WCC news: WCC general secretary: “At COP 28 we have to speak up for justice”

In a sermon during an ecumenical service at COP28, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay set the tone for faith-based involvement: churches must speak and act for climate justice. World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay preaches as an ecumenical prayer service on the theme of 'Season of Creation' is held in the (Anglican) Christ Church Jebel Ali, drawing together faith leaders engaged in the United Nations climate summit COP28, held in the city of Dubai. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert 3 December 2023 "There are many crying out to be heard, to be considered, to be cared for and loved,” said Pillay. “Yet we continue with business as usual.” Today, creation is groaning and suffering, said Pillay. “The signs are clear and science tells us the same,” he said. "Humanity is facing a huge change in the climatic system that will affect all human life on planet Earth.” Food, water, and livelihoods are endangered by a warmer climate, Pillay said. “Migration will increase and as a result there will be more social insecurity and violent conflicts might escalate due to scarcity of water and land,” he said. “While some of us may perceive climate crisis to be important for us to focus on as Christians, yet many others do not.” Christians are called to care for the earth because it belongs to God, Pillay urged. “Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to work for the good of the earth and the glory of God,” he said. “There will be no justice when the ecosystems no longer can deliver what we all depend on for our life.” People of faith are called to act and to act now, Pillay said. “The interest to profit from fossil fuels is bigger than the interest of justice and especially intergenerational justice,” he said. “COP28 is pivotal for the future of the living planet, our common home, and for our children and future generations.” The science is crystal clear, said Pillay. “Governments have to act now on phasing out fossil fuels which account for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “We must support young people in their efforts to protect their future and to ensure a sustainable living planet.” Watch the recording of the sermon WCC special page on COP28 At COP28, WCC general secretary hopes for “less talk and more walk” (WCC interview, 1 December 2023) Interfaith talanoa dialogue brings “ethical, moral, and spiritual voice” to COP28 (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) As COP28 begins, faith communities stand ready to push for climate justice (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) WCC executive committee statement on COP28's responsibility for climate justice "Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence" - Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC news: At COP28, WCC general secretary hopes for “less talk and more walk”

Attending his first climate talks as the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay took time via an interview to share the key elements of the WCC’s work at COP28—and his biggest hopes.  WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pilay speaks at a side event of COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Valter Muniz/WCC 1 December 2023 “Personally I take the issue of climate change very seriously,” says Pillay. “I have seen the realities of what happens.” He notes that the WCC 11th Assembly in 2022 made the WCC’s focus on climate justice a top priority of the WCC, placing it, Pillay says, “on the agenda of absolute importance.” He is part of a coalition of faith community leaders who are bringing a spiritual, ethical, and moral voice to COP28, adding that that kind of voice should not be diminished when we discuss big issues in the world. “We cannot leave this big crisis that we actually are already experiencing to be a situation where we find solutions from politicians or scientists alone—or from another one group alone,” he says. “We need to actually be responsible stewards and citizens and we need to actually care for creation.” He shares some stories from his travels as WCC general secretary in which he saw people struggling from the effects of climate change. “Food security has been seriously damaged,” he says. “The weird weather patterns alone are an indication enough that something is terribly wrong.” Pillay also shares some of the key issues the WCC will bring to COP28. “I think especially with regard to COP28, one gets a bit tired of these conversations taking place all the time—and actions are slow if any at all,” he says. “My hope is we will mobilize for action. My hope is that we will do less talk and more walk. The conversation should actually help us to say to leaders: this is urgent.” Pillay also prioritizes communicating about fossil fuels, and how moving away from them will help reach goals already set in past climate talks. “Profit-making becomes an issue,” he says. “Another issue is the issue of loss and damage that they have come up with regard to sustainable communities.” He especially emphasizes speaking with women and youth. “We also need to be talking to Indigenous people because they have a lot to teach us about how we respect and love the land,” he says, and noted that persons with disabilities should be carefully consulted as well. "They need to also to be part of this conversation, and we need to ask them: how does the climate change affect you?” The WCC’s work at COP28 comprises awareness, advocacy, and mobilization for change, Pillay summarizes.  “We will do we have to do in order to make the changes so that we can address the climate crisis,” he said. WCC special page on COP28 Interfaith talanoa dialogue brings “ethical, moral, and spiritual voice” to COP28 (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) As COP28 begins, faith communities stand ready to push for climate justice (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) WCC executive committee statement on COP28's responsibility for climate justice "Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence" - Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Work with HIV response calls for a table that’s honest and equal

As she spoke during a World AIDS Day event hosted by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, Gracia Violeta Ross, programme executive for WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, called for honesty, equality, and inclusivity.  Red riddon at the UNAIDS headquarter in Geneva. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 01 December 2023 The event celebrated the power of communities leading the response to HIV. “I hope member states are listening because if we let communities lead, this will bring justice and it will be cost-effective,” she said. “This has to be a table that is equal.” The table also has to be honest and fair, urged Ross, who has lived with HIV for 23 years. “We must acknowledge and close the gaps,” she said. “For example, is there a technical gap between the organizations and communities?” She also urged being inclusive and accepting the large diversity of communities. “Avoid the colonial approach of ‘I will save you,’ “ she urged. “What communities bring to the table is a lot and it is explained in the report.” She was referring to the report “Let Communities Lead!” which is also the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on 1 December.  The report shows why it’s vital to authentically believe and respect the knowledge and wisdom of communities. “It means putting resources for the communities to lead and implement,” she said. “People with HIV bring more than our diagnosis. We bring the experience of what works and what does not work.” 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC News: On World AIDS Day, focus on how churches can “Let Communities Lead!”

