Church leaders celebrate historic meeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis
Washington, May 28, 2014 – Officers and staff of the National Council of Churches USA expressed “joy and celebration” at the historic meeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis in Jerusalem this week.
While media coverage has focused on Pope Francis’ meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the NCC noted the original purpose of the visit was “ecumenical in nature.”
“The real significance is the fact that both Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew traveled to Jerusalem to embrace the unity that has been growing for fifty years,” said Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the NCC.
National Council of Churches opposes Israeli invasion of Gaza
Washington, July 18, 2014 –The President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA expressed deep disappointment and sadness Friday over the invasion of Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces.
The Israeli government said it is “hitting Hamas hard” following the Palestinian faction’s refusal to accept a peace plan brokered by Egypt.
NCC President and General Secretary Jim Winkler said, “The overwhelming military superiority possessed by Israel, exhibited by days of air strikes against Gaza and the consequent deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and the wounding of thousands more, guarantees the besieged and impoverished people who live there will suffer much more.”
NCC pays tribute to former NCC President Elenie Huszagh
Washington, July 12, 2014 – Elenie Huszagh, a long-time Chicago attorney and prominent lay member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, died July 11.
Huszagh was president of the National Council of Churches from 2002 to 2003. She was the first Orthodox layperson and the first Orthodox woman to serve in the office, and only one of six laypersons to serve as president in the Council’s history.
“Elenie stands tall in the gallery of National Council leaders,” said Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the NCC. “She represented the Council during crucial events in world history, including the war in Iraq that began in March 2003. The Council and many other religious groups worked hard to head off the war, and Elenie’s shrewd legal mind and no-nonsense analysis of the situation served us well.”
NCC statement on deaths of three Israeli teenagers
Washington, June 30, 2014 – Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches issued the following statement today in response to news of the deaths of three Israeli teenagers:
"It is with a sense of deep sadness and loss that the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC) receives the tragic news that the bodies of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped on June 12 have been found just north of Hebron.
We grieve with their families, with the nation of Israel, and with people around the world upon learning Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel are no longer with us. We pray for their families and all of their loved ones who even now are surely weeping.
The National Council of Churches of Christ remains steadfastly committed to working for a just and peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We pray no one else, not a single Israeli or Palestinian, will die in this struggle.”
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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.
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July 21, 2014 11:03
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will have a hearing tomorrow on the disability treaty, possibly leading to its consideration by the full Senate. Call and express your support for the rights of persons with disabilities!
Call your Senators and ask them to support the CRPD!
Call your Senators and ask them to support the CRPD!The Senate needs to fight for 1 billion people with disabilities around the world by supporting ratification of the CRPD. Click below to call your Senators and let them know that we are PROUD of their bipartisan effort to pass the first internatio…
July 18, 2014 14:54
National Council of Churches opposes Israeli invasion of Gaza
National Council of Churches News
Washington, July 18, 2014 – The President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA expressed deep disappointment and sadness Friday over the invasion of Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces.
July 18, 2014 13:51
U.S. Sentencing Commission votes unanimously to retroactively apply reduced drug sentences, which will result in the release of thousands of people convicted of non-violent drug crimes and sentenced harshly. One step closer to justice.
Panel to vote on early release for drug felons - US News
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Sentencing Commission is voting on a proposal that could result in the early release of tens of thousands of drug inmates.