Inside the National Council of Churches

Advocacy Days: because all need a home
As the number of displaced persons reaches tens of millions around the world, hundreds of persons of faith will be gathering for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington March 19-22 under the theme, "A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples." "Jesus had no place to lay his head," declare the planners of Ecumenical Advocacy Days. "Neither do tens of millions of migrants, refugees and displaced persons. "Organizers invite hundreds of persons of faith to "be a part of an action weekend addressing this global injustice. Join hundreds of faith-based advocates in taking action on U.S. legislation that will welcome immigrants, protect refugees and prevent displacement for millions." The theme of immigrations reform has taken on a national resonance among persons of faith. In a letter to the leaders of the 36 communions that compose their organizations, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary, and the Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS Executive Director and CEO, said the urgent need for immigration reform must be a shared Christian concern in the season of Lent. Read More.

NCC plans 'long term engagement' for Haiti renewal
The NCC, responding to the "pressing needs of Haiti and the deep sense of call to respond," is calling representatives of its member communions to a meeting on April 6 to begin planning for "our long term engagement with the renewal and recovery of the people and nation of Haiti." The invitation was sent to the ecumenical officers of the NCC's 36 member communions and to denominational specialists in Haiti ministries. More.

At Lent, ecumenical leaders press immigration reform
Responding to a "divine mandate" and as a "patriotic act," the chief executives of NCC and CWS are pressing "comprehensive immigration reform" in the U.S.. In a letter to the leaders of 36 communions that compose their organizations, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon and the Rev. John L. McCullough, said the urgent need for immigration reform must be a shared Christian concern in the season of Lent. More.

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Yearbook measures impact of new immigrant church
The 78th annual edition of the National Council of Churches' Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches reports the Catholic Church, the Mormons and the Assemblies of God are among the nation's fastest growing churches, while mainline denominations continue to decline. The 2010 Yearbook, a highly regarded chronicler of growth and financial trends of religious institutions, lists the top 25 American churches by size. More.

Kinnamon welcomes Patriarch's church unity message
NCC General Secretary Kinnamon has written to the Ecumenical Patriarch to express "profound appreciation" for Bartholomew's encyclical on the unity of the church. "Surely, your emphasis on unity in truth is precisely what is needed in order for the whole ecumenical movement to recover depth and direction," Kinnamon said. "Please be assured that we at the NCC stand with you in this call for the unity for which our Lord prayed." More.

African American Baptists respond jointly to Haiti need
Presidents of five historically African-American Baptist denominations said they are collaborating to respond to human need in Haiti. Presidents of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; National Baptist Convention, USA; National Baptist Convention of America; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; and Progressive National Baptist Convention formed the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration. More.

Immigration rally slated March 21 at the U.S. Capitol
As part of the faith community’s campaign for immigration reform -- and in coordination with Ecumenical Advocacy Days -- the National Council of Churches and its partner humanitarian agency Church World Service are urging members of ecumenical congregations to join a March for America: Change Takes Courage and Faith, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, in Washington, D.C. More.

Spotlight on Poverty carries Kinnamon commentary
NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon's commentary on poverty and region appears in the current Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that our political leaders take significant actions to reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the United States. Kinnamon's copyrighted essay on God and the poor can be read here.

Obama urged to show 'active leadership' for health care
The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, President of the National Council of Churches, has joined more than twenty religious leaders to urge President Obama to show "active and public leadership" to persuade Congress to pass a health care reform bill. The letter implored Mr. Obama "to make it plain to all Americans that the decisions of Congress have moral consequences. Letting this life-line lapse would be a failure of historic proportions." More.

Earthday 2010 resources ready for download or order
The 2010 Earth Day Sunday Resource, Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship is available now to help congregations prepare for and celebrate stewardship of God’s Creation in their house of worship. The 12-page booklet, produced by the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program, has Bible studies, worship outlines and practical suggestions for "greening" your church. More.

NCC Women's Ministries offer fistula education program
Women’s Ministries at the National Council of Churches has announced a pilot program for young women exploring the connections between faith and action, through the lens of obstetric fistula, a birth injury affecting more than 2 million women worldwide. Sponsored by the UN Foundation, this project seeks to bring faith communities into the campaign to end fistula in this generation. Read more.

Dangers of 'Christian Zionism' cited in NCC brochure
"Christian Zionism" is a dangerous movement that distorts the teachings of the Church, fosters fear and hatred of Muslims and non-Western Christians, and has negative consequences for Middle East Peace. A new brochure, Why We Should Be Concerned About Christian Zionism, by the NCC (in English and Spanish) is now available as an educational tool for groups who want to share these warnings with their members. More.