WCC NEWS: Churches invited to “Ring the Bells for John Lewis”

The National Council of Churches (USA) is inviting churches across the country to ring their bells on 30 July for 80 seconds—one for each year of Congressman John Lewis’s life.

“Last week, we lost a hero,” wrote Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches (USA). “Congressman John Lewis passed away on Friday.”

Lewis, the son of sharecroppers, was a civil rights icon who was known as a moral compass for the US.

During the funeral on 30 July, in partnership with the Lewis family and office, houses of worship across the country will ring their bells at 11am ET for 80 seconds, one second for each year of Lewis's life.

Houses of worship that do not have bells will mark this time with other remembrances - prayers, moments of silence, and more.

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WCC NEWS: People´s Korea Peace Agreement – Time to end the war

By Anne Casparsson*

A Declaration for the People’s Korea Peace Agreement was launched on 23 July at a global Zoom convention initiated by the National Council of Churches in Korea, along with civil organizations.

For the last six months, churches and civil society in Korea have worked on a draft of a Korea Peace Treaty which includes an end-of-war declaration, withdrawal of foreign troops, and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Korean War, which broke out on 25 June 1950, cost millions of lives and left the Korean Peninsula in ruins. The 1953 Armistice Agreement did not lead to a peace agreement.

Churches and people are seeking a new era through a peace agreement, campaigning not only in Korea but also in the US and other neighboring countries. People around the world have also sent support and pledged solidarity with this struggle. They believe people in Korea deserve an end to the years of excessive violence and hardship, and an end to the unending war.

“There need to be active participants in the campaign on ending the Korean War and signing the Peace Agreement. There are various prospects on the future of the Korean Peninsula but the best will be that which we create by ourselves, creating the future we want,” stated Rev. Dr Hong-Jung Lee, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea.

The purpose of this virtual convocation was to solidify the ecumenical bond in supporting a peace agreement which replaces the Armistice Agreement. A suggestion from the meeting was that women should be included in every peace negotiation, which was accepted by the convention.

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, interim general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), gave his greetings.

“I am sure that this gathering for the declaration for the People´s Korea Peace Agreement, will make a tremendous contribution to peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula,” he said.

The contracting parties to the Peace Agreement should abide by the Charter of the United Nations, respect existing (inter-Korean) agreements on peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, support efforts for peace and reunification between the South and the North, contribute to world peace, and faithfully implement the contents of the Peace Agreement. The Peace Agreement should be signed in accordance with the Panmunjom Declaration, the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, and the Singapore Joint Statement adopted between the leaders of the two Koreas and between the DPRK and USA. It should include the process of simultaneously implementing a step-by-step realization of a peace regime and complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula based on improved relations and trust between the parties.

Wooksik Cheong, director of Peace Network, gave a speech on both the the crises in the region as well as solutions. He stated that creating a Korean nuclear weapon-free zone is probably the best way for the two Koreas to solve the problem independently.

“The building of a peace regime necessitates the signing of a peace agreement. This can greatly promote security, of not only the two Koreas, but for the nearby countries, US, Russia and ultimately play a role in bringing world peace,” Cheong stated. “There needs to be an understanding that the peace agreement itself is the common goal that direct parties involved should pursue. This means that citizens who long for peace should take the front.”

The other key presentation was made by Oh Hye-ran, focusing on meaning and challenges of People’s Korea Peace Agreement.

“A peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula should serve as a stepping stone for overcoming division and that it is also in an alignment with the UN´s purpose for world peace,” she said.

Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, responded from a geo-political perspective.

“Obviously the 1953 Armistice Agreement, violated and abrogated by both sides, is a very shaky foundation on which to build peace, and a peace treaty is long overdue. And since the relevant political actors have failed for 67 years to fulfil this responsibility, the initiative for People´s Peace Agreement for the Korean Peninsula is very welcome,” Prove insisted.

Dr Christine Ahn, founder and international coordinator of Women Cross DMZ, was very clear on the important role of women in peace work and negotiations for the future.

”Women are needed in the peace agreements, and have an important role to play for peace and peace processes,” she said.

Dr Bo Hyug Suh, director of the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) stated: “Since the actual peace agreements were often abrogated and violated after they were concluded, it is important to come up with measures to implement a non-reversible agreement when it is adopted, such as public opinion supporting the adoption of agreement and building trust between parties.”

Derek Dunkan, co-chairperson, Asia Pacific Forum Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific Executive for Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ in the US, was one of the international speakers.

