Amid the violence, a prayer of contrition and hope
As the death toll in Gaza exceeded 350 in ongoing Israeli attacks, and as violence continued in other world hot spots, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA has offered a prayer of contrition and a plea to God to "make war cease." The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon also signed on to a message from Churches for Middle East Peace to President Bush to press for an immediate cease- fire. As most of the 35 member communions of the National Council expressed their dismay over the sudden eruption of violence between Israel and Gaza, Kinnamon offered this prayer: "God of all creation, you who are so bound to humankind that you feel the joys that complete us and the sorrows that rend us; God of Abraham, you who have made covenant with our ancestors and called us to be special instruments of your peace; we come to you in pain. You have commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves; yet throughout our world we see horrifying examples of our failure to love as you command ... "  Read more.

Concerns for human trafficking in the season of love
The National Council of Churches, at the September 2008 Governing Board, adopted a resolution on Human Trafficking.  In the resolution, NCC member communions agreed to observe January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day through prayer, reflection, education and actions that will assist in bringing an end to these forms of modern day slavery. Read more.

Korean churches inspire Week of Prayer for Unity
Inspired by the witness of churches in divided Korea, Christians throughout the world will be praying "that they may become one in God's hand" during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25.  In their context of national division, Korean churches have turned for inspiration to the prophet Ezekiel, who also lived in a tragically divided nation and longed for the unity of his people. More.

Church World Service Gaza humanitarian crisis appeal
Church World Service is supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza as a member of the Action by Churches Together International alliance. ACT efforts include those of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)'s Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), International Orthodox Christian Charities, the Lutheran World Federation and Norwegian Church Aid, all long-time CWS partners. To help, read more.

Three January dates rally the faithful to new shalom
January observances of the death of Rabbi Abraham Heschel, the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the inauguration of President Obama, have inspired religious leaders to recommit themselves to King's vision of peace, shalom and the Beloved Community. Observances this month include a study of King's April 4, 1967 Riverside Church speech, and a pre-inaugural interfaith service in Washington. More.

Churches support Congo Sabbath to protect women
The NCC has joined a growing number of religious leaders to support the Congo Sabbath initiative to demand an end to the mistreatment of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hundreds of thousands of women and girls living in DRC have been victims of brutal sexual violence, leaving them with severe physical ailments. Seven in ten of these women go untreated because of inadequate medical facilities. More.

Churches will gather to advance the cause of peace
Three historic peace churches are hosting an ecumenical gathering here next week to stress the urgent need to work for peace in the world. NCC General Secretary Kinnamon and NCC eco-justice staff are among the presenters. Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace will be held January 13-17, 2009, in Philadelphia. Registration is currently open, and more information can be found at www.peacegathering2009.org. More.  

Ecumenical Advocacy Days convene March 13-16
A new congress and a new administration will be grappling with the toughest issues in decades this March 13-16, 2009, when more than 700 persons of faith arrive from around the country to press their views on peace, justice, the environment and economic fairness. The seventh annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, meeting at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center under the theme, "Enough for All Creation." More.

Robert J. Marshall, a founder of the ELCA, dies at 90
The Rev. Robert J. Marshall, who helped pave the way for the union of three Lutheran denominations into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, died December 22 in Allentown, Pa., at 90. Described by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson as "one of those giants among Lutheran leaders who served in the 20th century," Dr. Marshall succeeded the Rev. Dr. Franklin Clark Fry in 1968. More.

Leaders ask Obama to ease travel restrictions to Cuba
NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon joined Church World Service Director John McCullough and more than a dozen other Christian leaders Dec. 18 in asking President-Elect Obama to ease travel restrictions to Cuba that have made it harder for religious delegations to visit or support church partners there. U.S. religious institutions now qualify for only limited travel licenses, and some have been unable to obtain even those. More.

NCC issues brochure on dangers of Christian Zionism
"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.

Interfaith Commission warns of extreme DVD on Islam
The NCC's Interfaith Relations Commission has raised alarm over the mass distribution of 28 million copies of what it termed a “distorted and misleading” DVD entitled: “Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West." The Commission charged that the DVD has the effect of “fanning the sparks of mistrust, bigotry and hatred that undermine the very foundations of a multi-religious democracy.” More.

Ecumenical conference on trafficking: final report
The Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking began at 12:30 pm on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017 and finished at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.  There were 72 participants representing 15 different denominations or faith communities, 3 interfaith organizations and 7 secular organizations.  The final report is here.

Kinnamon and Kobia: protect the Christians of Iraq
NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon has welcomed a call by World Council of Churches General Secretary Samuel Kobia "to quell the violence" against the Christian minority in Iraq. Kobia issued the plea to officials of the United Nations and the Iraqi government, seeking "swift action to quell the violence in Iraq and to thwart activities aimed at the expulsion of Christians and other minority populations." More.

NCC calls for support of beleaguered India Christians
Christians make up two percent of the population of India, and for the past 10 months they have been subject to violent attacks at the hands of Hindus. "This persecution of Christians in India must stop!" declared NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon at  rally of Indian Christians near United Nations headquarters in New York. "We in the United States stand with you in this time of anxiety and suffering.  You are not alone!" More.

Church councils minister creatively to immigrants
Compelled by faith to welcome all people as neighbors, church people have developed creative and effective immigrations ministries. Across the country, city and state councils of churches are welcoming additional ideas to enhance their support of neighbors who are sometimes dismissed as 'aliens.'  For an overview of their work – and ideas for ministries in your own neighborhood – look here.