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for CUG 2026? | | Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District | | | Join the National Council of Churches for the 2026 Christian Unity Gathering (CUG), October 12–16, in Philadelphia, Pa. Registration for this year's gathering and the hotel room block are still open.
The Christian Unity Gathering offers space to deepen relationships, discern strategic priorities, and define shared goals for collaborative action and advocacy.
This year's gathering will focus on Religious Freedom, providing an opportunity for church leaders, ecumenical partners, scholars, and emerging theologians to explore the vital role of religious liberty in advancing justice and peace.
NCC invites you to join us for a meaningful week of fellowship, dialogue, worship, and collaboration as we engage this important theme together. | | Download the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide | | | | | | | Photos, courtesy of Dr. Walker-Smith: with Pastor Ernest C. Brown Sr. of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio; a meeting in the Senate Hearing Room on TPS and Haiti; and a presentation by Haitian leaders at Bread for the World's Advocacy Summit in June 2026. | By Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith
WCC President from North America NCC Governing Board Member “Here you come again…” Just leave it up to you and in a little while,
You’re messin’ up my mind and fillin’ up my senses And shakin’ me up so! And here I go!” ~ Dolly Parton (Written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann) Recently, one of the nation's most popular singer/songwriters, Miss Dolly Parton, passed away. With more than 3,000 songs of heart and hardship under her name, she won the hearts of many by offering her gifts to the world. But her gifts didn't stop at her musical talents.
She gave more than $600 million to worthy causes and investments, including “The House that Whitney Built,” a commercial office and strip mall complex in Nashville’s 12 South/Sevier Park neighborhood. Miss Parton purchased the facility from the millions of dollars in royalties earned from Houston’s 1992 cover of “I Will Always Love You." This and other stories of her great legacy are rooted in her humble beginnings in a small Tennessee mountain town. Like Miss Parton, I also come from small towns in Ohio, Cedarville and Springfield, and from my state home in Alabama. Recently, I returned to Ohio for my high school and junior high reunions and engaged with a little-known book titled One Hundred Seventy-Five Years of Blacks in Springfield, Ohio. The book points out that Ohio was a part of the Northwest Ordinance that prohibited slavery but was equally determined that “free African Americans should be denied the rights of citizenship.” In 1804, the legislature enacted the first series of anti-Black laws that included penalties for helping enslaved people who had escaped (The Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850). In 1807, these punitive laws were strengthened. Soon after, as early as 1817, white Ohioans offered more resolutions and organized official approval of the colonization of African Americans in 1828 and 1832. White citizens of the state raised resources for the cause of deporting Ohio’s African Americans to Africa, where they purchased eight million acres. In 1842, the Clark County Anti-Slavery Society was formed. In other words, from their arrival on US shores, African peoples were not welcome in Ohio. At the same time, there were abolitionists and other white citizens who did not support the assaults and related initiatives and provided sanctuary with housing, food, and advocacy for African Americans. The advent of African-American churches, including Zion Baptist Church in Cedarville and St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield (where I grew up and where my father later served as pastor), helped defend the dignity and rights of African Americans throughout the 1800s. Sadly, this history is being repeated today with the lapse of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which has punished the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, despite their significant contributions to the economy and welfare of the city. Springfield is a sanctuary city with outspoken and compassionate faith and community leaders who advocate for the human dignity of our Haitian community and support them with food, shelter, and a voice. Nevertheless, this moment is a bitter reminder of the past. Read here for more background on recent events in Springfield and learn here how you can advocate for related policies to advance the dignity of all affected. Read More… As Springfield prepares to bury Haitian student, sympathy surges and deportations continue | | Tennessee Bishops Call for Commutation after Botched Execution | | A view of the lethal injection chamber at San Quentin State Prison (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) | [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal, Lutheran and Roman Catholic bishops in Tennessee are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to commute death row inmate Christa Pike’s sentence to life in prison after state authorities this week botched their attempted execution of Pike by lethal injection.
Pike, 50, was reportedly in critical condition at a Nashville hospital after surviving the state’s injection of two doses of pentobarbital intended to kill her for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer when Pike was 18. Corrections officials said the drug was administered following prison protocol, but Lee has responded to Pike’s botched execution by stopping the state from carrying out the death penalty for at least the rest of this year.
