Follow NCC on Social Media! | | | | | | | | In Hopes & Dreams for a More Perfect Union, the National Council of Churches is sharing prayers from faith leaders as America nears its 250th year.
| | Download the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide | | | | Faith Leaders and Elected Officials Attend Democracy
Roundtable Breakfast | | By Amanda Dowd NCC Communications Officer
Washington, D.C. — Faith leaders from several faith traditions, including NCC President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, gathered on Thursday, July 16, for the Interfaith Democracy Roundtable Breakfast to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and reaffirm their shared commitment to protecting and expanding voting rights for all Americans.
During the event, which was hosted by Faithful Democracy and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), representatives from a variety of faith traditions and organizations shared how their respective communities are working to promote civic engagement, educate voters, and ensure equitable access to the ballot box.
Faith leaders joined elected officials in recognizing the enduring impact of Congressman Lewis’s lifelong advocacy for voting rights. Speakers reflected on the progress that has been made while emphasizing that the work is far from complete. Many highlighted the important role of people of faith in educating their communities, encouraging civic participation, and defending the fundamental right to vote.
Highlighting the National Council of Churches’ historic role in advancing voting rights, Bishop McKenzie connected today’s advocacy efforts to decades of faith-based engagement in the nation’s democratic process. “We held vigils at the dawn of the Civil Rights era. We sent clergy into the South to teach voter empowerment,” she shared. “We sent students to register people to vote; and yes, our various denominations marched in the March on Washington.”
Bishop McKenzie emphasized the enduring nature of that commitment, noting that the NCC “stood in the gap by providing bail bond funds when peaceful protesters were arrested,” and that faith communities “sat in and spoke out then, and now.”
The gathering underscored the ongoing need for voting rights protections and reforms while showcasing the efforts faith-based organizations are undertaking to strengthen democracy and ensure every eligible voter has an opportunity to make their voice heard. | | NCC MOSAIC Underwrites
Taizé Documentary | | On July 9, the National Council of Churches' MOSAIC attended the first public screening of Taizé: A Pilgrimage of Trust at the Tara Theatre in Atlanta. The documentary follows young people from around the world as they make a pilgrimage to the Taizé Community in Burgundy, France. This ecumenical monastic community, founded in 1940, has become one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites, drawing more than 100,000 young people each year for prayer, silence, and song across denominational and national lines.
MOSAIC chose to underwrite the film because Taizé models several of our core commitments in practice: radical belonging across theological difference; contemplative listening as a spiritual discipline; and the belief that young people who feel disconnected from institutional faith are hungry for authentic community. The film gives our initiative a concrete, living example of what our outcomes look like when they are fully realized. _________________________
“The Atlanta premiere of Taizé: A Pilgrimage of Trust at the Tara Theater brought together a remarkably diverse audience from across the city—people of different ages, cultures, and Christian traditions who were united by a shared longing for peace, prayer, and community. Seeing a full theater respond so warmly to the film was a poignant reminder that the spirit of Taizé—and its attending commitment to reconciliation, simplicity, and hope—continues to resonate deeply in our divided world. We are especially grateful to the National Council of Churches for its partnership in helping bring this story of faith and unity to audiences throughout the United States.”
Kathy Kuczka, Taizé Filmmaker _________________________
Following the screening, Malesha "Mali" Taylor, MOSAIC's director of storytelling, participated in a panel discussion with the film's creative team, which she describes as “a meaningful opportunity to represent our work and build relationships with the filmmakers.” _________________________ “Taizé is a magical piece of earth that really has to be experienced to be understood. We did our best to capture its essence through video and sound. The scenery is like something out of a tourism brochure; that was the easy part. Everywhere you point the camera, it’s postcard-worthy. The intangible beauty of the place comes from the quiet prayer time. And the warmth of the brothers, the humble life they live, which they help visitors to embrace even if only for a few days. Even though I was working, capturing video and sound during those quiet prayer times, I still felt a profound impact from the people and the place. It is an experience I’ll carry with me for all my days.” Will Frampton
Taizé Director of Photography/Cinematographer_________________________ The Atlanta event also served as groundwork for what comes next. Over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, MOSAIC will host a storytelling tent at Wild Goose Festival, a gathering to screen the festival's documentary films and welcome fellow creators and filmmakers. Members from Decatur, Georgia's Oakhurst Baptist Church will also be at the festival to offer an on-site Taizé worship experience, including a screening of Taizé.
Festival attendees will have a chance to share their stories and experience a contemplative space that fosters honest storytelling. Oakhurst has a long history of ecumenical and justice-oriented ministry and is a natural partner for this work. | | The Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) Holds Inaugural Digital Assembly, Takes Important Step | | The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly 2026 was the denomination’s inaugural digital gathering, featuring powerful preaching from respected clergy from across the country. Rev. Terri Hord Owens, general minister and president, and NCC Governing Board vice chair, preached from Ephesians 3:14-21 at the closing worship service and encouraged Disciples to go beyond and to live in the possibilities of the growing edge. Watch her sermon on YouTube or in the video posted above.
