WCC NEWS: Youth across the world voice prayers for the people of Ukraine

Youth from the World Council of Churches (WCC) ECHOS Commission on Youth from different parts of the world met online to raise their voices in prayer and hope in light of the current situation in Ukraine. 17 March 2022, Siret, Romania: A group of Ukrainian refugees at the Vama Siret border crossing, Romania. The Vama Siret border crossing connects northeast Romania with Ukraine. Located north of Siret and further in the south the city of Suceava, the crossing connects Romania with the Ukrainian village of Terebleche and further north the city of Chernivtsi. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 March 2022 They lifted their voices in a joint prayer of intercession saying:  “We ask for safety, wisdom and compassion for all working, to alleviate suffering and heal the wounded.”  “We give thanks for the proactive response of churches to work in situations of war and unrest in order to meet the needs of others.” “We pray for the young people, separated families, for those who are refugees of the war in foreign countries and for those who are travelling to safety.” Youth also shared about how their community and churches are responding to the situation. "As an Orthodox Christian and a member of the Youth Commission of the WCC, I deeply mourn the loss of all innocent lives in the tragic internecine strife that has been taking place since 2014. Human dignity will always remain an essential value, no matter whether someone speaks Ukrainian or Russian, and lives in Kiev or in Donbas”, said Philip Champion, a youth representative from the Russian Orthodox Church. “I ask our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), to soften the hearts of all rulers who have the power to end the current military confrontation”, Champion added. . Dianet Martínez Valdés from Cuba said that “we cannot remain indifferent to the pain of those who suffer from conflict and war, especially those who are the most vulnerable: children, women, young people, elderly, sick people and people with disabilities. Therefore, it is our commitment not to remain silent and speak out for peace and the immediate end of the war.”  Maria Mountraki from the Orthodox Church of Finland also shared about how her church in Finland is responding, saying: “Our church has been actively taking part in peace appeals, and we made pilgrimages from different churches around the Helsinki area to the Ukrainian Embassy to show solidarity. We also invited the Lutheran churches to join and ring church bells in the area and over 300 people took part.” Emily Evans, a WCC executive committee member from the Uniting Church in Australia, said the gathering was a show of Christian unity. “Being from Australia, I often have felt removed from the events that are happening in Ukraine and surrounding countries or very far away,” she said. “Last night’s gathering reminded me that as a member of a global fellowship of churches that we are joining with Christians around the world in prayer, as we unitedly pray for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”   Read the full Prayers of Intercession Youth in the ecumenical movement Church response to refugees, “I’m seeing the image of God in you” (WCC press release, 22 March 2022) ACT Alliance, WCC delegation visits Hungary, Ukraine and Romania with a focus on humanitarian needs, church response (WCC press release of 18 March 2022) Churches respond to growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and bordering countries (WCC news release, 11 March 2022) WCC appalled by escalating impact on civilians of conflict in Ukraine (WCC news release, 11 March 2022) WCC acting general secretary to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow: “raise up your voice so that the war can be stopped” (WCC press release, 2 March 2022) WCC urges President Putin to stop war, restore peace to Ukraine (WCC press release of 25 February 2022) 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 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Looking Into the Lectionary — Worship resources for 3/27

March 27, 2022 Fourth Sunday of Lent Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 COMMENTARY Do you know where the “far country” is? I serve a city church. Almost every morning, I walk by the door just outside my office and someone is sleeping on the steps. On the cold mornings, if someone is there, I stop and I watch until I see movement to know that nobody died on our steps overnight. That’s the far country. “No one gave him anything.” The parable tells us the prodigal came to himself. Some preachers interpret that graciously: He recognized the error of his ways and resolved to improve his life. Others are more skeptical: He realized he was starving to death, so he decided to come up with a good speech to deliver to his father and head home. The grace of it all is that it doesn’t really matter if he recognized the error of his ways or simply desired a solid meal. His father takes off running for him and there is a new robe, a new ring, a big feast. That’s when the far country comes home. “I have worked for you, I have slaved, and you never threw me a party.” The older son has done everything right in his life. He stayed home and worked hard. The return of his younger brother from the far country and the joy of his father send him into an emotional crisis. Suddenly, readers of the story are back in the far country again … “no one gave him anything.” You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. Thanks to this week's guest writer, Rev. Dr. Baron Mullis. An order of worship for March 27, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. The Uniform Lesson for March 27, 2022, by Richard Boyce Love without judgment — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale 4th Sunday of Lent — Family faith formation for March 27, 2022, by Rebecca Davis IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Presbyterian College president surprises high school senior with a full-tuition scholarship Matt vandenBerg, president of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, awards Sarah Grace Stanley a full-tuition scholarship during her home church service at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Global and local mission in the PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission Agency's Coordinator of Vital Congregations Carlton David Johnson shares a Matthew 25 lens for mission. Tech watch: Canva Rose Schrott Taylor shares a tech tip.  Where have all the sunflowers gone? Andrew Taylor-Troutman laments with the people of Ukraine and finds hope in their extraordinary courage. Presbyterians discuss aftershocks to Stated Clerk’s Israel comments, possibilities for 2024 General Assembly Leslie Scanlon reports on the March 17 meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA). A retelling of Psalm 13: How long? Rebecca Gresham-Kesner writes Psalm 13 in her own words. The four “R’s” of partnership: What we can learn from our community partners Alonzo Johnson, coordinator for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Program (SDOP) of the PC(USA), shares his thoughts on mission.

