| | | | | Room Block Now Available for CUG 2025/NCC 75th Anniversary Celebration | | Reserve your room now at the special rate of $219.00 per night at the Boston Marriott Newton | | | | | | | CUG/75th Anniversary sponsorships are available at four levels, with each of the tiered levels offering commensurate perks. Please note that due to scheduling, sponsor exhibitor tables are only available for Monday, October 13.
Silver ($500) — Silver level sponsorship includes mention (with name and/or logo) in all Anniversary/CUG promotional materials.
Gold ($1,000) — Includes sponsorship mention (with name and/or logo) in promotional materials, on the Anniversary/CUG landing page of the NCC website, and on all NCC social media outlets.
Frankincense ($2,000) — Sponsorship includes mention (with name and/or logo) in promotional materials, Anniversary/CUG landing page on NCC website, social media accounts, plus a two-minute video greeting played during the event.
Myrrh ($3,000) — Sponsorship includes mention (with name and/or logo) in promotional materials, CUG landing page on NCC website, social media, and in person or video greeting during the Anniversary/CUG gathering. | | | | ARE YOU FOLLOWING NCC ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Check out our social media accounts for NCC updates! | | ‘We Are All DC’ Attracts Thousands to DC's Streets | | On Saturday, March 6, tens of thousands of Washington D.C. residents took to the streets to express their discontent over the occupation of Federal troops in the nation’s capital.
NCC staffer Matt Markay joined Washington Interfaith Staff Community colleagues during the march, from Malcolm X Park to the White House. Residents of Washington, D.C., expressed dissent against the current administration's crackdown on immigrant populations, cuts to social welfare programs, and the deployment of National Guard troops into the city. The event, titled "We Are All DC: A National March," was hosted by Free DC, a local advocacy organization focused on maintaining the rights of D.C. citizens and fighting for D.C. statehood. As the administration makes plans to deploy troops to other major U.S. cities, D.C. residents demonstrated collective action in the face of federal overreach. Markay commented, "It was an honor to take part in this march with my fellow DC residents. Tens of thousands of people made their voices heard, rallying against the unjust occupation of a city that I call home, which gave me hope." As the peaceful marchers proceeded down Sixteenth Street, the church bells of Foundry United Methodist Church rang loudly in solidarity with their cause. As the Foundry UMC pastors stood outside to applaud the movement, participants were further encouraged by the fact that the faith community supported them. | | Matt Markay (r) with Minister Christian Watkins of Network Lobby. Markay is holding icon art by Kelly Latimore. Photos: Matthew Markay | | NCC Health & Wellness Taskforce Update |
| Let’s Take A Shot at This! What comes with Fall and Winter? Head colds, influenza, RSV, and Covid, as well as meningitis, hepatitis, pneumonia, and those “childhood diseases”! Why? We are back indoors again, and kids are back in school. This means we're sharing germs that spread through the air, and for some viruses, the many things we touch that others have also touched. Yes, handwashing and fresh air can help, but they offer weak protection.
Some government officials and influencers want us to believe these things aren’t all that bad and want to deprive us of the protection of vaccinations. I remember the horrible itch and scarred skin resulting from chickenpox, and I wish I could have had a vaccine to keep me from getting chickenpox, which returned in my older age as shingles, causing me weeks of pain and an ugly weeping rash. I remember being sick with measles and caring for adults with permanent lung damage from their childhood measles or chickenpox pneumonia. I have known the middle-aged man laid up in bed for weeks with terrible pain from mumps, which risked making him unable to become a father. I have known adults and children hospitalized and even dying from RSV and influenza. Oh, and how many people died from COVID in the USA alone? More than 1,000,000 by 2023! My own father-in-law died of pneumonia; if he had been given the pneumonia vaccine, my kids likely would have grown up with a grandfather.
I don’t want any more kids debilitated by polio. I remember my close friend’s younger brother limping and wearing a leg brace. I have seen an iron lung, where people who couldn’t breathe from polio’s paralysis were kept alive. I wouldn’t want to spend my life, or even some of it, living in a “tin can”, with only my head and neck outside of it.
This is why I believe in vaccines.
Vaccines work. As a physician, I have never seen a case of measles or chickenpox…yet. No, vaccines don’t cause autism; that’s a lie! So, have I convinced you to get the vaccinations you deserve to protect your health? I hope so, but that might soon be a problem. There are strong efforts within the government to limit your freedom to get them. The major recommendations will come from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), now populated with people who don’t support vaccinations. They were installed by Robert Kennedy, Jr, who doesn’t support vaccinations, and who will have the final say about vaccine availability. The Committee meets September 18–19, so we may have a clear understanding before the end of the month.
