| | | | | | | | | | | Photos from L-R; top to bottom: 1st– Bishop Vashti McKenzie, NCC general secretary/president introducing His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros; 2nd–His Eminence bringing greetings and prayer; 3rd– L-R: Rev. Andreas Vithoulkas, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church and National Shrine; Rev. Peter Cook, NY State Council of Churches; H.E. High Representative Miguel A. Moratinos, United Nations; His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros; Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, NCC Governing Board Chair; Bishop McKenzie; 4th–Impact Week day one attendees—seated: Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, general minister and president, United Church of Christ; Bishop McKenzie; NCC Governing Board Chair Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; Rev. Margaret Rose, The Episcopal ChurchPhotos courtesy of NCC Staff and Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos | Thank you to those who made NCC Impact Week 2025 a blessed success!! In celebration of NCC's 75th anniversary in New York City at Ground Zero-World Trade Center (WTC) and the United Nations (UN), our speakers and panelists addressed the theme, "Re-Building Bridges: The Role of Religious Communities During a Time of Crisis in Multilateralism" that was grounded in the scripture, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9, NRSVue).
NCC Governing Board Chair, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton opened the week with a prayer and warm welcome followed by a welcome and greetings from The Reverend Protopresbyter Andreas Vithoulkas, chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on behalf of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church and National Shrine.
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, NCC general secretary/president set the tone for the week by reminding that audience that the international humanitarian system is facing unprecedented challenges, including attacks on aid workers, restricted access, and funding cut. She also stressed to attendees of the unique role that faith communities play in advocating for humanitarian principles and providing direct assistance. Bishop McKenzie emphasized the urgent need to rebuild trust in multilateral institutions and recommit to international cooperation. | | | | The opening keynote speaker, H.E. High Representative Miguel A. Moratinos, said the Impact Week theme is "a call that also speaks directly to the core mission of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization, a bridge-builder between civilization, tradition, and culture." His Excellency Moratinos posed two questions: What does anti-nationalism mean in today's world? What might be the commodities to remain relevant tomorrow? He asserted that religious communities are in a unique position to act as "custodians of conscience and compassion, an agent of cohesion and unity, by embodying building traditions of compassion, hospitality, and moral clarity."
NCC Governing Board Vice Chair, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, shared brief remarks, acknowledging that after 9/11, St. Nicholas was resurrected as a sacred site for gathering and convocation. His Eminence shared that he "always thought that the raising of this spiritual space would bring hope and would bring healing to the thousands of visitors of every faith and tradition and soul." | | | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff and and Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos | | Closing out day one, a panel moderated by Rick Santos, president/CEO, Church World Service, engaged in a sobering discussion about challenges to humanitarian aid and refugee assistance, and explored how faith communities can respond to the current crisis in multilateralism.
"Who Is My Neighbor? Overcoming Challenges to Humanitarian Aid and Refugee Assistance Programs,"
The panelists shared their backgrounds in humanitarian aid and refugee assistance programs. They addressed speaker Verity Rushton's charge to amplify the need for safer conditions for aid workers and advocacy for protecting children.
"We are seeing a troubling erosion of the basic fundamental rights and activities to protect children," Rushton said. She went on to explain the growing disregard for international aid meant to protect children and civilians in conflict.
"Aid workers are being denied entry, safe movement. Warehouses are looted and myth and disinformation campaigns are spreading harmful and false narratives. WE NEED YOUR VOICES!" - Verity Rushton
Ms. Rushton closed with Matthew 22:36-40, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'"
Panelists: Mr. Jim Cox, United Methodist Committee on Relief Ms. Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations Ms. Susannah Cunningham, Senior Director, Service and Justice, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff | | "Equity and Justice: Addressing Challenges to Justice for Marginalized Peoples"
What are the challenges to justice for marginalized peoples?
The discussion centered on the role of churches in addressing racial equity and reparations. Prof. Justin Hansford, Howard University School of Law, emphasized the need for institutions, including churches, to turn ideas into policy and advocacy for racial justice. The conversation also highlighted the importance of education, moral imagination, and the need for reparations to address historical injustices and prevent future harm.
