Member Church News: COP28, Advent, Visits

The United Reformed Church (UK) is inviting all its members to act in solidarity with church partners in the Holy Land by NOT lighting the 2nd Advent candle, the Bethlehem candle—and has provided an accompanying downloadable liturgy.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) will be keeping a close eye on the COP28 global climate talks Nov. 30-Dec. 12 in Dubai’s Expo City on the Arabian Peninsula.

Hungarian Reformed bishop visits Australian diaspora and the Land of the Papuans. The visit to the Hungarian diaspora in Australia was complemented by a trip to Papua New Guinea.

New Brunswick Theological Seminary (New Jersey, USA) offers a downloadable daily Advent devotional booklet under the theme “Looking Up, Looking Forward.”

In historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches commit to establishing national council: With a historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches meeting at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey made the decision to establish a council of churches in their country.

New study advocates “reformed catholicity” to promote Christianity unity: A new study published by a pioneering ecumenical group based in France is advocating a vision of “reformed catholicity” that will promote full communion between Roman Catholics and Protestants.

The 2023 World Day of Prayer International Committee Journal is now available on WDP website. It has stories from the WDP

With COP28 beginning on 30 November in Dubai, faith communities are ready to press for phasing out fossil fuels, push for climate justice, and present a united front.

Pilgrimage to Marshall Islands brings new urgency for justice in wake of nuclear testing: With a focus on the legacy of nuclear testing and climate change, the World Council of Churches (WCC) completed a pilgrimage visit to the Marshall Islands on 16-24 November.

The Conference of European Churches is searching for its new General Secretary. The application deadline is 15 January 2024.