WCC News: WCC joins prayers for peace and stability in Nigeria: “Many voices, one witness”

An ecumenical service in Abuja, Nigeria, on 26 August at All Saints Anglican Church drew church leaders from across the nation. World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay brought greetings and prayers on behalf of the global fellowship.  Church leaders from across the Nigeria took part at the Ecumenical service in Abuja, Nigeria, on 26 August 2026 at All Saints Anglican Church. Photo: Omotayo Akanbi/WCC 27 August 2026 Prayers particularly emphasized peace, security, justice, and the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Those gathered also prayed for families and all those experiencing suffering, hardship, and affliction. Archbishop Filibus Musa of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria offered a reflection entitled “Many voices, one witness,” expressing the joy of gathering. “This is important for us as Christians,” he said. “Christian unity does not require uniformity.” He noted that those gathered come from came from different traditions, histories, theological emphases, cultures, and languages. “Yet our differences need not become walls between us,” he said. “They can become gifts through which we hear more clearly what God is saying to the church and to the world.” Our world is fragile, and Nigeria is not exempted, Musa continued. "In the midst of all that is happening around us, what is God calling the church to be and to do?” he asked. “The Spirit calls us to be a witnessing people—to proclaim the mighty works of God and to make those works visible in the way we live together.” In a deeply divided world, Musa said, our unity itself becomes part of our witness. “This is one reason why the World Council of Churches matters,” he said. “It brings churches together so that our many voices can become a common witness that none of us can adequately offer alone.” Musa emphasized that the WCC reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is larger than any one denomination, nation, or tradition. “We belong to one another because we belong to Christ,” he said.  Archbishop Filibus Musa of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria delivering the reflection during the Ecumanical service in Abuja, 26 August 2026. Photo: Omotayo Akanbi/WCC An ecumenical welcome address from the WCC president from Africa, His Eminence Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), was read by His Eminence Rev Dr Israel Akanji, a WCC central committee member from Nigeria. Ositelu expressed joy at Pillay’s historic visit to Nigeria. “We wish to express our profound appreciation to the WCC for the visionary decision to relocate the Africa Regional Programme Office to Abuja,” he noted. “This milestone has significantly strengthened the WCC's engagement with African churches and enhanced the visibility and accessibility of its ministry across the continent.” Ositelu further commented that Pillay’s visit comes at a critical moment in the life of Nigeria. “We are equally concerned by recurring incidents of afro-phobic attacks and the unfair treatment experienced by many Nigerians in parts of Africa, particularly in South Africa,” he said. “We therefore invite the World Council of Churches and the entire global ecumenical fellowship to continue standing with Nigeria in prayer and solidarity during this important period.” Ositelu said that churches felt encouraged to continue their common Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.    “Once again, we warmly welcome you to Nigeria,” he said. “May Almighty God bless your visit abundantly, grant you wisdom and strength in your ministry, and continue to bless the World Council of Churches as it serves the global Christian community.” Prayers were also offered by Rev. Dr Daniel Abaya, a former student of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and president of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. A final prayer was offered by His Most Eminence Rev. Dr Bob Manuel, prelate of Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide.  The service was followed by a meeting between the WCC general secretary and representatives of the WCC member churches in Nigeria, with each member church represented by five delegates. During visit to Nigeria, WCC general secretary expresses gratitude for churches’ powerful witness (WCC news story, 24 August 2026) WCC general secretary: “Women have stood at the heart of God's mission” (WCC news release, 21 August 2026) WCC general secretary to visit Nigeria to strengthen bonds (WCC news release, 19 August 2026) Photos from the WCC visit to Nigeria 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