Prof. Hansford offered marching orders in the fight for racial equity by highlighting the importance of acknowledging and owning up to historical harms as a means to prevent future injustices. He also stressed the importance of radical imagination, called for engaging the church's sacred imagination to address racial justice issues, and highlighted the importance of churches communicating with their congregations and finding new ways to address racial injustice.
Moderated by Rev. Margaret Rose, the panelists—Rev. Noel Andersen, Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, and Ms. Pauline Muchina—discussed the importance of reparations and atonement for historical wrongs, emphasizing the role of institutions such as churches in redemption and justice. The panel also highlighted the need for long-term engagement in racial equity and the significance of public acknowledgment and healing processes. | | | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff Pictured upper right corner, L-R: NCC General Secretary, Bishop McKenzie; Dr. Dionne Boissere, UN Chapel; Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA/NCC Governing Board Chair; Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Assoc. General Secretary, NCC | | "Healing the Earth: Confronting Mounting Challenges to Environmental Justice"
The speaker and panelists emphasized the importance of faith communities in environmental justice and sustainability.
The session speaker, Mr. Joop Theunissen, deputy chief of Intergovernmental Policy and Review Branch, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, covered the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that only 15 percent of targets have been met, and the importance of voluntary national reviews. The discussion included the challenges faced by indigenous communities, the need for corporate accountability, and the role of faith-based organizations in environmental justice.
Rev. Chebon Kernell, executive at the United Methodist Church, and Cassandra Carmichael, executive director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, provided additional insight into the challenges to environmental justice, with David Wildman serving as moderator. Rev. Kernell addressed the harm to Mother Earth and expressed hope to "develop a reverence for diversity of creation in all its complexities." He also highlighted the need for right relationships with creation and each other to address pollution and health impacts.
Carmichael expressed a challenge in connection, or lack thereof, and posed the questions, "How can we connect to one another? How can we connect to creation?"
Two primary opportunities were identified: stewardship within faith communities, including energy efficiency and youth programming; and public advocacy to amplify environmental justice. Examples included tree planting programs in disadvantaged communities and efforts to protect sacred lands. The conversation also touched on the challenges of electric vehicle production and the importance of indigenous voices in environmental policy. | | | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff and Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos | | "Religious Freedom: Assessing Challenges of Increasing Religious Nationalism to Religious Minorities"
The panel was moderated by Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The speaker for the session, Jessica Roland, Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, highlighted the global resurgence of religious nationalism, citing examples from India, Nigeria, and the U.S. Father Joseph Karabakhian detailed the Armenian Christian community's plight in Artsakh, emphasizing the need for international action. Rabbi David Saperstein discussed Christian nationalism in the U.S., linking it to recent acts of violence.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou called for collective action to protect religious freedom and promote peace.
Father Karapetyan revealed a painful truth "that it is too many in too many places around the world, religious nationalism has become a justification for erasure, erasure of people, erasure of culture, erasure of erasure of sacred places and memory itself." He used the extraction of Christian Armenians from their homeland during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of what the World Council of Churches referred to as a "comprehensiveethnic cleansing of the Armenian Christian population from Artsakh."
Rabbi Saperstein provided a historical account of Christian nationalism in America, notably, Olympic Centennial Park and Oklahoma City in the 1990's, and more recently, Mother Emmanuel, the Buffalo, N.Y. grocery store, and the spas in the Atlanta area.
Dr. Prodromou framed her remarks with the issue, challenge, and problem of learning to live in peace and thinking about the relationship between religious freedom and religious nationalism. She also analyzed the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of religious nationalism and juxtaposed history with examples of religious freedom and religious nationalism around the world. Dr. Prodromou further asserted that "perhaps overstated, is that this is a global phenomenon that's rooted in historical processes." | | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff and Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos | | Where Do We Go from Here? Action Items for the Ecumenical Community
The Impact Week 2025 closing panel discussion was moderated by Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church, Daniel Pieper, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and David Wildman, United Methodist Church.
