WCC NEWS: Side event to 79th World Health Assembly explores “Economics of Health For All—Taking Action”

On 19 May, the World Council of Churches (WCC) co-organized a side event to the 79th World Health Assembly, which is underway from 17-24 May.  Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 20 May 2026 The side event, titled “The Economics of Health For All—Taking Action,” was co-organized by the WCC, Public Services International, Medicus Mundi International, UNU IIGH, Society for International Development Colombia, Oxfam, and Geneva Global Health Hub. This event explored the critical intersection of economic policy and public health, with a focus on proactively "shaping markets." Evidence was presented on how fiscal policies, market regulation, and public investment can be strategically designed to prioritise long-term human and planetary wellbeing. The session connects directly to the WCC's thematic priorities of sustainable financing and equitable access. “The reality in which we currently live is characterized by a wealthier private sector, often accompanied by increasingly constrained public budgets,” said Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics. “Wealth is concentrated among a few people.” The panel explored the worrying reality that public resources are being used for private companies’ investments. “The financing of health should rather be outcome-driven, taking into account the potential barriers created by intellectual property,” said Ross. “Health financing has to be sufficient in both quality and quantity, but today we face a situation in which health infrastructure is increasingly aligned with corporate and private companies’ interests.” Ross and the panelists noted that the medical-industrial complex is driving inflation and determining who gets care and who does not. “There are illicit financial flows and economies of monopolies,” Ross said. “Poor health leads to mistrust in public health measures and in government.” Panelists also addressed the need to have a whole-of-government approach because health is the responsibility of all, not only the ministry of health or the ministry of economy. “Health financing has to be aware of the neoliberal context in which we live,” said Ross. “Health financing needs to go beyond the short term.” Health is built in every sector of our society, agreed the panelists. “There are many discussions about market shaping, but we must be aware that the market might not be able to solve what was produced by markets to begin with,” said Ross. “We should avoid, at all costs, situations in which public funds end up paying debts caused by the financialization of health.” Finally, the panelists noted that financial justice is a prerequisite for pandemic preparedness. “Innovations in health should not be in the hands of monopolies because health is a human right,” said Ross. “The World Council of Churches reaffirms that health is a matter of justice and human dignity.” WCC will participate in 79th World Health Assembly WCC shares input at two gatherings for exploring equitable global health See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC shares input at two gatherings for exploring equitable global health

On 17 May, the World Council of Churches (WCC) cohosted two events in conjunction with the 79th World Health Assembly, currently underway in Geneva from 17-23 May.  Photo: MCK/WCC 20 May 2026 The first event, a session at the “Advancing Innovation and Investment for Equitable Global Health Impact Summit,” was co-hosted by the WCC, Health Innovation Exchange, and Alliance for Health Promotion.  The session, titled “Dialogue to Action: Co-creating the Next Steps for Civil Society in Health Promotion,” explored how civil society, the private sector, and health innovators can communicate, collaborate, and act together across sectors to advance health promotion. The WCC co-led this session, bringing faith-based and ecumenical perspectives to the discourse on civil society's evolving role in equitable global health.  The dialogue engaged WHO, academicians, innovators, and civil society organizations. Dr Manoj Kurian, director of the Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, pointing to the global situation, where the rules-based global order is collapsing, said: “It is vital that we strengthen the values-based global order as a clear path forward, Only a health system that is rooted in values—that respects dignity and the rights of all, with the active engagement of the governments, civil society, the private sector, and health innovators—can be fit for purpose to bring equitable health for all.” A second gathering on 17 May was the 10th Annual General Meeting of the Geneva Global Health Hub, held at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The WCC is a member of the Geneva Global Health Hub, a civil society association founded in Geneva in 2016 to provide a platform for civil society to meet, share knowledge, and advocate for democratic global health governance.  The Geneva Global Health Hub hosted the gathering of 35 representatives from all over the world. A delegation from the WCC participated in the meeting to engage with civil society partners and align positions ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly. A WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing delegation is participating in the 79th World Health Assembly. The five-person delegation, led by Rev. Dr Stavros Kofinas, moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, will pursue four core objectives: monitoring relevant plenary and committee sessions to track resolutions and decisions affecting the WCC’s health mandate; strengthening partnerships with global health actors, civil society networks, and faith-based organizations; cohosting side events that amplify the WCC’s advocacy positions; and gathering inputs to inform joint WCC commission and reference group meetings planned for October 2026. WCC will participate in 79th World Health Assembly See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship - Church Newsletter Item Gun Violence Prevention Education and Action

Friends in Christ, Please Share this News Item with Congregations. Thank you. Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention Ministry Click HERE for a PDF Version

