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A webinar entitled “Reflections on recent developments in the USA and their significance for interreligious relations,” held 9 February, brought together more than 20 advisers in interreligious relations from various World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches from across the globe.

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.”

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.’ ”

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.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has released “A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence,” a collection of daily observances that call people to face the painful truth of gun violence and work for its prevention.

Respect for the other lies at the heart of peace education and was a key thread through a debate entitled “Education for Peace in a multi-religious world”. It was held on the 2018 World Human Rights Day at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

As a result of a consultation on 9-10 November in Washington, D.C., Pan African Women of Faith have released a Call to Action toward a vision of sustainable communities and an end to hunger and poverty.

Hundreds of people gathered, then hundreds more, the crowd growing and marching in silence to the beat of a drum as dawn broke on 4 April, 50 years to the day since Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., was murdered in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr Ulysses Burley III is serving as a WCC delegate to the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York City (CSW62), being held 12-23 March. Dr Burley, from Chicago, is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He currently serves on the WCC-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance HIV Access to Treatment Working Group.

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson has a unique position in observing and advocating for women’s rights or, as she would quickly clarify, “the fair treatment of human beings” no matter what their gender. As bishop-in-residence at the Hollywood United Methodist Church, she ministers to church members who were not only present at this week’s Golden Globe Awards – they were the nominees. And, as vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee, she is part of a global parish, traveling to communities far removed from the privilege of Hollywood, where violence occurs against women who are seen by their own communities as having no voice and no rights.

L’évêque Mary Ann Swenson occupe une position unique en matière d’observation et de défense des droits des femmes ou, comme elle se hâterait de rectifier, du «traitement équitable des êtres humains» quel que soit leur sexe. En tant qu’évêque résidente de l’Église méthodiste unie à Hollywood, en Californie (États-Unis), elle exerce son ministère auprès de fidèles qui n’ont pas seulement assisté aux Golden Globe Awards de cette semaine: ils ont également concouru pour les prix décernés. D’autre part, en tant que vice-présidente du Comité central du COE, elle fait partie d’une paroisse mondiale qui se rend dans des communautés très éloignées des quartiers privilégiés d’Hollywood, où les violences faites aux femmes sont une réalité: leurs propres communautés ne leur reconnaissent aucun droit, notamment à la parole.

At a “Hearing on Racism, Discrimination, Afrophobia and Xenophobia” held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 25 September, speakers reflected, lamented and, at times, simply sat in silence as they considered the experience of people of African descent in the USA.

Expressing concern regarding recently announced US measures related to refugee admissions and entry into the US by seven Muslim-majority countries, the World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance (ACT), and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) affirmed that faith calls all Christians to love and welcome the stranger, the refugee, the internally displaced person - “the other.”

Le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE), ACT Alliance (ACT) et la Fédération luthérienne mondiale (FLM) ont fait savoir leur préoccupation à propos des mesures américaines récentes relatives à l’accueil et à l’entrée aux États-Unis des réfugiés en provenance de sept pays à majorité musulmane. Ces organisations ont déclaré que la foi appelle les chrétiens à aimer et à accueillir l’étranger, le réfugié, les personnes déplacées, autrement dit : « l’autre ».

As wars and conflict continue to force thousands of families to flee their homes every day, the WCC appeals to all people of good will to support the UNHCR’s #WithRefugees campaign. By signing a petition to be handed over to the UN headquarters before the General Assembly meeting on 19 September, people around the globe are asked to raise their voices, to ensure that every refugee child gets an education, that every refugee family has somewhere safe to live, and that every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.

Les guerres et les conflits continuent chaque jour de contraindre des milliers de familles à fuir leur foyer et c’est pourquoi le COE appelle toutes les personnes de bonne volonté à soutenir la campagne #AvecLesRéfugiés du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés. En signant une pétition qui sera délivrée au siège de l’ONU avant le 19 septembre, pendant la session de l’Assemblée générale, les habitants de la planète entière peuvent faire entendre leur voix pour faire en sorte que chaque enfant réfugié ait accès à l’instruction, que chaque famille réfugiée ait un endroit où vivre en toute sécurité et que chaque personne réfugiée puisse travailler ou apprendre de nouvelles compétences pour apporter une contribution positive à sa communauté.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the WCC are planning joint action on refugee rights now that the Canadian church agency has been approved for WCC membership. Plans are for CLWR to collaborate with WCC on advocacy initiatives through the Ecumenical United Nations Office in New York.

L’Entraide luthérienne mondiale du Canada et le COE prévoient une action commune de défense des droits des réfugiés maintenant que l’adhésion au COE de l’organisation ecclésiale canadienne a été approuvée. Le CLWR devrait collaborer avec le COE pour les initiatives de défense des causes par l’intermédiaire du Bureau du COE auprès des Nations Unies (EUNO) à New York.

At an interfaith prayer service on 7 June, people from diverse faith communities issued a call to action to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The call focuses on reducing stigma and discrimination; increasing access to HIV services; defending human rights; and ensuring testing and treatment for all, including children.