In an effort to make the closing discussion more participatory, the moderators asked attendees to arrange their chairs in a large circle to engage in a dialogue about next steps. Daniel Pieper began the dialogue with the consensus agreement that worship is advocacy for the space [Church Center at the UN].
Here are a few questions asked during the dialogue: How do we reach out to our members and congregations and do a better job of engaging those who really do want to do this work? How can the ecumenical body make people feel seen and heard? How do we take the great interventions, analyses, and presentations that we've heard in a smaller set and make it impactful? How do we communicate [what we've heard] and mobilize with concrete actions? How do we mobilize the churches and their members with a concrete action step?
Several suggestions and heartfelt stories emerged from this dialogue: Attendees asked how to take what they've heard and mobilize churches with concrete action plans in places like Gaza to ensure the message of religious freedom is there. Local Presbyterian congregations brings delegations to the UN to gain experience that they can take back locally. It was suggested to bring more Christians here [UN] to be fed and nurtured and take them so that they can do that in the local community. More intergenerational vigils and protests for people in their 70s and 80s who can demonstrate for younger generations. NCC revisit a policy statement on the Middle East that was first developed in 1980 and revisited in 2007, nearly 20 years ago. Have an NCC endorsement charge for mobilization around no more weapons, with some broader interpretation of boycotts and investment. NY State Council of Churches is testing some ideas on a bulletin board with live action-oriented items to encourage people to do something locally, such as, encourage people, not as pastors, to visit homes with 3 parishioners and do connectional networking. Resolutions and statements must be published and made available, and then followed up by a campaign to translate them to local churches but when thinking locally, what are the global actions that can go with it. It was suggested to tell the story of ecumenical work in a better way that allows members and constituencies to understand from their faith traditions and the impacts the work could have on policy. Additionally, it was suggested to hear evidence of what is being done locally from the people that are already doing it so that NCC can communicate that to the UN, which will become a dialogue and not a one-way conversation. "I want to get better collecting evidence of presenting it to the UN in a way that they would receive." –Moderator, Daniel Pieper, ELCA Finally, Bishop McKenzie shared that NCC has partnered with Howard University and American University in DC to develop a series of toolkits (and more) that can be used to help congregants and communions to advocate, how to speak up, where to speak up, and what is the best method of resistance. She told the group to look for the campaign and sign up. Everyone was invited to send suggestions, ideas, thoughts to info@nationalcouncilofchurche.us
| | Photos courtesy of NCC Staff and Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos | | ARE YOU FOLLOWING NCC ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Check out our socials for updates about the NCC 75th Anniversary celebration, member denominations, and partners! | | Bishop McKenzie, Others, Address RCA
218th General Synod | | Ecumenical guests bring greetings to the General Synod
On Sunday, June 8, the synod welcomed five representatives from the Reformed Church in America ecumenical partners to the stage. Words of encouragement and greetings were brought by Rev. José Rayas, (Christian Reformed Church in North America), Rev. Jihyun Oh (Presbyterian Church [U.S.A].), Rev. Jonathan Linman (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie (National Council of Churches), and Dr. Monica Pierce (Christian Churches Together).
| | Photo courtesy of Reformed Church in America website | | | | | Photos Courtesy of NCC Staff | On Tuesday, June 10, NCC joined member denominations, partners, faith leaders, and congregants in prayer, song, and protest for a moral budget. Hundreds of clergy, faith leaders, and congregants representing millions of American Christians and people of faith across traditions and denominations gathered on Capitol Hill in DC to urge senators to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that most impact the lives of those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Stripping support from the nation’s most vulnerable communities to cut taxes for the wealthy, is a moral tradeoff, as organizers point out, that followers of Jesus must not accept.
Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget vigil was an intergenerational, inter-faith, intercultural gathering to pray for the Senate to do what is morally right and reject the budget. A powerful lineup of speakers provided fiery prayers and words of encouragement. Rev. Barbara Williams Skinner closed the vigil with a rousing prayer that can be viewed below.
