Follow NCC on Social Media! | | | | | | | RETI Application Deadline Extended to May 31 | | | About RETI… RETI (Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute) is a dynamic, cross-border leadership initiative designed for students and emerging leaders under age 45, offering a transformative immersion in ecumenism, theology, and public witness across the United States and Canada.
Grounded in the conviction that the future of the Church transcends denominational, geographic, and cultural boundaries, RETI equips participants to engage faith in action within a complex and interconnected world.
Through a binational experience, participants encounter diverse Christian traditions, engage leading theologians and practitioners, and explore the Church’s role in addressing critical global challenges such as migration, peacebuilding, racial justice, and climate change.
RETI fosters deep theological reflection alongside practical engagement, enabling participants to develop a holistic understanding of what it means to live out a shared Christian witness in today’s context.
The program integrates ecumenical immersion, theological formation, justice-oriented advocacy, cross-cultural dialogue, and leadership development. Participants build meaningful relationships across borders and traditions while strengthening their capacity to lead with integrity, courage, and a commitment to unity and justice.
RETI is more than a program—it is a formative experience that prepares a new generation of leaders to serve as bridge-builders in the Church and agents of transformation in the world. | | | | | | All Roads Lead South May 16 National Day of Action | | The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights announced that, in light of the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act, civil and voting rights groups are organizing a grassroots National Day of Action on Saturday, May 16, in Alabama.
9 AM | Selma — Faith leaders gather at the Edmund Pettus Bridge for prayer 1–5 PM | Montgomery — National Mass Rally at the Alabama State Capitol¯
The ask: 1. Sign on as a solidarity partner 2. Amplify the message and push it to your networks 3. Pull up if you can
Sign on as a partner and use the social toolkit @ allroadsleadtothesouth.com
For more information, visit allroadsleadtothesouth.com. | | Free Download: Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement | Download and use: In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement for these days of calling on the love and power available from God in these times of conflict, war, national division, hunger, poverty, relative peace, or prosperity.
Download here. | | Africa Day 2026: A Historic Moment of Memory and Unified Strategy | | May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. —1 Kings 8:57
by Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith
Ahead of Africa Day on May 25, I am reflecting on United Nations Resolution A/80/L.48 titled ,“Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime against Humanity,” which passed on March 25 of this year.
The resolution was spearheaded by Ghana, the UN Africa Group, and the African Union—in consultation with the Congressional Black Caucus in the USA and the Caribbean Nations (CARICOM).
“We come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” said Ghana President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the vote on this historic resolution.
Read more here. | | Opinion from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute on SCOTUS Ruling | | | By Dr. Forrest E. Harris
SDOI Board MemberThey Have Stolen Our Vote. Now They Have Stolen Our Voice. The Faith Community Must Rise.On April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States dealt a devastating blow to the heart of American democracy. In Louisiana v. Callais, the Court's six conservative justices effectively dismantled what remained of the Voting Rights Act of 1965—the law for which our ancestors bled, marched, and died on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, issued a dissent that should be read from every pulpit—Black, white, brown, and every shade in between — in this nation. She wrote that the Court's decision "eviscerates the law" and "greenlights redistricting plans that will disable minority communities — in Louisiana and across the Nation—from electing, as majority communities can, 'representatives of their choice.'"
We need to understand what has happened and why the faith community — with the Black church as our moral compass—must lead the response. | | | A Right to Preserve All Others: Texans Reflect On Voting And The Poll Tax | | Watch the Video Below from Texas Impact | | | Register for the 'Beyond the Sharia Scare' Webinar, May 13 | | | | Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA) 2026 | | | | Church of the Brethren to Sponsor Conscientious Objection Webinar | | | “I Object! Now What? (Opposing War and the Things that Make for War)” is a virtual event offered by On Earth Peace for youth and young adults who are affected by Selective Service registration and who would be subject in the eventuality of a military draft.
outh groups and their adult advisors, young adult Sunday school classes, and any other youth and young adults who feel they would benefit are invited to participate.
The program will be scheduled as a virtual workshop on Sunday, May 17, with times to be determined. RSVP by May 12 to express interest in attending the program, and On Earth Peace will respond to schedule a time.
Read more here. | | | Free Worship Series Helps Churches Nurture Faith at Home
The Shine curriculum has released an all-ages resource centered on six key faith practices, in order to help congregations cultivate meaningful faith practices in the home.
