German interior minister underlines churches' role in refugee response
Churches in Europe have a crucial role to play in responding to the arrival of refugees in Europe, Germany's interior minister has told a gathering in Geneva of governments, United Nations agencies, church and faith groups and civil society organizations.
Read moreGlobal Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Thomas Goodrich
Thomas Day Goodrich
November 5, 1927 – November 5, 2015
WCC: “European solidarity must be strengthened”
Today 35 bishops and church leaders from 20 countries gathered in Munich, Germany to discuss the refugee situation and the role of the churches in Europe.
Read moreGlobal Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Ruth Sowter Robeson
Ruth "Ruthie" Sowter Robeson
February 17, 1921 – October 5, 2015
Syria, Europe, and Refugees: 5 valuable essays and articles
The recent attention to the plight of Syrian (and other) refugees in Europe has brought to the forefront the need to address the issue, including its root cause, the war in Syria. These recent articles and essays may be helpful in gaining a clearer understanding of some of the issues at stake.
Read moreUnion of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
The Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East was formed in 1924 as a consolidation of the Armenian Evangelical movement which began in the 1820's. It is comprised of 17 congregations rooted in the longer history of Armenian Christianity. Located in seven countries (Egypt, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Australia), the congregations and institutions of the Union have persisted in mission and in presence through the Middle East's political and social strife.
Read moreWCC Executive Committee releases statement on Armenian genocide
“Denial, impunity and the failure to remember such events encourage their repetition.” This warning was issued by the WCC executive committee in a public issues statement on the Armenian genocide of the early 20th century. Meeting in Armenia from 7 to 12 June at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, home to the Armenian Apostolic Church, the 20-member committee paid its respects to this year’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the tragedy.
Read moreGeneral Synod to speak on 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
Written by Anthony Moujaes, UCNews
The United Church of Christ General Synod will have an opportunity to collectively and publicly lament the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with the consideration of a proposed resolution before the church's governing body later this month. Just as important, this resolution will give the denomination a chance to condemn any violence based on race, ethnicity or religion—the type of violence happening in Syria, for example, where many Armenian refugees fled.
Read moreA Phenomenal Experience
My 6 months of traveling and speaking upon my return from Turkey has come to an end. It has been a phenomenal experience for me as I have been privileged to meet and interact with so many people within the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ, throughout the country. It has also amazed me, as I reflect upon these past months, how therapeutic and integrative it has been for me personally, to have had the opportunity to think about and to tie together all of the experiences of my life up to the present. Turkey has been and will always be an integral part of who I am today. Turkey as a land bridge between Asia and Europe, geographically, historically, and culturally is a country that has had and will continue to have major significance.
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