Follow NCC on Social Media! | | To subscribe to our weekly newsletter | | | | | Christian Unity Gathering 2026
Affirms Religious Freedom, Faith,
and Common Witness | | Story and Photos by Amanda Dowd, NCC Communications Officer
The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) hosted its annual Christian Unity Gathering (CUG) October 12-16, in Philadelphia, bringing together Christian leaders, ecumenical partners, and interfaith voices for a week of meaningful dialogue, worship, learning, and fellowship centered on Religious Freedom and Christian unity. Through engaging plenary sessions, panel discussions, site visits, and worship experiences, participants explored how people of faith can work together to uphold freedom of conscience, strengthen communities, and address the challenges facing society today.
The gathering opened with a Faith & AI Summit roundtable and meetings of the National Council of Churches Governing Board and Convening Tables. The opening plenary featured welcoming remarks from NCC President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, greetings from NCC Governing Board Chair His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, and a keynote address by Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, World Council of Churches moderator. Their messages set the tone for a week focused on collaboration, religious liberty, and the church’s public witness.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a wide range of discussions and panels examining religious freedom from local, national, and global perspectives. Sessions explored topics including international religious freedom, interreligious dialogue, the NATI-RETI experience, voting rights, election engagement, and the right to believe, worship, and belong. Award presentations honored leaders whose work has advanced religious freedom, interfaith cooperation, and social justice, while conversations encouraged attendees to move from reflection to collective action.
Site visits enriched the gathering by connecting participants with Philadelphia’s deep religious history. Attendees visited the historic Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Liberty Bell, the NCC Archives at the Presbyterian Historical Society, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and the historic Arch Street Meeting House. During the week, the Governing Board also took action on several pressing issues facing the church and society, releasing four public statements (linked below): These statements reflect the Council’s commitment to defending human dignity, promoting religious liberty, responding to humanitarian concerns, and encouraging faithful civic participation.
Worship and spiritual reflection remained at the heart of the gathering. Daily meditations, prayer experiences, and unique worship services across traditions offered moments of renewal and inspiration. As the Christian Unity Gathering concluded with a closing meditation, participants departed encouraged by new relationships, fresh insights, and a renewed commitment to advancing Christian unity, religious freedom, and faithful engagement in the world. | | | CUG Awards Given in at 2026 Event
in Philadelphia | | On Tuesday, October 13, the Christian Unity Gathering Awards recognized six clergy and lay leaders for their contributions to religious freedom and advocacy.
During the annual luncheon, faith leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to ecumenical unity, religious freedom, and advocacy work were recognized in three award categories.
The 2026 President’s Award for Excellence in Faithful Leadership recipients are: Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, World Council of Churches Central Committee moderator; and Ambassador David Saperstein, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom.
The Gwynne Guibord Award for Excellence in Interreligious Leadership was given to Maggie Siddiqi, Interfaith Alliance; Washington Interreligious Staff Community (WISC).
The J. Irwin Miller Award was given to two recipients for their commitment to church unity: Dr. Bridget Moix and Amelia Kegan, both affiliated with the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), which is also a member of WISC. | | Download the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide | | | | | | | Photo: Courtesy Albin Hillert/WCC
World Council of Churches Central Committee Moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm spoke on October 13 during the annual Christian Unity Gathering of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, underway October 12–16.
Bishop Bedford-Strohm focused on the conference theme, “Religious Freedom.”
He noted that religious liberty is a human right. “However, for us as Christians, it is also an obligation, a commitment,” he said. “We are presently witnessing the misuse of religion worldwide to an extent that I cannot remember to have experienced in my whole lifetime.”
The instrumentalization of the Christian religion for political purposes that are in deep contradiction to fundamental biblical orientations has reached a new level, Bishop Bedford-Strohm noted.
“In the case of Russia, the president uses Christian rhetoric to legitimize an aggressive war against its neighbor Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of victims, many of them civilians,” he said. “Bombarding the energy infrastructure in one of the coldest winters of the last decades has been used for efforts to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people and has deliberately targeted the civilian population.”
