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a Stop Along Slave Trade Route | | The icon altarpiece, designed and created by Graeme Mortimer Evelyn, at Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The image signifies the historically Black parish’s ongoing work of racial reconciliation, restorative justice, and inclusion in a city once central to the transatlantic slave trade. Photo: Diocese of South Carolina
By Shireen Korkzan
Episcopal News Service | Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston, the oldest historically Black parish in the Diocese of South Carolina, on Oct. 10 unveiled and dedicated an icon altarpiece signifying the church’s ongoing work of racial reconciliation, restorative justice, and inclusion in a city once central to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The large icon, designed and created by British Jamaican artist Graeme Mortimer Evelyn, will permanently hang with two of the church’s original stained-glass windows indenting into the top center. Looking up, Jesus stands with his arms raised as stripes of different colors fan out like a sunrise from the middle of his body.
“Jesus is making sure that all are welcome, which is symbolized by the various colors, and it shows the availability of everybody to be in communion with hospitality and welcoming,” the Rev. Ricardo Bailey, Calvary’s rector, told Episcopal News Service. “And in the theology of the church, everything leads to the altar. So, by this icon being an altarpiece, it … represents the fact that we sacramentally meet Jesus in the celebration of the Eucharist at the altar, and then we’re also sent forth by the altar to be a blessing.”
Discussions on creating the icon for Calvary began in 2023, when Evelyn gave a presentation on iconography at South Carolina’s diocesan convention. Grace Wingfield, a Calvary parishioner, left the presentation inspired to start a project for her parish. She served as project coordinator throughout the multi-year process.
Reflecting Calvary’s congregation, the icon’s development process symbolically incorporated elements of oral history, a crucial pillar of preserving Black history. Parishioners were invited to participate in painting the icon, making it a community project rather than the artist’s solo work.
Read the Full Story… | | | | Kristen Hansen, minister of music, rings a bell in opposition to the death penalty outside First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in downtown Nashville. (Photo courtesy of Death Penalty Action) | | Death Penalty Action has launched For Whom the Bells Toll, a new campaign for faith communities that want to affirm their opposition to capital punishment. This initiative is designed to give people of faith and their communities suggestions for incorporating public expressions of opposition to executions into their regular programming. Those actions may include tolling bells at places of worship, putting out signs during execution weeks in this country, and organizing prayer. You can watch a one-minute video about this campaign and read more on their website. A recent Religion News Service article highlights the work of churches participating in the effort. | | Fair Count Hosts Series of In-Person and Virtual Pre-Election Events | | | | Come Along for 'The Ride' | | The Ride is a groundbreaking film project, but more than that, it is an invitation to real-life pilgrims to retrace the journey of the 1961 Freedom Riders and carry their legacy forward.
In the final weeks before the midterm elections, original Freedom Riders, their descendants, artists, activists, and everyday pilgrims will travel from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans, joining community events, sharing stories, creating art, and celebrating the enduring spirit of the Movement.
Beyond partner organizations and sponsors, The Ride is open to individuals who want to travel the route, join the community events at each stop, and be part of a historic effort in the final two weeks before the election. Each stop becomes part of the story, connecting the courage of 1961 with the hope and determination of 2026. Six Days, or the Whole Way Pilgrims can join for either the six-day leg or for the full twelve-day journey from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans. The October 17 orientation and training day in Washington is included in Leg One and the Full Journey. The 12-Day Itinerary (October 17–22, 2026)
Leg One: Saturday 17 – Thursday 22 Leg Two: Friday, October 23 – Wednesday 28.
Full routing and stop-level detail, including hotel information, will be shared with registered riders ahead of the tour.
SAT17 DAY 1 — WASHINGTON, D.C. Orientation and training day. Included in Leg One and the Full Journey.
SUN18 DAY 2 — WASHINGTON, D.C. Departure. The buses roll out of the capital, as they did on May 4, 1961.
MON19 DAY 3 — RICHMOND, VA
TUE20 DAY 4 — PETERSBURG & LYNCHBURG, VA
WED21 DAY 5 — GREENSBORO & CHARLOTTE, NC Home of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
THU22 DAY 6 — ROCK HILL, WINNSBORO & SUMTER, SC End of Leg One.
FRI23 DAY 7 — AUGUSTA & ATLANTA, GA Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center. Leg Two riders join here.
