Follow NCC on Social Media! | | | | | Get Vote Ready! Get the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide | | Visit the Voter Empowerment Guide website to learn more about the purpose of the guide, how to use it, and to download a copy for yourself. Get your congregation fully engaged by visiting the Your Vote, Your Voice Voter Toolkit website for access to editable templates for church bulletins, social media, and church announcements.
| | | | NCC Response to DoD Eliminating Faiths/Traditions from Recognized Religion List | | The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) is a nonpartisan, ecumenical organization that reflects the wide diversity of the Christian faith. It recognizes the importance of honoring and addressing the needs of varied Christian communities as well as respecting the religious liberty of people from all faith traditions, as well as no tradition, a foundational principle of our nation.
On Friday, June 5, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), referred to as the Department of War by executive order, announced the removal of 180 faith traditions from the military’s Recognized Religion List. NCC objects to this action as it undermines the fundamental principle of religious freedom that members of the U.S. military are sworn to defend. Removing these faiths and faith traditions and their attention to the diverse ways service members practice their beliefs marginalizes their unique spiritual identities, leaving them unacknowledged and disrespected by the very institution tasked with supporting them.
As an organization with 37 member denominations representing a broad spectrum of Christian faith traditions and expressions, NCC understands the significant distinctions among families of faith, even those within the same denomination. This is further amplified when considering faith traditions outside of Christianity. While some of these distinctions may seem inconsequential, they are essential to how adherents live out their faith. Streamlining categories of faith traditions for administrative efficiency has a detrimental impact on those whose faiths are not reflected, and disregards the freedom of religion clause guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
For many members of the military, faith expression is a vital source of strength and stability. Service members frequently turn to chaplains for guidance on deeply personal matters, including navigating family challenges, preparing for the moral weight of combat, and coping with the stress of PTSD. Without recognition of the diverse traditions represented among those who serve, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to feel seen, understood, and spiritually supported. Eliminating official recognition of their faiths may create barriers of trust, leaving some to question whether their beliefs will be respected or even understood by those providing care.
When service members’ spiritual identity is excluded, the resulting impact can be an erosion of morale, cohesion, and resilience. The National Council of Churches urges the Department of Defense to fully restore recognition to these faith traditions and to reaffirm its commitment to honor the religious diversity of all who serve, ensuring that no one is left without the spiritual support they need in moments of greatest challenge. Faiths and Faith Traditions Removed Agnostic (AN) Baha'i faith (BH) Buddhism (BU) Christian - Assemblies of God (AG) Christian - Baptist (BA) Christian - Brethren (BR) Christian - Catholic (CA) Christian - Church of Christ (CC) Christian - Church of God (CG) Christian - Church of the Nazarene (CN) Christian - Episcopal/Anglican (EA) Christian - Evangelical (EV) Christian - Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) Christian - Lutheran (LU) Christian - Methodist (ME) Christian - Non Denominational (ND) Christian - Orthodox (OX) Christian - Other (CO) Christian - Pentecostal (PE) Christian - Presbyterian (PR) Christian - Quaker (QU) Christian - Reformed (RE) Christian - Scientist (SC) Christian - Seventh Day Adventist (SA) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJ) Hindu (HI) Islam (Muslim) (IS) Judaism (Jewish) (JU) No Religion (NR) Other Religions (OR) Sikh (SI) | | NCC Extends Condolences to the NMBCA in Passing of President Sharp | Condolences are extended to the National Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc. in the loss of their president, Rev. Dr. Anthony E. Sharp I, who "faithfully served this Convention with unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to advancing the Kingdom of God. His legacy of faith, service, and love for God's people will continue to inspire generations to come."
The NMBCA solicits prayers for the Sharp family, the Convention family, and all whose lives were touched by his ministry. May God grant comfort, strength, and peace to them all during this time of profound loss and adjustment. | | | Good Trouble Lives On, July 17–19 | | In remembrance of the late Congressman John Lewis, hundreds of thousands are expected to engage in “Good Trouble Lives On” July 17–19, a national, nonviolent, nonpartisan weekend of action to resist threats to the right to vote.
