WCC NEWS: WCC central committee appalled by bomb attack on Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Syria

In a minute, the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee expressed how appalled it was by the news of a suicide bomb attack on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria’s capital Damascus on 22 June.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 June 2025 “It is reported that about 25 people have been killed and 68 seriously injured in the attack by militants linked to the so-called ‘Islamic State’ extremist group,” reads the minute. “It is the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, and represents a renewed threat to the safety and security of the Christian churches and communities of Syria in the post-Assad context.” The WCC governing body conveyed its deep condolences to all the bereaved and injured, and prayed for their recovery and safety. “We express our Christian solidarity to His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Damascus,” reads the minute. “We, on behalf of the worldwide ecumenical fellowship of the WCC, stand in Christian solidarity with the members of his church, and with all churches and Christian communities in Syria whose sense of security in their own country has been deeply shaken by this attack.” The WCC central committee appealed to the government and authorities of Syria to take swift and decisive action to ensure the security of all citizens, especially in cases where sectarian violence targets specific communities. “Such action is essential to restoring trust and fostering a peaceful and inclusive future for all Syrians,” reads the minute. “We pray for God’s special blessing and care for the churches and Christian communities of Syria and the whole Middle East, who live and witness in this land, the cradle of our shared faith.” The WCC central committee is convening 18-24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa.   Minute on Bomb Attack on Mar Elias Church, Damascus   WCC Central Committee, June 2025   WCC central committee moderator: “we will continue our pilgrimage, praying and doing justice” (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   Welcomed by African churches, WCC central committee opens (WCC news release, 19 June 2025)   Daily livestream sessions   Photos: WCC Central Committee 2025 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: Gender justice is “not a static moment,” WCC plenary finds

A gender justice plenary during the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting on 23 June featured “living legacies”—women who led during remarkable times in history and who are still calling for churches and societies to keep moving together.  23 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Dr Brigalia Bam speaks during a Pilgrimage Encounter with Gender Justice at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 June 2025 Dr Brigalia Bam, a South African whose work at the WCC from 1967 to 1981 focused on women and the Programme to Combat Racism, lived through a time when the word “sexism” wasn’t even translatable—because people didn’t know what it meant. At that time, Bam said, the word “racism” was well-understood. But as far as sexism, “people would say, ‘it’s the tradition’ and ‘it’s always been like that.’ ” She also recalled the struggle of introducing feminist theology. “Thank goodness that today that has become an acceptable way of thinking about our situation,” she said. “It is accepted ecumenically; it is accepted also by many churches.” Bam urged women to continue to cooperate with other women.  “We will not be able to deal as women with the problems of the world —all of them, across the board, whether it’s poverty or war—if, as women’s groups, we do not find a way of working with each other.” She asked the women present in-person and online: "How are we occupying the leadership space? Is there something called a style or an approach that is feminine?” Other speakers brought examples of unique approaches by women. Margarita Nelyubova, from the Moscow Patriarchate, described how the Sisters of Mercy grew as a form of lay ministry, particularly during the WCC Decade of Solidarity With Women, 1988-1998. “During the decade, Christian kindergartens and Sunday Schools opened, where again women were working,” she said. 23 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: People pose for a photo following a Pilgrimage Encounter with Gender Justice at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Jinqin Gu offered a perspective as a Chinese Christian, reflecting on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark document for advancing women's rights and gender equality, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. “They planted seeds that continued to grow in Chinese communities and even within the Chinese churches,” she said. “It gave momentum to conversations on domestic violence, education, opportunities, and healthcare.” In 1993, just before the conference, the Chinese Christian Council established a Commission on Women’s Work.  “Today, nearly 42% of ordained pastors in China are women and there are slightly more women students at seminaries than men students,” said Jinqin Gu. “In rural areas, traditional values still restrict women’s leadership in some congregations.” As she moderated the discussion, Rev. Dr Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, WCC president from Asia, brought forth many reflections and examples of how WCC-led programs have helped vulnerable people.  “Today, the WCC remains the primary ecumenical organization providing support and direction for people living with HIV and AIDS,” she said, citing one of many examples. Right Rev. Dr Vicentia Kgabe, bishop, Diocese of Lesotho, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, brought a message entitled “Moving from ‘what if’ to ‘let there be.’ ” She noted that the WCC central committee is gathering with a wounded world echoing in their hearts.  “What if our church listened not with pity but with partnership?” she asked. “Let there be trauma-informed ministry.” When women are displaced, abused, or silenced, the image of God is defaced, she reflected. "As the World Council of Churches, you are not just mere observers, you—all of us—are a moral voice with global reach.” Group discussions underway as part of a Pilgrimage Encounter with Gender Justice at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC WCC Central Committee, June 2025   WCC central committee moderator: “we will continue our pilgrimage, praying and doing justice” (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle (WCC news release, 18 June 2025)   Welcomed by African churches, WCC central committee opens (WCC news release, 19 June 2025)   Daily livestream sessions   Photos: WCC Central Committee 2025 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

