Global Ministries

Joan M. Wagner, 82, passed away Friday, July 27, in the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility. She was born on December 1, 1924, in South Bend, to the late William and Elsie (Nish) Griffis. On May 8, 1951, she married the love of her life, Raymond R. Wagner, who preceded her in death on October 4, 1998. They were married for 47 years.

On Saturday, August 18th, 2007, the East Asia and Pacific Area Executive, Rev. Dr. Xiaoling Zhu attended funeral services with the families and loved ones of those killed August 12th during the attack at the First Micronesian Congregational Church in Neosho, Missouri, U.S.A.  More than 1,000 people attended the Saturday memorial service, which commemorated the three slain; Rev. Kernel Rehobson, Rev. Intenson Rehobson and Rev. Kuhpes Ikosia.

A tragic shooting in Missouri during the afternoon worship services of a Micronesian congregation on Aug. 12 has left three persons dead and others wounded.  The location of the shooting, First Congregational Church of Neosho, Mo. is not affiliated with the UCC.  However, the Micronesian congregation that was using the building at the time of the shooting, the United Church of Pohnpei, was preparing to be received into the UCC in September.

The following letter was issues to Global Ministries partner, the United Church of Christ - Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, from Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte (Executive Minister of Wider Church Ministries and Co-executive of Global Ministries) and Rev. Dr. Xiaoling Zhu (East Asia and the Pacific Executive, Global Ministries).  Rev. Tesiwo M. Liwy is General Secretary of the UCC in Pohnpei.

Tim Rose - France From November 25th to December 5th, 2006, a group of 11 volunteers from the Reformed Church in France and a group of American volunteers from the United Church of Christ in Chapel Hill, North Carolina traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist in the disaster recovery program, helping residents who are trying to rebuild their homes and lives - 14 months after Hurricane Katrina.

World Council of Churches

Week of church witness for peace includes Jerusalem prayers, a Washington rally, and 14,609 olive trees.

Praying with Jerusalem's Christians, marching to the White House or sponsoring one of 14,609 olive trees are among the activities taking place in "International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel" this week. The initiative is organized by member churches and related organizations of the World Council of Churches to mark 40 years of the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. It involves public activities and messages to governments in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

A retired missionary for the Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been killed along with her daughter after a carjacking in Kenya, the denomination reports.