Global Ministries

Europe has again woken up to news of multiple acts of violence claiming lives across the continent. Yesterday in Berlin an attack at the Christmas market left a reported 12 dead and up to 50 more with injuries. Earlier in the day a gunman opened fire in a Zurich mosque while people were at prayer, seriously wounding two and leaving a third victim with lesser injuries. In a third and unrelated event, Russia’s ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was assassinated at the opening of an art exhibit.

It was with horror and sadness that we witnessed bomb attacks in Cairo and Istanbul this weekend.  We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the families of those killed, and we fervently pray for the health and healing of the injured.  We offer our support and solidarity for communities in Egypt and Turkey, for the populations of Syria and Iraq, and for all people who live in the face of violence and fear everyday throughout the Middle East and beyond.

During this year’s Muslim festival of Ramadan, the Turkish ministry of religious affairs has permitted the call to prayer by a muezzin and the reciting of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, within the historically Christian site of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Written by Connie Larkman, UCNews

After another terrorist attack at an international airport in Europe left 41 people dead and more than 200 injured, saddened executives of Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the World Council of Churches, are calling for additional efforts to bring peace to the region and offering prayers for the victims and their families.

[The following originally appeared as part of the UCC's Witness for Justice series, for Memorial Day, 2016.]

Memorial Day is a day to honor those who have lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces. On this day, we celebrate their lives, their courage, and their commitments to uphold certain values, include liberty, justice, and peace.

Ruth McClintock Henderson
April 4, 1925 - November 12, 2015

The borders' doctor and the right to health: Sara Manisera - NEV

“The most difficult thing is to solve the health problems of people who have no money in a country where healthcare is managed privately.” These are the words of Luciano Griso, an internist specialised in haematology and psychotherapy, and a member of the “Humanitarian Corridors” team, who has been working in Lebanon since January.  Read more.

Armenian Martyrs’ Day Article
by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian*

"Isn’t a hundred years long enough to hold on to this? Can’t you Armenians just put this behind you?" People may wonder why the Armenian Genocide has to be a topic for discussion 101 years after the fact. Each year on April 24th, Armenians throughout the world continue to hold commemorations. Even the UCC includes this date in its calendar. But why is it so important?

By Albin Hillert*

Following the EU-Turkey refugee agreement, effective 20 March 2016, the Greek islands are again a changed place. Where refugees have arrived in great numbers in the past years, and where they have engaged a whole community of local, national and international aid workers and volunteers, the situation is now dramatically different.

Fay Mary Linder
(1927 - 2016)