Bishop Bedford-Strohm lamented that an aggressive war against a neighboring country is justified with religious rhetoric.
Read more…
| | Interfaith Alliance 'The Vote Is Sacred' Tour 2026 | | The Vote Is Sacred is a nonpartisan, multi-faith bus tour launched on October 6 in Omaha, Nebraska, and is currently rolling through 15 states, right up to Election Day, November 3.
Stops feature voter registration, local trainings, partner activations, and multi-faith vigils.
Learn more here…
| | ‘Clear the Road to Freedom’ Brings Faith Communities Together in Solidarity with Immigrants | | The “Clear the Road to Freedom” walkers focused national media attention on inhumane ICE detention center conditions, raised $65,000 for bonds for detainees and built extensive grassroots support. Photo: Diocese of Los Angeles
By By Pat McCaughan | By the time “Clear the Road to Freedom” walkers reached Los Angeles Oct. 6, they had focused national media attention on inhumane ICE detention center conditions, raised $65,000 for bonds for detainees, built extensive grassroots support and, although exhausted, sunburned and blistered from their 96-mile trek in extreme heat, were dancing in the streets, said the Rev. Canon Jaime Edwards Acton, an organizer and diocesan Sacred Resistance co-chair.
“It was like we had endless energy. It was beautiful,” and only the beginning, Edwards Acton told The Episcopal News Oct. 7. “We’re going to keep showing up, keep insisting that something be done, that centers be closed down, that the immigration system be fixed and that people be held accountable, and to make sure that these places are humane.”
The interfaith walk, itself, was the message. Organized by the diocesan Sacred Resistance, CLUE, or Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, and Nefesh L.A., a Jewish spiritual community, the pilgrimage drew widespread attention from such Spanish- and English-language media outlets as Univision, the Rachel Maddow Show, MS Now, L.A. Local, USA Today Network/Visalia Times-Delta and many others, he said.
Walkers also drew a groundswell of local and individual support, Rabbi Susan Goldberg, Nefesh founder and a pilgrimage organizer, told The Episcopal News on Oct. 3, when the group reached Upland, about halfway to their destination. “People are showing up and saying, ‘I saw this on TikTok and on social media, and I decided to come walk for the day, and they are having transformative experiences.
Read full story here… | | Statement from Unitas Fratrum
on Mountain Rehabilitation Centre Incursion | | The following statement comes from the Unitas Fratrum (Worldwide Moravian Church), Office of the Unity General Secretary
On Friday, October 9, 2026, a group of about 100 Israeli settlers illegally entered the property of Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center, a Unity Undertaking of the Worldwide Moravian Church, and remained there for half an hour. They broke through the security fence at the rear of the Centre and entered the site. They roamed the grounds and left again via the official entrance gate. Early the following Sunday morning, once again some people entered the property illegally and vandalized a greenhouse.
The Star Mountain Rehabilitation Centre is situated between Ramallah and Birzeit in the northern part of the West Bank. Approximately 100 children and young people with intellectual disabilities receive care and support from 20 teaching and caretaking staff. On behalf of the Moravian Unity, the Herrnhuter Missionshilfe in Germany is responsible for assisting and supporting the Star Mountain.
The incident has caused fear, sorrow, and great concern among the staff, the children and young people, and their families.
The Worldwide Moravian Church is deeply disturbed by the reports of the incursion onto the Star Mountain premises by Israeli settlers and the damage caused to the property. Such incidents are a matter of serious concern, particularly given the vulnerability of the children and young people whom Star Mountain serves. Our immediate concern is for the safety and well-being of the children and young people, their families and staff.
This incident cannot be viewed without recognizing the wider and in many ways unfortunate situation in Palestine. The events at Star Mountain further impact upon the lives, security and dignity of Palestinian communities.