What would Jesus Christ, the Healer, ask of us?
We will post more information and guidance in the Newsletter as soon as we have it.
Frank Barch, MD Co-chair, NCC Health Task Force | | | Religions for Peace USA Hosted ‘We Are Not Afraid’ 9/11 Virtual Event | | On September 11, Religions for Peace USA sponsored We Are Not Afraid, the second film in the National Museum of American Religions’ “Religious Thought During Times of National Crisis” series. This film explores how religious thoughts animated the responses of some Americans, mostly in New York City, on September 11, 2001, as they experienced the terrorist attacks that claimed more than 3,000 innocent lives on that day.
The presentation can be viewed here. | | Young Peace Activists Prepare as Ambassadors of Peace in Asia | | Chiang Mai, Thailand—The annual Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA) training, organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), commenced on September 8, at the CCA headquarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Centered on the theme “Sustaining Peace in Asia through Religious Cooperation (SPARC),” the week-long training began with an interfaith service.
YAPA-2025 has brought together 30 young peace activists from across Asia, representing diverse faith traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Indigenous religions, and agnostics.
Reflecting on the rationale behind initiating YAPA nine years ago, Dr. Chunakara Dr Mathews George Chunakara, CCA general secretary, noted that the program provides a common platform for young Asians, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to be trained as prospective peace activists and to work together across diverse traditions, emphasizing that peace cannot emerge from one religious perspective alone. The thematic session on “Meaning of Peace and Conceptual Framework of Peacebuilding,” was led by internationally acclaimed Gandhian peace educator and activist Prof. Dr. M. P. Mathai. “YAPA has a very clear objective—to prepare you as ambassadors of peace,” Dr Mathai told the prospective young peace promoters. “Mere diplomacy cannot resolve geopolitical tensions. YAPA, therefore, aims to nurture ambassadors of peace. In this sense, it carries not only an academic dimension but also an activist one.”
Read the full story here. | | WSCF-US Names National Organizer | | With great enthusiasm, the World Student Christian Federation – US introduces Ailih Weeldreyer as their newly hired national organizer. In occupying this position, Weeldreyer is tasked with recruiting and mentoring the WSCF's Student Leadership Team, organizing the national student conference, initiating programming and communications, and developing partnerships with students, chaplains, and campus ministers across the US and abroad through the global WSCF network of Student Christian Movements.
Ailih is a 2024 graduate of Harvard Divinity School and most recently served on the staff of the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York. Previously, she served as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Washington, D.C. and organized with the Sunrise Movement in Michigan. Ailih brings extensive experience in the US-based ecumenical movement, with particular emphases on environmental justice, racial justice, peace building, and community organizing. Her professional, volunteer, and academic work, as well as personal history, connect her to efforts for peace in Palestine, the Korean Peninsula, and Scotland. Ailih's manifold gifts of communication, organizing, compassion, and deep faith are expected to propel the WSCF-US as it grows its presence on US campuses and with global partners. Ailih officially joined WSCF-US on August 18, and will be based in New York City. | | New From Friendship Press! | | | | | One Home One Future Announces Social Toolkit: Two-Year Anniversary | | Invite congregations to join One Home One Future for their two-year anniversary! Below are social media graphics, sample posts, and relevant links to personalize and tag other organizations and individuals. ● #OneHomeOneFuture ● Join One Home One Future www.onehomeonefuture.org/join ● Logo for Download: PNG, JPEG — Two-Year Anniversary Promotion & Toolkit Language — Celebrate Two Years of Hope in Action - Join OHOF! Join a growing movement of collective hope and action, led by 330,000+ people of faith across the US. Join One Home One Future today and strengthen your congregation through caring for creation. You will have access to free resources, support, and community.
www.onehomeonefuture.org/join | | | | MCC Hosts 'Democracy in Crisis'
September 22 | | Author/historian Colin Woodard will explain what his research reveals about core beliefs most Americans share regarding the nation's story, identity, and purpose, and suggest ways this common ground could be the foundation for the country’s future. He will also discuss the role—for good and for ill—that religion has played in contributing to the current crisis and has the potential to play in helping to find a way out.
