Reflecting on Rwanda, 20 Years After the Genocide: Have We Learned Anything?
By Antonios Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary of the National Council of Churches
This April marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. The horrors of that terrible chapter in history are not easily forgotten. One of the last genocides of the 20th century, it was the first to burst into our living rooms, and into our consciousness, through graphic television coverage while it was actually happening. This was no after-the-fact discovery of war crimes; it was real-time observation of the mass murder of nearly a million men, women and children.
NCC Congratulates Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim on his election as Syrian Patriarch
Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, archbishop and patriarchal vicar of the diocese of the Eastern USA, Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the East, has been elected Syrian Patriarch. He has assumed the name of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.
“Aphrem II has been a committed member of the Council’s governing board and a clear voice of concern on important matters such as our Muslim-Christian dialogue,” said Jim Winkler, General Secretary and President of the National Council of Churches USA.
NCC’s First ‘Christian Unity Gathering’ slated May 18-20 in Washington, DC area
The National Council of Churches first “Christian Unity Gathering” of leaders from member communions and other partners will be held May 18-20, 2014, in the Hilton Washington, Dulles, Herndon, Va.
“We are getting together to celebrate ecumenism and energize our journey toward the visible unity of all the Christian churches,” said Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the NCC.
National Council of Churches joins the push to end solitary confinement in prisons
The National Council of Churches is joining with other member groups of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) to push for an end to solitary confinement in prisons.
Jim Winkler, General Secretary/President of the NCC, led the opening prayer today at a gathering of religious leaders, human rights advocates, and persons who have been subjected to solitary confinement.
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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.
Christian Unity Gathering 2014
May 18-20, 2014 - Registration for the inaugural Christian Unity Gathering is now open! Click on the image below for more information.
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April 16, 2014 15:04
The NCC joins with faith leaders and communions including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in sending prayers and condolences to the victims of Sunday's shootings at a Jewish Community Center and senior home in Overland Park, KS.
Disciple, UCC leaders offer reflection, call in wake of KC shootings: http://www.disciples.org/Home/WhoWeAre/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/SharonsBlog/tabid/758/EntryId/97/Disciple-UCC-leaders-offer-reflection-call-in-wake-of-KC-shootings.aspx
PC(USA) sends condolences, prayers to victims of shootings outside Jewish facilities: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/4/14/pcusa-sends-condolences-prayers-victims-shootings/
Disciple, UCC leaders offer reflection, call in wake of KC shootings
Our hearts break for the families and friends of the three people murdered at a Jewish Community Center and senior home in Overland Park on Sunday. We lift them in prayer. We mourn with our Jewish brothers and sisters for this brutal assault on their community. We hold them in prayer. We stand in solidarity with them in this tragic, frightening moment, particularly coming at the holy seasons for both Christians and Jews.
April 11, 2014 11:37
Last month, the National Council of Churches signed on to a letter from the faith community supporting lowering drug sentencing guidelines, and this week we welcomed news from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, who voted to reduce the sentencing guidelines.
Click here to read the letter from the faith community: http://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/docs/USSCSentencingGuidelines.pdf
Click here to read the press release on the vote by the U.S. Sentencing Commission: http://www.ussc.gov/Legislative_and_Public_Affairs/Newsroom/Press_Releases/20140410_Press_Release.pdf
April 4, 2014 10:42
Mary Button's original artwork “Stations of the Cross and Mass Incarceration” will be on display at the 2014 NCC Christian Unity Gathering. A free downloadable Lenten study guide and photos of the art can be found at http://stations2014.com/ for use during Holy Week!
The NCC Christian Unity Gathering, May 18-20, will hold several public session focusing on issues of Mass Incarceration. Mary Button will be present and available to discuss how to liturgical art can be an underpinning for faithful advocacy.
To learn more about the Christian Unity Gathering, see a list of speakers and register visit www.bit.ly/cug2014.
Stations of the Cross: Mass Incarceration
In this adaptation, the artist Mary Button invites viewers to see Jesus' suffering in light of our modern practice of incarceration and imprisonment. Particular stations address: the War on Drugs, mandatory minimums, 3 strikes legislation, racial disparities in sentencing, the violence endemic in Am...