The six practices—talk, pray, celebrate, serve, learn, and worship—are simple, repeatable actions designed to help families integrate faith into daily routines. By focusing on these rhythms, churches can empower households to live out their faith beyond Sunday morning.
Shine is jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia. Order curriculum products from Brethren Press at www.brethrenpress.com.
Read more here. | | | Blessed Tomorrow to Host Faith + Climate Film Series | | Answer the call to care for creation together. 🌍🙏 Watch Blessed Tomorrow’s Faith + Climate Film Series to ground climate action in faith and bring meaningful conversation into your community.
Each 20-minute video comes with a FREE discussion toolkit featuring scripture, prayer, reflection questions, and practical actions you can take right away. Use the series to lead a study, engage youth, train congregants, or inspire faithful action in your congregation.
👉 Watch the series. Join the conversation. Share with your community. | | | CJM to Premiere Documentary: Fighting for Higher Ground in Detroit | | Next month, Creation Justice Ministries (CJM) will premiere a documentary about their work in Detroit. Two congregations there — Scott Memorial United Methodist Church and Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church — are turning vacant lots into community gardens, confronting illegal dumping, and building a model of faith-rooted environmental justice from the ground up. With support from Creation Justice Ministries and the Thriving Earth Exchange, these churches aren't waiting for change to come but are being the catalyst for change to take root in their community. This is one way the journey to a thriving creation looks. If hearing this story excites you, join CJM for a screening of the Detroit story on Monday, May 11, at 7:00 pm ET. Click here to join. | | | 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. | May 10 - 16 India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka May 17 - 23 Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal May 24 - 30 Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar,
Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles May 31 - June 06 Angola, Mozambique June 07 - 13 Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini June 14 - 20 Botswana, Zimbabwe June 21 - 27 Malawi, Zambia June 28 - July 04 Kenya, Tanzania
| | | | | Chiang Mai, Thailand: Asia Sunday will be observed by the member churches and councils of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) on May 17, 2026, with a focus on the theme “Hope for Redemption of Groaning Creation Amidst Bondage to Decay”.
Asia Sunday is observed annually by CCA member churches and councils on the Sunday before Pentecost. In 2026, it falls on May 17.
Read more here. | | Community of Christ to Host Peace forum October 16–18 | | Community of Christ will host the Peace Forum from 16–18 October 2026 at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA.
The event, themed “Seeds of Peace: Environmental Justice and Action,” builds on the tradition of the International Peace Colloquy, offering worship, learning, and community engagement.
All are welcome! Register Here. | | | Rhode Island Council of Churches
Observer Training and Legislative Action May 17 (Sunday) from 3:00 – 5:00 pm Registration St Luke's Episcopal Church (East Greenwich)
Join the growing movement of community members and people of faith - working together to support our immigrant communities. This training is for anyone who is concerned about the inhuman and illegal treatment of our immigrant communities — and is asking: "What can I do?"
This training will provide guidance on how to stay within the law when you:
are protesting are a friend or bystander during ICE and CBP actions and arrests are documenting ICE and CBP actions and arrests are protecting your home, school, place of worship, or business from ICE and CBP
Legislative advocacy training will include: updates and information on state legislation to protect our immigrant communities legislative process 101 (how it happens and who your reps are) tips on effective advocacy
For more information, contact the RISCC Immigration Commission. 2026 Legislative Priorities All updates to Legislative Bills can be followed here. | | | Immigration Commission Training Schedule
Join the growing movement of community members and people of faith — working together to support our immigrant communities. This training is for anyone who is concerned about the inhuman & illegal treatment of our immigrant communities — and is asking: "What can I do?" The training is a concrete way to answer that question by receiving education & legal training - and taking specific action through legislative lobbying.
For more information, contact the RISCC Immigration Commission.
