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UCCNYGlobal is for the sharing of information and the discussion of issues related to the involvement of UCC churches of the New York Conference with churches in other lands and in support of their missions there. Please share your news and thinking with the group. Encourage others to join us.

Maria Ressa speech at Vatican: Hope comes from action https://youtu.be/t0kHvIeYN5M?si=W_B4_br83ls1hF8k

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Phyllis Byrd <phyllisbyrd@...> Date: Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 7:22 PM Subject: Devastation To: Kahala Cannon <kcannon@...>, LaMarco Cable <lcable@...>, Nicta Lubaale <nic.lubaale@...> Dear sisters and brothers, In this festive season many are rushing to complete work so they can have the much needed rest over the Christmas holidays. Others are trying to leave the city for the holidays and spend Christmas with loved ones. The shopping malls are packed with shoppers searching for last minute gifts for Christmas. Menus are written for the much anticipated Christmas meals. In the midst of the hustle and bustle in many parts of the world, time seemed to have stopped. This festive season has become disheartening/devastating, for the areas below that I have shared information. This is all due to Climate Change. Uganda: A landslide took place in Uganda and destroyed a village. Kenya: in West Kenya an area called Budalangi had a mudslide. We spoke to one of the pastors in the area and hevs said "I along with many people in the village lost everything." Mayotte Island What sounded like a bomb going off was actually heavy rains from a cyclone that hit Mayotte Island. The devastation on the island is unimaginable. The cyclone has also affected Parts of Madagascar and Mozambique. Growing up the older members of my congregation would give a testimony of difficult experience. They would end it by saying: "Those who know the worth of prayer, please pray my strength in the Lord." I would like to borrow their words "those who know the (power) and worth of prayer please pray for the areas that we have mentioned above. I have attached a brief description of the areas that will give you more details. Please feel free to share his information with others. Thank you and have a blessed Christmas and New Year. Phyllis Byrd Director Just Communities Organization of African Instituted Churches P.O. Box 21736-00505 Riara Road Nairobi, Kenya .

I believe that this discussion calls for examination by all of us. Perhaps I am particularly interested since my first mission assignment was to teach stewardship to congregations in Natal. ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: "Joseph William Black via groups.io" <josephwmblack@...> Date sent: Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:56:37 +0300 Subject: Re: [orthmiss] Orthodox mission and neocolonialism Agreed. Many things to be disturbed about. But the Orthodox Churches that I am aware of (the largest number on the continent) have been in the thrall of foreign money for the entirety of the post-independence history. Yet more money from the patrons will change nothing for the reality of African Orthodoxy. Nor does upping the ante by the Russians change anything except to reshuffle the chairs on the ground by pandering to the perception that their earlier patrons were not coughing up enough money for them. The real issue is that all of this 'support' from foreign hierarchs and foreign Orthodox mission organizations has taken an original dependency on foreign money and created a monster. Most Orthodox Christians here know little if anything about New Testament stewardship, nor do they know anything about taking responsibility for their own parishes, their own priests, their own ministries. Most have learned through sad, consistent experience that the bishop will pay for it (with the add on - so why should I bother?). You are right to be disturbed. But the things that bother you are merely the symptoms. The real disease is what is presently destroying the churches here from within. I have dealt directly with these issues in my book about stewardship in the African context, *Raising Up Good Stewards*. The lack of leadership that knows anything about New Testament stewardship is what should really be disturbing us. In my opinion. *Dr Bill Black* Senior Lecturer, Makarios III Orthodox Seminary Nairobi, Kenya My blog *Onesimus* - onesimusredivivus@... *Author of:* *Whatever Happened to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: A History of Authority in Christianity's Churches* (2024-available now on Amazon) On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 5:08 AM Steve Hayes via groups.io <hayesstw= [email protected]> wrote: > The following article appeared in a Greek newspaper recently: > > Athens counters Russia?s Orthodox designs [AP] > > Apostolos Lakasas 23.11.2024 o 11:00 > > The Greek government has announced the creation of 600 new clerical > positions to support the ancient patriarchates of Constantinople (in > Turkey), Alexandria (in Egypt) and Jerusalem (in Israel), and the > Monastery of Sinai in Egypt. > > The move addresses decades of neglect, offering vital financial aid to > clergy who have long served without salaries, pensions or healthcare. > However, the decision carries geopolitical weight, as it seeks to > counter growing influence by the Russian Orthodox Church and its > ideological vision of Moscow as the "Third Rome." > > This theory, rooted in the belief that Moscow is the rightful successor to > Rome and Byzantium as the global spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity, > has fueled Russia?s attempts to reshape the balance of power within the > Orthodox world. Following the Ecumenical Patriarchate?s 2018 decision to > grant independence to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow intensified > efforts to undermine the historic patriarchates, particularly Alexandria. > > Using financial leverage, Moscow has enticed African clergy away from > the Patriarchate of Alexandria, offering salaries five times higher > than the $200 monthly stipends many currently receive, along with > benefits and diplomatic privileges. This strategy has destabilized the > patriarchates, which lack the resources to compete, further highlighting > the urgent need for Greece?s intervention. > > For years, the patriarchates struggled with minimal state support, and > pleas for assistance dating back to 2004 went unanswered. Many priests > lived without basic protections, while communities they served > dwindled. The situation worsened as Russian-backed init

Melva: Please share the link to the joint statement when it becomes available. Lawrence -- Lawrence Gilley (he, him) PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

See what Phyllis has written about World Communion Sunday in Africa https://www.globalministries.org/resource/pray-with-kenya-december-12-2021/

This article contains some interesting observations about Orthodox missiology. The Orthodox Church’s Northern Exposure In Alaska, a unique combination of Indigenous rituals and Russian theology has a centuries-long history. It all began with sea otters. By Maggie Phillips https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/orthodox-church-northern-exposure-alaska

The 2024 Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony Sunday, May 12, 2024, 1:30pm EST About the Ceremony The Joint Memorial Day Ceremony, organized by Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle - Families Forum, is the largest Israeli-Palestinian jointly organized peace event in history. The Joint Memorial Ceremony provides a unique opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to grieve together and stand strong in demanding an end to the occupation and ongoing violence. The ceremony occurs yearly on the eve of Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day). In Israeli mainstream culture, the ceremonies that are most often held to honor this day serve to reinforce cultural narratives of pain, victimhood, and hopelessness. The Joint Memorial transforms this narrative by bringing Palestinians to the Memorial alongside Israelis to mourn side by side and model another way forward. History of the Ceremony By mourning together we begin to shift public opinion on a massive scale. Since the first Joint Memorial ceremony in 2006, the number of people who attend has grown tremendously. In 2022, 300,000 people participated in the live broadcast event and over one million streamed it. In 2023, over 15,000 Israelis and Palestinians attended the Joint Memorial Day Ceremony in person in Tel Aviv. Throughout the years, participating guests have included leading intellectuals and artists such as Mubarak Awad, Yoni Rechter, Professor Yehuda Ne=B4eman, Alon Oleartchik, Achinoam Nini (Noa), Mira Awad, Professor Eva Illouz, Eliezer Yaari, Dr. Amal Abu Said, David Grossman, Dr. Sami Shalom Shitrit, Richard Gere, and many others. 2024 Ceremony The lives of everyone connected to Israel and Palestine will never be the same since October 7, 2023. With tens of thousands of lives cut short, families torn apart, and children traumatized, now more than ever we need to continue to show up for one another to mourn and remember. And, as we do every year, call for an end to the violence and demand a political solution that brings freedom, justice, and safety for all. With all eyes of the international community on Israel and Palestine, now more than ever, we need to join together around our grief and stay strong in building hope that another way is not only possible but imperative. This year will be the 19th annual joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony organized by Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle - Families Forum. The ceremony will take place on May 12, 2024. This year, we will center the ceremony around the stories of children, whose only crime was being born Palestinian or Israeli. What will be the future of the next generation=3F How can we bring hope amidst so much tragedy=3F Register for the Virtual 2024 Joint Memorial Day Ceremony Join us on May 12, 2024 (8:30pm Jerusalem | 6:30pm London | 1:30pm New York | 10:30am Los Angeles). Please note that a link to watch the Ceremony will be shared prior to the event. https://secure.everyaction.com/iW_XB8mFn0m4t7WZihZoug2 -- Lawrence Gilley (he, him) PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

https://www.oikoumene.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/WPCU%202024%20ENG.pdf The materials for the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community (CCN)1. The theme chosen is “You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself” (Lk 10:27). Brothers and sisters from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Protestant Churches, ecumenical bodies and the CCN in Burkina Faso collaborated generously in drafting the prayers and reflections and experienced their work together as a real path of ecumenical conversion. begins January 18, 2024

Dear Global Ministries Co-workers: The link below is to a letter from Palestinian partners that was shared last night during the meeting of the Steering Committee (of which I'm a member) of the UCC Palestine Israel Network. Quite a thought-provoking, and prayer-provoking challenge to us here in our US churches! Blessings and solidarity, Elice <http://www.defenddemocracy.press/an-open-letter-from-palestinian-christians-to-western-church-leaders-and-theologians/>

