Member Church News: Prayers, Patriarchy

The Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East held a prayer service on 6 January, at the First Armenian Evangelical Church, Beirut (pictured above). The prayer was held on the intention of the Armenians of Artsakh and all Armenia, the churches of Palestine and the entire Palestinian people, Lebanon, its government and people, and also for the sake of the countries and peoples of the Middle East and the world who suffer from wars, violence, displacement, deprivation, instability, and injustice of every kind.

The United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministries began the year with a Climate Action Commissioning Service and blessing for all people engaged in climate and environmental justice work.

Presbyterian podcast looks at the harmful effects of church patriarchy: Liz Cooledge Jenkins, author of a new book on the perils of patriarchy, said on a recent episode of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” it can be “a long journey” for churches to determine just who gets to be considered a leader, a theologian or a biblical scholar. But many have found it’s a journey worth taking.

Do we still need the churches in the tradition of the Reformation to shape the future? Looking back on the great celebration “500 Years of Reformation” and its discourses, this new book poses fundamental questions: “The legacy of the Reformation in shaping the future.” With contributions from German Federal President Steinmeier, Minister President Reiner Haseloff, former Bishop Bedford-Strohm, Bishop Stäblein, and many other voices from the church and politics.

Applications are open for the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey’s 2024 interfaith summer course (Geneva, Switzerland), during which students earn a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Interreligious Studies.

As International Court of Justice hearings commence, WCC calls on “all responsible members of the international community to respect and implement the ICJ rulings”: World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Jerry Pillay marked 11 January as a “significant moment for justice and the rule of law,” as public hearings commenced in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on allegations against the State of Israel of violations of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Messages of hope amid strife ring for New Year: Across the globe, churches shared Christmas and New Year messages expressing hope amid the grave challenges in the world.