Representatives from NCC member denominations and partners were in attendance and shared their reactions to the day:
“The rally on Tuesday was filled with a Pentecost Spirit that is also at the heart of the ecumenical movement. I was proud to stand with hundreds of faith leaders as we collectively raised a moral voice against the Budget Reconciliation Bill. As the church, we are called to lift up the "least of these," as the speakers reminded us at the rally. Thus, we must stand together at this time to speak out as Christians in more bold and prophetic ways against this bill, inspired by this rally and in the fire and Spirit of Pentecost." – Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director, Office of Public Policy & Advocacy
United Church of Christ, National Ministries
"I was inspired and fortified by the prayers of my colleagues and our collective call to conscience for our Senators and for all people of faith. Our role as faith leaders is to communicate prophetic interpretation of the injustices of our time, and together we did just that. June 10 was an example of the power that faith leaders have when we join together to offer a vision for the well-being and security of all. I pray our presence and witness moves the hearts and minds of our Senators so that this evil bill will not pass." – Jeanné Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life
Following the Moral Budget Vigil in Upper Senate Park, chanting, "THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!" and singing, "We Shall Overcome," participants processed from the park to the Senate steps, where they were joined by Senators Raphael Warnock, Cory Booker, Chris Coons, and Amy Klobachar. Some of the leaders then headed to Senate offices to discuss the critical need to protect programs that care for the sick and provide food for the hungry, focused on the nation’s most vulnerable families, children, and seniors.
Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget was closed out with prayer by NCC Governing Board Treasurer Rev. Terri Hord Owens, general minister and president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, and AME Pastor, Rev. Dr. Mark Whitlock, Jr., Reid Temple AME Church, Glenn Dale, Md.
Click here for FULL video | | Video Credit: NCC Staff Dr. Williams Skinner's closing prayer following the Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget. | | | Photos Courtesy of NCC Staff | | | Photos Courtesy of NCC Staff | | National Sikh-Christian Dialogue June 2-3, 2025 | NCC and the Sikh Council of Interfaith Relations co-hosted a national dialogue with the theme "Religious Freedom: Perspectives from the US and South Asia." The groups spent two days discussing the perspectives of the United States and South Asia and the impact of the recent India-Pakistan conflict on Sikh and Christian communities in South Asia and its impact on religious freedom.
Attendees included NCC representatives (in-person): Father Dr. Joseph Varghese (Syrian Orthodox Church in North America); Kathyrn Lohre (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); Rev. Dr. Chakravarthy Zadda (Baptist); Rev. Neil Gaiser (UMC); Rev. Paul Tche (Disciples of Christ); Rev. Margaret Rose (The Episcopal Church); Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan (Ohio Council of Churches); and Daniel Clark (Faith in Public Life). | | | | | | | With Pentecost Message, WCC Presidents Reflect on Unity in Diversity | | | | In their annual Pentecost message, the World Council of Churches presidents, for 2025, reflect on the meaning of unity in diversity.
“In this year, in which all churches have shared a common Easter and therefore have the joy of celebrating a common Pentecost, we, the presidents of the World Council of Churches, greet you in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship,” opens the message. “Our unity in Christ is driven, empowered and blessed by the Holy Spirit, and the experience of the living Spirit of God empowers us to go on seeking the unity that is God’s gift.”
In fact, this is the privilege and work of our fellowship in the World Council of Churches (WCC), the message acknowledges.
“In this remarkable ecumenical year, the WCC central committee will meet in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the week following Pentecost,” reads the message. “Representatives from our diverse fellowship will gather, and will pray for the Holy Spirit to come with power and blessing upon their meeting, but also upon the world that God so loves.”
The message notes that the central committee’s gathering will also provide a timely opportunity to engage with the African Union’s 2025 theme: “2025 Year of Reparations—Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” in partnership with CARICOM and the recent focus of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. It is a call not only for reflection but also for clarity, courage, and a strategic reframing of the reparations discourse and reparatory justice vision.