The group of faith leaders, including all three of the state’s Episcopal bishops, said in their Oct. 1 letter to Lee that he should “ensure that the State of Tennessee does not attempt to execute [Pike] again.” “We make this appeal mindful of the horrific murder of Colleen Slemmer and the immeasurable grief endured by her family and those who loved her,” the faith leaders said. “Nothing in our request diminishes the gravity of that crime, the preciousness of Colleen’s life, or the legitimate responsibility of the state to hold those who commit violence accountable. Yet accountability need not require another death.”
The letter was signed by West Tennessee Bishop Phoebe Roaf, Tennessee Bishop John Bauerschmidt and East Tennessee Bishop Brian Cole. The three Episcopal leaders were joined by their counterparts with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Southeastern Synod and the Roman Catholic bishops of Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville.
“Our churches have long and consistently opposed capital punishment,” they said. “These convictions arise from the heart of our Christian faith. We believe every human being bears the image of God and therefore possesses a dignity that even the most grievous sin cannot erase. We believe in accountability, but we also believe in repentance, redemption, mercy, and the possibility of transformation.” Lee, in halting the one remaining execution scheduled for this year, has called for a third-party investigation into what went wrong with the lethal injection in Pike’s case. Even after the second dose, Pike remained alive and appeared to be snoring. The nature and extent of her injuries have not yet been detailed.
Read the Full Story Here… Read the Bishops' Letter Here… | | Join the 2026 Unity Walk, October 25 | | Christian communities have long understood that faith finds expression in the ways neighbors are loved and served. Through hospitality, care for those in need, and a commitment to walking alongside people as they build new lives, we help create communities where dignity and belonging are not simply ideals, but realities we work toward together.
That calling asks us to look beyond the boundaries of the local congregation. What would it mean to imagine a future in which people of different faiths are neighbors and partners in building a more compassionate and hopeful community?
That question is at the heart of the 2026 Unity Walk and this year’s theme, “Re-imagining the Future.” 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. | | Celebrate Three Years of Hope
in Action — Join OHOF! | | In three years, more than 600 congregations and 370,000 people of faith have come together under the banner of One Home One Future. The banner calls humanity to care for creation and live out faith through climate action! All congregations are encouraged to sign up for One Home One Future, a multi-faith campaign that supports and strengthens your congregation to care for creation!
Join today at onehomeonefuture.org/join. | | | | | 1,000 Marches to the Polls | | Across the country, communities are preparing to walk, march, roll, caravan, and gather as part of 100 Days, 1,000 Marches to the Polls. This is a nonviolent, nonpartisan effort connecting local civic participation across the nation.
Congregations across more than a dozen traditions are marching, including AME Zion, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, AME, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Jewish communities.
Faith communities, civic organizations, disability communities, sororities, and campus ministries have all registered marches.
Find a March If a march is already being organized in your community, find it on the national map and make plans to participate.
For more information, visit the Repairers of the Breach website. | | | Converging 2026: Sing Through It!, October 7–10, Louisville, Ky. | | The Convergence Music Project invites pastors, worship leaders, singers and songwriters, and seminarians to attend this year’s annual conference, Converging 2026: Sing Through It! Oct. 7-10 in Louisville, Kentucky. Featured speakers will include Cole Arthur Riley, the Rev. Otis Moss III, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wilson, and Jim Wallis. Attendees will experience joyful, inclusive worship and compelling workshops, and will have the opportunity to connect with peers from across the country. The Convergence Music Project is an online source of new music for congregational singing that congregations committed to justice, compassion for the poor, inclusive language, creation care, LGBTQ+ affirmation, and expansive theology can trust. Learn more and register here. | | | | | 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 | | Blessed Tomorrow Lunchtime Series: Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities! | | Join Blessed Tomorrow for six lunchtime screenings of the film series: Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities, each Wednesday from September 2 — October 7, 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm EST/ 11:00 am-11:45 am PST. This is a 7-part film series for congregations to build knowledge, have deep discussions, and then engage in creation care and climate solutions. The series highlights over 30 powerful voices of Christian, Muslim, Indigenous, Baha’i, and Jewish faith leaders from 14 states, including clergy, youth leaders, and interfaith organizers, who are leading with hope, compassion, and courage. They share inspiring stories and hope for our shared future. Watch the introductory film (above), To Tend and to Keep: People of Faith Caring for the Earth. Screening Schedule September 2, Called by Faith: How Will You Answer?