“To educate our church members about the important issue related to Korean peace and reunification, and to press these concerns with US Congress, the State Department, and other policymakers, we both spoke up against Trump´s early threats of “fire and fury” against North Korea, and urged support for the historical Singapore Summit and Panmunjom Peace Declaration,” he said.

Discussion also concentrated on the action plan for the People’s Peace Agreement at local, regional and global levels.

“Now is the goal to globally move towards an implementation of the People´s Peace Agreement. It is essential that the civil society and those negotiating peace, will implement the document,” said Patti Talbot, United Church of Canada. “We all need to take up the call – this Peace Agreement is the first step to ending the war.”

The Peace Agreement will be shared and an important work is how to get UN and other international stakeholders involved.

“Thank you for joining us all around the world to declare a People´s Peace Agreement. Right now, it is our job to stand firm in this reality and to cultivate peace. I hope that, in this place declaring a Peoples Peace Agreement, the peace of the future that begins on the Korean Peninsula will be widely shared with all of you,” said Rev. Huh Won-bae, chair of the National Council of Churches in Korea Reconciliation Committee.

As the Peace Agreement reads: “A peace regime on the Korean Peninsula should be promoted based on the participation of the people."

* Anne Casparsson is a freelance journalist with focus on justice and peace.

Read the full text of the Peace Agreement

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Change.org - "If Grace was a 15-year-old white girl, she would not be in jail.

A teen named "Grace" could be jailed until September by a judge punishing her for not doing her homework. Thousands are outraged that someone could be sentenced to juvenile detention over homework. But that’s what Judge Mary Ellen Brennan has done, and the judge isn’t backing down. That’s why your signature on this petition from "Grace’s" community can make a huge difference. Growing signatures have made this a national news story, and the starters aren’t going to rest until "Grace" is released. Stop the School to Prison Pipeline - Free Grace from Incarceration 232,384 have signed Andrea Kelly and Anna Garcia’s petition. Let’s get to 300,000!

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A black, 15 year-old female student from Groves High School in Birmingham, MI with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) was incarcerated on alleged probation violation of not keeping up with her online schoolwork during the pandemic. Grace’s teacher, who was supposed to speak on her behalf, was unable to testify because she had to leave to teach a class. The only person to speak on Grace’s behalf was her caseworker, who was unaware of Grace’s educational disabilities and her IEP. The presiding judge called her a "threat to the community." Here’s a link to the story.  It’s been 33 days and she’s still there. Please sign this petition to show your support to free Grace, provide her with the support and resources she ACTUALLY needs, and dismiss her case. The petition will be sent to the Oakland County Family Court Division, the Judge who oversaw the case: Judge Mary Ellen Brennan, and the Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education.  If you want to help you can: Call Judge Mary Ellen Brennan - (248)-858-0355 and EMAIL Judge Mary Ellen Brennan’s CLERKS: slatonk@oakgov.com chismjacobsr@oakgov.com Email the Communication Director for Birmingham Public Schools, Anne Cron: acron@birmingham.k12.mi.us If you want to bring this to the attention of the BPS Board of Education:   kwhitman@birmingham.k12.mi.us  LAjlouny@birmingham.k12.mi.us  bjennings@birmingham.k12.mi.us  ayoung@birmingham.k12.mi.us  ahochkammer@birmingham.k12.mi.us  nmckinney@birmingham.k12.mi.us  jrass@birmingham.k12.mi.us

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Change.org - Cancel student loans

Students and families across the country are struggling under the weight of $1.8 trillion in student loan debt in the midst of coronavirus. StudentLoanJustice.org is calling on President Trump to cancel student loan debt. They’ve identified this as a good move for the economy, and especially for the millions of people who have had to put their lives on hold because of this crippling debt. Sign and tell President Trump to cancel student loan debt. Covid-19 Economic Response: Cancel Student Loans by Executive Order. 341,175 have signed student loan justice.org’s petition. Let’s get to 500,000!

