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Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith: From a Christian Pan African perspective, “who writes the stories?”

Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement at Bread for the World. She also serves on the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee. She recently participated in a rally and march in Washington, DC, where thousands gathered to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington in 1963 that included Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream" speech.

US-Veteranen arbeiten für Frieden auf der geteilten Halbinsel

Über das gesamte Jahr 2020 engagiert sich der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) gemeinsam mit dem Nationalen Kirchenrat von Korea in einer globalen Gebetskampagne unter dem Motto „Wir beten für Frieden jetzt, beendet den Krieg“. Im Rahmen dieser Gebetskampagne veröffentlicht der ÖRK persönliche Geschichten und Gespräche, die andere Menschen bei ihrer Friedensarbeit inspirieren. Bei der nachfolgenden Geschichte geht es um die Perspektiven von US-Veteranen, die ebenfalls alle in Video-Interviews zu Wort kommen.

U.S. veterans work for peace on divided Korean peninsula

Throughout 2020, the World Council of Churches (WCC), together with the National Council of Churches in Korea, has been observing a Global Prayer Campaign,“We Pray, Peace Now, End the War.” As part of the campaign, the WCC is sharing personal stories and interviews that inspire others to work for peace. The story below features the perspective of U.S. war veterans, all of whom are also featured in video interviews.

Gemeinsame Botschaft ruft zu Heilung von Wunden und einer gemeinsamen Zukunft auf koreanischer Halbinsel auf

Anlässlich des 70. Jahrestags des Beginns des Koreakrieges wurde im Rahmen einer Online-Veranstaltung am 22. Juni, die live im Internet übertragen wurde, eine ökumenische Friedensbotschaft verlesen. Absender der Botschaft waren verschiedene Kirchen und Kirchenräte aus aller Welt, insbesondere aus Ländern, die an dem Krieg beteiligt gewesen sind. Sie bezeichnen den Koreakrieg in der Botschaft als einen „entsetzlich destruktiven Konflikt“, den kein Friedensvertrag je beendet habe.

Joint message calls for healing wounds and a shared future for the Korean Peninsula

A Joint Ecumenical Peace Message for the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was publicly delivered on 22 June during a live-streamed event. Co-sponsored by churches and councils of churches around the world, especially from countries that participated in the Korean War, the message describes the Korean War as an “appallingly destructive conflict” after which no peace treaty was ever concluded.

“United Methodists Stand Against Racism” campaign offers array of actions

In a campaign called simply “United Methodists Stand Against Racism,” the United Methodist Church is offering an array of worship opportunities, prayer gatherings, practical suggestions and other resources.

“We recognize racism as a sin,” reads a statement introducing the campaign. “We commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.”

Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians: ‘Mama, Mama... I Can’t Breathe!’

The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians published a statement entitled “Mama, Mama…I Can’t Breathe!” that expresses heartbreak over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a policeman.

“Floyd pleaded for his life to no avail until he finally succumbed to death,” reads the statement. “The community has been pleading, ‘Black Lives Matter.’ ”

Women bishops offer candid look at what drives their leadership

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, a retired United Methodist bishop from the USA, has spent her career voicing the need for a church that includes all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. And, throughout her career, she’s never been afraid to say that out loud.

Kirche sollten ihre Stimme gegen den Klimawandel erheben

Die Pazifikinseln leiden nicht nur heute noch unter den dauerhaften Folgen der über einen Zeitraum von 50 Jahren durchgeführten Atomwaffentests, sondern sie sind auch die Region, in der die hochbrisanten Folgen des Klimawandels am schnellsten spürbar werden dürften. Dies erfuhr die Kommission der Kirchen für internationale Angelegenheiten (CCIA) des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen auf ihrer Tagung diese Woche in Brisbane.

Churches should use their voice on climate change

Pacific islands experience lasting impacts of the 50 years of nuclear testing and the region has become a global hotspot of climate change, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) learned in its meeting this week in Brisbane, Australia.

WCC leaders reiterate need for United States and Iran to step back from escalating conflict

In the aftermath of armed attacks by both the US and Iran, WCC reiterates its call for restraint and de-escalation of the confrontation.
“Further escalation and conflict between the United States and Iran can only serve short-term political interests, while threatening the permanent destruction of many lives, communities and precious cultural and environmental heritage,” said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit. “I appeal to political leaders on all sides of this confrontation to put the interests of the people of the region ahead of their own interests, and to seek peace through dialogue and negotiation rather than confrontation.”

WCC condemns attack at Hanukkah celebration in New York City

The World Council of Churches (WCC) condemned an attack on a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi´s home north of New York City, on 28 December, stabbing and wounding five people. Several state and local officials have described the location of stabbing as a synagogue.

ÖRK auf Leitungsebene von Religions for Peace stark vertreten

Religions for Peace ist das größte und repräsentativste multireligiöse Bündnis weltweit und wie auch bei anderen multireligiösen Strukturen ist der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) samt seiner ökumenischen Familie in den Leitungsgremien dieses Bündnisses stark vertreten.

WCC well-represented in Religions for Peace leadership

Religions for Peace is the world's largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, and as in other multi-faith groups, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its ecumenical family figure strongly in its leadership bodies.