September 9, Seeds of Fire: Building Resilient Communities
September 16, Holy Water: Protecting What Connects and Sustains Us
September 23, Climate Justice: Sacred Voice Rising
September 30, Healing Creation: Honoring Nature and Each Other
October 7, Young Leaders: Creating Hope for the Future
| | | Season of Creation Closing Event Will Prayerfully Consider “Living Water”
A Season of Creation closing event on October 4 will prayerfully consider this year’s theme, “Living Water” (Ezekiel 47:9, 12): “Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live . . . Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing” (NRSV).
Read more…
WCC Central Committee Moderator Shares Multiple Insights in Korea
As he visited Korea for a public theology conference, WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm not only delivered lectures at the conference, but also participated in media interviews, spoke to students, and shared insights in many other ways.
Read more…
At Great Church of Debrecen, WCC General Secretary Reflects on “Standing Firm in Faith, Walking Forward in Hope”
During a sermon at the Great Church of Debrecen, given on 27 September, WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay preached on “The Church: Standing Firm in Faith, Walking Forward in Hope.”
Read more…
UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda: “We Need the Prophetic Courage”
UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda was received by the WCC and other ecumenical and faith-based organizations on September 29.
Read more…
WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation to Meet at Bossey
WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) will meet at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey October 4–9, bringing together members for a week of reflection, evaluation, and planning around the future of ecumenical education and formation.
Read more…
WCC Calls for Calm and Dialogue in Ethiopia
WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern about the renewed escalation of hostilities in Tigray and neighboring areas of northern Ethiopia.
Read more…
Nuclear Justice in the Pacific: Churches Do What Governments Often Are Not Able To
Tamatoa Tepuhiarii of Moruroa e Tātou, a nongovernmental organization, and the Ètārētia Porotetani Māòhi (the Māòhi Protestant Church), currently pursuing PhD research on Nuclear Justice and Gender in the Sea of Islands (Pacific), was among the speakers at the WCC co-hosted side event at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, addressing the human rights impacts of nuclear testing across the region. In this conversation, the WCC 11th Assembly youth delegate shares his view on the unique role churches can play in the pursuit of nuclear justice today.
Read more…
WCC Faith and Order Commission Moderator Reflects on Upcoming Meeting as “Space For Mutual Learning”
Rev. Prof. Dr. Stephanie Dietrich, moderator of the WCC Faith and Order Commission, took time to reflect on the upcoming meeting in Lund, and how the outcomes from the world conference in Egypt will inform the gathering.
Read more…
Interreligious Dialogue Brings Catholic, Anglican Perspectives
An interreligious dialogue on “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World” on September 28 — the third in a series — offered a focus from Roman Catholic and Anglican perspectives.
Read more…
WCC Global Ecumenical Indigenous Women’s Theological Network Launched
A new Global Ecumenical Indigenous Women’s Theological Network has been launched within the WCC Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE) program, creating a dedicated global space for Indigenous women theologians, scholars and emerging leaders to connect, collaborate and strengthen their contribution to theological education and the ecumenical movement.
Read more…
Women, Children in Bethlehem Plant Seeds for Just Peace
The Arab Educational Institute and Pax Christi, through special activities for women and children, connected the WCC World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel with the Season of Creation.
Read more…
Local Communities Celebrate Bossey’s 80th Anniversary
Students and faculty joined local parishes and surrounding communities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.
Read more…
WCC Congratulates New General Secretary of Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag
WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay sent hearty congratulations to Rev. Dr. Gabriele Hoerschelmann, who was appointed as the new general secretary of the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag.
Read more…
WCC Central Committee Moderator: “We Stand in Solidarity with the People and Churches of Papua”
In a video message shared with the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reiterated the WCC’s solidarity with the people and churches of Papua.
