Webinar - Advocacy on issues to bring justice - 27th January 2025

Advocacy on issues to bring justice Join us on Monday, January 27th, at 12pm UTC/GMT (7am EST, 5.30pm India, 11pm AEDT) for the webinar, ‘Advocacy on issues to bring justice - Finding our voice to speak truth on important social issues.’   We often address issues of injustice as isolated cases, but those issues are actually inter-connected. God’s justice addresses the causes for inequality, poverty, and the abuse of power. We are going to hear from three women working in different parts of the world - Loida Carriel (Ecuador), Aashima Samuel (India) and Kim Vanden-Hengel (Australia), on various issues that impact women and girls. In examining separate pieces of the puzzle, we will begin to discover the circle of injustice and recognize God’s heart for restoration and justice.   Loida Carriel is from Ecuador and has many years of experience as a journalist. She has campaigned for justice in areas like corruption, poverty, climate justice and the rights of tribal groups in Ecuador and across Latin America.   Aashima Samuel has over 20 years’ experience as a human rights lawyer, and is the Founding Trustee of Ashray Trust which works to transform marginalized and oppressed communities across India. Through advocacy, sensitization, and capacity building. Aashima has been instrumental in establishing PUSH (People Uniting to Stop Human Trafficking), a national Christian network raising awareness about trafficking.   Kim Vanden-Hengel has leadership roles for a range of charities operating across the globe, for over 30 years. She is currently the chair of the Collective Shout board and Director of Safe Waters Community Care Inc, a homeless charity in her local government area. Collective Shout has had success in shutting down pornography sites and in stopping the sale of inappropriate material to children.   This webinar is hosted by Rise in Strength and the WEA Women’s Commission, facilitated by StacieNicole Simmons, and will include time for questions and discussion. Register here for free! Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 600 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 143 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

© Copyright 2024 World Evangelical Alliance

The Christian Recorder - Council of Bishops Statement on Connectional Meetings in California and support for AME wildfire victims

The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church joins with others across the nation and the world in expressing our sorrow and support for those who lost loved ones, their homes, and valuables during the fires in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. We especially express our concern and outreach to our fellow AMEs who have been and continue to be severely impacted by the ongoing fires. Many of them suffered not only the loss of loved ones but their homes, valuables, and precious possessions. Next week, the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society will hold its Executive Board Meeting, and the Council of Bishops will hold its Annual Retreat in Garden Grove, Orange County, California, about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles. Because of the closeness and uncertainty of the situation, we sought to change next week’s meeting to a later time this year, but the City of Garden Grove, hotels, and others with whom we had signed contracts would not permit us to change dates, and the AME Church would lose over $600,000.00. Given our legal realities, we are disappointed because it would have been a blessing if we could have used the aforementioned monies to help in the distress the wildfires have caused the people of the 5th District.  The Council of Bishops is committed to assisting our sisters and brothers in Los Angeles and nearby. We ask each Episcopal District and local congregation to participate in a sacrificial offering over the next two Sundays to support our fellow AMEs and their families. Instructions will be provided by the bishops for each Episcopal District. We ask all of our congregants to participate and be a blessing to our sisters and brothers. Many of them lost everything. First AME in Pasadena, California has 52 families who lost their homes. The Bishops hope to meet with them and others next week while in Garden Grove to pray and assist them.   While we help our fellow sisters and brothers, we also seek to help all those affected by these fires and destruction as much as possible. Save for the grace of God, it could be us. Thank you for joining with us in being instruments of God. Bishop Silvester Beaman President, Council of Bishops of the AME Church

Not on our list? Join Here The News Digest contains selected articles from the newspaper.  Click below to get full access! Buy Here

Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

EarthBeat Weekly: Climate "whiplash" fueled flames in L.A.

