Member Church News: COVID, Racism, Solidarity

21 March is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The United Church of Canada has shared worship and related materials to help churches mark this day.

Uniting Church members all over Australia joined with people of faith and conscience all over the world on 11 March, in what was understood to be the largest single day of multifaith-based mobilization for action on climate change to date.

Najla Kassab, WCRC president, tells the Church of Scotland that COVID-19 has created a time of envisioning for churches.

Following the worsening developments in Myanmar, the Council of World Mission, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand have released separate statements of solidarity with the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

As the coronavirus pandemic swept the United States this past year, hospital chaplains — already accustomed to helping people cope with sickness and death — found their ministries took on added significance.

WCC shares “Voices of Lament, Hope and Courage” for churches worldwide: The World Council of Churches has prepared global prayers at the request of its member churches and regional partners to allow the many people affected by COVID-19 to express sorrow and nurture hope for the future.

The next Global Christian Forum Gathering will take place in the first quarter of 2024. The location is yet to be decided, but will be finalised soon. GCF’s International Committee met virtually over two days.

Expressing the global hope for healing from the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the world, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will focus on the Asia Sunday–2021 theme, “I am the God who Heals You and Restores Your Health” (Exodus 15:26). Asia Sunday is observed annually on the Sunday before Pentecost by member churches and councils of the CCA. This year, Asia Sunday falls on 16 May.