Read more…
In Hungary, WCC General Secretary Reflects On Opportunities, Challenges of Christian Mission
During an International Ecumenical Conference at Pannonhalma, Hungary, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay attended Holy Mass in St Martin’s Basilica, visited with students in the Assembly Hall of the Benedictine Secondary School, participated in a roundtable discussion with Hungarian bishops, and delivered a lecture and a homily.
Read more…
Churches to Ask, “How Are We Called to Witness Together Today?” in Chiang Mai
Members of the WCC commissions and reference groups working on Life, Justice, and Peace will gather in Chiang Mai October 4–10 to discern how churches can respond together to the defining challenges of a fractured world.
Read more…
As WCC Staff Discuss AI, They Ask: “What Does It Mean to Be Human?”
WCC staff gathered on September 22 to share and connect current initiatives addressing artificial intelligence. They discussed how the WCC uses AI, how to productively bring the discussion to WCC commissions and reference groups, and how to form a WCC staff task force on AI. They also discussed how best to contribute to planning a multidisciplinary symposium on February 15-19, 2027.
Read more…
| | 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 4 –10............................................Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela 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 | | | 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… | | | | | Courage Is Contageous: An Evening
with Bishop Mariann Budde, October 8 | | Her sermon during the 2025 inauguration lasted only minutes. But Bishop Mariann Budde’s example of bravery in speaking truth to power endures. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
Her keynote address on October 8, “Courage Is Contagious,” will explore how we can all learn to be brave. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will benefit the Maine Council of Churches.
Bishop Budde’s sermons have been published in books and journals, and she has authored several books, including How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, adapted into a young adult book, We Can Be Brave, and a picture book for children, I Can Learn to Be Brave.
Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission.
| | | A Call to the Faith Community:
Join “The Weekend to End Homelessness” | | The New York State Council of Churches (NYSCOC) is partnering with the National Faith Coalition to End Homelessness to spread the word about “The Weekend to End Homelessness,” October 10–11.
Homelessness is rising in communities across America—in major cities, small towns, and rural communities alike. It has become one of the defining moral questions of our generation.
That is the vision behind the National Faith Coalition to End Homelessness: to bring faith communities together, equip them with the tools and support they need, and move the conversation beyond temporary relief toward the larger question:
What would it take for society to end homelessness? The Weekend to End Homelessness is an opportunity for congregations across the nation to begin that conversation and take meaningful action in their own communities. It is a chance to learn from one another, share what is working, identify the gaps in our communities, and explore how our faith calls us not only to care for people experiencing homelessness, but to address the systems and conditions that create and perpetuate housing insecurity.
Join congregations across New York and the nation as we put our faith into action and begin working together toward a future where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home. Read More…
To sign up your congregation and receive the toolkit,
FILL OUT THIS FORM!
To request the toolkit before signing up,
FILL OUT THIS FORM! | Celebration and Inspiration! Annual Awards Gala | | | | | | Save the Date: Interfaith Alliance Bus Tour and
March to the Polls | 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. _____________________Stories for Life, Across the Divide Saturday, October 10, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Online Join the NC Coalitions for Alternatives to the Death Penalty for a powerful conversation with four people whose lives have been shaped by the death penalty system. Hear directly from people with different experiences of the system and its lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. Together, their stories offer a deeper look at what happens when a system assigns people roles, determines whose pain is recognized, and can deepen divisions in the aftermath of harm. Click here to register. _____________________ | | Tuesdays, September 29, October 6, 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.
___________________
WEBINAR: How to Spot a
Pro-Public Education Candidate Thursday, October 8, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Join Pastors for NC Children & People of Faith for Public School's director Rev. Suzanne Parker Miller and Save Our Schools NC co-founder Susan Book for a practical conversation about how to identify pro-public education candidates on your ballot this election season.
This non-partisan discussion will provide tips and things to look for on candidates' websites and social media, and demystify the language often used around education to see where they really stand on supporting public schools.
Click here to register. | | 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. The next forum: Tuesday, October 5, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join A Peals for Peace: Monday, October 5
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. Monday, October 5, will be the fifth 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!
| | | 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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