SAT24 DAY 8 — ANNISTON & BIRMINGHAM, AL Where a mob firebombed a Freedom Riders bus on Mother’s Day, 1961.
SUN25 DAY 9 — NASHVILLE, TN
MON26 DAY 10 — MONTGOMERY, AL The Freedom Rides Museum and the Dr. Richard Harris House.
TUE27 DAY 11 — SELMA, ALABAMA & JACKSON, MS The Edmund Pettus Bridge; the Medgar Evers Home Museum and the Fairgrounds, where riders were jailed in 1961.
WED28 DAY 12 — BATON ROUGE & NEW ORLEANS, LA The final stop, and the historic endpoint of the 1961 Freedom Rides — the destination the original riders never reached. | | | Join the 2026 Unity Walk, October 25 | | Now in its 21st year, the Unity Walk invites people of every faith, culture, and background to experience the extraordinary religious diversity of our nation's capital through open houses at houses of worship, meaningful dialogue, music, art, service, and community. It is one of the region’s most visible expressions of interfaith joy and friendship. Please participate by tabling at the Unity Walk Resource Fair and then walking (if you are able) for the rest of the afternoon! All information about tabling can be found here. | | CCA Stresses 'Every Person's Story Matters' World Mental Health Day | | Chiang Mai, Thailand: On World Mental Health Day 2026, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) called on churches and communities to challenge mental health stigma, strengthen pastoral care, and ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges are heard, supported, and treated with dignity.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” underscores the importance of recognizing the experiences of people living with mental health challenges and ensuring that their voices shape the support they receive.
In a statement released on October 10, CCA General Secretary Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon stressed that every person’s story matters and every voice deserves to be heard. She emphasized that mental health awareness must translate into meaningful action that responds to people’s lived realities.
Read more... | | National Food Sovereignty Conference, Atlanta, October 25–27 | | | The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm is hosting "PLANTED: National Food Sovereignty Conference,” three days of workshops, panels, and hands-on training with growers, advocates, and community leaders building food sovereignty in their neighborhoods. Atlanta, October 25 – 27. Space is limited. | | | | | Defending Democracy Webinar: Thursdays, September 3–October 15 | | Join the Georgetown Center on Faith + Justice every Thursday for virtual workshops designed to equip you with the tools to navigate and protect the 2026 midterm elections. From understanding threats to democracy and engaging voters to knowing your rights and becoming a poll chaplain, each session offers practical ways to participate, prepare, and strengthen our democracy. Sessions will be held via Zoom.
External registration is required to attend the final session. Register at TurnOutSunday.com _______________________________
WCC Hybrid “Follow the Money” Event Will Examine
Banks’ Role in Ecological Destruction
The WCC will host a hybrid event titled “Follow the Money: Multilateral Development Banks, Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice” on October 14.
Learn more…
WCC Webinar: Follow the Money: MDBs, Fossil Fuels
and Climate Justice
The WCC will host a hybrid event entitled “Follow the Money: Multilateral Development Banks, Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice” on October 14.
Learn more…
WCC Webinar: World Food Day 2026 and farewell to the UN Special Rapporteur Right to Water and Sanitation
October 16, 2026 — The webinar will take its theme from the official FAO World Food Day 2026: “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” The discussion will explore what innovation can look like when we place food security, water, land, human rights, and ecological sustainability at the center.
Learn more…
WCC Webinar: Theology of Companionship Method: Companionship as a Pilgrimage Practice
November 10, 2026 — The second session of the webinar series explores companionship not only as a theological idea, but as a practical method for shaping Pilgrimage encounters.
Learn more…
WCC Webinar: Theology of Companionship - Ethics: Companionship, Power, and Asymmetry
January 13, 2027 — The third session of the webinar series focuses on the ethical dimensions of companionship, especially where relationships are shaped by unequal power, privilege, resources, race, gender, geography, or institutional status.
Learn more…
WCC Webinar: Theology of Companionship - Context: Companionship in Lived Practices
March 3, 2027 — The fourth session of the webinar series turns to the lived practices of companionship in concrete ecclesial, social, and cultural contexts.
Learn more… | | | WCC Commends Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay | | South African lawyer, judge, and champion of international law Navi Pillay, after she was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, on October 9, at the historic Courtroom 600 of Nuremberg's Palace of Justice, the venue of the 1945-1946 Nuremberg Trials in Nuremberg, southern Germany, where she was attending the Nuremberg Forum 2026 conference of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy. Pillay was the judge who who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and who last year presided over a UN commission which accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. (Photo by Frank BOXLER / AFP via Getty Images) | The World Council of Churches is commending the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The prize committee noted that she has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted.
Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, Pillay became a lawyer and legal pioneer, confronting deep structural discrimination, segregation, and exclusion. A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time.
She has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Today, Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide. Read Full Story… | | WCC News Highlights....
Listening Before Speaking: Conference Participants Meet Local Communities in Chiang Mai
Listening before speaking and walking before leading set the tone for the Joint Conference of the WCC Commissions and Reference Groups on Life, Justice, and Peace, taking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this week.
Read more…
New GETI Publication Explores Future of Christian Unity
A new publication from the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) brings together the voices and theological reflections of young ecumenists from around the world who attended the 2025 edition of the WCC Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI). It brings fresh input to the pressing question for the churches today: Where now for visible unity?
Read more…
Can Churches Help Make an Alternative
Asylum System a Reality?
Dr. Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), reflects on a recent conference, “Protecting People More Than Borders,” and how churches can help make an alternative asylum system a reality.
Read more…
Thank You, Bossey! Alumni Network Launches
WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay officially launched the Bossey Alumni Network on October 7. The new digital platform will connect and enrich more than 3,000 former Bossey students worldwide.
Read more…
Wearing Black on Thursdays Says: “I Refuse to Be Silent”
Francis Fourie is a library assistant at New York University–Abu Dhabi. She shares what Thursdays in Black means to her, particularly after the passing of her sister, Rev. Prof. Dr. Mary-Anne Plaatjies-van Huffel.
Read more…
HIV Dialogue in Philippines Galvanizes Call to Action
A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue, “Faith Forward: Reclaiming HIV in the Health Agenda,” was organized by the WCC in partnership with the Network of Positive Advocates of the Philippines.
Read more…
Chiang Mai Conference Opens to Explore
“Being Church in the World Today”
A gathering of WCC commissions and reference groups on Life, Justice and Peace opened in Chiang Mai, where ecumenical leaders will explore what “Being Church in the World Today” means.
Read more…
WCC Program Director Strengthens Strategic
Vision for Ecumenical Formation
WCC program director for Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr. Kuzipa Nalwamba shared an update to the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) meeting at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Nalwamba emphasized that formation should be understood not simply as a collection of educational activities, but as a fundamental “ethos” of the WCC.
Read more…
Rev. Prof. Dr. Meehyun Chung Shares
Overview of WCC Education, Formation
Rev. Prof. Dr. Meehyun Chung, moderator of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation, shared a report on October 5 that offered an overview of the commission’s most recent work as well as a glimpse into future plans.
Read more…
“Affirmation of Just Peace” Published by
International Peace Convocation in Korea
An International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, held September 9-13 in South Korea, has released an “Affirmation of Just Peace.”
Read more…
WCC General Secretary Shares Encouragement
with WCC Education Commission
In a special message titled “The Spirit of Ecumenical Learning,” WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay shared appreciation for the work of the WCC Ecumenical Education and Formation Commission as they start their biannual meeting.
Read more…
Ambassador, Palestinian Diplomat, Visits WCC
WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay received H.E. Ambassador Amira Hanania, a Palestinian diplomat and media veteran who serves as the representative of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Europe.
Read more…
WCC Receives Executive Director of King Hamad Global Center for Co-existence and Tolerance
WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay received H.E. Muneera Naoufal Aldosari, executive director of the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, on October 1. Aldosari was accompanied by Ebrahim Anwar Albalooshi, international cooperation specialist.
Read more…
Evening of Testimony from Christians in the Holy Land Brings Heartfelt Stories
WCC and the Geneva Assembly of Churches organized an evening of testimonies in Geneva on October 1. The special event provided a direct platform for those on the ground who are holding fast to hope and building peace in their daily lives.
Read more…
2026 Right Livelihood Laureates Challenge
Autocracy, Patriarchy, and AI Bias
The 2026 Right Livelihood Award is honoring women and women-led organizations confronting the world’s most entrenched power structures: authoritarian rule, patriarchal violence, and unchecked AI development.
Read more…
Bible Study: The Stranger at the Table: Ecumenical Formation and Living Ecumenism
Bible study session on Luke 24:13–35, WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation meeting at Bossey, 2026.
