Christians in New York City opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 January by participating in a worship service at the Interchurch Center, an office building that houses many church-related organizations and many others focused on intercultural and religious exchange. The service was infused with themes of justice and unity, both from a perspective of African-American history and the urging of Christians today to put their faith into action.
El Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung, codirector ejecutivo del Consejo de Iglesias de Minnesota, ayudó a formar el equipo de autores de los recursos de la Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos de este año. A continuación, reflexiona sobre los retos y esperanzas que el equipo ha puesto sobre la mesa durante la composición del texto.
Pastor Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Co-Geschäftsführer des Rates der Kirchen von Minnesota, half das Team einzuberufen, das die Dokumentation für die diesjährige Gebetswoche für die Einheit der Christen vorbereitete. Im nachfolgenden Interview spricht er über die Herausforderungen und Hoffnungen, die die Gruppe während des Verfassens der Texte thematisierte.
Le pasteur Curtiss Paul DeYoung, codirecteur général du Conseil des Églises du Minnesota, aux États-Unis, a participé à la création d’une équipe d’auteurs et autrices chargée de rédiger les ressources de la Semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens de cette année. Il revient sur les défis rencontrés et les espoirs partagés lors de la rédaction commune du texte.
Aa the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity opened on 18 January, the World Council of Churches staff and partners gathered in a spirit of unity to “Do good; seek justice,” the theme of this year’s special week.
Rev. Dr Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Below, he reflects on the challenges and hopes the team brought to the table as they composed the text.
The Perkins School of Theology Alumni/ae Council selected Dr Evelyn L. Parker as the 2021 recipient of the Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The award recognizes Perkins graduates who have demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support for the goals of Perkins and Southern Methodist University, outstanding service to the community, and exemplary character.
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.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is celebrating the life of Rev. Dr Paul A. Crow, who passed away on 23 January. An ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), his lifelong passion was seeking Christian unity.
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.
Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Anglicans and Reformed discern further steps towards deeper ecclesial communion and common witness during a consultation at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, United States from 26 to 28 March.
(Kommunikation LWB) – Mit einem ökumenischen Gottesdienst in der Herz-Jesu-Basilika der Notre Dame-Universität (Indiana, USA) ist eine viertägige Konferenz unter Beteiligung von fünf weltweiten christlichen Gemeinschaften eröffnet worden, die sich mit der historischen Bedeutung der Gemeinsamen Erklärung zur Rechtfertigungslehre (GE) und ihrer Relevanz für das Streben nach voller, sichtbarer Einheit der Kirche auseinandersetzt.
(LWF Communication) – An ecumenical prayer service in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, United States, marked the opening of a four-day consultation of five Christian World Communions discussing the historic importance of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) and its impact on the search for full, visible unity of the church.
(Comunicación de la FLM) – Un servicio ecuménico de oración en la Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de la Universidad de Nuestra Dama en Indiana (Estados Unidos) marcó el inicio de una consulta de cinco comuniones cristianas mundiales reunidas durante cuatro días para examinar la importancia histórica de la Declaración conjunta sobre la doctrina de la justificación (DCDJ) y su impacto en la búsqueda de la unidad plena y visible de la iglesia.
(Communications, FLM) – Une célébration de prière œcuménique dans la basilique du Sacré-Cœur de l’université de Notre Dame en Indiana, aux États-Unis, a marqué l’ouverture d’un colloque de quatre jours pendant lesquels cinq communions chrétiennes mondiales vont discuter de l’importance historique de la Déclaration commune sur la justification par la foi (DCJF) et de son rôle dans la recherche d’une unité entière et visible de l’Église.
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.
