WCC news: WCC delegation makes solidarity visit to Ukraine

A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July, walking in hope and praying with churches and communities for an end to the war.  WCC delegation and representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO). Photo: Deacon Andrii Sydor/Orthodox Church of Ukraine 17 July 2026 The visit occurred in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents more than 90% of all religious organizations and communities in Ukraine.  The delegation visited church leaders, including Metropolitan Epiphaniy, the chair of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO). Throughout the visit, the delegation emphasized its deep commitment to ending the war; supporting humanitarian efforts; encouraging dialogue wherever possibilities emerge; and accompanying the churches of Ukraine in their ministry of healing and hope.  The delegation included: Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee; Rev. Karin van den Broeke, WCC central and executive committee member; H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionias and Philadelphia, Church of Greece, WCC central committee member and WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs commissioner; Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. “It was a deeply moving experience to visit Ukraine again,” said Pillay. “We are greatly encouraged by the resilience, tenacity, and hope expressed in the people.” Pillay noted that, even though there is a sense of fatigue and frustration, yet there is a strong affirmation of the necessity of resistance and victory. “We met with church leaders, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), very senior government officials Ms Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the President's office, and Mr. Viktor Yelenskyi, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience; and local people,” said Pillay. “We received updates on the current situation with some new and deeply insightful information as we listened to the stories, thoughts, and feelings of the people.” From left: Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; Mr. Viktor Yelenskyi, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience; Ms Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the President's office; Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee; H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionias and Philadelphia, Church of Greece, WCC central committee member and WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs commissioner; Rev. Karin van den Broeke, WCC central and executive committee member; Ms Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. Photo: Oleg Gavrysh Pillay reflected that, as the delegation celebrated with UCCRO on its 30th anniversary, he appreciated the unity and witness of religious leaders from different faiths as they provide ministry and service to the people of Ukraine, especially during this time of war. “We had focused conversations with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine addressing issues of concern, state relationships, and implications of the new amendments relating to state and religions issued by government,” he said. “We heard the government's response to our concerns and UCCRO's confirmation that the new amendment does not threaten religious freedom in Ukraine.” Pillay added: “Many people commented on how brave the WCC delegation was in conducting a solidarity visit during a time of war. We responded that we will soon leave but they have to live with this experience every day.” Pillay summarized the experience as very meaningful and engaging.  "The WCC remains committed to journeying with the faith communities and people of Ukraine in their struggle against an illegal and immoral war unnecessarily brought on them,” he said. “We lament the deaths, destruction, trauma and tragedy of war and pray, hope, and work for just peace in Ukraine and in the world.” Bedford-Strohm said the delegation was moved and impressed by the resilience and confidence with which the Ukrainian people react to the difficult situation they have to deal with.  “Despite constant air alerts and the threat of being targeted by Russian missiles or drones, they try to live a normal life,” he said. “Yet we felt the trauma from four years of war in many of our talks.” Bedford-Strohm added that the close collaboration between the churches and religious organizations in giving comfort and strength to the people of Ukraine is all the more important.  “We take this ‘existential ecumenism’ home as an inspiring impulse for the ecumenical movement as a whole,” he said. “The great gratitude with which our visit was received was a humbling sign for the deep necessity of all signs of solidarity with Ukraine by the global community." Photo gallery In Ukraine, churches “sustain hope when hope has been tested” (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 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, July 29 and Sunday, July 26, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, July 20, 2026 - That people stop expressing their frustration through violence.
• Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - That we put aside partisan differences so that we can address the problem of gun-violence.
• Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - That doctors and nurses claim and use the skills given to them by God.
• Thursday, July 23, 2026 - That Americans celebrate the values on which our nation was founded.
• Friday, July 24, 2026 - That God would protect our servicemen and women both home and abroad.
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 - That international tensions decrease and all nations learn to live in peace with one another.
• Sunday, July 26, 2026 - That we put aside our self-interest for the sake of our neighbors.

The PC(USA) Store - Save 20% on the Glory to God Hymnal!