Read more…
Links & Publications
WCC Faith and Order Commission meeting in Sweden
October 25–November 1, 2026 — The WCC Commission on Faith and Order will meet with two plenary panels on “Faith and Order in Sweden and the Nordics.”
Read more…
Executive Committee Meeting
November 18–25, 2026 — The 25-person Executive Committee is the WCC governing body, with members from churches in every region. It meets twice a year to monitor ongoing work, supervise the budget, and deal with policy matters referred to it by the Central Committee.
Read more… | | WCC 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!
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 | | October 11 – 17 ..........................................Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
Panama October 18 – 24........................................Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico October 25 – 31.........................................The Caribbean November 1 – 7........................................Canada, United States of America November 8 – 14 ....................................Oceania: American Samoa, Cook
Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi
Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua
New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu November 15 – 21 ...................................Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia November 22 – 28.................................East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia,
Philippines November 29 – December 5 .........Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore December 6 – 12......................................Myanmar, Thailand December 13 – 19....................................Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam December 20 – 26..................................Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and
the Mainland of China December 27 – January 2..................Japan, North Korea, South Korea | | | | | Celebration and Inspiration! Annual Awards Gala | | | | | | Save the Date: Interfaith Alliance Bus Tour and
March to the Polls | | Tuesdays, October 13, 20 Noon – 1:00 p.m. / Online “Love’s on the Ballot: Voting Our Faith” is a four-part lunch and learn series brought to you by the NC Council of Churches, Christians Against Christian Nationalism NC, Pastors for NC Children, and People of Faith for Public Schools. NCCC's Faithful Voter Guide is about Seven Spheres of Influence. This series of four Lunch and Learns will make the seven spheres practical as we face the midterm election on November 3.
How do we take action to engage the seven spheres of influence at the ballot box this fall and beyond to build beloved community? Join one or all four interactive, live conversations.
Please note: The teaching portion will be shared later, but the conversations and Q&A will not be recorded.
| | Friday, October 16, 2026
Raleigh, NC Be in Raleigh on October 16 for the Interfaith Alliance Bus Tour stop, where participants will March to the Polls, as faith leaders and community members gather for a day of civic engagement and connection. This will be a special moment for the North Carolina Council of Churches as Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland and incoming Executive Director Rev. Dr. Regina Henderson Moore join us together before heading to the polls. More details and registration coming soon. | | Join A Peals for Peace: Monday, October 12
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.
Every Monday at 6:00 p.m. through November 2 Monday, October 12, will be the sixth weekly bell ringing, which continues every Monday until the Monday before Election Day. Join the Sound. Register your congregation, organization, or household to participate. If you have already signed up, take photos and videos of your bell ringing and send them to Rachel Baker, communications director, at rachel@ncchurches.org so we can highlight our impact!
| | | | | When pressure rises, even experienced leaders can find themselves reacting rather than responding. Grounded Under Pressure helps Christian leaders recognize what happens within themselves when anxiety and tension increase and practice ways of remaining calm, clear, and connected in the midst of it.
Rooted in Christian formation, this interactive workshop combines practical tools for self-awareness and self-regulation with spiritual practices that help leaders respond with greater wisdom, courage, and faithfulness. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety or avoid difficult situations, but to strengthen our capacity to remain grounded enough to act intentionally when the pressure is high.
Participants will practice: Recognizing their own patterns of reactivity Regulating themselves when anxiety and tension rise Staying both defined and connected under pressure Responding with clarity, courage, and faithfulness
Learn more… | | Faith and Democracy Contract Positions Available Apply Now for Communications Lead and Organizer Roles Thanks to generous funding from community partners, the WCC is bringing contractors on board for two key roles supporting our Faith and Democracy efforts. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and those hired can begin immediately. Timeframe. Now through mid-January, with intense work periods in late October/early November and early January. Work is online — phone, Zoom meetings, emails, and social media, with documentation of contacts. Physical location matters less than your personal network and ability to connect. Communications lead will produce a faith and democracy e-newsletter and original social media content. Organizer will recruit poll chaplains and volunteers, signers for our faith and democracy pledge, and gather information about local ministries.
Information on deliverables and compensation is available on the WCOC web page. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and samples of your work (for a communications position) to wcoc@wichurches.org. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled, with the intent to start immediately. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Purchase the NCC 75th Anniversary
Commemorative BIble and Save 20% Discount Code: NCC2026 | | | More from Friendship Press… |
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