Further, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada has taken an important step in its ecumenical journey as the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved GAR-10, authorizing the beginning of a formal bilateral dialogue toward full communion between the two denominations.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was represented at the General Assembly by General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Rev. Paul S. Tché, president of Disciples Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry (CUIM). Learn more here. | | Texas Impact Faith Leaders Address Immigration Enforcement Actions,
Free and Fair Elections | | Father Carlos Velazquez of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, with other faith leaders, at the election press conference July 7, 2026 | On the morning of July 7 in Houston, Texas, a federal immigration enforcement agent shot and killed God’s beloved child, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
In response, Texas faith leaders issued a statement calling for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation; full transparency regarding all federal evidence; meaningful policy change in immigration enforcement operations; and restoration of trust and an end to enforcement that terrorizes communities.
The statement reaffirms the belief that all people, regardless of country of origin, are members of the family of God, saying, “This is a moral wound to our whole community, and we will not look away from it.”
On that same morning in San Antonio, faith leaders held a press conference to call on public officials to support free and fair elections in November.
The press conference was one of several held across the country in which American faith leaders called on public officials to pledge to abide by the US Constitution and state election laws; refuse to comply with any unlawful Executive Orders or data requests from the Department of Justice that seek to restrict voting; and do their part to certify and/or seat the rightfully elected winners of elections this November, regardless of their party affiliation. In other news, communities continue to schedule webinars and in-person events, including upcoming Ready...Set...Go! events in Denton, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston (coming soon). Upcoming events can be found on Texas Impact’s events page. Texas Impact is on Substack—look for new posts, notes, and bonus videos on their stack, including new this week: | | | Applications for the Abundant Life Cohort are open through August 24. This cohort equips faith communities to respond faithfully to mental and behavioral health challenges and become centers of healing and wholeness. Through a structured process, we walk alongside congregations as they develop a plan for becoming hubs of resilience, care, and justice.
Watch the video below to see how your congregation can become a trauma-informed hub of care and support by nurturing clergy, members, and your wider community through the Abundant Life Cohort.
Priority will be given to rural and underserved communities as we seek to support congregations where resources and access to care are often most limited. | | | | | | | Webinar: Relevance of International Law
in Cuba, Venezuela | | A World Council of Churches (WCC) webinar, “Latin America: The Relevance of International Law in Today's World: Untangling the Situation in Cuba and Venezuela,” held July 16, explored what international law requires of the global community — and how churches should respond.
Watch the webinar recap above or on YouTube. | | Growing Love into Justice with Rev. Dr. Jim Rigby | | Texas Impact’s Weekly Witness podcast host Scott Atnip was recently joined by Rev. Dr. Jim Rigby, who has served as the pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin for 40 years. Rev. Rigby has garnered attention over the decades for his commitment to justice and a progressive brand of Christianity, and he has recently been in the news as the pastor of Senate candidate James Talarico.
Pastor Rigby is getting more attention than a typical candidate’s pastor, probably because Rep. Talarico is a seminarian who is putting his faith at the forefront of his candidacy.
Texas Impact does not endorse candidates for public office. This episode of Weekly Witness, like every episode, profiles a Texas faith leader and the ministry they are doing in their particular context. Currently, Jim Rigby’s context includes having a parishioner with more than the usual amount of name recognition.
Watch it above or on YouTube. | | The Black Church and Climate Justice Webinar | | Black Church & Climate Justice Webinar: A Prophetic Call to Action Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:30 PM CST Hosted by Apostle Sharyn Cosby
The webinar is a prophetic summons for such a time as this. Rooted in the deep spiritual traditions of the Black Church, this virtual gathering invites clergy, faith leaders, laypersons, and community members to explore how environmental justice is inseparable from the gospel’s call to love, liberation, and stewardship.
Participants will join a powerful lineup of clergy, theologians, and climate justice advocates who are confronting the urgent realities of climate change and its disproportionate impact on Black communities. Through Scripture, testimony, and practical strategy, attendees will discover how faith can mobilize communities to heal creation and protect future generations.
| | Faithful Action for Voter Protection and Engagement | | Across the country, people are witnessing rising barriers to free and fair elections, from attacks on the Voting Rights Act to changes in election administration that impede participation. America’s religious freedom depends on every eligible person's ability to participate fully in civic life. Every Voice, Every Vote campaign: The Religious Action Center's voter engagement campaign provides resources and tools to help faith communities encourage civic participation and ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.
Learn More… | | | 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 | | July 19 – 25 ....................................................Djibouti, Somalia July 26 – August 1....................................Burundi, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Rwanda August 02 – 08..........................................Republic of Congo, Gabon,
Sao Tome and Principe August 9 – 15..............................................Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Equatorial Guinea 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 | | | WCC Delegation Makes Solidarity Visit to Ukraine | | A delegation from the World Council of Churches made a solidarity visit to Ukraine July 14–17, walking in hope and praying with churches and communities for an end to the war.