Many voters will face new rules and requirements to vote in November, including documentation requirements, changes to vote-by-mail, and more.
This year’s action is anchored by non-partisan voter engagement, civic education, and faith-based organizing, under the banner of “Teach! Reach! Preach!” The weekend will bring together grassroots organizations, legal advocates, faith leaders, and community members for a unified collective push to support one another in making our voices heard.
Information about all events is available here.
Teach: (Friday, July 17) Reach: (Saturday, July 18) Preach: (Sunday, July 19) | | WCC Officer and NCC Governing Board Member Visits Vatican and Meets Pope Leo XIV | | World Council of Churches (WCC) president from North America and NCC governing board member, Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, met with Pope Leo XIV earlier this month. Photo courtesy Vatican Media | In an interview conducted by the World Council of Churches, Dr. Walker-Smith shared some thoughts from her visit with Pope Leo XIV
What led up to your visit with Pope Leo?
Rev. Dr. Walker-Smith: It was really the Spirit’s leading. I was there for family matters—the wedding of my younger cousin, who is very dear. I thought while I was here, I would share a greeting from the WCC.
Would you like to say a word on Pope Leo’s historic apology on behalf of the Holy See for the Catholic Church's role in legitimizing the transatlantic slave trade and failing to condemn the practice for centuries?
Rev. Dr. Walker-Smith: Yes, this latest apology is really what gave more life to what I was sensing in my spirit. So, my visit was also an opportunity to say thank you. It was revealed to me that now was the time to express gratitude. I was also building on relationships because that is what we do in the ecumenical movement! In 2007, for example, I was honored to organize the official ecumenical journey of my national church leaders in the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., a historic Black Church body, that included visits to the Vatican, WCC, the All Africa Conference of Churches and South African Church and policy leaders.
I wanted to say thank you and to invite further consideration of what more can follow now in this historic season where the UN has made its apology stating that chattel slavery was the gravest crime against humanity. We have the Church of Scotland and the Anglican Church that have made apologies, as well as national governments that have apologized.
There is much momentum concerning the acknowledgment of chattel slavery and what the next steps can be considered. This momentum includes discussions among churches, the WCC, the UN Forum on People of African Descent, the African Union, CARICOM, the Congressional Black Caucus in the USA, and other parliamentarians of African Descent globally, as well as with a host of Civil Society groups. This is not just one voice. It is a global system that has been and is being addressed.
Read the Full Interview Here… | | NCC Governing Board Member Joins Other Ohio Faith Leaders to Urge Death Penalty Repeal | | A group of faith leaders representing other clergy members across Ohio is urging state lawmakers to repeal the state’s death penalty. In a letter delivered to the Ohio General Assembly, more than 500 faith leaders from across the state said, “Now is the time for Ohio to rid itself of its outdated and immoral death penalty.” Five individuals representing the Christian faith, including NCC governing board member, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, and another anti-death penalty advocate, said it was important that state lawmakers and Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine use the funds for capital punishment to instead go to families of victims and other support services. Watch the press conference video and read the full story HERE. | | Death Penalty Abolition Rally 50th Anniversary Gregg v. Georgia 6pm EDT / 5pm CDT / 3pm PDT U.S. Supreme Court | 1 First Street, NE Washington, DC | | June: Torture Awareness Month | | Every June, human rights advocates and faith-driven organizers collectively mark Torture Awareness Month, which commemorates the 1987 anniversary of The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entering into force. This year , NRCAT is celebrating its 20th anniversary by looking back on the ways the organization has shaped the movement against state-sanctioned torture, from the horrific conditions in Guantánamo to solitary confinement in prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers.