A prayer and reflection on World AIDS Day, observed each year on 1 December, focused on the theme “Let Communities Lead!”  Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 01 December 2023 A liturgy developed by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Lutheran World Federation reminded us that the world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director of Public Witness and Diakonia, offered a reflection that noted how communities can take the lead in HIV response. “In this theme, we see that emancipation and the agency of affected communities are interconnected,” he said. “Emancipation involves liberation from social, political, or economic constraints.” The agency of communities refers to their ability to act independently and make choices, Mtata noted. “Emancipation often empowers affected communities, fostering their agency by providing opportunities for self-determination and challenging systemic injustices,” he said. “By extension, we affirm that those affected by HIV and communities who are most vulnerable to acquiring the infection are in the best position to provide leadership and show the way to overcome the HIV pandemic.” Members of affected communities can speak with credibility on their conditions, Mtata continued. “The Denver Principles manifesto, written in June 1983, launched the self-empowerment movement for people living with HIV, asserting that those who have HIV have a fundamental and inalienable right to participate in decision-making that significantly impacts their lives and survival,” he noted. “The church should continue to go to the villages and townships where the most vulnerable groups are.” Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/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 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

SojoMail - Five ways to rest this Christmas season

View this email in your browser All Is Calm: Scripture’s Radical Call to Rest During Advent As Advent begins this weekend, we’re sharing Julian Davis Reid’s cover story for Sojourners magazine’s December issue in this week’s SojoMail. Reid offers us a radical idea: What if the story of Jesus’ birth was actually God inviting us to rest? The fervor at church during the Advent season is a remarkable sight. Both clergy and laity work like the shepherds, tending to their flocks late into the night. And many move like the wise men, traveling to foreign places and spending extensive resources to celebrate Christ’s arrival with family. This time of heightened activity makes sense given the story of scripture and the story of our current world. The shepherds could not help but tell others once they learned of the Savior’s birth. And as we now await his return, we should work hard to share the riches of the nativity with a world that is a little more open to matters of faith at this time of year. But if increased activity is the only melody we pick up from the nativity story told in Matthew and Luke, we neglect a needful counterpoint: the importance of rest. The nativity story is replete with theological, familial, and political lessons about rest that quietly proclaim God’s goodness to this weary world. With exhaustion rampant in the church — perhaps especially so at Christmastime — we would do well to hear notes of rest sounding from the manger. READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward Share ADVERTISEMENT   Our Latest Christmas Is Canceled in Bethlehem, Say Palestinian Christians (by Ezra Craker) “How can we celebrate when we feel this war — this genocide — that is taking place could resume at any moment?” Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac said. The Truth About Gaza Isn't Coming from the Empire’s Media (by Crystal Silva-McCormick) Palestinian civilians are treated like terrorists. So was Jesus. Why Black and Palestinian Christians Need Each Other (by Josiah R. Daniels) For Azmera Hammour-Davis, resisting militarism in Israel and police violence in the U.S. is connected. What Christian Nationalists Get Wrong About the Bible (by Jacob L. Wright) Biblical peoplehood is not about political power over a country; it’s something much better. ADVERTISEMENT   From the Magazine Reclaiming Weeping as a Sacred Practice (by Sarah James) Amanda Held Opelt’s new book explores the lost rituals of grief. ADVERTISEMENTS Earn a DSL (Social Leadership) or PhD (Social Research, Religion/Society) Lead constructive social change by earning your Doctor of Social Leadership or PhD in Social Research (Religion and Society Studies) degree. Omega Graduate School: accredited, affordable, faith-based. Sliding Scale Tuition. Small group British tutorial-style Instruction with opportunities to study at the Library of Congress and University of Oxford. Apply today! Invitation to faith leaders on conversation fostering God’s vision for children “Blessed Beginnings: A Theology of Early Childhood Development,” will be an interactive webinar exploring faith leaders’ role in nurturing young children from theological and biblical perspectives. Join us this December 7th at 6:00 PM ET online as we define what it means for churches to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our children. Join our Virtual Posada this Christmas Join us online December 6, 2023 at 8PM ET where we will highlight hope and advocacy with our immigrant communities. It will be a time to hold space for sacred stories, reflection, and action with communities, families, and churches allied for a humane, just, and common-sense pathway to citizenship. DONATE   SUBSCRIBE Copyright © 2023 Sojourners, All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842