Sunday December 10 is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Give thanks for our companion churches that enjoy greater protection of their rights and pray for freedoms for those that do not. Remind fellow worshipers that Article 18 states: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

https://www.globalministries.org/worship-resources/ weekly prayer focus (August - December 2023) AUGUST 6 - Bangladesh 13 - Zimbabwe 20 - Syria 27 - Puerto Rico SEPTEMBER 3 - Philippines 10 - India 17 - Kenya 24 - Germany OCTOBER 1 - Mexico 8 - Nepal 15 - Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 22 - Japan 29 - Italy NOVEMBER 5 - Brazil 12 - Eswatini 19 - East Timor 26 - Fiji DECEMBER 3 - Morocco 10 - Dominican Republic 17 - India 24 - Greece 31 - Japan-- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

Missionaries Bruce and Linda Hanson report about their ministries via their blog Cooking With Shoes On Follow them at Subscribe to the Hanson's blog at https://hondurashansons.wordpress.com/ -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

...and their families in Texas shooting. Please pray... "Police said the shootings all took place in one home, the victims were all from Honduras and that four of the victims were declared dead at the scene. The fifth victim -- an 8-year-old boy -- was taken to a hospital and has since been pronounced dead." https://abcnews.go.com/US/5-dead-texas-shooting-suspect-armed-ar-15/story?id=98957271 Loving, Dona "Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." Henri Nouwen

Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive for Global Ministries has been proposed as the next General Minister and President of the UCC. https://www.globalministries.org/global-ministries-co-executive-karen-georgia-thompson-recommended-as-uccs-next-general-minister-and-president/ That may give a boost to Wider Church/Global Ministries

Movie Screening: The Ants and the Grasshopper Join us online for a free screening of an acclaimed documentary that follows the life of the inspiring Anita Chitaya. After successfully confronting challenge after challenge in her home country of Malawi, Chitaya comes to the United States faced with the most difficult task of her life. In order to save her home from extreme weather, she seeks to persuade people in the United States that climate change is real. The film documents her efforts as she travels around the country. https://ucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/5716708666699/WN_vfEjVHNbSGGxfa80 d505wA Time: Mar 1, 2023 07:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) This event is cohosted by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Green Chalice Ministries, the Environmental Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and Blessed Tomorrow. The documentary film, The Ants and the Grasshopper, offers an important story about what missionary work looks like in a time of climate change. The film also addresses themes such as hunger, climate change, and race. https://www.antsandgrasshopper.org/churches -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

UCC Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise - numbers are pointing to over 5,000 - depending on the source. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade. Immediately after the earthquake, the UCC posted a prayer and short statement in response to this crisis. While the earthquake was on the border, the tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event. Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ will be there helping those in need. All donations will be deposited into the International Emergency fund designated for "Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response". Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery. -Donate on line with a credit card [copy and paste both lines of the URL to your browser] https://support.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/turkey-syria-emergency-appeal/d onate or -text UCCDISASTER to 41444. -or mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Write "Turkey and Syria" on your check in the memo section. Your gift enables the church to be present with people in the midst of catastrophic and life-changing situations, offering immediate relief and providing long-term support for recovery. Working through a network of global and local partners, the church lives out its call to care for our neighbors as we strive together toward a just world for all. = = = = = = = = = = = More: Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East https://www.globalministries.org/uaecne-communique-earthquake-in-syria -and-turkey/ Middle East Council of Churches https://www.globalministries.org/after-the-earthquake-which-hit-the-me -north-mecc-calls-on-the-international-community-for-emergency-aid-and -urges-for-lifting-sanctions-on-syria/ PARTNERS - SYRIA National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East PARTNERS - TURKEY American Research Institute in Turkey Health and Education Foundation Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East ========= -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

World Day of Prayer - March 3, 2023 Information and resources at https://wdp-usa.org/ Resources prepared by the women of Taiwan include: poster, Bible study, children's program, worship service, bulletin inserts. Worldwide Movement of Christian Women World Day of Prayer is a worldwide, ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service. It is initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions. It is symbolized by an annual day of celebration observed on the first Friday in March to which all people are welcome. It brings women of different races, cultures and traditions together in fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year. Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and have immeasurable influence in the world. The motto of World Day of Prayer is "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action." -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

Peru: ROME - As Peruvian authorities implement a sweeping state of emergency decreed by President Dina Boluarte in response to weeks of deadly protests, the country=B4s bishops have called for an end to violence and offered prayers for the victims and the country. More: https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2023/01/amid-violence-and-p olitical-crisis-perus-bishops-appeal-for-calm =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D Apparently Global Ministries has no connections with churches in Peru. I know of one former missionary who lives there. If you find any news of Peruvian church responses to the conflicts in Peru, please share them. Lawrence -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328

Decolonizing the Church Global Perspectives from Global Ministries https://vimeo.com/759634003 -- Lawrence Gilley PO Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328