WCC NEWS: WCC invites global ecumenical community to prayers for peace

The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches to join in global prayers for peace, starting with the Middle East on 26 March. The WCC invites people and churches all over the globe to join global prayer for peace in the Middle East. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 17 March 2026 In a world marked by growing conflict, suffering, and uncertainty, the WCC reaffirms its calling as a fellowship of churches to stand together in prayer for peace.  As part of this commitment, the WCC is initiating a series of global prayers for peace, to bring the worldwide ecumenical community into a shared rhythm of spiritual solidarity, intercession, and hope.  Rooted in faith and grounded in the conviction that prayer is both witness and action, the initiative reflects the vocation of the churches to accompany those who suffer and to uphold the dignity of all people. Middle East the focus of first global peace prayer The first focus of the global prayer initiative is on the Middle East, in light of ongoing war, the destruction of lives, and the deepening humanitarian suffering affecting communities across the region.  The Global Prayer for Peace in the Middle East will be held online on 26 March at 15:00 CET, inviting churches, congregations, and other people and partners around the world to join in a shared act of prayer across traditions and contexts. The moment of prayer responds directly to the voices of church leaders who have called for strengthened spiritual solidarity and accompaniment in this time of crisis.  Through the initiative, the global fellowship is invited not only to pray for those affected, but to pray with them—drawing from the spiritual traditions and lived faith of the churches of the region.  A common prayer resource will accompany the gathering, offering prayers from the Middle East to guide in shared moments of intercession and hope. The WCC invites all churches and people of goodwill to take part in this ongoing commitment to prayer, bearing witness together to a shared longing for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Attend the Global Prayer for Peace in the Middle East (26 March 15.00 CET) WCC hosts consultation with heads of churches in the Middle East Joint statement on widening conflict in the Middle East raises deep concerns for humanitarian and social impact Peacebuilding in the Middle East 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 356 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

Looking into the lectionary - Expanded support for congregations and pastors

Matthew 21:1-11 Palm Sunday March 29, 2026 Like many children of the 1990s (and, I suspect, of many generations before), I found Palm Sunday to be one of the most fun days of the church. The children’s choir would gather on the porch, where we were handed long palm branches. The goal was always a sweet, melodic procession of children waving palms to the beat of “Hosanna, Sweet Hosanna.” The result was always palm sword-fights, broken stems, and mass chaos. But no matter what mayhem we caused, the congregation always beamed at our arrival, happy to see the tradition continue. Which, I think, is where I got the idea that everyone was happy to see Jesus. Our Palm Sunday liturgical practices were so steeped in praise that I missed entirely that the crowds in Jerusalem were not united in their acclaim. After all, I reasoned as a child, who wouldn’t be happy to see Jesus? Especially on a cute little donkey? But the Gospel of Matthew makes clear that not everyone was happy to see Jesus. In fact, the crowds that sing his praises seem to be the ones that have been gathering all along his ministry, or at least this latest leg of it. But inside Jerusalem, the emotional response is very different. “When he entered Jerusalem,” the gospel tells us, “the whole city was in turmoil.” In this year in particular, with new wars and new worries, old wounds and old evils, continuing division and intensifying distrust in our communal life, I find myself caught up in the word “turmoil.” The triumphal parade – with a humble leader and the cloaks strewn joyfully upon the road – seems like the fairytale, while a city, or church, or family, or world in turmoil is all too easy to imagine. This word itself, it turns out, is a key piece of vocabulary. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Carol Prickett Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for March 22, 2026? You can find them here. Order of worship — March 29, 2026 by Carol Prickett What do we do with the Bible’s most troubling texts? by Brandon Grafius Board of Pensions expands support for congregations and pastoral leaders by Board of Pensions March Madness reminds us what belonging feels like by Brittany Porch IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Why we grieve losses that haven’t happened yet Even joyful transitions can stir grief. During Lent, Christians learn how to face the losses we know are coming and walk toward the cross with hope, writes Vern Farnum. Tending to ever-present needs: A conversation about teaching and learning grief Mindy McGarrah Sharp and Leanna Fuller discuss why grief is more visible today — and how congregations can learn to listen, lament and support one another without rushing past the pain. Board of Pensions announces additional support for pastors and families A new grant can help families with their childcare costs. — Board of Pensions Austin Seminary student James Talarico wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary The Texas Presbyterian and state representative has spoken publicly about how his Christian faith shapes his challenge to Christian nationalism.— Harriet Riley Still born Aaron Pratt Shephard writes that even when a child’s life seems to end before it begins, faith in Christ’s resurrection offers hope that every life will yet be born into eternal fullness. Writing your lament and loss, discovering God’s grace Julie Hester offers writing prompts for you to try during this season of Lent. Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America Beth Macy’s return to Urbana, Ohio, reveals a community shaped by fear, resilience, deep roots and limited opportunity. Amy Pagliarella's review explores how Macy's reporting helps readers see neighbors more clearly. A new four-session Fresh Outlook Bible Studies In a moment when empathy is often misunderstood — and sometimes dismissed as weakness — “On the Road to Empathy” invites churches to return to Scripture and rediscover empathy as a deeply Christian practice.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for March 15, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, March 15, 2026

First Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the LORD.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah. Psalm Psalm 23 1   The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2        He makes me lie down in green pastures;      he leads me beside still waters; 3        he restores my soul.      He leads me in right paths           for his name’s sake. 4   Even though I walk through the darkest valley,           I fear no evil;      for you are with me;           your rod and your staff —           they comfort me. 5   You prepare a table before me           in the presence of my enemies;      you anoint my head with oil;           my cup overflows. 6   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me           all the days of my life,      and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD           my whole life long. Second Reading Ephesians 5:8-14 8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light — 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,      “Sleeper, awake!           Rise from the dead,      and Christ will shine on you.” Gospel John 9:1-41 1As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. 35Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

WCC NEWS: “We are here and we care:” Young ecumenical leaders share prayers for peace

Young people across the global ecumenical movement are sharing prayers of solidarity in response to escalating violence and suffering in the Middle East and other regions affected by conflict. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 12 March 2026 Prepared by the Communications Working Group and Theology & Spiritual Life Working group of the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, the collective prayers are offered “in humility and love,” holding in prayer not only the Middle East but also communities around the world experiencing war, violence, and uncertainty. “As we are in the Lenten season, we are lamenting the situation unfolding in the Middle East. In solidarity and prayer with our brothers and sisters there, especially in Iran, we cry out with agony and shout “Hosanna,” praying that God will save us and protect those who are suffering because of the war,” said Young People in the Ecumenical Movement moderator Karen Erina Puimera, from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia. Puimera further added that “the complexity of the war does not lead us to tolerate hatred or injustice toward one another. As young people, we also cry with the people in Iran and other countries in the Middle East who are affected by this conflict.” Puimera said young people believe that the God of love and justice guides us through the Holy Spirit, helping us discern actions that do not represent God’s love in this world. “Through the unity of prayer and solidarity, God reminds us not to stand on the side of unrighteousness and injustice. Instead, we are called to strive for justice, freedom from exploitation, and peace as gifts from God that we are all responsible to protect and nurture,” she said. The prayers were shared through the Ecumenical Youth Network, where young people from different regions are exchanging prayers, reflections, and messages of hope. The initiative reflects a growing wave of spiritual solidarity among young Christians calling their communities to join them in prayer for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The youth wanted to say, “We are here and we care,” describing the effort as a way for young people to express compassion and stand with those experiencing suffering and fear. Abigayle Bolado, Youth Engagement programme executive, expressed that the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, through their Ecumenical Youth Network, have joined together in global collective prayer for the ongoing war and conflicts in the Middle East and around the world. “Today, many people are living in fear, destruction, and chaos. Innocent lives, especially those of children and young people are the most vulnerable. Ongoing war and conflicts rob the present and future not only of those living in affected countries but also of many others whose lives are indirectly impacted as their economies suffer and instability spreads,” she said. Bolado added that “it is heartbreaking to imagine how vast resources are being used. Billions of dollars are spent on missiles, nuclear weapons, and machines designed to kill. Yet these same resources could instead be used to feed the hungry, care for the suffering, improve education and health, and restore hope to communities in need.” Even across continents and time zones, participants say they remain united in faith and concern for those affected by conflict. Through shared prayers and messages of encouragement, they seek to remind communities facing violence that they are not alone. "Our Lord and God Jesus Christ commanded us: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7). Churches do not have divisions or significant economic resources, and our ability to influence politics is extremely limited. But as Christians, we always have the opportunity to turn to God with fervent prayer, and I believe that He will hear it,” reflected Danil Arakelian, who is part of the Theology & Spiritual Life Youth Working Group. Arakelian added that “today, it is the duty of every believer to pray for peace, for the salvation of people, and for all those who today take up arms against one another, wherever that may be. We are called to be the ‘light of the world’ (Matt. 5:14), an island of stability and solidarity, an example of friendship, impartiality, and love for all nations. This is precisely what this initiative aims to highlight.” Ecumenical youth are also inviting young people within their churches and communities to offer their own prayers for peace and unity, strengthening a worldwide network of prayer and accompaniment. Through these shared prayers, young people in the ecumenical movement are giving voice to their hope for justice, healing, and reconciliation, believing that the future of our world should be built not on weapons and destruction, but on dignity, solidarity, and care for all humanity.   Read the shared prayers from the different regions 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 356 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