Schedule September 2, Called by Faith: How Will You Answer? September 9, Seeds of Fire: Building Resilient Communities September 16, Holy Water: Protecting What Connects and Sustains Us September 23, Climate Justice: Sacred Voice Rising September 30, Healing Creation: Honoring Nature and Each Other October 7, Young Leaders: Creating Hope for the Future
| | | Ecumenical Prayer Calendar | | The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year. Praying for each place on earth and its people at least once a year, we affirm our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems, and sharing diverse gifts. Pray with us!
Prayer is at the very heart of the ecumenical movement. Jesus prayed that we – his followers – may all be one. When we pray with and for one another, we can feel God’s gift of unity. Prayer sustains us on our way towards a unity that all can see, “so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21)
The suggested prayer texts are based on the publication "Pilgrim Prayer – an Ecumenical Prayer Cycle." The book and the website offer valuable aids for intercessory prayers, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others | | August 16 – 22...........................................Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger August 23 – 29..........................................Liberia, Sierra Leone August 30 – September 5.................Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Senegal September 6 – 12....................................Benin, Ivory Coast, Togo September 13 – 19..................................Ghana, Nigeria | | | Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and
Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School) 2026
August 17– 28, 2026 WCC is inviting applications for the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School), August 17–28, 2026, in Panama City, Panama. Five partner organizations are joining the effort: the World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, Council for World Mission, and United Society Partners in the Gospel. The 10-day program will train 20–25 church leaders to push for change in global finance.
Read more…
Season of Creation 2026: Living Waters
September 1–4, 2026 WCC calls Christians worldwide to observe the Season of Creation, September 1 — October 4, 2026. This year's theme, "Living Waters," comes from Ezekiel 47:9 and 12—a biblical vision of hope and ecological restoration.
Read more…
Faith and Genetics Course
September 14 – December 7, 2026 An 11-week “Faith and Genetics” course jointly offered from September to December by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Christian Medical College will share and discuss ethical concerns to ensure that progress in genetics serves humanity holistically and builds public trust.
Read more… | | | | | | | Courage Is Contageous: An Evening with Bishop Mariann Budde, October 8 | | Her sermon during the 2025 inauguration lasted only minutes. But Bishop Mariann Budde’s example of bravery in speaking truth to power endures. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
The backlash against her was immediate and vicious because in a culture of contempt where compassion has become a partisan issue, speaking out for mercy comes at a cost. The Right Rev. Budde (Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC) believes it’s a cost worth paying and she has shown us all what courage looks like.
Her keynote address on October 8, “Courage Is Contagious,” will explore how we can all learn to be brave. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will benefit the Maine Council of Churches.
Bishop Budde’s sermons have been published in books and journals, and she has authored several books, including How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, adapted into a young adult book, We Can Be Brave, and a picture book for children, I Can Learn to Be Brave.
Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission.
| | | | | Applications are now open for the 2026 Abundant Life Cohort and will be accepted through August 24. The Abundant Life Cohort equips North Carolina faith communities to respond faithfully to mental and behavioral health challenges by becoming trauma-informed centers of healing, resilience, and hope. Through training, coaching, and peer learning, participating congregations develop practical plans to support clergy, members, and their wider communities while reducing stigma and fostering well-being. Priority consideration will be given to rural and underserved communities where access to mental and behavioral health resources is often most limited..
| | Eco-Justice Advocacy Forums: Archives and Future Events | | Eco-Justice Connection Monthly Advocacy Forum series, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. (ET) is a space for learning, connection, and action at the intersection of faith and environmental justice. The next forum: Tuesday, August 25, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Register for the next EJ Forum Playlist of Previous Forums | | | | | | | | | | | | Purchase the NCC 75th Anniversary
Commemorative BIble and Save 20% Discount Code: NCC2026 | | | More from Friendship Press… |
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