WCC news: WCC to join Season of Creation prayer amid climate extremes

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will join the global Christian family in opening the 2026 Season of Creation, the ecumenical world's month of prayer and action for creation. Communities on every continent have already lived through record heat, wildfires, and flooding in 2026, many of them home to WCC member churches.  A flower in the Ituqui River near the Quilombo Bom Jardim, outside Santarem, Brazil. The Ituqui flows into the nearby Amazon River. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth Pictures 27 August 2026 “The season of creation, with the “Feast of Creation in Christ” on 1 September at the center, is a time of witness to God’s love and our human responsibility. Confessing God as the creator means a commitment for us as human beings to “tilling and keeping the earth” (Gen 2,15)” highlights WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. “In a time in which the destructive consequences of human-made global warming become increasingly apparent and cause much suffering, praying to God and doing justice to human beings as well as to the earth is inseparable.” The season will open on 1 September with a Global Prayer Service for Creation Day or for the Feast of Creation in Christ: 9 am in New York, 6 pm in Los Angeles, 4 pm in Nairobi and 9 pm in Manila, live-streamed. Along with many other church leaders, three voices will lead it: the Rev. David Coleman, environmental chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland; Maria Jose Tejedor, team assistant with ACT Alliance; and Dr Louk Andrianos, WCC consultant for creation care, sustainability, and climate justice. All three will draw on this year's theme, "Living Water" (Ezekiel 47:9, 12): "Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live . . . Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing" (NRSV). "Ezekiel saw water flowing from the temple until it reached the sea and made it fresh, trees on its banks bearing fruit for food and leaves for healing," said Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. "That is the promise this Season of Creation holds before the churches: where the waters of God's presence flow, what is dying can live again. Many of our member churches are among the communities already living this crisis, in drought and flood. For them, prayer and action are not two callings but one: the churches are called to become part of the river's healing, not to stand at the bank and watch." The World Meteorological Organization confirms 2026 as the warmest July on record. The year brought monsoon floods to Bangladesh, saw 700,000 evacuated in China, wildfires burning 250,000 hectares in Europe, and near 49°C heat in North Africa. On 28 July, UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell said the climate alarm was "blaring from every direction." The Season of Creation invites Christians worldwide to pray, learn, and advocate for creation. Worship resources, educational guides, and advocacy toolkits, including this year's Celebration Guide, are available in multiple languages online. Churches are invited to join the prayer service online and to take part in the Season of Creation activities through 4 October. Against that backdrop, the season forms one chapter in the WCC's Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2034), launched in Johannesburg in 2025. Watch the Prayer Service for Creation Day Season of Creation 2026: Living Water Care for creation and climate justice Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action 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

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, August 31 and Sunday, September 6, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 31, 2026 - That college students develop the gifts and talents given to them by God.
• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - That companies and unions in America would flourish with new creativity and practice honorable work ethics.
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - That we celebrate the values on which our nation was founded.
• Thursday, September 3, 2026 - That workers be provided a safe workplace and paid a living wage.
• Friday, September 4, 2026 - That textbooks honor and reflect the godly heritage of our country and the contributions made by all the different groups.
• Saturday, September 5, 2026 - That we have the courage to deal with the violence within our society.
• Sunday, September 6, 2026 - That artists and entertainers avoid debauchery, pornography, perversion, and drunkenness in their craft.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, August 23, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus: Do Not Murder )

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

WCC News: Prayers for Ukraine affirm values of freedom, human dignity, peace

Prayers for Ukraine rang ’round the world on 24 August, from large ecumenical services to quiet reflections, all expressing solidarity and determination for justice and peace. The day also marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Ecumenical prayer service at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 August 2026 marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU 25 August 2026 An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of various churches and leaders of religious organizations. After a chamber choir performed the Lord's Prayer, representatives from various churches and religious organizations took turns offering prayers for Ukraine. They called for an end to the war and for just peace, for protection for the Ukrainian people, for the return of children, prisoners, and those missing in action, for the healing of the wounded, and for unity. Prayers were offered by Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epiphanius, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav, Head of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Head of the All-Ukrainian Union of the Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Valerii Antoniuk, President of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich, Supreme Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Ahmed Tamim, Bishop of the Transcarpathian Reformed Church Sándor Zán Fábián, and Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church Anatoliy Kozachok. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, representing the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, expressed gratitude to God for “the gift of freedom, for the gift of a free, united, and independent Ukrainian state.” He appealed to Christ, the King of Peace, asking for “an end to the war, victory over the unjust aggressor, and the gift of just, heavenly peace for our homeland and for our people”. He implored to God for unity among the Ukrainian people. “Grant that we have unity and freedom, and that Your eternal divine love may reign in all things,” he prayed.  The ecumenical prayer took place as part of the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine, which the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations had called for. The gathering concluded with a joint performance of Ukraine’s spiritual anthem, "Prayer for Ukraine.” Metropolitan Epiphany, Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reflected on how Ukraine has fought for the truth, for language, for faith, for freedom, and for the right to freely make choices. “And for the last 12-and-a-half years, we have been forced to fight for the right to live on our own, God-given land, for the right not to depend on anyone and to be the masters of our own home, to determine the fate of our state, our people, our Church,” he said. "Therefore, the word ‘independence’ is inseparable to the words ‘struggle,’ ‘dignity,’ ‘freedom.’” The metropolitan noted that Ukrainian people are worthy of their independence. “Thirty-five years is a long time by human standards, but relatively short for the history of a nation,” he said. “However, we know that we have a glorious 1,000-year history of Ukraine-Rus’; we have strong roots and an ancient faith, our own culture and traditions, our native church, numerous saints.” He reflected that all the people, like cells in the body, make up the "body" of the state. “And as long as we hold together, as long as we care for each other, protect and defend, as long as we preserve the ‘soul’ of our people, our Ukrainian Church - the Ukrainian people will live, have the strength to fight and, with God's help, will prevail,” he said. “Great and One God, protect Ukraine!” Ukrainian churches appeal for Worldwide prayer as expression of solidarity (WCC news release, 13 August 2026) Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations: Prayer for Ukraine held at Saint Sophia of Kyiv PHOTO GALLERY: Ecumenical Prayer for Ukraine at St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of Ukraine's churches and religious organizations. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU 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 - Prayers for the fall 🍎

