Member Church News: Consecration, Dissertation, Inspiration

Church of North India breaks new ground with consecration of first female bishop: In a historic moment for gender equality, the Church of North India has consecrated its first ever female bishop, the Right Reverend Violet Nayak, who will serve as the Bishop of Phulbani Diocese.

Trip to Hungary and Moldova focuses on plight of Ukrainian refugees: More than two years after Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to provide aid and support to organizations serving Ukrainians who’ve fled to neighboring countries.

The Waldensian Church, on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of the Waldensian movement, has issued a call to reaffirm the importance of music in the churches that joined the Protestant Reformation. The call is to compose a hymn that draws inspiration from the 850 years of Waldensian history.

Colin Watson Earns First D.Min. from Calvin Seminary: Watson, former executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and co-convenor of CANAAC, became the first person to complete all of the requirements to earn a degree in the seminary’s new doctor of ministry program. His dissertation was titled Leading in White Spaces: The Experience of African American Pastors as Leaders in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA).

To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June 2024, the Conference of European Churches joins a call from the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe to commemorate refugees who lost their lives on European borders. Churches in Europe and beyond are invited to observe.

From Taurus to Gaza: 110 years Since the Bleeding of the East: The conference included five sessions focused on the region’s issues and the systematic displacement and destruction which is being subjected to.

In Kenya, messages about gender equality reach thousands: Whether it’s weaving gender equality into environmental training for young children, or reaching 2,000 high school and university students with the Thursdays in Black campaign, Kevin Maina is making some major strides in Kenya toward a world free from gender-based violence.

In Colombia, WCC executive committee will focus on life and witness of churches: From 6-11 June, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee will meet in Bogota, Colombia, where the governing body will focus not only on the business of the WCC but also on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.

Ecumenical accompaniers report settler violence in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jordan Valley: The most recent group of ecumenical accompaniers from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, in their latest report, highlighted settler violence as a key issue in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Jordan Valley.