The Church of the Brethren is among some 25 nonprofits writing to President Obama to express concern about plans for military action in Syria. Also today, an Action Alert from the denomination’s Office of Public Witness warns that “military strikes are not the answer in Syria.”
Ecumenical
God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace: An Interview with Leaders of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches staff Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary, and Natasha Klukach, program executive for church and ecumenical relations, were hosted by the Church of the Brethren for three days in mid-August. Their visit came as the WCC prepares for its 2013 assembly, a worldwide gathering of Christians that takes place every seven years and considered the most significant time when Christians get together. During their time in Illinois, the WCC leaders met with Brethren communicators. General secretary Stan Noffsinger also sat in on the conversation. Here is an excerpt.
Christian Ecumenical Organizations Call Attention to Egypt
The World Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together in the USA, and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have issued statements in the last few days calling attention to the crisis of political unrest and violence in Egypt. The three documents follow in full.
WCC Leader to Preach at Illinois Congregation, Visit Church of the Brethren General Offices
World Council of Churches general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit will bring the Sunday morning message at Neighborhood Church of the Brethren in Montgomery, Ill., this Sunday, Aug. 11, at 10:30 a.m. On Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12-13, he will be in Elgin, Ill., visiting the Church of the Brethren General Offices.
Theme for WCC Assembly Invites Churches to Study Justice and Peace
“God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace” is the theme for the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly on Oct. 30-Nov. 8 in Busan, South Korea. Congregations may walk alongside the church delegates preparing to travel to South Korea this fall through use of special study and worship resources titled “Pilgrimage to Busan: An Ecumenical Journey into World Christianity.”
Quotable Brethren: The 5th Brethren World Assembly in Soundbites
“Quotable quotes” from the 5th Brethren World Assembly give a flavor of the three days of presentations, panels, sermons, and more:
Miami Valley of Ohio Welcomes the 5th Brethren World Assembly
Extending greetings to all those present at the 5th Brethren World Assembly on July 11-14 in Brookville, Ohio, Brethren Heritage Center board secretary Larry E. Heisey noted the unique location of the meeting. All of the seven main Brethren groups in North America descended from the believers brought together by Alexander Mack Sr. in Schwarzenau, Germany, are represented in the Miami Valley area near Dayton, Ohio.
Brethren World Assembly Video Recordings Are Available
Video recordings are available from the 5th Brethren World Assembly. The recordings in DVD format are of the main presentations and worship services, and are made available by the sponsoring body, the Brethren Encyclopedia Board, through the host organization the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio. The taping was done by Brethren videographer David Sollenberger and crew.
WCC Plans 2013 Assembly on the Theme ‘God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.’
The World Council of Churches (WCC) 10th Assembly will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 8 in Busan, South Korea, on the theme, “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.” The Church of the Brethren delegation has already begun preparing for the event. Delegates from each worldwide member communion of the WCC are expected to attend the assembly, which is held every seven years and is considered the largest international gathering of Christians.
Orthodox Christians Request Continued Prayer for Kidnapped Archbishops
Church of the Brethren ecumenical partners continue to request prayer for two Orthodox archbishops who were kidnapped one month ago in Aleppo, Syria. Following is a message received May 22 by Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger from the Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox dioceses of Aleppo, as forwarded by Larry Miller, secretary of the Global Christian Forum: