Nominees are asked to address poverty
NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon is among the high ranking Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant leaders who have called on the presidential candidates of both major parties to use their primetime slots at the nominating conventions to offer plans for combating poverty. "As people of faith, we believe that it is immoral to ignore our nation's most vulnerable populations," the leaders said in letters to Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. "As Americans," the leaders wrote, "we believe enduring poverty undermines our country's economic strength and prosperity. Everyday, faith organizations serve individuals in need within our communities. But our efforts to sustain our brothers and sisters living in poverty must be complemented with a serious plan from our political leaders to reduce the number of needy." The NCC has called poverty a "scourge" that "enslaves and breaks the spirits of tens of millions of Americans." The council's long-standing policy is to "look toward a measurable reduction of poverty in America and a greater potential for all persons to live the lives for which they were created." More.

Decision 2008: principles for casting a Christian vote
Christians will have strong opinions on the issues of Campaign '08 but amid the clamor it's helpful to keep focused on views compelled by our relationship to Christ and to one another. The NCC has reissued "Christian Principles in an Election Year," a helpful Christian lens for examining the issues. The principles can be found here, and can be downloaded for bulletin inserts here.

Issues of human trafficking explored Sept 29 - Oct 1
This ecumenical conference slated Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in New York’s Church Center for the United Nations will enable faith based leaders to explore best practices and new approaches for working together to end human trafficking.  Daily worship will be the first step in building an ecumenical worship resource kit that will be available on this Web site in time for Human Trafficking Awareness Day January 11. More.

NCC meets with M.E. religious and political leaders
NCC leaders have concluded a 12-day visit to the Middle East where they stressed the importance of Christian unity and interfaith cooperation as keys to establishing "a biblically grounded vision" for peace and justice. NCC President Archbishop Vicken Aykazian has set the pursuit of peace with justice in the Middle East as one of the prime concerns of his presidency. More.

Church councils minister creatively to immigrants
Compelled by faith to welcome all people as neighbors, church people have developed creative and effective immigrations ministries. Across the country, city and state councils of churches are welcoming additional ideas to enhance their support of neighbors who are sometimes dismissed as 'aliens.'  For an overview of their work – and ideas for ministries in your own neighborhood – look here.

Christian political leaders with 'blood on their hands'
Russia's attack on Georgia is a disheartening reminder that the 21st century remains a  primitive age of fanatical nationalism and military bullying, members of the National Council of Churches USA said. Even more distressing, said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary, is that both Russia and Georgia are Christian nations with ancient church roots. " More.

NCC, CWS plan 2008 General Assembly in Denver
Plans are underway for the annual NCC/CWS General Assembly in Denver November 11-13. The theme of the 2008 General Assembly is, "Jesus Said ... Whoever is Not Against You is For You," from Luke 9:50. Registration and hotel information forms may be downloaded from the General Assembly Web site. The registration fee is $250 until September 29, when the price goes up to $275. More.

Poll on race affirms need for 'sacred conversations'
A recent New York Times/CBS News poll revealing deep national divisions along racial lines is an urgent reminder of the need for “sacred conversations on race,” NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon said. The poll indicated that a large majority of African Americans – nearly 60 percent – believe race relations in the United States are “generally bad," and 40 percent said discrimination was as bad as ever. More

A call to prayer for all NCC member communions
NCC President Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and  General Secretary Michael Kinnamon have written to the member communions, inviting their congregations/parishes to engage in prayer and fellowship with other NCC-related churches. Resources for this time of common prayer – recognizing that the churches also have a rich store of materials that could be used for such gatherings – are linked here.

Churches receive NCC delegations with warmth
Hospitality, openness and a common commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ were abundantly evident in Church-to-Church visits to two member communions conducted by National Council of Churches (NCC) delegations. Both primates (Diocese of the Armenian Church of America - Eastern, and the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch), welcomed the delegations warmly. More.

'Pray Without Ceasing' - Kinnamon keynote address
In a recent keynote address to the National Workshop on Christian Unity, the NCC General Secretary committed the Council to be "both a forum in which conflicting perspectives meet in dialogue and a body that boldly declares the gospel’s partisanship on behalf of the excluded and oppressed." Michael Kinnamon's analysis of the ecumenical future is printed here.

NCC Women's Ministries offer electioneering guides
Your congregation can make your voice heard during this election year with the assistance of  In Times of Great Decision: How Congregations Can Take Part in Legal, Non-Partisan Election Activities, and Faith Seeking Peace, new resources developed by WAND Educational Fund for people of faith and available through NCC Women's Ministries and the Justice for Women Working Group. More.

Fond farewells to ones who helped along the way
The ecumenical family is richly diverse and populated with sisters and brothers whose lives were models of faith, fortitude and courage. Some made powerful impacts on the world stage while others lived out God's call in humbler settings. All of them, when they are gone, leave an enormous void. In this page we pause to remember some of them with gratitude and love. More

---