For this year’s Torture Awareness Month, NRCAT created a special edition of our Action Toolkit, featuring all-new data, tools, templates, event ideas, and calls to action. NRCAR also debuted a new Fact Sheet and Talking Points guide to support outreach to the general public on the issues of torture, solitary confinement, and the moral imperative for people of faith to take a stand.
Click HERE and check out the many ways you and your faith community can take action below!
Click HERE for Death Penalty Abolition Rally Promotional Language | | Annual Starvin' for Justice
Fast and Vigil | | Are you mad enough yet? Are YOU Starvin' for Justice?
In 1972, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) struck down all death penalty laws in the country. Each of the five justices who affirmed that ruling on June 29, 1972, in Furman v. Georgia had a different primary concern. But they did not abolish or even disallow the death penalty. They just set new standards. At least, that was the idea.
Death penalty abolitionists have marked these two anniversary dates, June 29 and July 2, with the four-day Starvin' for Justice: The 33rd Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the US Supreme Court.
Get all the information at ABOLITION.ORG. | | Assembly Welcomes Introduction of Six Armenia-Related Amendments | | Measures Supporting Release of Armenian Hostages, Section 907 Enforcement, Armenia's Security, Cultural Heritage Protection, and Accountability for Azerbaijan Introduced in Congress Washington, D.C. – Members of Congress have submitted amendments to be considered by the House Rules Committee for the following bills: H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, and H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, aimed at securing the release of Armenian hostages unlawfully detained by Azerbaijan, strengthening Armenia's security, enforcing Section 907 restrictions, protecting Armenian Christian cultural heritage, and advancing accountability for Azerbaijan's ongoing actions against Armenia and the Armenian people.
Click HERE to review the amendments supported by the Assembly | | | July 4 and the Church: Patriotism, Faith, and Public Life
June 30, 2026 | 3:00pm ET | | As Independence Day approaches in the United States, many churches find themselves navigating complex questions about patriotism, national identity, civic responsibility, and Christian discipleship. How can congregations give thanks for the gifts and freedoms of their nation while remaining honest about its failures and unfinished work? What does faithful patriotism look like in a polarized age? And how can Christians engage public life without confusing love of country with devotion to the Gospel?
Drawing on Scripture, history, and the Church's ongoing witness, Panelists will consider how congregations can observe national holidays with both conviction and grace. Participants explore questions of civic responsibility, public leadership, and what it means to seek the common good in a diverse democracy.
More than a conversation about a national holiday, this webinar is an invitation to consider how Christians can love their country without idolizing it, engage public life without being defined by partisan politics, and bear faithful witness to a hope that transcends every nation and generation.
Speakers: Ann Ritonia - Suffragan Bishop, Armed Forces and Federal Ministries; The Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. Maurice Dyer II - Canon to the Episcopal Church Bishop Suffragan, Armed Forces and Federal Ministries; The Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.
| | Faithful Action for Voter Protection and Engagement | | Across the country, people are witnessing increasing barriers to free and fair elections, from attacks on the Voting Rights Act to changes in election administration that create barriers to participation. America’s religious freedom depends on the ability of every eligible person to participate fully in civic life. During this event, participants will hear from faith leaders and advocates, learn about current challenges facing voter participation, and share practical ways congregations can support civic engagement in their communities.
This conversation will offer space to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build relationships with clergy from across the country. If you’re looking for resources you can access TODAY on voter engagement, here are a couple from some of our partners: 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… | | | | The WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs will host a webinar, “Nuclear Disarmament in Times of Increased Militarization: The Experience from Nordic Countries,” on June 30, from 8:30 AM–10:00 AM ET. It will be part of a series on regional trends with global impact, offering perspectives from the ecumenical movement.
Read More and Register… | | | WCC Prayer Focus Calendar | | The WCC 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!
The suggested prayer texts are based on 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. | | | WCC Releases Resources for Worldwide
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2027 | | To prepare for the annual celebration, ecumenical partners in a particular region are invited to prepare a basic liturgical text on a biblical theme. Then an international editorial team of WCC and Roman Catholic representatives refines this text to ensure that it can be prayed throughout the world, and to link it with the search for the visible unity of the church.
