WCC News: “We want to do everything possible so that the world will not forget Ukraine”

On 20 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, together with Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, and Rev. Prof. Dr Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order, met online with representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations.  St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 21 April 2026 The purpose of the meeting was to receive updates on the current situation in Ukraine, particularly concerning ecclesial life, and to explore avenues for continued cooperation in promoting peace and solidarity. From the outset, Pillay expressed strong solidarity with the churches and people of Ukraine. He recalled the WCC’s sustained efforts for justice and peace, including previous visits and ongoing initiatives, reaffirming the WCC’s commitment to accompanying Ukrainian churches in their witness and service during this time of war. Current situation in Ukraine Members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations addressed the ongoing situation in Ukraine, with particular attention to its impact on churches and religious communities. The chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations, Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián of the Transcarpathian Reformed Church, highlighted ongoing inter-confessional efforts to remain united and resilient. He expressed gratitude for the continued prayers and support provided by churches, international institutions, and partners. Special attention was given to the challenges faced by faith communities, especially in the occupied territories. Solidarity visit The WCC expressed its intention to undertake a solidarity visit to Ukraine in the near future. This proposal was warmly received, and Ukrainian church leaders committed to assisting in any way possible to facilitate such a visit. They emphasized the importance of this gesture as a visible sign of international support and accompaniment for Ukrainian churches and society. July, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations, or August were mentioned as possible timeframes. Global Prayer for Peace The WCC presented a proposal to organize a Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine. The initiative was received positively, with participants expressing openness to collaboration and coordination with Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations member churches. Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, Ordinary of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, stressed: “We want to do everything possible so that the world will not forget Ukraine. Prayer is the most powerful way to sustain awareness.” Strengthened collaboration The meeting took place in a constructive and cooperative spirit, marked by a shared commitment to deepening collaboration between the WCC and the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations. Both WCC representatives and Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations members agreed to intensify their channels of communication and to ensure regular updates on the challenges faced by Ukrainian churches. Particular and immediate focus will be placed on the preparation of the Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine and the organization of a solidarity visit. In this context, WCC and Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations will engage in further consultations to assess the practical arrangements for such a visit, while continuing close coordination on the Global Prayer for Peace initiative. Ongoing communication between WCC and Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations will be maintained to support these efforts and ensure sustained cooperation. WCC gravely concerned over report regarding crimes against Ukrainian children (WCC news release, 20 March 2026) Ukrainian churches hold National Day of Prayer for just peace (WCC news release, 24 February 2026) Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) Participants of the online meeting between the World Council of Churches and the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations, 20 April 2026. Photo: WCC 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

URGENT: Congress just moved to put Big Oil above the law

This is an emergency. As Earth Day arrives, legislation has just been introduced in Congress that would grant legal immunity from climate change damages to fossil fuel companies. This would shield them from lawsuits brought by communities harmed by climate change and stop “polluter pays” bills like the ones GreenFaith has been supporting. It would place one of the most powerful industries in history above morality and the law. At the very moment when families across the country are losing homes to fires, floods, and storms, this legislation would ensure that those most responsible simply walk away while the public pays a massive cost. Let’s be clear about what this means: Communities would lose their right to seek justice in court “Polluter pays” laws would be erased and blocked The financial burden of climate damage would be shifted onto taxpayers This must not stand. We are mobilizing a national, multi-faith sign-on letter to Congress to stop this legislation. Sign the letter now. It takes less than a minute—but your voice matters, especially in this moment. This is not just about climate policy. It is about a basic moral principle: If you cause harm, you must be held accountable. No one is above morality or the law. If Congress grants immunity to fossil fuel companies, it sets the precedent that powerful industries can escape responsibility, no matter the damage they cause. Help us build a wave of opposition. After you sign, please: Forward this email to colleagues and friends Share the sign-on link with your networks Encourage other faith leaders and communities to add their names We need to act quickly to show that people of faith across the country reject this attempt to evade accountability. We will not accept a world where those who caused the harm pay nothing and those who suffer from it pay everything. In solidarity, Rev. Fletcher Harper Founder & Executive Director, GreenFaith Building a Worldwide, Multi-faith Climate and Environmental Movement.    1216 Broadway Floor 2 PMB 1005 New York, NY 10001 +1-917-997-8783 Copyright © 2022 GreenFaith - All rights reserved.

Make The Ceasefire Permanent, End The War In Iran!

View this email in your browser As Christians we must demand peace President Trump launched air strikes on Iran in an act of war, and we’re now seeing the consequences of his decision continue to expand. With the current ceasefire set to expire. This reckless course of action has endangered the lives of countless people across the Middle East as well as United States service members, and it can no longer continue. The decision to declare war lies with Congress, and the continued chaos caused by these military actions demonstrates the need for Congress to step in and do its constitutional duty to rein in or stop this illegal war and return to a diplomatic approach that promises peace for all. Contact Congress Now! As Christians, we believe that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9). In this moment, we demand that our representatives in both the House and Senate act to create peace in accordance with our beliefs. Since President Trump ended the successfully negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), we have seen him launch multiple strikes against Iran without any measurable progress towards peace. Congress must once again demand a diplomatic approach to preventing the growth of nuclear arms. This war against Iran has already set off a ruinous regional conflict, which has seen commerce disrupted, people permanently injured, and too many precious lives lost. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid any further bloodshed.  Instead of recklessly continuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Act Now In faith, Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

Presbyterians for Earth Care - Take Action on National Monuments + Webinar on Hurricanes Tonight!

