Christmas Joy Offering Impact: Isabella’s Story

Your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering make a huge difference in the lives of our leaders — past, present and future. This is Isabella Pérez’s story, sharing how the gifts you give to this offering make an impact in the lives of real people. Isabella’s Story Isabella Pérez Sanchez is an 18-year-old from Bogota, Colombia, who dreamed of going to high school and college in the United States. Through a partnership with the Presbyterian-related American School of Bogota, she was able to attend the Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) in Texas, thanks in part to gifts from the Christmas Joy Offering. “At Presbyterian Pan American School, Isabella stands out as an extraordinary embodiment of our institution’s vision and mission,” said Dr. Juan Plascencia, principal of PPAS. “With a fervent commitment to learning, leading and serving within our Christian community, Isabella’s journey radiates a passion that ignites curiosity and fosters growth in herself and those around her. Her dedication to academic excellence, coupled with a profound sense of compassion and service, reflects the values deeply embedded in our school’s mission.” “I am thankful to everyone who has donated to the Christmas Joy Offering. I hope more people have the opportunity to grow as I have grown, not only in knowledge but also in faith.” Isabella Pérez Sanchez Read Isabella's Story Thank you for your generous support of the Christmas Joy Offering. We are the Church. Together. Learn more about the Christmas Joy Offering.  If you liked this story, consider forwarding this email to a friend. They can sign up to read next week’s story. If you have any questions, reply to this email or call 800-728-7228, Ext. 5047.

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WCC NEWS: WCC youth commission draws inspiration, determination for the way forward

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement completed its meeting in Manila, Philippines, with inspiration drawn from local connections and determination to carry forth messages from young people into the wider ecumenical movement.  Left to right: Emma Van Dorp, Rev. Bjorn Warde (Youth Vice moderator), Lorena Catalina Garcia (Youth Vice moderator) and Mawuli Assimadi.  Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos 20 November 2024 The gathering, held from 13-19 November, united young ecumenical leaders from around the globe with a mission to amplify youth voices, address pressing global and local challenges, and establish intentional, actionable strategies for youth-led faith initiatives. Spending time in Manila’s communities that are oppressed and marginalised in many ways, the ecumenical youth leaders listened to the narratives of displaced fisher folks, who are suffering because of government reclamation projects. Youth leaders also met women living with HIV and AIDS who are facing stigma, discrimination, and lack of medical support and attention. Young people spent time with urban poor communities that are vulnerable to natural disasters, and with mothers and family members of those who have been victimised by the Duterte regime. Left to right: Grace Aryeequaye, Jonisha Lewinson, Tia Phillip, Spyridoula Fotinis and Cosmin Cîrstea. Photo: Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos Exploring the role of churches Church visits gave a glimpse of the prayer life and fellowship among WCC member churches who welcomed the youth commissioners in their congregations. Rev. Homar Rubert Distajo from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines shared in a sermon, saying: “We are part of the global community bound by our common mission and witness to Christ’s love, and Christ’s justice in a fragmented world.”  He added that, standing together as one, we bear witness to the unity Christ prayed for—the very essence of ecumenism.  He addressed the young people with the words, “The church needs your energy, vision, and courage as bearers of hope in this generation.”  Karen Erina Puimera, moderator of the commission, from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia, shared the commission’s plans to build connections with other commissions to address issues that are relevant to youth right now. “I believe that the youth representatives in consultative bodies, or even in the central committee, will always bring forward the issues of young people and their experiences,” she said. “I have seen the churches in the Philippines show their solidarity and how they sacrifice themselves for the sake of doing good for others especially for those who are oppressed by the regulations that are not standing by them.” Left to right: Danil Arakelian (Youth vice moderator), Brian Muyunga, Faith Justice Angeles, Karen Puimera (Youth moderator) and Eunjae Lee.  Photo: Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos Loving their neighbour Ann Chris Jacob, a vice moderator of the commission from the United Methodist Church (US), said the commission was inspired by the journey of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and their ecumenical partners who have gathered to say that following Christ and serving those in need is not a crime. “We have been inspired by their journey, their advocacy, and their commitment to loving their neighbour,” she said. “Since this is our first in-person meeting, it was a very important thing for us to get to know the youth work here in the Philippines because that also helped us to think how we could see each other in seven or eight years,” said Lorena Catalina Bonilla Garcia, a commission vice moderator from the Mennonite Church of Colombia.  Rev. Bjorn Benjamin Varma Warde, a commission vice moderator from the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago, said: “We seek to amplify the voices of the youth by collaborating with other committees and the WCC.”  For him, the experience was eyeopening in that he heard and witnessed the prophetic voice of the ecumenical movement in the Philippines. He sees an opportunity to place things into the proper perspective as youth return to their own contexts. Danil Arakelian, a commission vice moderator from the Russian Orthodox Church, when asked what he believes is the way forward, said: “That the commission, through its working groups, should establish clear goals and plans of work for the nearest months. Despite the fact that we probably will not have an in-person meeting in the coming year, we plan to work intensively online.” Arakelian added: “I was strongly impressed by the way young Christians in the Philippines are involved in the ecumenical movement and by their commitment to live their faith in the social context of their country.”  This gathering not only reinforced the importance of youth as active contributors to the present and future of the church but also highlighted the transformative power of solidarity and collaboration. Guided by messages of love, justice, and unity from local church leaders, the youth commissioners committed to amplifying their prophetic voices and fostering relationships that transcend borders. As they return to their respective contexts, the commission carries forward a shared vision of hope, unity, and actionable faith.   WCC News release: Youth commission moderator: “we act and journey together”- 20 November 2024 WCC News release: WCC youth commission gathers for first in-person meeting- 14 November 2024 Learn more about the Young people in the ecumenical movement 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 352 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: Youth commission moderator: “we act and journey together”