SojoMail - If you preach justice, you should observe Juneteenth

View this email in your browser In this week’s SojoMail: A Ferguson activist on today’s protests, the latest Stephen King adaptation, and the ongoing construction of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família Basilica. If You Preach Justice, You Should Observe Juneteenth In this week’s SojoMail, Adam Russell Taylor writes that amid today’s retrenchment and backsliding on racial justice, our nation needs the lessons of Juneteenth more than ever: This week, the staff at Sojourners will have some well-deserved additional time off as we pause on Thursday to observe Juneteenth. I want to share why we do this — and why I hope other American Christians will join us in honoring this day as part of our shared call to justice. It has been four years since Congress established Juneteenth as a national holiday on June 17, 2021. That same year, my executive team at Sojourners decided to follow suit for our organization. For us, taking Juneteenth off isn’t about performative justice or simply giving our staff an extra holiday. It’s about aligning our calendars with our convictions — redoubling our commitment to expanding freedom, learning the painful but necessary lessons from our past, and honoring one of the most significant moments in our nation’s history. Even though Juneteenth is now a national holiday, I wonder how deeply its meaning has truly seeped into our civic consciousness, particularly at a time in which the uglier parts of our nation’s history are being whitewashed and censored. Anniversaries of accomplishments in the long freedom struggle offer a critical opportunity to push back against those efforts and tell the unvarnished truth about American history — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Amid today’s retrenchment and backsliding on racial justice, our nation needs the lessons of Juneteenth more than ever. As I reflect on the day’s history and meaning, two historical footnotes stand out. Read the full article Advertisement Our Latest Stories The Reconstruct: Does Protesting Work? (by Josiah R. Daniels) Jonathan Pulphus, an author, organizer, and a Ferguson activist, shares how the lessons he learned in 2014 still apply today. Read more ‘The Life of Chuck’ Is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (by Abby Olcese) This Stephen King adaptation won’t scare you — but it will dare you to consider how you're spending your brief time on earth. Read more What Makes a Group House a Home? (by Alfonso Sasieta) People with disabilities disproportionately battle loneliness. Many at L'Arche are finding connection through ritual. Read more From the Magazine: 142 Years Later, the World’s Tallest Church Building Is Almost Complete (by Greta Lapp Klassen) A work in progress can still be a thing of majesty. Read more Advertisements Lead with purpose: CFO opportunity at Everence now open Everence is a faith-based financial services organization seeking a CFO to lead with vision and stewardship. This role supports a long-standing mission of empowering individuals, churches, and organizations to live out their values through faithful financial decision-making. Congregational Presbyterian Church Director Position Congregational Presbyterian Church is seeking a full-time Director of Next Generations Ministries position. Congregational Presbyterian Church is a warm and welcoming congregation in Lewiston, Idaho, formed through a merger of the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ. All resumes and inquiries can be directed to the link above by 9/10/25. Donate Subscribe Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

Mission Yearbook: Tackling society’s systemic problems and finding solutions for people with disabilities

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Tackling society’s systemic prob...: It’s not that the 39-year-old California native who grew up in the Chicago suburbs went out intentionally looking for community; she just im...

WCC NEWS: WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle

In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on daring to hope in the context of struggle and pain. 8 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay presents his report to the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 June 2025 “I take special pleasure in welcoming you to this central committee meeting since it is taking place in the country of my birth and where I have lived all my life until January 2023 when I started as general secretary and relocated to Geneva,” he said. “This is home for me, and I am proud of my beautiful country despite its numerous challenges.” He noted that religious leaders and community-based organisations stood together to fight against the apartheid regime. “Such unity provided strength, energy, and determination to end apartheid,” he said. “Churches were able to engage the international community for solidarity, support, and actions against the apartheid regime.” He gave an overview of the WCC’s activities and programmes as they relate to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, urging people to look behind the dark clouds of human cruelty, venality, stupidity, and indifference. There, always, is the permanently shining sun of hope, Pillay noted.  “Christians are people of hope, and the ecumenical movement is a counter-cultural movement of hope,” he said. “Inspired by the hope we have through our faith in God, we seek justice in the midst of injustice, compassion in the midst of cruelty, accountability in the midst of impunity, responsibility in the midst of careless consumption, and peace in the midst of the most brutal violence.” The fact of the matter is that we are living in very difficult times, Pillay said. "It is imperative that WCC continues to proclaim the message of peace and hope,” he said. “Indeed, Jesus is our peace and hope. This is not only the message but the gift we can offer to the world.” The WCC central committee is convening 18-24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa.    WCC Central Committee, June 2025 Report of the General Secretary to the WCC Central Committee, June 2025 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