Matthew 18:15-20 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time September 6, 2026 What if we actually did what Jesus teaches his disciples about handling conflict? This teaching on “dealing with sin in the church” immediately follows the parable of the lost sheep. In Luke, that parable is part of a “lost things” parables collection, alongside the lost coin and lost son(s), told strategically and deliberately to tax collectors and sinners who were open and eager and leaning in, and to grumbling Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:1-2). Matthew only includes the parable of the lost sheep, and he uses it as a bridge connecting warnings to the disciples about the consequences of their sin and instruction on how they should respond when someone sins against them. Remember, you are sinful, and God pursues you when you are lost. Remember, when others sin and harm you, God loves and pursues them. And … be wise. In the simplicity of the teaching, Jesus corrects some of the most common behaviors of “good Christian people” when it comes to conflict. Some of the more unconfrontational among us focus on the passage that immediately follows this one – forgive not seven but 77 (or 70 times seven) times – and spend our days attempting (and encouraging others) to “forgive and forget,” “love overlooks wrongs,” as though it is better not to acknowledge injustice or wrongdoing at all. The teaching in Matthew 18:15-20 does not ignore the sin that harms you, but addresses it head on, out of love. Some of the more people-pleasing among us muster what feels like superhuman strength to tolerate wrong so severe that it can be rightly named abuse, effectively becoming doormats on which others may walk and wipe their boots. Jesus does not give a minimum bar for a sin that meets a standard of worthiness to address, but simply tells his disciples to address the one who has wronged you, and Jesus does not seem hesitant about getting others involved. Safe boundaries of increasing distance between someone who has been harmed and the offender is what Jesus is laying out, not shrugging harm away nor inviting the harmed to return for more. What Jesus teaches, with such succinct clarity, is a pathway toward reconciliation and restoration. It isn’t easy, but it is clear. Had Scripture included pictures or images, I think Jesus would get credit for inventing what we now know as flow charts. Here’s how it lays it out: ... Thank you to this week's writer, David Germer. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 30, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — September 6, 2026 by David Germer    Columbia Theological Seminary President Victor Aoloyo, Jr. to retire — Press Release A prayer for college students beginning a new school year by Caroline Garcia Blessing of the backpacks by Jess Rigel

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters In a state where two-thirds of the adult population identifies as Christian and 45% say religion is 'very important' in their life, the candidates are asking voters to choose between two dramatically different views of Christianity. — Religion News Service Beyond capitalism vs. socialism Scott Anderson argues that Christianity offers a way to think about markets, government and economic justice beyond the tired binary of capitalism and socialism. Faith leaders return home equipped to transform their communities More than 300 clergy and lay leaders from across the country gathered for the DART Network's annual Justice Ministry Conference to strengthen congregations and organize for lasting community change. — Press Releases Sixteen PC(USA) young adults attend United Nations’ annual High Level Political Forum Delegates attended UN meetings on global sustainable development goals, held vigils and discussed vocational discernment. — Presbyterian News Service Christian universities pull together during Spokane wildfires As wildfires devastated northern Spokane, Gonzaga and Whitworth universities joined forces to shelter evacuees, support displaced communities and raise emergency funds. — FāVS News Registration for the Atwood Institute gun violence prevention training extended to Aug. 30 The Sept. 15-18 event at Heartland Retreat Center near Kansas City is offered by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. — Press Releases Now loaded with disaster kits, Boxanne heads home to Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center Synod School’s 650 participants sort and box hygiene kits, period packs, kids’ kits and school bags. — Presbyterian News Service

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