The text is jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the WCC, through the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order, which also accompanies the entire production process. The final material is sent to WCC member churches and Roman Catholic episcopal conferences, and they are invited to translate the text and contextualize or adapt it for their own use. | | “The Church Must Be a Safe Place” | The Right Rev. Dr. Garth Minott, president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, reflected on how truth, accountability, and compassion can protect people from gender-based violence.
Read more…
| | | The WCC, along with ecumenical and civil society partners, is preparing for the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, convened by the United Nations and to be held in Geneva on July 6-7. Participants at a symposium on "Our Common Future: Advocating for Digital Rights and AI Accountability," held in mid-April in Berlin, reflected on issues that will come to the fore in the Global Dialogue.
Read more… | | | | Dr. Torsten Moritz is the general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe. He took time to reflect on why it’s important that churches know about the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and how churches across Europe and beyond can remain a steadfast voice of conscience.
Read more… | | | | The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has undertaken a five-day pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel at the invitation of the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Most Rev. Hosam Naoum.
Read more… | | | | World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay expressed deep gratitude to Rev. Norbert Stephens for his service as general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Read more…
| | | | In a statement titled “From the Proliferation of War to the Way of Just Peace: A Renewed Ecumenical Appeal,” the WCC executive committee called churches to work for peace with every means at their disposal.
Read more…
| | | | G7 leaders met in Évian, June 15–17, on the French shore of Lake Geneva, a few kilometers from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Ecumenical Center. On two continents, churches were pressing the case that those leaders left unfinished: how the world taxes wealth is a question of faith. From Malawian church councils demanding an end to harmful tax incentives to UK Christians challenging Amazon’s tax record, a movement the WCC has backed since its 2019 Zacchaeus Tax Campaign, is turning conviction into organized pressure.
Read more… | | | | WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern at plans and initiatives for the development of yet another Israeli settlement in the West Bank, in the Ush Ghurab area, next to Beit Sahour.
Read more…
| | | | His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, and His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Gaza on June 22 for a pastoral visit. They are accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Josef D. Blotz, grand hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, together with representatives of Malteser International.
Read more… | | | | The Episcopal Church, as part of a series of Ecumenical and Interreligious webinars, featured WCC staff in a panel discussion. The WCC staff introduced the WCC to an audience largely from the US, as well as from other nations across the world.
Read more… | | | | Churches in Kenya urged the government to listen to the voice of the citizens, as the denominations remembered the citizens killed during the Gen-Z protests in 2024. Churches held an interdenominational memorial service at the Nairobi Baptist Church, Ngong Road, June 21.
Read more… | | | | A new campaign and toolkit, “Until Everyone is Safe,” to be released in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, will reaffirm the right to seek safety as a shared societal good.
Read more… | | | | The WCC has published “HIV and Mental Health: What Can the Church Do?” by Dr. Sue Parry, a practical and theologically grounded resource for congregations ready to respond to one of the most complex pastoral challenges of our time.
Read more… | | | | Do Kamo and the Holy Land:
In 1999, my family moved to Houston, Texas. My uncle Ibrahim — my grandfather’s son — was receiving cancer treatment at MD Anderson Hospital. My grandfather, Bishop Faik Ibrahim Haddad, long retired as Bishop of Jerusalem, came too. Houston, it turned out, had no shortage of Christians who wanted to hear from him.
Read more… | | | Eco-Diakonia Youth Hub 2026:
Global Three-month Online Training Program
May 8 — July 10, 2026 — The WCC has launched applications for the Eco-Diakonia Youth Hub, a three-month global training program designed to equip young leaders to advance climate justice and diakonia initiatives in their local contexts.