Ask Your Reps to Vote "No" to Remove National Monument Protections Our national public lands are some of the last places to protect biodiversity as well and the living cultural traditions and cultural resources of tribes, as well as supporting climate mitigation and adaptation..  Their protection can support the thriving of nature and human communities to the glory of God. The current Congress has made extensive and inappropriate use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to dismantle protections for public lands:   The 119th Congress Becomes Worst Congress on Public Lands in Modern American History On April 17th, the CRA bill (HJR140) to allow notoriously polluting copper sulfide mining by a Chilean company in the headwaters for Boundary Water Wilderness Canoe Area passed a 49-50 vote in the Senate. The next CRA bill coming up, HRJ 151/SJR 109, to dismantle the Management Plan for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Ask your Representative to vote "no" today CLICK HERE The vote could take place in the House as soon as next week. Last week, faith leaders from throughout the West issued a letter in opposition to the CRA for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah expressing concern over the long-term consequences of the bill.  As leaders of faith, we urge members of Congress to oppose the use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the current management plan for Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. If revisions are needed, they should be pursued through dialogue, debate, and collaboration—processes that reflect prudence and respect for public participation. The CRA would nullify the existing management plan and endanger any possible future protections. The current plan reflects years of scientific study, public comment, and Tribal consultation. The CRA, by contrast, would reverse that work through an expedited legislative end-run. This excuse for “legislation” is bad enough on its face; but even worse in the long run: By design it will render any good faith efforts to adopt future protections virtually impossible.  (To sign the letter yourself as a clergy faith leader, email ron@barness.co). At the 2024 General Assembly, held in Salt Lake City Utah, passed a policy to support protection of Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in perpetuity and act in solidarity with the Tribes for whom the land in these monuments are held sacred and contain important cultural resources. "DOE-8 On Protecting Utah's National Monuments and Wildlands for Ecology and Justice." Asking your Representative to vote "no" on the CRA is an important way to live out this policy of our church and a matter of justice for the earth and tribes. If you would like to do more, including hand delivering the faith letter to your members of Congress, please email Jenny at jehrestore@gmail.com. Thank you for, reading, and putting your faith into action, The PEC Advocacy Team WEBINAR TONIGHT! Hurricanes & Flooding of the 21st Century Human warming of the planet has resulted in an increase in severe hurricanes and flooding events. Now this is happening in places previously outside where hurricanes have historically struck. The result has impacted people unprepared for severe weather, raised questions on where and how to build back, and prods us to keep refining where faith-based organizations play a role in recovery and preparedness. Anne Waple is the Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. REGISTER HERE How can we help you care for God’s creation?  Drop us an email and let us know at presbyearthcare@gmail.com Help us grow! Please let us know if there is anyone we should add to our list!  Just reply to this email.  Thank you! Please help us to continue to assist individuals and churches in creation care work by donating to PEC through our website by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

Copyright (C) 2026 Presbyterians for Earth Care. All rights reserved.

WCC News: Accompaniers continue their work virtually in Palestine and Israel

Iskandar Majlaton, programme coordinator for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme Palestine and Israel, offers an update on how accompaniers have been able to continue their work virtually.  Jordan Valley, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories (2018): Ecumenical Accompaniers from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine in Israel accompany shepherds in many parts of the West Bank, providing an international presence known to have a mitigating effect on confrontations between Israeli settlers and the Palestinians. EAs' presence also helps Palestinians access lands they otherwise might not have dared to continue to cultivate. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 April 2026 Would you describe the need for accompaniers amid escalating conflict?  Majlaton: Following the evacuation of ecumenical accompaniers due to the escalation of hostilities, the physical presence of international witnesses was necessarily interrupted. Yet the communities we serve, farmers and Bedouin communities in the South Hebron Hills, families and schoolchildren in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and communities in the Jordan Valley, continue to endure profound vulnerability and daily pressures. How does the virtual programme serve as a bridge? Majlaton: Our commitment to these communities is rooted not only in programmatic responsibility but in a theological calling: to bear witness, to stand in solidarity, and to affirm the dignity of all people as created in the image of God. While the virtual accompaniment programme does not replace the incarnational value of physical presence, it serves as a faithful and necessary bridge. Through it, we seek to ensure that these communities are neither unseen nor unheard, and that the ministry of accompaniment, grounded in justice, compassion, and truth, continues despite physical distance. Please describe some of the components of the programme.  Majlaton: The virtual accompaniment programme remains grounded in the ethos of accompaniment, adapted thoughtfully to the present context. Its key components include weekly virtual engagement; listening, documentation, and witness; and reporting and advocacy. What can your ecumenical family pray for you as you continue in this work?  Majlaton: We humbly ask our ecumenical family to continue holding this ministry in prayer. Pray for the protection, resilience, and steadfast hope of the communities we accompany, who continue to face daily uncertainty and hardship. Pray for the safety and wisdom of our local staff, placement drivers, and ecumenical accompaniers, as they navigate complex realities with courage and discernment. Pray for the integrity and fruitfulness of our shared witness, that truth may be spoken with clarity and received with openness. By working with national coordinators to share the verified stories and reports gathered, you help amplify the voices of those struggling for justice, equal rights, and peace. Your continued solidarity, awareness-raising, and engagement with decision-makers are crucial in supporting our mission for a just peace. Learn more about the WCC's Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel 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