WCC News: WCC extends condolences in wake of attack in Ethiopia

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr  Jerry Pillay, in a pastoral letter to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, extended condolences and solidarity in the wake of an attack that killed people in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia, including at least 20 who may be members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.  Prayer of Thanksgiving at the Chapel of the Ecumenical Centre after the Ethiopian churches meeting to strengthen ecumenical cooperation in responding to humanitarian needs and in promoting peace and social cohesion in Ethiopia, 30 November 2023. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 13 November 2025 "This senseless loss of life is a painful reminder of the fragility of peace and the urgent need for reconciliation and the protection of all communities,” wrote Pillay. “We stand in solidarity with you in this time of mourning, and we lift up in prayer all those impacted by this violence, asking the Lord to grant them comfort, healing, and strength.” The WCC condemns all acts of violence and expresses unwavering support for efforts toward justice, peace, and communal harmony, continued Pillay. “We pray for wisdom and courage for leaders at all levels to address the root causes of conflict, to promote dialogue, and to ensure the protection of human life and dignity,” he wrote. “In this time of mourning and pain, the WCC stands in unwavering solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and with all the people of Ethiopia.” Pillay extended prayers for courage, compassion, and lasting peace. “Please be assured of our continued prayers, solidarity, and pastoral support during this grievous period,” he concluded.  WCC Letter of Condolences and Solidarity on the Tragic Killings in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia 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 - New details released on PC(USA) restructuring

Luke 23:33-43 Reign of Christ November 23, 2025 This summer, I wrote a piece for the Outlook, “‘No Kings’ should include Jesus,” challenging the way progressive Christians oppose Trump by invoking Jesus as king. Such imperial language, I argued, undermines the very anti-authoritarian spirit driving the “No Kings” movement. My piece highlighted the work of feminist, mujerista, and womanist theologians who have long worked to remove the person of Jesus from the language of empire, from being seen as a singular, heroic, “king.” This Sunday’s gospel passage – designated for “Reign of Christ” or “Christ the King” Sunday in the Revised Common Lectionary – reinforces the entanglement of Christianity with imperial power structures that these scholars have worked to dismantle. Luke 23:34 is one of the most well-known and frequently quoted sayings of Jesus. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they’re doing.” It’s also one of the most debated: did Luke’s Jesus actually say this? If you read this week’s gospel text from either the NRSV or the NRSVue, this verse appears in double brackets with a footnote explaining that “other ancient authorities” lack this sentence. The double brackets indicate how a slim majority of scholars have concluded that this verse was added to Luke’s original gospel by later copyists. That said, scholar Shelly Matthews argues the verse is original to Luke in Perfect Martyr. According to Matthews, early copyists removed it because it represented a difficult reading in a landscape where “radical” forgiveness had not yet become a Christian norm. Matthews calls attention to how Luke uses a radical-seeming forgiveness that presents Jesus and his followers as merciful towards those responsible for their prosecution — a blame that Luke shifts away from Rome and onto Jews. “Thus, in a veiled and paradoxical manner,” Matthews writes, “the edifice of Christianity as a religion of extreme mercy is constructed upon a scaffolding of Jew vilification.” Luke’s forgiveness aligns him with the strategies of Roman imperialism: forgiveness becomes a political weapon. ... Read the rest of the commentary by Jimmy Hoke at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for November 16, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — November 23, 2025 by Jimmy Hoke PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency adds details to denominational restructuring by John Bolt, Outlook Reporting Lilly Endowment grants foster ministry and mission across the PC(USA) by Gregg Brekke “An authority for love”: Portland faith leaders stand with immigrants outside ICE facility by Harriet Riley A free Advent candle liturgy by Shardaé Henry and Shea Watts The theology of DMX: Lament, prayer and the God who stayed by Chris Burton IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... San Joaquin Presbytery builds first new church in decades to serve immigrant communities In California’s Central Valley, immigrant families are putting down roots — and new Presbyterian ministries are growing with them. — Beth Waltemath Telos Group launches new peacemaking program to equip U.S. churches for justice and reconciliation The Telos Group launches Mosaic, a two-year, Lilly-funded program equipping U.S. congregations to become active peacemakers amid deep division. The Rev. Jihyun Oh is among faith leaders opposed to the Trump administration’s new policy on admitting refugees Church World Service, a partner of the PC(USA), condemns efforts to abandon the nation’s historic refugee program. — Church World Service We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals From the Freedom Church of the Poor "We Pray Freedom," edited by Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar, curates liturgies and prayers rooted in justice, healing, and community. — Amy Pagliarella Hurricane Melissa prompts appeal from PC(USA) Gifts to PDA will help to meet emergency and long-term needs in the Caribbean. — Darla Carter Music that meets us where we are From gym anthems to humming hymns in a new church pew — music grounds us, lifts us, and reminds us we never sing alone, writes Teri McDowell Ott.