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… | | | Pilgrimage to Armenia 2026 | | | | | | | SUMMA Theological Debate Society and Summer Camp is accepting registrations now. SUMMA, July 14-22, brings together high school students (entering grades 9–12) from across the country to one of the largest and most beautiful college campuses anywhere—the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. In between stimulating lectures and discussions, campers explore the domain, play sports and music, engage in arts and crafts, and forge connections with members of the Sewanee community. Working in small groups, campers research controversies, develop arguments, question claims, seek evidence, debate positions, and sharpen their skills in public speaking, listening, and critical thinking. At the end-of-camp tournament, each camper debates both the affirmative and negative positions of debate resolutions. Apply, Register, and Final Payment. _______________________________
From the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary: Wounded Ministers Retreats, Wounded Ministers Retreat for Clergy and Spouses, July 13-16, 2026, and October 12-15. An experience for healing and wholeness for ministers and spouses who have experienced a forced termination from a ministry context, or who are in conflict that may lead to one.
| | Interfaith Council of
Metropolitan Washington, DC | NBA Sent Summer Coming in June | National Benevolent Associations’s 2026 SENT Summer is coming June 21-22! Formerly the annual SENT Seminar, this year’s two-day virtual event will offer messages of inspiration and resilience from public change makers as they share personal anecdotes and frameworks that nurture endurance for those “in the HEAT of the Work” of leading social change.
The event will be held from 7:00 pm—8:00 pm ET/6:00 pm-7:00 pm CT each night. Registration is now open!
Register Here ___________________________ | | | | | | | How can our faith inform the way we engage the issues shaping our communities? Our new Faithful Voter Guide invites Christians to explore seven key spheres of influence affecting our communities through the lens of faith. Grounded in scripture and the call to love our neighbors, this resource offers reflection and questions for discernment as you prepare to engage the issues before us. As we prepare for the months ahead, we hope this guide encourages thoughtful reflection, meaningful conversation, and faithful action in pursuit of a more just and flourishing North Carolina.
Download the Guide | | 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. Each forum features a guest speaker engaging timely issues impacting North Carolina’s communities and ecosystems. Since launching in February 2026, NCCC has welcomed speakers from the Carolinas Clean Energy Fund, the N.C. Environmental Justice Network, the Utility Fairness Now Campaign, and the U.S. Climate Action Network. The next forum will be held on 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 | Stronger Together, Rising Together
2-Day Virtual Learning Academy Friday, June 26 - Monday, June 29 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Online Join the Black Youth Wellness Community of Practice and Education and the North Carolina Youth Advisory Fund for a virtual academy. Participants will gain practical tools, resources, and strategies to help foster connection, strengthen protective factors, and create supportive environments where Black youth can thrive. Click here to register.
Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship The Annie E. Casey Foundation is seeking candidate recommendations and applications for its Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship, a leadership development program for emerging leaders ages 24 to 31. The Fellowship is designed for early career leaders with a commitment to promoting racial equity and pursuing results on behalf of children, youth, families, and communities. Click here to learn more about the fellowship.
NC Death Penalty 101 Monday, June 29 7 p.m.
Online Want to learn more about the death penalty in North Carolina and how you can be part of the movement for abolition? Join the NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty for a one-hour virtual session offering an introduction to the issues and ways to get connected. This is a chance to ground yourself in the facts, meet others across the state committed to justice, and find your place in the movement to end capital punishment.
Click here to register. | | Clergy Virtual Seminar: Public Discipleship in
Minnesota and Its Lessons for North Carolina | | Tuesday, June 30 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Online Join the NC Council of Churches and Make NC Work for a special seminar for clergy and ordained deacons, with guest speakers from Minnesota. During this webinar, you’ll learn how entire congregations can put our values into action through a public discipleship program. You’ll hear stories from churches across the country, spanning Black churches, rural and suburban congregations, and a wide range of denominations, all coming together to live our faith out loud. Register Here | | | | | | | | | | | Purchase the NCC 75th Anniversary
Commemorative BIble and Save 20% Discount Code: NCC2026 | | | More from Friendship Press… |
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