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Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service: On Sunday, March 20, Silgo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs. Armed Forces  Arnold Bowser Becky's biological sist...

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, March 21 and Sunday, March 27, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Sunday, March 20, 2022 - That Americans look past their differences and unite as a country.
• Monday, March 21, 2022 - That Americans have the courage to confront the violence within our society.
• Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - That parents and communities would teach young people the importance of love and compassion.
• Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - That those in national authority would be given godly counsel and God-fearing advisors.
• Thursday, March 24, 2022 - That we condemn racism in all of its forms.
• Friday, March 25, 2022 - That companies and unions in America would flourish with new creativity and practice honorable work ethics.
• Saturday, March 26, 2022 - That workers be provided a safe workplace and paid a living wage.
• Sunday, March 27, 2022 - That textbooks would honor and reflect the godly heritage of our country and the contributions made by all the different groups within our country.

WCC NEWS: Easter Initiative to highlight sacredness of Jerusalem as well as obstacles to peace

While Christians around the globe prepare to celebrate Easter, high holidays for Muslims and Jews—Ramadan and Pessach—are also being celebrated at the same time period in 2022. At this confluence of sacred celebration, the very sacredness of Jerusalem is especially evident for locals and visitors alike. But the sacredness of the Holy City and its inhabitants is increasingly threatened by consequences of the ongoing occupation, such as discrimination and violence. Photos from WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 campaign. Photo: WCC 16 March 2022 An Easter initiative by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) sets out to connect the sacredness of Jerusalem with what is sacred to us as human beings: home, worship, family, identity, human dignity and life, and solidarity. The Easter Initiative takes a look at how the sacredness of Jerusalem and its inhabitants is threatened today, shedding light on human rights violations that occur in Jerusalem and that are detrimental to the character of Jerusalem as the City of Peace for people of different religious and national backgrounds. Through biblical reflection, prayer, advocacy engagement, and feature material highlighting present-day experiences in Jerusalem, churches and partners around the world are invited to engage with the different narratives around Easter, also together with their local communities.   “This is truly an interreligious initiative in which we recognize the things that are sacred to all us, despite our differences,” said WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “We are deepening our understanding for one another by seeing Jerusalem through eyes other than our own.” Sauca added:  “Jerusalem, symbol of the spiritual core of three religions, must become a city of peaceful coexistence, open to the world, embracing humanity and elevating human dignity,  based on human rights, as an example of the love of God for all.” The Easter Initiative is designed to strengthen the search for a just peace in the Holy Land.  Resources for inspiration—and action The Easter Initiative includes materials that will help people understand the fabric of peace—and what is weakening it—in Jerusalem. Four types of tools are available: Bible studies reflect on biblical texts connected to the sacredness of home, worship, family, identity, human dignity and life, and solidarity. Six Bible studies are designed for individual reflection or small discussion. Each Bible study includes a biblical text, short reflection, questions for leading a discussion, and a prayer. Feature stories focus on current examples of human rights abuses in and around Jerusalem. Advocacy talking points help people learn more about to take action for change. Six advocacy talking points help lift up a call to action. Social media cards are available for download and sharing. “Through these combined efforts, we want to provide opportunities for churches and partners around the globe to join hands in fostering hope and bringing peace,” said Sauca. “The Easter narrative offers us precisely this opportunity, to reflect on Jerusalem as a sacred place for so many, and to see the injustices of today, provide accompaniment and offer protective presence to suffering communities, but also to tackle the root causes of such injustice, as we know that occupation continues to profoundly and negatively impact the lives, livelihoods, and human rights of the Palestinian people." Visit the WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 page 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 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service: On Sunday, March 13, Silgo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs. Alice Lucas Armed Forces  Arnold Bowser Becky's bio...

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, March 14 and Sunday, March 20, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, March 14, 2022 - That Americans would respect and honor their parents and raise their children with compassion.
• Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - That the war in Ukraine be settled as soon as possible.
• Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - That we all recognize that our actions impact others.
• Thursday, March 17, 2022 - That the world unites in care for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
• Friday, March 18, 2022 - That American youth would value honesty and respect in all their relationships.
• Saturday, March 19, 2022 - That leaders put aside their pride and ambition for the good of their country.
• Sunday, March 20, 2022 - That Americans look past their differences and unite as a country.