World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement (YPEM) moderator Karen Erina Puimera, is from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia. As YPEM’s meeting in the Philippines drew to a close on 19 November, she took time to reflect reflect about what inspired her, the challenges that lie ahead, and YPEM’s goal for engaging and inspiring even more young people. Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos 20 November 2024 As the moderator, what inspires you most about the role of young people in the ecumenical movement, and how do you personally hope to impact the journey toward justice, reconciliation, and unity? Puimera: For me, the significance of the participation of young people in the ecumenical movement is the genuine willingness to participate, to be active, and also to make a change and to challenge the church to make a change to work significantly on justice, reconciliation, and unity. I’ve seen so many young people who are brave enough to show and to feel some problems that are so tough, some sensitive issues like gender-based violence, human rights, social injustice, climate injustice, and I feel like it could be dangerous for them. I feel their courage to stand with the vulnerable, being resistant, being resilient—it demonstrates and signifies the value of the role of young people.   What do you believe are some of the biggest challenges young people face within the ecumenical movement, and how does the commission’s work address these challenges both within the WCC and in broader contexts? Puimera: I think the challenges of youth in these days, is that they find it hard to express their voices because somehow, from what I’ve heard so far, what I’ve heard from the commissioners of YPEM, and because of what I observe from my own context is, I find there’s a frustration of young people not being heard enough and not being recognized enough, and somehow society and also the church want to hear us but disregard us because there’s a sense of underestimating the youth based on experience. That’s why this commission is important—because it’s not just expressing young people’s voices but also alongside with youth, they want to act and journey together with the programmes, with the working groups, and also to accommodate and also advocate the voices of young people.    How do you envision engaging and inspiring other young people who may feel disconnected or unsure about their place in the ecumenical movement? Puimera: It is always a good start to remember to look at our community first, our young people, because I remember that words alone are not enough, so we need the actions also. I think what young people did at the WCC assembly three years ago by showing their solidarity at the microphone, and how they also brought the Ecumenical Youth Gathering message, it’s like a statement to prove how serious we are about being part of the ecumenical movement, and also how they want the rest of room, the people, the young adults and also others, to take them seriously. We need always to engage and act to inspire others to join us in companionship on our youth pilgrimage.  Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos How does the youth commission plan to amplify the voices of young people in the ecumenical movement, especially in shaping conversations around justice, reconciliation, and unity? Puimera: In our plans we will work alongside the Youth Engagement programme and also build connections with other commissions toward the issues relevant with youth today. We will also work to ensure that our commissioners—who are also a part of another commission as young people—contribute to their commission discussions, and I believe the representation of youth in consultative bodies, or even in the central committee, will always bring forward the issues of young people’s experience.    The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. What role do you see the Ecumenical Year 2025 playing in deepening the themes of unity, reconciliation, and justice within the youth commission’s work, especially in connecting past councils like Nicaea to present-day ecumenical challenges? Puimera: We are so happy to commemorate the anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, and next year the Ecumenical Year in 2025. We celebrate across all the denominations and also the church families. For youth especially, we think the Nicene Creed is the result of ecumenical unity but we believe also that we must also reflect on today’s importance.   As we approach the Ecumenical Year 2025, are there any specific events, projects, or dialogues planned that will highlight the significance of Nicaea for young people and encourage them to explore its impact on the global church’s journey toward unity? Puimera: We want to establish the working groups and have also established the vice moderators. We are happy and looking forward to what we can do in the Ecumenical Year 2025 to highlight church unity.   How is the Youth Commission encouraging young people to actively participate in the WCC's Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, and what role do you envision for youth as leaders and advocates within this journey? Puimera: It is important for us as young leaders and representatives of our churches and communities to always have a sense of companionship with others so that we can act and journey together in the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. Our journey involves standing in solidarity with other young people who are facing hard times due to their circumstances.    As we look ahead, what key messages or takeaways would you like to communicate to young ecumenical leaders and member churches, especially about the role of faith in achieving justice, unity, and reconciliation from this first in-person meeting? Puimera: It really means standing with strong roots and strong trunks, and you have to be also rooted in Christ so that your actions and your outcomes are not just about doing good but about doing something useful and something transformative not just for others but for yourselves as well. We have faith in Jesus and we act like Christ, even with our limitations, and the important thing is how we act together and journey together in this pilgrimage to embrace our diversity as a strength, acknowledge wounds with empathy and also solidarity, and find ourselves transformed in our shared process.   WCC News release: WCC youth commission draws inspiration, determination for the way forward- 20 November 2024 WCC News release: WCC youth commission gathers for first in-person meeting- 14 November 2024 Learn more about the Young people in the ecumenical movement Interview with the WCC Youth Commission Moderator, Karen Erina Puimera 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 352 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: “Youth are leaders now, not just tomorrow,” says Patricia Mungcal at COP29