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Trillions could be injected into the economy with no tax money needed, and nothing added to the national debt.   President Trump needs new ways to stimulate the economy.  After having thrown an astonishing $9 Trillion into the economy, (and adding roughly that amount to the national debt),  Wall Street is bouncing back stronger than ever, but 40 million citizens have lost their jobs, and many of those jobs will not come back.  This is hurting young people particularly hard.  The President has very few options left, and every conceivable spending/stimulus measure he might enact will undoubtedly require either more tax money, or will increase the national debt. ...EXCEPT CANCELLING STUDENT LOANS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER. The President could issue an executive order cancelling all of the student loans that the federal government holds- about 85% of all student debt. Nothing would be added to the national debt, and no tax appropriation would be needed.  This is- by far- the least expensive, and most expedient way to inject trillions into the economy. MAKE NO MISTAKE:  Before the Covid-19 crisis, this was a FAILED lending system:  55 million borrowers and cosigners are struggling under $1.8 Trillion in debt (up from only $175 billion in 2000).  Over $100 Billion in interest alone is being sucked out of the economy every year.  The default rate for 2004 borrowers is 40%, and borrowing has tripled since that time.  According to the recently resigned Chief Operating Officer of the lending program, 80% of all borrowers will never be able to repay their loans.   Unlike all other loans in this country, student loans have been stripped of fundamental consumer protections like bankruptcy rights, statutes of limitations, and others.  Without these protections, student loans have been weaponized against the very citizens they were supposed to help.   The Result: Lives and livelihoods are being wrecked en masse.  Young people aren’t getting married, starting families, businesses or buying homes.  Older people are being forced to cash in their retirements. Families are being torn apart.  People are fleeing the country.  Some are even committing suicide.  This is not right.  This was never right.   Analysts have predicted that cancelling student loans will increase GDP by about $100 billion for the next ten years, but they do not take into account the borrowing capacity (and thus spending) that such a move would free up. This would be another $1 Trillion injected into the economy in the near and medium term.  Some experts even believe that debt cancellation is the only way toavoid a depression! THE PRESIDENT-  WHETHER THIS ONE OR THE NEXT-  MUST RESET THIS FAILED LENDING SYSTEM. President Trump has decried the fact that the government was making so much profit on the loans.  The President should create a far more efficient higher education financing system that doesn’t wreck the citizens, hyper-inflate the price of college, and enable a national threat such as what the Department of Education has become.  Rest assured, the taxpayers will be fine.  The federal government has been profiting wildly on this lending system for ten years running. Many years of White House Budget data confirm that the Department of Education is- astonishingly- even making a profit on defaulted loans!  While no one can say with accuracy how much of the $1.5 Trillion in outstanding federal loans is interest vs. principal, it is likely that the former is significantly larger than the latter.  So on balance, the taxpayer should more-than break even on such a move.  Bureaucrats, lobbyists, and other defenders of the lending system in and around the Department of Education will surely protest such a move, but 40 million citizens who are being crushed under the weight of these predatory loans will cheer, and the economy will flourish. This is an historic opportunity for the President to cure a recession, drain the swamp, create a better higher education financing system, and strongly endear himself to tens of millions of voters who would otherwise have, by and large, opposed him this coming November.  THIS IS YOUR PETITION.  HELP IT GROW!  1.   Boost it.  2.  Join us on Facebook.  3.   Post this link  in many places where it will be seen.  4.   Retweet this  to influencers who might help. WE WILL WIN OUR FREEDOM FROM THIS DEBT WHEN YOU HELP WITH THIS. Alan Collinge is founder of StudentLoanJustice.Org and author of The Student Loan Scam (Beacon Press)       Facebook

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Thursday: Two Great Events on Racial Justice

Two Great Racial Justice Events This Thursday Who Lives and Who Dies: How COVID-19 Has Shined a Light on the Politics of Death in United States and Why We Can't Wait Report from the Hill: HR-40 and Reparations As part of its ACT Now to End Racism initiative, the National Council of Churches will be sponsoring two important online events on Thursday July 30. Separate registration for each event is required. We invite you to join us for an enriching day. The political scientist Achille Mbembe conceptualizes necropolitics as such: “The ultimate expression of sovereignty resides, to a large degree, in the power and the capacity to dictate who may live and who must die.” COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that has highlighted a historic truth about the United States. The country was founded and built on systemic and systematic race, class and gender hierarchical constructs that ranks the value of people groups. The coronavirus has shined a light on how our systems and structures determine who should live and who is expendable. Join the National Council of Churches in a theological, political and cultural conversation on necropolitics, the politics of death, with three of the most sought after scholars on politics, religion, and culture. Click Here to Register for "Who Lives and Who Dies" Click Here to Register for "Why We Can't Wait"

Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950,  the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions  and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity.  http://nationalcouncilofchurches.us