The Moravian Church stands in solidarity with the Star Mountain community and Palestine at this difficult time. We continue to hold the children and young people, their families, staff and all those connected with Star Mountain in our prayers.
We pray and work for justice, peace, dignity and security for all. We call the relevant authorities of Israel and Palestine to secure the safety and well-being of the children, young people and the dedicated staff of the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Centre.
In the name of God of peace and justice. On behalf of the Worldwide Moravian Church Sr. Roberta Hoey, Unity Board President Rev. Dr. Jørgen Bøytler, PhD, Unity Board General Secretary
Learn more about the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Centre | | CCA to Convene Consultation on Strengthening Ecumenical Action for Women’s Dignity and Rights | | Manila, Philippines: Women church leaders from member constituencies of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) across Southeast Asia will gather in Manila, Philippines, October 14–16, 2026, for the Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV) Southeast Asia Consultation on “Strengthening Ecumenical Action for Women’s Dignity and Rights.” | Manila, Philippines: Women church leaders from member constituencies of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) across Southeast Asia will gather in Manila, Philippines, from 14 to 16 October 2026 for the Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV) Southeast Asia Consultation on “Strengthening Ecumenical Action for Women’s Dignity and Rights.”
Organized through the CCA's EWAAV program, the consultation provides a platform for participants to reflect on the challenges faced by women across the region and to discern concrete and sustained actions to prevent gender-based violence, challenge discrimination and inequality, and promote values and systems that uphold women’s dignity and rights, particularly within churches and communities.
Read full story here… | | CJM Midterm Election Resources | | Every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, roughly one-third of the U.S. Senate, key gubernatorial offices, state legislatures, and local ballot initiatives on the ballot. These decisions directly shape the health and well-being of neighbors, communities, and God’s creation. With so much at stake, we are called as people of faith to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts in determining our shared future.
These midterms present a critical opportunity to elect leaders in Congress who will hold the administration accountable, defend our democratic institutions, and lead with values rooted in justice, compassion, and faithful stewardship of creation. A healthy, inclusive democracy is essential to fulfilling our sacred calling to protect, restore, and rightly share God’s creation.
Creation Justice Ministries has compiled a series of resources from partners and friends in this work — double check your voter registration, make a plan, and know your voting rights. Join CJM in voting for Creation this midterm election. Explore Now… | | Come Along for 'The Ride',
October 17–28 | | 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.
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.
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. | | | 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. | | 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. | | | | | Considerations for Trauma-Informed Preaching | | Thursday, November 5, 2026 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Explore how trauma, grief, and lived experiences shape the way people hear and experience sermons. Join Partners in Health and Wholeness for a webinar that examines how theology and language can affect listeners, offers practical ways to incorporate trauma-informed approaches into sermon preparation, and gives guidance for thoughtfully navigating grief and loss during the holiday season.
Featuring Melanie Melton, a licensed marriage and family therapist, ordained minister, and founder of Now, Healing Begins. With expertise in mental health, spiritual wellness, and trauma-informed care, Melanie equips clergy and faith communities with tools to foster healing, wholeness, and well-being. Sacred Spaces, Living Stories: What
Church Architecture Can Teach Us Wednesday, October 21 | 3:00 pm ET
Our church buildings tell stories. Their architecture reflects the communities that built them, the ways Episcopalians have understood worship and sacred space, and the presence the Church has sought to embody in the places it serves. But how well do we know the stories our buildings are telling?
Join the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church for a conversation about church architecture as an important part of Episcopal history and a resource for congregations today. Drawing on themes and insights from the award-winning book Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida, we’ll explore how congregations can better understand the architecture of their churches, consider how these spaces shape worship and the public’s encounter with the Church, and find practical ways to interpret and share their history with parishioners and visitors.