Climate 'whiplash' fueled flames in L.A. Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change January 17, 2025 Destroyed structures are seen in Malibu, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025, as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles. (OSV News/Ringo Chiu, Reuters) Twenty-seven people have died from the L.A. wildfires as of Friday morning, reports CBS News, though Yale Climate Connections reports, "The toxic smoke from the fires, combined with disruption to the economy, health care system, and mental health may lead to thousands of deaths over the coming years."  In a telegram Jan. 11 to Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, Pope Francis shared prayers for those impacted by the fires in California, as well as for emergency personnel, relief efforts and the souls of the deceased. The pope again expressed closeness with those impacted by the wildfires during the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square Jan. 12. The wildfires — intensified by climate change — continue to burn across southern California as many residents remain under evacuation orders. Read more: Pope offers prayers for those impacted by LA wildfires Scientists can't yet say whether climate change directly caused the L.A. fires, but they agree it did amplify the natural conditions that led to them through a phenomenon called climate "whiplash." This refers to when extremely wet conditions and extremely dry conditions follow one another. While climate "whiplash" alone doesn't start (i.e. "cause") wildfires, it provides fuel for flames once they begin. According to NOAA, "Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States during the last two decades." Scientists also agree that humans burning coal, oil and gas contributes to the climate change that is extending the wildfire season. "There is rarely, if ever, a singular cause of complex disasters," climate scientist Daniel Swain has noted.  But misinformation and finger-pointing can obscure things we do in fact know to be true and confuse our efforts to prevent similar events in the future. The information included here has been scientifically vetted and approved by the Covering Climate Now journalism collaborative. Read more NCR coverage of the L.A. wildifres:  LA fires inspire groundswell of Catholic aid LA deacon, parishioners save church from Eaton Fire with a hose Catholics rally to aid LA wildfire victims Pointing fingers will not fight California's fires nor preserve its future   What else is new on EarthBeat: U.S. sister killed in the Amazon honored at Rome 'new martyrs' shrine by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service A cross containing dirt stained with the blood of Sister Dorothy Stang, a U.S. member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur shot down in the Amazon 20 years ago, and one of her sweaters were placed Jan. 10 on the altar of the "new martyrs of the Americas" in Rome's Basilica of St. Bartholomew.   Faith organizations have a complex relationship to disaster relief by Katie Myers, Grist Church volunteers feel called by Christ to help those impacted by Helene. For some, that means fulfilling a mandate to alleviate suffering. For others, it also means proselytizing.   When you want to call it quits, find hope for creation in your own small actions by Helen Mueting In my work for ecology in my religious community, I can become depressed and want to give up. Why fight a losing battle? But to a small degree, we are acting with hope for creation, and we have seen some progress.   Indifference, pride fuel world's horrors; selfishness is suicide by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service "An economy that kills, that excludes, that starves, that concentrates enormous wealth in a few to the detriment of many, that multiplies poverty and grinds down salaries, that pollutes, that produces war, is not an economy," he said in an autobiography released Jan. 14. It is a perversion, "an emptiness, an absence, a sickness."   Church groups collaborate to build temporary houses for India landslide survivors by Thomas Scaria Women religious congregations are assisting church groups in the second phase of rehabilitation of the landslide survivors in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India, providing them shelter and livelihood.   Deb Haaland, America's first Native Cabinet secretary, considers her legacy by Anita Hofschneider, Grist "Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household made me fierce. I'll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land," Haaland said in 2021 ahead of her congressional confirmation vote.    What's happening in other climate news: An inauguration watch party aimed at celebrating fossil fuels —Lisa Friedman for The New York Times Supreme Court environment cases to watch in 2025 —Pamela King for E&E News Biden approved LA wildfire aid. But Trump will control spending. —Thomas Frank and Scott Waldman for E&E News Women firefighters with reproductive cancers are now eligible for federal help —Jessica Kutz for The 19th* Big buildings are a climate problem. These policies aim to fix that. —Akielly Hu for Canary Media The promises and challenges of the Philippines’ new climate-resilient city —Maggie Wang for Grist   Final Beat: In EarthBeat's "Small Earth Stories" feature series, readers share specific ways they're living simply, resisting throwaway culture or responding to climate change in day-to-day life. These personal essays usually range from 100-1,000 words and include 1-2 photos. Want to share your story? Submit it anytime at earthbeat@ncronline.org. Thanks for reading EarthBeat. Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephaniecherpakclary   Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? Selling Books? Place an Ad in NCR's Online Classified Section for Only $75 per Month!   Advertisement