Please share this latest information from the Office of Gov. DeWine with your stakeholders as appropriate. Thank you! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2020 MEDIA CONTACTS: Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957 Breann Almos: 614-799-6480 Governor DeWine Issues Statewide Mask Order, Travel Warning (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  STATEWIDE MASK ORDER Governor DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 p.m., a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties.  "Our preliminary data indicate that the rate of increase in new cases has slowed in the high-risk counties where masks are already mandated, so we are cautiously optimistic that things are heading in the right direction," said Governor DeWine. "We believe that requiring masks statewide will make a significant difference and will be key to making sure other counties do not progress to a higher level of increased spread." All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when: At an indoor location that is not a residence Outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing. The order only requires those 10 years old or older to wear a mask. Additional exclusions include:  Those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability; Those who are actively exercising or playing sports; Those who are officiants at religious services; Those who are actively involved in public safety; or Those who are actively eating or drinking. Schools should follow the guidance previously issued pertaining to masks. STATEWIDE TRAVEL WARNING Governor DeWine announced today a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher.  Those traveling from one of the following states should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel. Alabama Arizona Florida Georgia Idaho Mississippi Nevada South Carolina Texas The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. "I know this will be hard and is a sacrifice, especially as summer vacations are in full force, but when we have a higher likelihood of being exposed, we should take precautions to limit the exposure of others," said Governor DeWine.  Ohio's positivity rate, which is an indicator of the percentage of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, has been around 6.2 percent.   Visit coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine. INFORMAL GATHERINGS Governor DeWine today urged citizens to use extreme caution when considering attending or hosting an informal gathering.  "We are seeing serious exposures to the virus that are arising from everyday events like church services, small house parties, neighborhood get-togethers, children’s sleepovers, weddings, and even bridal showers," said Governor DeWine. "This virus is real, and we cannot let our guards down." COUNTY FAIRS Following a 19-case outbreak linked to a county fair in Ohio, Governor DeWine today spoke with fair managers from across Ohio to stress the importance of following safety guidance during county fair events.  "We've seen photos of packed grandstands and little social distancing," said Governor DeWine. "We want fairs to continue, but I expressed in the phone call today that fairs must follow the rules." Guidance for fairs is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.  CONGRESSIONAL LETTER Lt. Governor Husted today announced that Governor DeWine has signed onto a letter to Congressional leadership with 20 other fellow Governors from across the nation, calling for reasonable limited liability protections for businesses, schools, healthcare workers, and governments as they are reopened during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The letter calls for predictable, timely, targeted liability protections to shield employers from legal risks associated with the spread of the novel coronavirus, so long as they are following the appropriate standards of care to protect their employees, customers, and students. The letter specifically requests that the protections be drawn in a narrow fashion as to not give license for gross negligence, misconduct, or recklessness. Similar calls for liability protection have been made by Ohio’s leading business organizations. In addition to Governor DeWine, the letter was co-signed by the Governors of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. DROPPING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE In the first press conference since Ohio’s latest unemployment figures were released, Lt. Governor Husted also highlighted Ohio’s strengthening economy as the state responsibly restarts in the midst of the pandemic. Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped three percentage points in the last month to 10.9%. The Lt. Governor also highlighted how Ohio companies continue to go to great lengths to support their employees and customers. HOSPITAL INDICATORS Beginning with tomorrow's updated Ohio Public Health Advisory System map, Governor DeWine announced that the ICU indicator will be enhanced to address concerns in the event ICU levels increase due to reasons other than COVID-19. The indicator will trigger if ICU capacity for a county’s hospital region exceeds 80 percent of normal capacity and if 20 percent of the normal ICU capacity is being used for COVID-19 positive patients. "The 80 percent indicator is a good early warning to measure increasing utilization of ICU services, and this enhancement improves the indicator to ensure we are capturing developments in ICU utilization related to COVID-19 and changes from unrelated things," said Governor DeWine.  The Ohio Public Health Advisory System will also be updated in the coming weeks to include more localized testing data and an indicator related to known contacts spreading the virus when such local data is widely available. NEW PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation will sponsor two new public service announcements created in partnership with the Ohio Restaurant Association, OhioHealth, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Business Roundtable. The first PSA features real Ohioans explaining why all Ohioans should all wear a mask. The second PSA features Dr. Steve Markovich, a former Air National Guardsman and fighter pilot, who is CEO of OhioHealth. He encourages younger adults to wear masks to protect family, friends, and coworkers.  CURRENT COVID-19 DATA:  There are 78,742 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 3,235 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 9,864 people have been hospitalized, including 2,386 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.  Video of today's full update, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel's YouTube page.  For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.