NCC grieves the passing of Bob Edgar,
general secretary from 2000 to 2007

National Council of Churches leaders and staff expressed shock and sadness today at the sudden death of the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, who served as NCC general secretary from 2000 to 2007.

NCC President Kathryn Lohre expressed the council’s condolences to Edgar’s family and many friends.

“He is universally remembered as a man of tireless commitment and boundless energy,” Lohre said. “We are finding it difficult to grasp the sudden loss of this fine church leader.”

Edgar, a former six-term member of Congress and Claremont School of Theology president, left the Council in 2007 to take the reins of leadership of Common Cause, the citizen’s advocacy group. Read More.

 

NCC expresses dismay over kidnapping of bishops in Syria
As dismay intensified over the kidnapping of two Christian leaders in Syria, the National Council of Churches USA and World Council of Churches have sent to their members the call of Greek and Syriac patriarchs to “stand fast in the face of what is going on and witness to their faith in the power of love in this world.” Read More.

 

President Lohre offers prayers for victims in Boston
A message from NCC President Kathryn Lohre on the day of the Boston Marathon bombing: Today we are grieving with those in Boston, and joining in prayer with Christians and people of faith around the world. As the National Council of Churches, we stand in solidarity with the Massachusetts Council of Churches. We give thanks for the pastoral leadership of its executive director, The Rev. Laura Everett, and all those Christian leaders who join her in reaching out to those impacted. The MCC has offered a powerful public statement, available here. The prayers offered in this statement are fervently echoed by all of us. We pray that God will continue to bring comfort to those who mourn, healing to those who are injured, and peace to those who are living in fear and uncertainty in this difficult time.

NCC Rev. Tiemeyer offers Easter message

Picture it. Thirty-five young adults ecumenically gathered, representing global diversity, camped into the NCC conference room, engaging in contextual Bible study on Mark 4:3-9--the story of the woman who breaks open the jar and annoints Jesus. They are preparing to participate as a united witness in the United Nation's 57th Commission on the Status of Women. Read More.

 

Obama invites NCC and others to confab on immigration reform

In an off-the-record meeting at the White House March 8, President Obama heard the concerns of the NCC President Lohre and other religious leaders about the issue of immigration reform. Mr. Obama has called for a four-point reform of immigration.
Read More.

President Lohre offers prayers to newly elected Pope Francis

The President of the National Council of Churches USA commended Pope Benedict XVI Tuesday for a “wise and graceful exit that shows enormous courage and a deep commitment to the ongoing effectiveness of his ministry.” NCC President Kathryn Lohre expressed gratitude for the Pope's long ministry as pontiff, cardinal, university professor, and priest. Read More.

 

NCC commends Benedict for "wise and graceful exit"

The President of the National Council of Churches USA commended Pope Benedict XVI Tuesday for a “wise and graceful exit that shows enormous courage and a deep commitment to the ongoing effectiveness of his ministry.” NCC President Kathryn Lohre expressed gratitude for the Pope's long ministry as pontiff, cardinal, university professor, and priest. Read More

 

NCC consolidates operations in Washington, DC

In a move aimed at streamlining operations to “free up the Council to be about the priorities that the churches set together,” the National Council of Churches will consolidate its operations in Washington, D.C. NCC Transitional Secretary Peg Birk will move her office to Washington. The NCC will remain in New York through “satellite offices” for three senior program staff. Read More.

 

Application form for Global Ecumenical Theological Institute
Application forms are now available for the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute that will prepare 25 students and younger pastors for an intensive ecumenical experience in conjunction with the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, South Korea, in October and November 2013. For more information, and to download the application form, go here.

Applications invited for seed grants for young adult projects

The New Fire Task Force, in partnership with the Ecumenical Young Adult Ministries Team (EYAMT),invites and encourages young adults to apply for seed grants in the amount of up to $500 to support local ecumenical young adult-initiated projects. Through the Seed Grant Program, New Fire seeks to support ecumenical projects that connect young adult people to an experience of Christian unity in a concrete and meaningful way. Read More.

 

Luce Foundation enables ecumenical institute for new leaders

A grant from the Henry Luce Foundation will support a National Council of Churches initiative to sponsor a North American Institute to prepare 25 students and younger pastors for an intensive ecumenical experience in conjunction with the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, South Korea, in October and November 2013.  Read More.

 

NRSV, RSV translations now offered on Bible Gateway

As the result of a new relationship between Bible Gateway and the NCC announced Nov. 26, visitors to BibleGateway.com have access to the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translations. With great appeal to Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian traditions, these translations now have the opportunity to expand their reach and influence among Bible Gateway’s visitors.  Read More.