Member Church News: Anniversaries, Meetings, Future

A few member denominations have celebrated anniversaries this past week: the Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada en Cuba celebrated its 133rd, the Presbyterian Church Of Vanuatu its 75th, and the Uniting Church in Australia its 46th.

Lydia Neshangwe, of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, has become the first black woman to be inducted as moderator of the denomination. She is also moderator of the Council for World Mission.

Training Christian Educators For Child Friendly Churches: The Church of South India’s Department of Christian Education, in collaboration with EMS, has commenced a comprehensive training program for Christian educators.

Vast challenges in Asia call for unity: By far the largest region, both in terms of population and geographical size, the Asia region faces an array of pertinent issues for the churches to address and engage in. Stretching from Iran in the west to Japan in the east and from Nepal in the north to New Zealand in the south, the region encompasses a wide range of cultures and religions.

Munib A. Younan, honorary president of the Middle East Council of Churches, delivered a speech entitled “The Future of Christianity in the Middle East,” in which he spoke about the role of Arab Palestinian Christians, highlighting the reasons of Christians’ emigration in addition to the challenges they face and how to support them in light of the situations they are passing through.

The central committee of the World Council of Churches concluded its week-long meeting in Geneva with a call to turn to God as a worshipful, thankful, and hopeful people.