Proceeds will benefit the work of the Maine Council of Churches, which brings a prophetic and progressive voice of faith to the public square, uniting people within, through, and beyond the church to build a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world. | | | WCC Seeks Support for
Thursdays in Black
| | Help WCC extend the reach of Thursdays in Black.
First, PLEDGE to stop sexual and gender-based violence through advocacy, awareness-raising, and activism.
Each Thursday, wear black to demonstrate your commitment to end SGBV, and POST your selfie (or an advocacy note) to social media. And remember to PRAY for victims, survivors, and perpetrators for trauma transformation and healing from woundedness that results in victimizing others.
PREPARE your own Bible studies for online usage. Or share liturgies you’ve prepared for community events.
The work doesn’t stop on Thursdays; WCC aims to heighten awareness at every opportunity.
Visit the website for more information and resources. Share your ideas to PROMOTE the campaign with at nas@wcc-coe.org. | | Caribbean Pre-Conference for the 6th World Conference on Faith and Order | | The World Council of Churches invites you to a historic online event marking the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The gathering will be a pre-conference for the 6th World Conference on Faith and Order, framed around Caribbean interpretations on ‘Mission’, ‘Faith’, and ‘Unity’.
Date: September 19, 2025
Time: 14:30 CET | 8:30 AM Eastern Caribbean Time
Location: Online via Zoom
Let’s come together in unity, reflection, and faith.
Scan the QR Code to Register or Click the Link Below!
In this Jubilee Year, 2025, WCC’s Faith and Order Commission will have its 6th World Conference from October 24 – 28 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. The theme for this year’s conference, which will also commemorate the 1700 years since the gathering of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, is "Where Now for Visible Unity?" | | | Applications Open for 2026–2027 Ecumenical Institute at Bossey | | The chapel of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and attached to the University of Geneva, is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 academic programs in ecumenical studies. These internationally recognized programs offer unique opportunities for theological formation, intercultural exchange, and ecumenical engagement.
Four distinct study options are available: Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Ecumenical Studies Complementary Certificate in Ecumenical Studies (CC) Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Ecumenical Studies Intensive English Summer Course (EC)
Application deadline: November 30 | | | Creation Care and Resilience: Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference, September 16–19 | | Register now for the "Resilience and Restoration in the Mountains" Clergy Retreat on September 16–19, 2025, at the beautiful Christmount Christian Conference and Retreat Center. This retreat focuses on clergy and community resilience, and creation care and climate justice.
You'll spend transformative days with distinguished speakers, including Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown III (keynote speaker and founder of the Black Church Food Security Network), Rev. Carol Devine (Faith and Climate Educator), Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis (Spiritual Director), and Luke Cannon (Mountain Ecologist), alongside ecumenical colleagues and pastoral innovators.
Registration is open to all ordained Christian clergy with sliding scale options and travel scholarships available. (Email Rev. Carol Devine, carold@ecoamerica.org, if you need travel assistance.) | | | Congressional Black Caucus Annual NREI Summit November 1, 2025 | | Come to New Orleans to commemorate five years of the National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI)! The 2025 NREI Summit will bring together thought leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing racial equity across the justice and education systems. Come and explore transformative solutions that center Black communities and reimagine pathways to opportunity and justice. From dynamic conversations to community-focused engagement, the Summit will offer space to reflect, strategize, and build power. 📌 Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details on programming and registration. | | | Register for Virtual
Christian Climate Training | | September is the Season of Creation, and Blessed Tomorrow is partnering with nine denominations to offer a free live, virtual Christian Climate Training on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 - 11:30 am PT. It will include breakouts by denomination.
After the training, you’re invited to become part of the Blessed Tomorrow Climate Ambassador Community, which provides ongoing support, resources, events, and a vast community of Climate Ambassadors from across the U.S. | | | NC Council of Churches Prepares for
90th Anniversary Celebration | | This November, the North Carolina Council of Churches will celebrate 90 years of prophetic witness, faith-rooted advocacy, and ecumenical partnership. We invite everyone to celebrate with us for a day of worship, community, and joy!
NCCC invites congregations and organizations to join this historic milestone by becoming a sponsor for the event. Sponsorship will offer a unique opportunity to support our continued work for justice while also receiving exclusive benefits, including:
VIP access to a private reception with the Right Reverend Michael B. Curry Reserved seating during the worship service, where Bishop Curry will deliver a powerful message, followed by a live podcast recording of Everything Happens with Kate Bowle
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