Pew editions of the Glory to God hymnal are now available* at 20% off for a limited time, bringing each pew edition to only $20. This price will never be lower, so adopt the hymnal today for your church and find renewal and unity through worshiping together with both new songs and old favorites.   For more information or to place an order, please visit our website or call our customer service team at 800-533-4371. * Promotional price applies to red and purple pew editions of the Presbyterian edition (with the PC(USA) seal on the spine) and the ecumenical edition (without the seal), while supplies last. Actual shipping costs will be charged for hymnal orders and shipping is only available in the contiguous US. Promotion ends December 31, 2026.

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Looking into the lectionary - The new confession is delayed. Why?

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 26, 2026 After last week’s parable about a master who shows remarkable patience with the weeds in his field, this week the lectionary brings preachers and teachers five additional parables, each introduced by “the kingdom of heaven is like …”. Throughout the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus describes the alternative vision of what God intends life to be as “the kingdom of heaven.” Not merely some distant place we might go after death, the kingdom has drawn near in Jesus’ own life and ministry, in what he teaches and preaches, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount. Through his healing of the sick and comfort for those who grieve, through the disciples he invites to follow him and the tax collectors and sinners he chooses to hang around with, we see what life in the kingdom of heaven is supposed to be. This kingdom first perplexes the political and religious authorities and then is perceived to be a threat, ultimately leading to Jesus’ death on a cross. As we read the parables in Matthew 13, we need to look for what is odd or out of place. What seems strange or leads to deeper questions? Parables are designed to intentionally puzzle us and keep working on us, leading us to discover more and more about Christ and the kingdom. So while a single sermon would be hard-pressed to address each of these five parables with the depth they deserve, perhaps we might consider some of the questions they raise. For example, the parable of the mustard seed appears to be a simple story about how something small can produce a big outcome. And yet, we might ask, “Why is this person planting a mustard seed in the first place?” In first-century Palestine, mustard had some medicinal value as a spice, but the plant was considered an invasive weed — something like kudzu or crab grass. Who intentionally plants that in their garden? It will take over everything as it grows into a glorified shrub. Jesus’ original hearers expected the reign of God to be like a cedar of Lebanon standing tall on a mountain, not some unwanted shrub that might get about head high if it was lucky. How is the kingdom of heaven like this?... Thank you to this week's writer, Matthew A. Rich. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for July 19, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — July 26, 2026 by Matthew A. Rich   As commissioners debated fossil fuels, Milwaukee’s streets carried a different kind of climate protest by Eric Ledermann Assembly declines to send proposed confession to presbyteries by John Bolt A hopeful vision for global mission by Britanny Porch

Help your congregation understand what matters at the 227th General Assembly — and why it matters for your church. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... PC(USA) Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences YAADs described sharply different experiences of a reconciliation gathering, with some appreciating the effort and others saying key concerns went unaddressed — Gregg Brekke & Mary Mabry So Jung Kim: Remember her name Whitney Wilkinson Arreche remembers the Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim as a holy agitator whose passion for ecumenism and everyday theology left ongoing ripples. Summer reads for weary souls seeking meaning and renewal From birdwatching as prayer to resisting smartphone distraction, these new books invite readers into deeper spiritual practices, resilience and renewed attention to God’s presence — Amy Pagliarella A service of lament and hope First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, worships one year after the devastating Hill Country floods — Mike Ferguson From relief to renewal: What the Jinishian Memorial Program teaches the church about mission As the Jinishian Memorial Program marks 60 years, Greg Allen Pickett explores what its long commitment to local leadership and civic formation can teach the church about mission. Faithful witness in divided times: New books on justice, church and public life These authors wrestle with polarization, climate change, racism, incarceration and community — asking what faithful Christian witness looks like in a fractured world — Amy Pagliarella

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Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, July 13 and Sunday, July 19, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, July 13, 2026 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - That we remember the dedication shown by our teachers. 
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - That we live our daily lives with both faith and focus.
• Thursday, July 16, 2026 - That our leaders have the courage and wisdom to confront the racial divisions within our country.
• Friday, July 17, 2026 - That we renew our commitment to life.
• Saturday, July 18, 2026 - That our leaders would be honest, humble and God-fearing men and women who recognize that they are accountable to God for each decision and action.
• Sunday, July 19, 2026 - That God bring peace to the Middle East.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, July 5, 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: he Ultimate Summary)

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...