Speakers Matthew Payne – Director of Operations, Historical Society of the Episcopal Church; Mineral Point, WI Jonathan Rich – Author, Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida; Jacksonville, FL John Runkle – Priest, The Episcopal Church; First Vice-President, Historical Society of the Episcopal Church; Author of Searching for Sacred Space: Essays on Architecture and Liturgical Design in the Episcopal Church; Sewanee, TN
Learn more… 4:00 CET | 8:00 AM EST
An online learning series on interreligious dialogue will continue with a new webinar focusing on Hindu philosophy, practice, pluralism, and interreligious dialogue.
The speaker will be Prof. Emeritus Jaya Krishnakumar, from the Institute of Economics and Econometrics, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva.
The online intergenerational learning series, an initiative of the World Council of Churches Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation Reference Group in collaboration with the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement program, aims to foster meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared reflection across religious and cultural traditions
Register for the webinar here… WCC “Follow the Money” Event Examines
Banks’ Role in Ecological Destruction
A webinar on October 14, “Follow the Money: Multilateral Development Banks, Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice,” hosted by the World Council of Churches, examined where money is going, what kinds of energy systems and development pathways it is helping to finance, and who bears the costs and risks.
Watch the webinar here… 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 Conveys Heartfelt Prayers to Pope Leo XIV | | World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay conveyed heartfelt prayers, fraternal solidarity, and warmest wishes for the speedy and full recovery of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC | World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay conveyed heartfelt prayers, fraternal solidarity, and warmest wishes for the speedy and full recovery of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. “Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers during this time,” wrote Pillay. “We pray that God will grant you renewed strength, peace, and healing, and that you may soon return to your ministry with restored health and vitality.”
Pillay noted that the shared Christian faith calls us to uphold one another in prayer, compassion, and hope, especially in moments of vulnerability. “May the healing presence of our Lord Jesus Christ surround you, sustain you, and bring you comfort and renewed strength,” Pillay wrote. “We pray that you will experience the loving care of God and the encouragement of all those who hold you in their hearts and prayers.”
Read the full letter… | | WCC Reference Group Leaders Discern What Joint Witness Means Today | | Rev. Hanna-Maria Pauliina Parhiala (Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission), co-moderator of the WCC Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group, Thandiwe Soko-de Jong (Protestant Church in the Netherlands), co-moderator of the WCC Gender Justice Reference Group, Very Rev. Fr Hrant Tahanian (Armenian Apostolic Church/Holy See of Cilicia), co-moderator of the WCC Reference Group on Overcoming Racism, Xenophobia, Casteism, and all forms of Discrimination. Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC
Leaders from three World Council of Churches (WCC) reference groups, following a recent conference in Chiang Mai, reflected on what it mean to witness together, and what they hope churches will do.
Rev. Hanna-Maria Pauliina Parhiala, from the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, co-moderator of the WCC Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group, said that the reference group contributed a distinctive focus on ecumenical diakonia as shared witness, shared agency, and institutional transformation.
Thandiwe Soko-de Jong, from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, is co-moderator of the WCC Gender Justice Reference Group. She reflected that gender justice is not imported into the church from outside but flows from the heart of our faith. “Gender justice is therefore a matter of God’s justice and mutual enrichment,” she said. “Our commitment is thus an act of faith and a confession of what we proclaim.”
Very Rev. Fr Hrant Tahanian, from the US and the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), serves as co-moderator of the WCC Reference Group on Overcoming Racism, Xenophobia, Casteism, and all forms of Discrimination. “Societal issues have been a matter of concern for the ecumenical movement since its inception,” he said. “It grapples with the same challenges the broader inhabited world struggles with. Similar to most things in human life, the level of commitment our societies have in improving them goes through ebbs and flows.”
Read full story… | | WCC News Highlights....
WCC General Secretary Reflects on “Decolonizing Mission: From Mission to Mutuality”
WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay delivered an address on October 15 during a gathering of the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany. He focused on “Decolonizing mission: from mission to mutuality.”
Read more…
Hope for Children: Churches Turn to the Law to Hold Fossil Fuel Financiers Accountable
At a WCC joint conference in Chiang Mai, lawyers, campaigners, and church leaders showed how courts, regulators, and shareholders can challenge the money behind fossil fuel expansion.