Current training schedule: | | | Mental Health Awareness Seminar, Thursdays, May 7–28 Mental Health Awareness Lunch & Learn Series, presented by The One Lamb Initiative for Mental Wellness, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Each of these four online Lunch & Learn sessions will cover a different mental wellness topic and be presented by a clinical professional. Thursdays, May 7 – May 28, 12 – 1 p.m. on Zoom. More information and registration HERE. _______________________________
Parenting Skills Webinar
Skyland Trail offers a free webinar series on Parenting Skills. The first is DBT Bootcamp: Parenting Skills for Big Emotions, May 13. Registration at Community Webinars | Skyland Trail. _______________________________
Retreat in Everyday Life, Tuesday, May 26, 12 – 1 p.m. Join Ignatius House for a free, virtual information session to learn more about Ignatius House’s nine-month “Retreat in Everyday Life,” a way to journey through St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises while staying rooted in your daily routines. Transform your prayer life and discover how God is moving in your everyday life. To register, visit Ignatius House's website. _______________________________
The God of Us All: Praying with Black Spirituality June 14–21, Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center. This seven-night individually directed Ignatian retreat invites participants into a deeper encounter with God through the rich gifts of Black Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. To learn more, visit Ignatius House's website. | | | Rooted in Faith, Moving Forward MCC staff and services will move during the week of May 11 to new rented offices in a building familiar to many in the Twin Cities—Spruce Tree Centre (1600 University Ave. W.), located at the easily accessible corner of University and Snelling Avenues in St. Paul. | | | Faith Based Affordable Housing Summit | | Faith communities across New York State steward an extraordinary amount of land and property in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Yet many congregations face a daunting question: How do we transform these sacred spaces to better serve our communities? Navigating zoning laws, financing options, and development partnerships can be overwhelming without the right guidance.
In this spirit, the NY Council is pleased to announce the second annual “Rebuilding the Sacred Hearts of Our Communities” Faith-Based Affordable Housing Summit, taking place on Wednesday, June 17, at The Riverside Church, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10027. This full-day gathering will bring together faith leaders, housing advocates, developers, and community partners from across the state to explore practical pathways from vision to development. Registration details, including Early Bird tickets, will be available soon. Ticket purchase will include meals, materials, and access to all sessions. To ensure accessibility, a limited number of pay-what-you-can scholarships will be offered.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations looking to support this vital work. For questions, please contact: Rashida Tyler at 845-282-6022.
Learn more here. | | | Data Centers: What to Know and How to Support Your Community | May 14, 6:00 pm | Zoom
Interested in learning more about data centers in the Midwest from an expert? Maria Fernanda Chavez from the Union of Concerned Scientists will join Faith in Place for their upcoming Monthly Call on May 14, at 6:00 pm Central.
Maria Fernanda Chavez is a Senior Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Climate and Energy program. In this role, she focuses on the capabilities of renewable energy technologies and the importance of equitable and justice-centered policies for a clean energy transition. She has been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, 27 WKOW, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for her original analysis on the economic, health, and climate impacts of data center load growth in Wisconsin.
Learn more and RSVP here. | | | | Wednesday, May 13 12 - 1 p.m.
Online
Join a thought-provoking webinar with Duane Larson (MDiv., PhD, DD), retired ELCA pastor and Systematic Theologian. He has served as president and professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary and as faculty at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary). He is the author of Ubi Deus Dixit: Where God Has Spoken: The Lutheran Doctrine of Two Kingdoms and Care for the Sorrowing Soul, and has written extensively on the ethics of government use of force and moral injury. In this session, Dr. Larson will offer a brief overview of just war principles and invite reflection on what it means to follow Christ and engage with the government regarding violence in our modern world. Following the presentation, stay for a conversation with Dr. Larson alongside Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, and Rev. Carl W. Rosenberg, retired ELCA pastor and U.S. Army Chaplain (Lt. Colonel, Retired), offering additional pastoral and real-world perspectives. Presented in partnership with the North Carolina Synod, ELCA | | | Beyond Protesting: Working Together FOR Something | As people of faith continue to show up in public actions across the state, many are asking how to build toward change. Join the WCC for May’s “Taking a Faithful Stand” webinar to learn about concrete actions you can take on the local level to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and welcome the neighbor. This will include presentations about organizing against 287g agreements (ICE and law enforcement collaboration), Fourth Amendment workplace/business organizing, and county board-level organizing for rural and urban communities.
Learn More and Register Here
Data Centers: What to Know and How to Support Your Community | | | | | | | | | Dream, Dare, Disrupt How Experiments, Risk & Embracing Failure
Can Build Life-Giving Ministry by Matt Rawle and Rachel Billups $19.99 | | More from Friendship Press… |
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