Looking into the lectionary - Churches prepare for surge in hunger – Here’s what’s at stake

Luke 21:5-19 Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost November 16, 2025 A South African man named Joshua Mhlakela predicted the end of the world and the rapture would happen on September 23. In a YouTube video, he confidently proclaimed, “The rapture is upon us. I’m a billion percent sure. I saw Jesus sitting on his throne, and I could hear him very loud and clear saying, ‘I am coming soon. He said to me on the 23rd and 24th of September, ‘I will come back to the Earth.’”1 But Jesus did not return on September 23 — just as He did not when William Miller predicted October 22, 1844, or when Harold Camping warned of May 21, 2011 (later revised to October 21). Such predictions have echoed across two millennia, and each time, the world continued on. Why many continue to proclaim in Jesus’s name, “The time is near!” (Luke 21:8) escapes me, as Jesus plainly told his disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). Luke 21:5-19 anticipates the language of Christ the King Sunday a week later and the early Sundays of Advent. As a preacher, you may cringe when you encounter apocalyptic language such as is found in Luke 21, Matthew 24, and Mark 13. Especially in light of prophecies like Joshua Mhlakela’s, we may wonder, along with folks at the end of the first century C.E., “Where is the promise of [Jesus’] coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). The news is full of wars and insurrections, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Great earthquakes, famines and plagues happen on a regular basis around the world. Jerusalem, Israel and the Middle East are constantly in the news, especially in the aftermath of the events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. You can also find harrowing accounts of Christians being persecuted in many countries. It’s no wonder many come in Jesus’s name and say, “The time is near!” (Luke 21:8). When the first believers heard Luke’s gospel proclaimed near the end of the first century C.E., they had personal experience with wars and destruction and suffering.  ... Read the rest of the commentary by Philip Gladden at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for November 9, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — November 16, 2025 by Philip Gladden Churches prepare for hunger surge as SNAP benefits face historic cutoff by Harriet Riley Learning to unlearn ableism by Maggie Alsup Keeping friendships in a busy world by Katy Shevel A free Advent candle liturgy by Shardaé Henry and Shea Watts Is there religious revival among Gen Z? by Kathryn Post IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Why Christians Should be Leftists “Why Christians Should Be Leftists” argues Jesus’ moral imagination pushes Christians toward justice, compassion and a politics rooted in neighbor-love, writes Samuel McCann. Board of Pensions President announces retirement The Rev. Dr. Frank Clark Spencer will retire as President and CEO of the Board of Pensions at the close of GA226 (2026) after 12 years of service. — BOP Does God answer the prayers of a showgirl? Hannah Lovaglio explores pop music as prayer, falling in love while the world falls apart, and why even “shallow” petitions might be sacred. CREDO cultivates ministers’ wholeness for 20 years Over two decades, the Board of Pensions has offered CREDO gatherings more than 170 times.— BOP MRTI Committee moves to add director voting strategy as a possible tactic Mission Responsibility Through Investment alerts key CEOs of its probable recommendation to vote against directors of companies not progressing on key climate concerns. Speaker Johnson says clergy protesting deportations have no right to ‘get in the face’ of DHS agents Johnson initially claimed he was not aware of the instances, despite having been directly asked about one of the incidents in a press conference earlier this month. — Jack Jenkins Join us this Wednesday!

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, November 10 and Sunday, November 16, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, November 10, 2025 - That parents and communities would teach young people the importance of love and compassion.
• Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - That those in national authority would be given godly counsel and God-fearing advisors.
• Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - That we condemn racism in all of its forms.
• Thursday, November 13, 2025 - That we be thankful for the blessings we've received.
• Friday, November 14, 2025 - That college students develop the gifts and talents given to them by God.
• Saturday, November 15, 2025 - That companies and unions in America would flourish with new creativity and practice honorable work ethics.
• Sunday, November 16, 2025 - That we celebrate the values on which our nation was founded.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, November 2, 2025

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: November is a special time to focus on giving thanks. With that in mind, during the four Sundays before Thanksgiving Day, we'll consider...

Sunday's Message - A Time to Be Thankful for Our God

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - A Time to Be Thankful for Our God: November is a special time to focus on giving thanks. With that in mind, during the four Sundays before Thanksgiving Day, we'll consider...

The Wedding Service for Curtis Porter and Sarah Urbanowicz on Saturday, November 1, 2025

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, I officiated the marriage of Curtis Porter and Sarah Urbanowicz at the Gateway Lodge, Cooksburg, Pennsylvania. Below is a picture and a podcast of the service. If you're planning your wedding and need an officiant, please give me a call at 304-479-3402.