James E. Winkler elected NCC General Secretary/President
James E. Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, has been elected General Secretary/President of the National Council of Churches by the NCC Governing Board meeting in Chicago.
Winkler will succeed Peg Birk, who has served as Transitional General Secretary of the Council since July 2012. Birk was named to lead the Council through a transitional period of reorganization following the resignation of General Secretary Michael Kinnamon in 2011 for health reasons.
The office of General Secretary/President, formerly General Secretary, is the leading staff position in the NCC.
Friday, December 13: Call your Senator to urge laws to prevent gun violence
The National Council of Churches is urging individuals and congregations to call their senators Friday to insist on legislation to prevent gun violence.
More than a year after the mass murder of 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Conn., the Council is joining with its partners in Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence to keep the pressure on politicians who have ignored the wishes of the vast majority of U.S. citizens.
Concerned persons of faith are being asked to call 855-438-2982 on Friday, December 13, to be connected with their senator.
NCC urges churches to join Caritas prayer to end hunger
The National Council of Churches is urging member congregations and other faith partners to join “a global wave of prayer” tomorrow to end world hunger.
A prayer service, which is part of a worldwide campaign by Caritas Internationalis and supported by Pope Francis, will be held at noon December 10 inside the Capitol in Room H137.
For more information, see http://crs.org/food-for-all/index.html
National Council of Churches mourns the passing of Mandela
News of the death Thursday of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was received with “sadness and deep reflection” by the member communions of the National Council of Churches USA.
“Nelson Mandela was universally admired for his integrity and commitment to peace with justice,” said Jim Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, who takes office as NCC General Secretary and President on January 1.
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A Message from Kathryn Lohre, NCC President
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus the Christ! For over sixty years, the National Council of Churches has told the story of the One who embodies God’s gift and promise of unity: Jesus Christ. This unlikely story of God incarnate never ceases to amaze.
Mission Statement of the NCC
The NCC is a community of communions called by Christ to visible unity and sent forth in the Spirit to promote God’s justice, peace, and the healing of the world.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2014
March 21-24, 2014 - Washington, D.C. - Come to the 12th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days and join hundreds of other Christians in “Resisting Violence, Building Peace." Click on the image below for more information.
December 12, 2013 12:33
Join National Council of Churches Staff and The Team at Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence at the vigil or watch the live stream.
National Vigil for Gun Violence Victims - Thursday, December 12th at 3:45 ET/ 12:45 PT
This afternoon and early evening, more than 1,000 clergy, elected officials, survivors of gun violence, family members of gun violence victims, and community members will gather at the Washington National Cathedral for the National Vigil for Gun Violence Victims. They will be joined by singer Carole King and the World Children's Choir.
Participate by watching the LIVE webcast at http://nationalcathedral.org. The vigil begins at 3:45 ET/ 12:45 PT.
Washington National Cathedral
Home page for the official website of Washington National Cathedral.
December 11, 2013 13:17
Friday, December 13: Call your Senator at 855-438-2982 to urge laws to prevent gun violence!
Visit http://www.faithscalling.org/ for more information.
National Council of Churches News
Washington, December 11, 2013 – The National Council of Churches is urging individuals and congregations to call their senators Friday to insist on legislation to prevent gun violence. More than a year after the mass murder of 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown,…
December 10, 2013 09:15
Members of the NCC staff will be joining the global wave of prayer with millions of Christians around the world today as we pray to end hunger in this world. Join us where you are at noon in the campaign prayer written by Caritas:
Campaign Prayer
O God, you entrusted to us the fruits of all creation so that we
might care for the earth and be nourished with its bounty.
You sent us your Son to share our very flesh and blood and to
teach us your Law of Love. Through His death and
resurrection, we have been formed into one human family.
Jesus showed great concern for those who had no food – even
transforming five loaves and two fish into a banquet that
served five thousand and many more.
We come before you, O God, conscious of our faults and
failures, but full of hope, to share food with all members in
this global family.
Through your wisdom, inspire leaders of government and of
business, as well as all the world’s citizens, to find just, and
charitable solutions to end hunger by assuring that all people
enjoy the right to food.
Thus we pray, O God, that when we present ourselves for
Divine Judgment, we can proclaim ourselves as “One Human
Family” with “Food for All”. AMEN.