Read more…
Theological Symposium in Africa Tackles Freedom of Belief and Persecution
A four-day symposium on freedom of belief and persecution in Africa, ended in Nairobi on October 8, with participants calling for a critical reflection, responsible action, and renewed commitment to tackle the rising challenge on the continent.
Read more…
International Conference Assesses Holy and
Great Council of the Orthodox Church
An international conference held October 5-8 in Chantilly, France, explored an assessment and the prospects of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (2016–2026).
Read more…
WCC Presents Geneva Peace Forum Panel
on What Faith Brings to Peacebuilding
WCC will host a panel at the Geneva Peace Forum on October 15 to explore the role of faith-based actors in peacebuilding.
Read more…
WCC Commission Reviews Global Initiatives
in Education, Charts Future Priorities
WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) concluded its meeting at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, reviewing ongoing initiatives and discerning priorities for the future of ecumenical education and formation.
Read more…
Dr. Sureka Goringe: Thursdays in Black
Sparks Important Conversations
Dr Sureka Goringe is national director of UnitingWorld, the international aid and partnership agency of the Uniting Church in Australia. She took time to reflect on how the organization supports Thursdays in Black—and how the campaign sparks important conversations.
Read more…
WCC Meeting Discusses Crisis in the DRC
WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay met with the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege on October 13, to discuss calls for stronger international action to end violence and advance lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Read more…
Dr. David Barstow: “The Future with Artificial Intelligence Is Very Uncertain, and We Will Get There Very Quickly”
Dr. David Barstow is a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis, Oregon, and a member of the Faith and Science Working Group of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing. Dr. Barstow earned a PhD in artificial intelligence at Stanford 50 years ago, so he has seen the field grow from an obscure academic discipline to a rapidly changing technology that will have dramatic effects on society and the planet.
Read more…
WCC Issues “Call to Prophetic Action
for Life, Justice, and Peace”
A conference of WCC commissions and reference groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has closed with a message entitled “Call to Prophetic Action for Life, Justice, and Peace.”
Read more…
WCC, Fast-Track Cities Build Engagement
During the Fast-Track Cities Conference, the WCC built action and engagement across the Fast-Track Cities network.
Read more…
TV Festival "Belief on Screen” Awards French
and Dutch Productions on Peace and War
Films from France and the Netherlands were the prize winners at "Belief on Screen,” the SIGNIS/WACC Europe 21st European Television Festival of Religious Programs held in Copenhagen from September 23-25. The festival showcased 18 contributions from different European countries at the Danish Film Institute.
Read more…
Commission Leaders in Chiang Mai Reflect
on Re-Articulating Social Ethics for Today
WCC commission leaders in Chiang Mai are exploring how churches are called to witness together today. They took time to reflect on what it means to rearticulate ecumenical social ethics today and their hopes for the impact of the conference.
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 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 | | | | | | | Loving our neighbors means showing up for one another. As our Somali neighbors face harmful rhetoric and intimidation, the Minnesota Council of Churches invites you to join We Vote Together, an opportunity to put solidarity into action.
Each Friday leading up to the election (October 23 and 30), from 12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m., volunteers will gather outside participating mosques during Friday prayers to offer a visible presence of support for our Muslim neighbors. Register here to participate. Please register in advance to help organizers coordinate volunteers at participating mosques. Volunteers are asked to bring a vest, whistle, and sign, as noted on the flyer above (Download Here).
Learn more here… | | | Celebration and Inspiration! Annual Awards Gala | | | | | | Save the Date: Interfaith Alliance Bus Tour and
March to the Polls | | Tuesday, October 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.
| | | Join A Peals for Peace: Monday, October 19
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 19, 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!
| | | | | 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… | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Purchase the NCC 75th Anniversary
Commemorative BIble and Save 20% Discount Code: NCC2026 | | | More from Friendship Press… |
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