During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Patricia Mungcal, a young climate advocate and humanitarian leader from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a member of the ACT Alliance delegation. Speaking from Baku, Azerbaijan, Mungcal reflected on the challenges faced by frontline communities in disaster-prone regions, the barriers youth face in accessing decision-making spaces, and the hope she finds in collective resistance and solidarity. Patricia Mungcal, a young leader and ACT Alliance delegate, amplifies voices from the frontlines of the climate crisis, calling for justice and inclusive action during COP29 in Baku. Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT 19 November 2024 As a young person working in disaster-prone areas, what do you see as the role of youth in tackling climate issues? Mungcal: Young people are leaders as well, not just youth leaders, not just leaders for tomorrow, but leaders right now—capable leaders who can bring innovations. We come from diverse sectors like academia, science, farming, rights movements, and civil society. We know the climate crisis—we have lived it. I am a humanitarian program manager in one of the world’s most disaster-prone, if not the most disaster-prone, countries. So I think that says a lot about recognizing the youth voice and leadership in terms of disasters and climate crises.   Do young people have equal opportunities to contribute to solutions at forums like COP29? Mungcal: We are reminded not to look at young people because we are young but because of what we can bring to the table. How can we bring our capacities, experiences, hopes, rage, and compassion if we don’t have access to the table or participate in the decision-making? As a young woman, I experience different layers of exclusivity and not having access. But I think those are things I must fight for. My ideas are based on country realities that are happening on the ground. My ideas are based on truth, science, and facts. I have something to bring to the table, and my voice needs to be heard, especially when dealing with this climate crisis.   What message are you bringing to COP29, and what do you hope to achieve? Mungcal: I hope the truth will come out of these negotiations. And what I mean by truth is the climate realities. Because what is happening inside is that decisions are being made by most people who have not experienced the climate crisis we are experiencing back home in the Philippines. We are in an emergency, in a chronic state of survival, experiencing disasters one after another. I want to bring that to the table. I want to bring those stories, that truth, that climate reality to this place.   In such difficult circumstances, where do you find hope? Mungcal: Right now, the Philippines is experiencing four typhoons in just one week and seven in under a month. That is not normal, even for a disaster-prone country like ours. Communities that have just survived one disaster are already preparing for the next. It’s overwhelming, and it’s really easy for me to be hopeless. I think it is valid to be hopeless, but it is not the right thing and is not what is needed right now. What is required is for us to hold on to hope. And for me, I find hope in people’s resistance. Back home, people are used to receiving aid through those tiny relief packs, and people would call that climate solutions. I see resistance against inaction, against false solutions, against lip service. And I see it in our communities and here in Baku—young people and civil society asserting their spaces to be heard. That kind of resistance comes from indignation at all the injustices they are experiencing. But it also comes from love and compassion for one another. As long as one person resists this climate injustice, I am hopeful.   What would you say to young people who feel overwhelmed by the scale of the climate crisis? Mungcal: Grieving about what is happening to our planet and communities is okay. It is okay to grieve our future, and it is okay to feel that way. And many people, young and old, feel that way as well. People feel that way because they care so much. But it would be best if you grieved with other people. You should connect with other people, and that would bring hope and that kind of solidarity. And when there is solidarity, action comes in naturally. We don’t have to push it because we are all grieving; it comes out of love. Let’s put that love into solidarity and that solidarity into action. “We must move forward, walking with Jesus,” says Argentinian pastor on climate justice (Interview, 15 November 2024) “We are called to protect Mother Earth,” says Aymara youth leader at COP29 (Interview, 13 November 2024) In this compelling interview, Patricia Mungcal, a young climate advocate from the Philippines and ACT Alliance delegate shares her insights on youth leadership, the urgent realities of the climate crisis, and finding hope through resistance and solidarity. Watch as she calls for inclusive decision-making and amplifies the voices of frontline communities.  Patricia Mari Mungcal, ACT Alliance delegate, shares her powerful message of hope and resilience during COP29 in Baku. 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 352 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