Global Ministries

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ joined in sending a letter to President Donald Trump regarding his recent announcement that US troops would withdraw from Syria. The letter, sent on April 10, supported the decision, but added that the root causes of insecurity, negotiations involving all parties, as well as the provision of generous humanitarian and reconstruction support, are necessary.  The full text of the letter follows below.

Refugees: On March 28th a New Arrival from Lebanon Through the Humanitarian Corridors by the Protestant Churches and The Community of Sant’Egidio

LEGGI IN ITALIANO The 54 Syrian refugees will be welcomed by associations, parishes and communities in different Italian regions to immediately facilitate their integration. A welcoming event with press conference at the Fiumicino Airport on Thursday 28th Rome (NEV/CS19), March 25th, 2019 – On Thursday 28th  54 Syrian refugees will arrive in Fiumicino through the Humanitarian Corridors promoted by the FCEI.  Read more…

Following US President Donald Trump's announcement and declaration recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, US churches and Christian organizations, including Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, issued the following statement on March 28, 2019.

This past Thursday, March 21, President Trump announced that the United States would recognize Israeli annexation and sovereignty over the Golan Heights.  As US-based churches and Christian organizations with long histories of engagement in the Middle East through mission and ecclesial relations, we fully reject this unilateral declaration and are especially concerned about this Administration’s disregard for international law.

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli live gunfire during the ‘Great March of Return’ which took place along the Gaza/Israeli border on Friday. Fifty-five other Palestinians were wounded.

Lord, we pray for all those who were wounded and for the families of Nidal Shatat and Jehad Monier, as they mourn their loss. We pray for a peaceable end to the blockade of Gaza. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Recognizing Israeli Annexation of Golan Heights Another Dangerous Example of One-Sided U.S. Policy

President Trump's decision on Thursday, March 21, to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights--a piece of Syrian territory occupied by Israel since the 1967 war--once again demonstrates the administration's recklessly one-sided approach to Middle East foreign policy. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) deplores the move as violating one of the cornerstones of post-World War II international law: the illegitimacy of territory gained through conquest.

#CorridoiUmanitari. 2,200 People Entered Europe in a Safe and Legal Way

LEGGI IN ITALIANO (NEV) 70 new arrivals in Italy, including 25 minors, about 1,500 refugees rescued. Their stories: Mouna, Dina and Reem travelling with their old mother and a brother with Down syndrome, and  a Sunni-Shiite family fleeing the war. The FCEI, the Community of Sant'Egidio and the Tavola Valdese together for security and integration. Read more...

The Great March of Return continued on Friday the 30th of December. According to UN figures more than 25,000 Palestinians have been injured in protests along the border between Gaza and Israel and more than 190 Palestinians have been killed since the protest began on the 30th of March. The majority of those who have been killed were young men, aged 29 or younger. The latest victim, Karam Fayyad, was killed east of the Gaza city of Khan Younis and eight others were wounded.

Lord we pray for the family of Karam as they grieve their loss. We pray for a breakthrough in the peace talks and an end to the crippling siege of Gaza. Lord, in your mercy...hear our prayers.

By Marianne Ejdersten*

WCC News met with the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dr Alexi Chehadeh, who leads the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development (DERD) for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East (GOPA) in Damascus, Syria. He is an impressive role model and peacemaker in Syria.

We discussed the state of the crisis in Syria and the many challenges that aid workers face there. His organization, DERD, is the largest independent local NGO operating inside Syria. He shares his passion for finding ways to distribute aid to people of all faiths, despite the particularly vulnerable situation of Christians in a country where ISIS has a horrendous record of crucifying them.

Dear friends and Partners in the Lord,

Advent and Christmas greetings! May the one whose Advent we celebrate in this Holy Season come anew to your lives and Churches to bless and to give hope and light!

I would like to express deep gratitude to all of you on behalf of the refugee children who are educated by the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL). Your support and loving prayers have provided for over seven hundred children a normal childhood education and normal environment to enjoy being loved and cared for.

Many Thanks and Happy Advent!

Happy Christmas!