Concerned about Gun Violence? Atwood Institute 2026 Registration is Open! Come learn with other congregations how to build and sustain a gun violence prevention ministry in your faith community. The 3rd Annual James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage will be Sept. 15-18, 2026 at the Heartland Center near Kansas City, MO. As you build relationships with other faith activists from across the nation, expect to learn practical, pastoral and prophetic skills for guiding your congregation in the task of saving lives and healing the trauma and fear brought by 38,000 lives stolen by gun violence last year.   Who should come? Lay leaders and teams, pastors, parents and grandparents, gun violence survivors, suicide prevention groups, gun owners, safety and public health advocates, veterans, youth leaders---people of faith who are committed to saving lives. All denominations are welcome. Space is limited. Reserve your space today. Scholarships are available. Click HERE to learn more or use the QR code. Keynote Speaker Jer Swigart, co-author of Mending the Divides, will challenge us to deepen our theological calling for gun violence prevention and teach skills for healing. The James Atwood Institute is an ecumenical project of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Find a Presbyterian News Service story HERE.

www.presbypeacefellowship.org/james-atwood-institute

presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence-prevention  Rev. Margery Rossi, Minister for Gun Violence Prevention margery@presbypeacefellowship.org Rev. Jan Orr-Harter, Editor & Moderator, Gun Violence Prevention Working Group gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

May PPF News - Welcome Interim ED, Columbia Accompaniment, General Assembly...

Welcome Interim Executive Director, Harry Eberts PPF's Executive Council is thrilled to welcome Harry Eberts to the role beginning May 21. Harry has respect for PPF and its people, a deep understanding of our vision and mission, and wisdom and stability as a leader and we believe wholeheartedly that he will be a great fit for this transitional season at PPF. Read on for Harry's bio and welcome note...

Since January 2026 I have served as co-moderator of Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and have been part of the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group several years before that. Now I am honored to become interim ED. It is anticipated that I will be in this position for around six months as we conduct a search to hire the permanent director. I retired last June as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, concluding forty-one years as a Presbyterian pastor. Before that I served churches in Lyndhurst, OH (an eastern suburb of Cleveland) and in Lake Forest, IL. I hold an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, a D.Min. from McCormick, and I am a certified spiritual director. I have been a justice seeker and peace pursuer throughout my ministry. I am completing six years on the board of Ghost Ranch, served as chaplain of the New Mexico Senate the past two years, and I am co-founder and current president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence (where our work led to my being named a co-recipient of PPF’s 2021 Peaceseeker award). My second book, Hope Out Loud, is close to publication and explores how Jesus challenged and resisted empire and how we can use those very principles today. I currently live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with my wife Jenny and two small poodle-mix shelter dogs. We have three adult children: two daughters in Chicago and a son in Perth, Australia.  I hope to meet you in person, online, or by phone in the challenging months before us as together we witness to the world what peace looks like, how it works, and how one day, God willing, it will prevail.

General Assembly 227 — Upcoming PPF Events Peace Gathering Join us during the General Assembly for fellowship, food, and inspiration for the work ahead. We’ll honor Presbyterian Peaceseekers, discuss key issues before the Assembly, and connect with others committed to nonviolence. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Osamah Khalil Professor of History at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.  Friday, June 26, 2026  6:30–8:30 PM  Immanuel Presbyterian Church 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI Register Here ...To be followed by Matthew Black in Concert! The "Everything is Terrible and No One is Okay Tour" June 26, 8:30-10 PM Immanuel Presbyterian Church Donation at the Door Community Day of Action As part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence, Presbyterians will gather for a day of action focused on gun violence prevention. Activities may include: Guns to Gardens demonstrations Public art using dismantled gun parts Resources and organizing tools for congregations  Saturday, June 27, 2026 Planning Our GA Witness Will you be attending General Assembly as a commissioner, delegate, corresponding member, or overture advocate? We would love your help with: volunteering during GA supporting pre-GA advocacy outreach  Contact: info@presbypeacefellowship.org  Commissioners’ Resolutions due: June 22

PPF ACCOMPANIMENT We at PPF are excited about the possibility of re-creating an accompaniment program at the request of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Research is currently underway and we can't wait to share what we learn. In addition, at the request of la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia (IPC), we write to ask you to join in prayer for Colombia on Pentecost, May 24, 2026. The Colombian national elections will take place the following Sunday, May 31. PPF is honored to be a sponsor of this Day of Prayer and Action for Peace in Colombia. Let us pray for Colombians who live with ongoing violence and fear that democracy is fragile. In peace, Linda Eastwood, Harry Eberts, Sarah Henken, Tricia Lloyd-Sidle

Concerned About Gun Violence? Join individuals, congregation leaders, and clergy from across the country at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage. Participants will engage in workshops, training, and community-building to help congregations take meaningful action to prevent gun violence. Learn more or register

Call for Photos We are looking for photos to use in Atwood publicity. If you have photos of: faith leaders leading vigils or rallies gun violence prevention events congregations gathering for justice please consider sharing them with us.

If submitting, include: • where the photo was taken • what was happening • why people were gathered We will credit photographers when images are used. You can send them to info@presbyterianpeacefellowship.org

Get Involved: PPF Working Groups

Our working groups meet regularly and welcome new participants. If you’re interested in getting involved, we invite you to join a meeting. Current working groups include: Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Peace Church Working Group Presbyterians for Abolition Palestine Solidarity Working Group  Visit our calendar for meeting dates and registration details

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