Global Ministries

6 August 2020

As a wide coalition of faith-based communities from around the world, we have committed to speaking with one voice that rejects the existential threat to humanity that nuclear weapons pose. We reaffirm that the presence of even one nuclear weapon violates the core principles of our different faith traditions and threatens the unimaginable destruction of everything we hold dear. Nuclear weapons are not only a future risk, their presence here and now undermines the ethical and moral foundations of the common good. We call for your commitment to a world that is more peaceful, safe, and just—a world only possible with the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The National Council of Churches in Korea convened the historic launch of a People's Peace Agreement for Korea as a "first step to ending the war.”

Story by Anne Casparsson re-posted from World Council of Churches

A Declaration for the People’s Korea Peace Agreement was launched on 23 July at a global Zoom convention initiated by the National Council of Churches in Korea, along with civil organizations.

UCCP Statement on Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address, July 27, 2020

We live in uncertain and challenging times even made prickly by an unseen enemy in Covid-19 pandemic. We are whisked from all sides by all sorts of challenges: poverty, health dangers, natural and human-made calamities and a host of other life’s perils.

Press Statement, July 4, 2020 

We in the National Council of Churches in the Philippines condemn in the strongest terms, the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Bill into law.  It is a travesty against God’s will, as it gives the government, or even just a few persons in the Anti-terrorism Council, the absolute power that determines what course people’s lives will take by putting forward a very vague definition of terrorism. By so doing, the government has usurped the functions that rightfully belong to God. By playing God, the State commits the highest form of sacrilege. It is an affront to God’s gift of human dignity and a threat to all people of goodwill. President Duterte’s signing it into a law, shows that he does not listen to the legitimate cries of the people, especially our Moro sisters and brothers, who appealed for him to veto the Bill. He only listens to his coterie of generals and sycophants.

UCCP Statement Condemning Arrest of Rev. Dan San Andres Sr., July 10, 2020

Rev. Dan San Andres Sr., as a servant of the Lord Jesus, is a good, honest, hardworking, and courageous defender of human rights. He is assigned as a Church Worker at UCCP Sipocot, Camarines Sur. His teachings and actions are in accordance with the UCCP’s Statement of Faith, Declaration of Principles, and in fulfillment of its laws, such as the protection of human rights. He firmly believes that protecting and upholding human rights is an imperative based on the UCCP’s Declaration of Principles in Article II, Section 11.

Lectionary Selection:  Matt. 13:31-33, 44-52

Prayers for Korea:  

Father and Holy Spirit,

Your power and love are beyond reckoning.

In such a time when fear grips humanity, we seek the comfort that only You can provide; so that we may endure our difficulties and stand with our siblings.

In the blessed name of the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.

This prayer was written for the inaugural worship of the Korean Christian Network for a Nuclear-Free World, also known as the Korean Network for a World Free of Nuclear Power and Weapons, on March 1, 2012, to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the 1919 Independence Movement against Japanese occupation and the first anniversary of Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster at once. The original Korean version was translated into English by Ms. Maryon Kim, and modified by the author.

God of freedom and liberation!

Facing the 93rd anniversary of the 1919 Independence Movement,
we remember our ancestors,
who believed in the God of the Exodus and courageously rose up toward a future of life.

With the sincere faith of conscience, and the hope of a joyful life for future generations,
they declared this nation's right to life, freedom and independence,
and they prayed for true peace in Northeast Asia and the world.

But now at the start of the 21st century
we witness, with worried and fearful hearts,
that this beautiful peninsula is covered by the dark cloud of nuclear weapons and power plants.

In this land where Rachel's lamenting over historical pains has not ceased,
and where the scars of suffering and wrongful death have not healed,
once again we see the shadow of death hanging over us.

On the current world historical stage,
North Korea has chosen nuclear weapons and South Korea has clung to nuclear energy.
The Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia
have become the world's most dangerous nuclear minefield,
surrounded by nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.

O God, hear our prayers of lament and repentance!

We lament the foolishness of humanity,
which despite the experience of two world wars in the 20th century,
is still caught in the vicious cycle of increasing wars and weaponry.

We repent that human greed and selfishness has led us
to pour astronomical amounts of money and resources into the arms race,
even as countless children are starving to death in our global village.

Awaken us to realize
that our true security lies not in nuclear weapons
but in trusting you and respecting our neighbors.

O God, who watches the empires rise and fall!

Grant wisdom to our governments and corporations,
that they may turn away from their worship of the idol of unlimited economic growth,
which makes the strong prey on the weak.
May they instead choose the way of cosmic truth:
the life of conviviality with all living beings, humans and nature.

As we confess and repent of our sins of greed and consumerism in  pursuit of nuclear power, grant us humble hearts and simple lives.
Awaken us to know
that true wealth is found not in the accumulation of material goods
but in a creative, sharing life.

May we learn that nuclear weapons and nuclear energy are not compatible with peace.
Lead us to be free from nuclear preoccupation.
Awaken us to know that our true strength is not in nuclear power but in love and justice.

O God, hear our prayers!

Grant us the courage to go through the narrow gate that leads to life,
not the wide gate that leads to destruction (Mt 7:13-14).
May we leave to our children not a painful and terrible heritage, but a life that uses natural energy from your created sun, wind and water.

O God, lead us Korean Christians
not to export nuclear power plants, an act that is contrary to your command of justice and love, but to live as your apostles of peace, teaching your life and peace.

Remembering that on the cross our Lord shared the suffering of the nuclear radiation victims,
and hoping that a new heaven and new earth of life and peace may be realized
from Mount Halla in the south to Mount Paekdu in the north,
throughout Northeast Asia and all the earth,
we pray in the name of Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Rev. Dr. Hyunju Bae, Presbyterian Church of Korea, Central Committee member of the WCC

En medio de la incertidumbre

Suave ciertamente es la luz, y agradable a los ojos ver el sol; pero, aunque un hombre viva muchos años, y en todos ellos tenga gozo, acuérdese sin embargo que los días de las tinieblas serán muchos. Eclesiastés 11:7-8

This piece originally appeared in Witness For Justice, a weekly commentary from the United Church of Christ.

“Black life is precious.”

“Black Lives Matter” has this slight nuance when translated into Korean, highlighting a more implicit understanding of the credo. “Black life is precious.” The cries and conviction of the movement need no translation however, as thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Seoul recently in solidarity with those demanding racial justice in the United States.

But not just in the Korean capital. From Mexico City south to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Throughout the UK and Europe. In Nairobi, Kenya, Karachi, Pakistan, and Manila, Philippines, throngs of protestors filled the streets chanting they, too, believe Black lives matter.

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Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. 
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

With the current pandemic-stay-at-home-quarantine situation, I find that some days I am incredibly annoyed by the smallest of things. An entire day can be turned upside down by a simple gesture over digital communication. Yet on other days, I feel ‘productive’- practicing a new skill, reading a book, cleaning out my email inbox, or doing my laundry by hand with the courtyard hose.