NCC urges Obama to make
health care a priority
The
leaders of the National Council of Churches have urged
President-Elect Barack Obama to make health care
coverage "a first priority" of his administration. Pointing out that more
than 47 million Americans lack health care coverage, NCC President
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and General Secretary Dr. Michael
Kinnamon noted that with the economic downturn, "millions more are
finding increases in medical co-payments and participation
requirements unmanageable or are losing health benefits with the
loss of employment." In a letter to Obama sent
today, the two leaders expressed the hope "that the bright promise
of your commitment to quality health care for all Americans might be
fulfilled ...
Our own long history of
health care advocacy and the experiences of tens of
thousands of our congregations in providing health
education and direct service programs tell us that a
piecemeal system cannot meet the needs of our
neighbors," the leaders wrote. More.
Dear Mr. President-Elect: Our prayers are with you
Blessings
on you, and congratulations. Now that the electorate has
made its decision, we at the National Council of
Churches urge all Americans to come together to uphold
you with our hands, our hearts and our prayers. Only
rarely in our history has a president-elect faced
immediate challenges of such fierce magnitude. The
leaders of this Council pledge to you our unstinting
support in the difficult days to come.
More.
Some great candidates who were never president
At
the close of the election season, it's intriguing to
think back on ecumenical leaders who were often
mentioned as potential presidential candidates but never
made it. Some -- including J. Irwin Miller and Harold E.
Stassen -- might have done a better job in the oval
office than some of its recent occupants. Would the
country and the world be different if they had made it?
Read more.
Interfaith Commission warns of extreme DVD on Islam
The
NCC's Interfaith Relations Commission has raised alarm
over the mass distribution of 28 million copies of what
it termed a �distorted and misleading� DVD entitled:
�Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West." The
Commission charged that the DVD has the effect of
�fanning the sparks of mistrust, bigotry and hatred that
undermine the very foundations of a multi-religious
democracy.�
More.
Ecumenical conference on trafficking: final report
The
Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking began at
12:30 pm on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the Church
Center for the United Nations, 777 United nations Plaza,
New York, NY, 10017 and finished at 12:30 pm on
Wednesday, October 1, 2008. There were 72
participants representing 15 different denominations or
faith communities, 3 interfaith organizations and 7
secular organizations.
The final report is here.
Kinnamon and Kobia: protect the Christians of Iraq
NCC
General Secretary Michael Kinnamon has welcomed a call
by World Council of Churches General Secretary Samuel Kobia "to quell the violence" against the Christian minority
in Iraq. Kobia issued the plea to officials of the United Nations
and the Iraqi government, seeking "swift action to quell
the violence in Iraq and to thwart activities aimed at
the expulsion of Christians and other minority
populations."
More.
Church leaders call candidates' attention to the poor
The
worldwide economic crisis effects most households, and
both major party presidential candidates are expressing
their solidarity with middle class people on main
street. But
NCC leaders are reminding Senators John McCain and Barack Obama that
persons living in poverty in the United States and around the world
are hurt the most by the economic downturn. More
NCC calls for support of beleaguered India Christians
Christians
make up two percent of the population of India, and for
the past 10 months they have been subject to violent
attacks at the hands of Hindus.
"This
persecution of Christians in India must stop!" declared
NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon at rally of
Indian Christians near United Nations headquarters in
New York. "We in the United States stand with you in
this time of anxiety and suffering. You are not
alone!"
More.
Ecumenical response issued to 'A Common Word'
The
NCC Governing Board has approved an ecumenical response
to "A Common Word Between Us and
You," declaring Christianity and Islam "are compelled to find common
ground." The Muslim message
is a letter from Muslim scholars worldwide that seeks
dialogue with Christians based on love of God and love
of neighbor, two commandments central to both Islam and
Christianity, as well as to Judaism.
More
NCC centennial history vignettes have some surprises
The
NCC is posting a series of monthly "Ecumenical Moments"
on its Web page as one of several ways of celebrating
it's 100th anniversary this year. Most of the "Ecumenical Moments" retrace familiar NCC activities in
Bible publishing, religious education, and peace and justice work.
But there have been surprises. What, for example, was John Foster
Dulles doing in our peace-making history?
More.
Decision 2008: principles for casting a Christian vote
Christians
will have strong opinions on the issues of Campaign '08
but amid the clamor it's helpful to keep focused on
views compelled by our relationship to Christ and to one
another. The NCC has reissued "Christian Principles in
an Election Year," a helpful Christian lens for
examining the issues. The principles can be found
here, and can be downloaded for bulletin inserts
here.
NCC Women's Ministries
offer electioneering guides
Your
congregation can make your voice heard during this
election year with the assistance of
In Times of Great
Decision: How Congregations Can Take Part in Legal,
Non-Partisan Election Activities, and
Faith Seeking Peace, new resources developed by WAND Educational Fund for
people of faith and available through NCC Women's
Ministries and the Justice for Women Working Group.
More.
Faith leaders ask nominees to address poverty issues
High
ranking Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant leaders have
called on the presidential candidates of both major parties to
use their primetime slots at the nominating conventions to offer
plans for combating poverty. "As people of faith,
we believe that it is immoral to ignore our nation's most
vulnerable populations," the leaders said in letters to
John McCain of Arizona and
Barack Obama of Illinois.
More.
New NRSV formats teach
discipleship and eco-justice
The
NCC's NRSV is a staple in homes, churches and
seminaries, and new formats are aimed at adding new
dimensions to the reading of scripture.
HarperOne's "The Green Bible" offers what conservationist Cal DeWitt
calls a "green lens" for for celebrating creation.
And "The Discipleship Study Bible" published by WJK Press is introduced as "the first completely new NRSV study
Bible in five years."
More.
Church councils minister creatively to immigrants
Compelled by faith to welcome all people as neighbors,
church people have developed creative and effective immigrations ministries. Across the country, city and
state councils of churches are welcoming additional ideas
to enhance their support of neighbors who are
sometimes dismissed as 'aliens.' For an overview
of their work � and ideas for ministries in your own
neighborhood � look
here.
Fond farewells to ones
who helped along the way
The
ecumenical family is richly diverse and populated with
sisters and brothers whose lives were models of faith,
fortitude and courage. Some made powerful impacts on the
world stage while others lived out God's call in humbler
settings. All of them, when they are gone, leave an
enormous
void. In this page we pause to remember some of them
with gratitude and love.
More