Click here to read the full message. | | Tulsa Mayor Unveils Historic $105 million Reparations Plan for Greenwood | | Photo courtesy of City of Tulsa | by Deon Osborne
Tulsa, Okla.–Exactly 104 years after Tulsa’s local government deputized white men to loot, bomb, burn, kill and kidnap Black residents of the Historic Greenwood District, the city’s first Black mayor announced the creation of a historic plan for reparations on Sunday.
Inside the Greenwood Cultural Center on the first annual celebration of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, newly-elected Mayor Monroe Nichols announced the creation of a Greenwood Trust that will be used to collect $105 million to address racial disparities impacting Massacre survivors, descendants and the majority Black residents of north Tulsa.
Read full article here | | | | | | | | Dear Friends, As a part of NRCAT’s Torture Awareness Month theme of “Living Our Values” this June, we’ve prepared this collection of resources to equip faith and community advocates who are interested in joining NRCAT's campaigns to end the torture of solitary confinement in the U.S. and ban torture in U.S. national security policy. These one-pagers include:
• Who is NRCAT – about the nearly 20-year life of this organization
• What we believe/Interfaith Principles that guide our work
• Actions you can take – a checklist full of practical steps for advocating to end torture
• How to Become a Member of NRCAT
• Prayer for a Torture-Free Future – for sharing in a worship service
• Three Abrahamic traditions on torture | | | 90 Years Rooted in Faith:
The Legacy of Collins Kilburn | June 10, 2025
By: Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
As we celebrate 90 years of faithful work for justice and equity this year, we’re sharing stories of 90 Years Rooted in Faith that reflect the heart of the North Carolina Council of Churches. Each month, you’ll hear from staff and long-time friends of the Council as they highlight the transformative impacts we’ve had on our community and our vision for the future. Stay tuned for these inspiring reflections throughout the year!
Most executive directors for the North Carolina Council of Churches stick around for a while. Collins Kilburn was no exception, leading the Council for 20 years from 1979—1999, after having worked as the Council’s Director of Social Ministry for the previous 10 years. While Director of Social Ministry, Collins served simultaneously as the Chaplain to the General Assembly. As Collins tells it, “When I was Chaplain to the legislature, I noticed how much of the legislative agenda overlapped with the Justice agenda of the Council.”
From this noticeable overlap was birthed the idea of holding bi-annual legislative seminars to help churches map the intersection between the policies that bracket our lives and the justice ideals to which scripture calls us.
Read more here. | | NRCAT “How to Shine Your Light” Webinar
June 18 | | NRCAT continues its series of “how to” webinars for faith advocates, and invites participants to save the date for the next training, “How to Shine Your Light,” Wednesday, June 18, from 12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET/11–12:15 p.m. CT/9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. PT. In this webinar, offered during Torture Awareness Month, you will learn about how your faith community can partner with NRCAT to lead public witness vigils on the 23rd of each month to draw attention to the estimated 122,00 people who are held for 23 hours a day in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails. The webinar will feature leaders of WISDOM, a Wisconsin network of faith-based organizations, whose members have been leading these vigils as they work for racial and economic justice. To help spread the word about the June 18 webinar with your faith community, here is the public registration link: https://bit.ly/June18-2025Webinar. You can view the full recording from of the April 9 NRCAT “How to Become a Lifeline,” on the NRCAT YouTube channel. Share it with others in your faith community who may also be interested in participating in the Lifelines to Solitary pen pal program. | | National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. | | Click image for more information | | Pepperdine University Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change
Are you considering graduate school? Is someone in your congregation, faith circles, or family considering graduate school? Are you passionate about finding solutions to society's pressing issues? Pepperdine University is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 cohort of change-agents! Scan the QR code or click here for more information | | | | | | | | New! Host a Group Climate Ambassador Training at your House of Worship
The Climate Ambassador Training is FREE, online, flexible, and designed to help you connect and gain the skills to speak up on climate. Use our ready-to-go videos, discussion prompts, and activities to lead a four-hour training! Sign Up Here | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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