Truth and Action Roundup 1.17.25

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable source of information, inspiration, and action for the post-election period. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. Today is Friday, Jan. 17, three days before Inauguration Day. In today’s Truth and Action Roundup, we report on a last-minute snag in the ceasefire deal between the Israeli government and Hamas, cover President Joe Biden’s farewell address, and provide a roundup of some of this week’s confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet. We also provide a guide to practical actions you can take to defend democracy under the new administration, as well as a final reminder about a Martin Luther King Jr. Day justice gathering. Finally, we offer our “Deep Breaths” spiritual resources to equip you for the days ahead. This is the last TARU before Monday’s presidential inauguration. TARU will return next week on Tuesday and Friday to report on the inauguration, provide spiritual grounding, and talk about what comes next. Follow us at sojo.net for coverage over the long weekend. — Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners In the News Here’s what we know at the time of writing: 1) Wednesday’s news of a ceasefire and hostage deal between the Israeli government and Hamas may have been premature. Yesterday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the Israeli cabinet’s vote to formally approve a final deal and accused Hamas of “reneging” on parts of the agreement, creating a “last-minute crisis.” Hamas’ leadership said it is committed to the agreement announced on Wednesday, with neither party providing any further details at the time of writing. 2) Biden delivered a farewell address on Wednesday in which he warned of a rising oligarchy and “tech-industrial complex” that pose a threat to American democracy, likening them to the robber barons of the 19th century. He did not mention Trump by name but did call for amending the Constitution “to make clear that no president…is immune from crimes,” a clear reference to Trump. 3) The U.S. Senate held confirmation hearings Wednesday for Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Marco Rubio, his nominee for secretary of state, John Ratcliffe, his nominee for CIA director, and more. Hearings continued Thursday for Trump’s nominees to lead departments such as Treasury, Interior, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. Bondi sidestepped a range of questions in her hearing about whether she believed Biden legitimately won the 2020 election, whether she would prosecute specific Trump adversaries such as Jack Smith or Liz Cheney, or whether she would advise the president to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, while also claiming that the Justice Department would not have an “enemies list” on her watch. Take Action Learn about practical actions you can take to protect democracy. This free guide from Quinn Raymond of VoteShield provides 29 different actions you can take under the new Trump administration to defend democracy and justice for all. These “real, concrete actions you can start taking right away…offer not only knowledge, relief, and power — but also joy, fun, and community.” Read the guide here. “For Such a Time as This” Gathering: On Jan. 20, the second inauguration of Trump coincides with the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy — a pivotal moment for people of faith and our moral conviction to stand for justice. Join us online or in Memphis, Tenn., for For Such a Time as This, a gathering of faith leaders, community advocates, and allies committed to justice, equity, and love. Co-sponsored by Sojourners, this event, inspired by Dr. King’s prophetic vision, is a declaration of hope and a moral response to divisive forces. Engage in prophetic listening and an interfaith worship service and meeting in person or virtually. Click here to register. Deep Breaths As we draw closer to the unknown realities of the days ahead, we give thanks for this truth: we are yet breathing. As the hymn reminds us, "we are yet alive and see each other’s face." In a time filled with uncertainty, we may not know what is to come, but we can stand firm in the grace and justice of our God. Living in uncertain times requires faith — not blind faith in the systems of this world, but a trust in the One who was, is, and is yet to come. It requires courage to face what we do not yet understand and a commitment to stand with those whose lives are most vulnerable to change. As we prepare for the days ahead, may we remember that God’s presence is steady, even when our path feels unsteady. May we find strength in the promise that though we do not know the future, we are held by the One who does. How great is our God! And in this truth, let us continue to breathe, to hope, and to work for justice. Amen. — Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Senior Adviser and Director to the President’s Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves Senior Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842