Read more…
| | WCC to Lead Solidarity Delegation to Zimbabwe | | WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay will lead an ecumenical solidarity delegation to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches General Assembly, which is convening July 22–24 under the theme “Breaking Walls: Discerning the Signs of the Times."
Read more…
| | WCC President from Europe Elected Future
Moderator of URC General Assembly | | Rev. Dr. Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe, has been elected moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly to serve from July 2027 to July 2028.
Durber recalled that it was Maundy Thursday when she received a letter from the United Reformed Church general secretary to tell her that she had been nominated to serve as moderator of the General Assembly – and that she was the only candidate. “That weekend I then went to several services where we sang Isaac Watts’ lines – ‘Love so amazing, so divine/Demands my soul, my life, my all.’ I knew that I had to say yes.
“I will have a whole year to prepare for this role – and I shall keep on singing and praying.”
As moderator-elect, Durber will serve on a number of committees for the following year and, after her year in office, will serve on them for a year as immediate past moderator.
Read more…
| | WCC Speaks Out Against Systemic, Structural Injustices, Zenophobia in South Africa | | WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Pillay expressed grave concern about the developments of violence in South Africa targeting migrants from other African countries.
Read more…
| | Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians
Address Attacks in South Africa | | The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians condemned the violence perpetrated against foreign nationals in South Africa. The circle also expressed deep concern for the profound mental, psychological, and physical suffering endured by those affected.
Read more…
| | | 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… | | | | | | | Self-Help Credit Union – a nonprofit credit union with a focus on economic justice in underserved communities – is hosting an event on Tuesday, July 28 in Atlanta’s West End (921 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd) called “Building Bridges: Faith, Finance and Community.” The event will bring together local faith leaders, community members, and nonprofit partners for meaningful conversation, relationship-building, and collaboration over coffee. Anyone is welcome to drop in anytime from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to enjoy great conversation and connect with others committed to strengthening our community. If you're interested in attending, please email Keyshawn.Ward@self-help.org or RSVP HERE. | | | Jesus Was a Migrant Film Screening, August 13 | | Join the Minnesota Council of Churches for a free screening of the documentary “Jesus Was a Migrant,” followed by a guided conversation on Thursday, August 13!
This thought-provoking film explores the intersection of faith, migration, and the lived experiences of immigrants and refugees—providing an apt mirror as we reflect on today’s circumstances. Following the screening, guests are invited to participate in a facilitated conversation as we discuss the film's themes and consider how our faith calls us to regard our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and understanding.
This event is free to attend, but seating is limited. Please register in advance by August 6 to reserve your seat.
| | | Bridging the Power Gap: A Summer of
Exploration into Energy Equity in North Carolina | | Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. - noon
Online Join us for a webinar co-hosted by the North Carolina Council of Churches' Director of Strategic Engagement, Susannah Tuttle, and Bridge Intern, Georgia Rabin, as they recount a summer's exploration into North Carolina's shifting energy landscape. Facilitators and participants will explore faith as a pillar of environmental advocacy, Duke Energy's ratemaking process, the evolution of the NC Carbon Plan, and how renewable energy rollbacks and the scaling of data centers in the state are impacting energy access and environmental quality for every North Carolinian.
| | | | 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..
| | ICE Out of NC: Stop Rivers Detention Center!Solidarity Event · Volunteer Organized for The Workers Circle | | Join in on July 22, in solidarity with immigrants and the families of those who have been killed or imprisoned in detention centers. Help raise concerned voices to stop all cruel ICE actions in North Carolina!
Learn more here... | | 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, July 28, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Register for the next EJ Forum Playlist of Previous Forums | | Faith Leaders Rally Against ICE Detention
Expansion in Raleigh | | NCCC invites you and your community to take part in A Peals for Peace, an act of public witness rooted in faith and grounded in the shared belief that every person has inherent worth. Beginning in July, faith communities, organizations, families, and individuals are invited to join together in this shared act of reflection, prayer, and hope. On the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. (expanding to weekly Mondays in September through the Monday before Election Day), participants are encouraged to ring bells for about 15 minutes as a public expression of peace and unity. Join the Sound. Register your congregation, organization, or household to participate. Register Here | | | | | | | Listen to a powerful livestream conversation featuring Rachel Billups and Matt Rawle the authors of Dream, Dare, Disrupt —an inspiring call to courageous leadership, bold vision, and transformational change. The authors and participants explore what it means to challenge the status quo, pursue God-given dreams, and create meaningful impact in our communities and beyond.
The livestream launch discusses Dream, Dare, Disrupt, focusing on collaboration in ministry post-pandemic. The authors emphasize curiosity, adaptive leadership, and entrepreneurship to innovate church practices. They highlight the importance of community involvement and shared leadership, encouraging others to embrace experimentation and trust in collective efforts for a thriving future in ministry. | | | | | | Purchase the NCC 75th Anniversary
Commemorative BIble and Save 20% Discount Code: NCC2026 | | | More from Friendship Press… |
|
|
|
