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During the 58th annual gathering of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, members were called to fight for justice and challenge systems of inequality.

Following the devastating earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand, which have left thousands dead and displaced millions, international aid has fallen short—especially as U.S. funding cuts hinder relief efforts. In response, CWS is working with local partners to provide emergency assistance, ensuring that affected communities receive critical aid despite global funding shortfalls. The Urgent Need for Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar On ... Read More

[Melbourne Anglican] A parish church in Vermont, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, has created a safe space for youth in the Chinese community to find connection and encouragement. The vicar of Holy Name Anglican Church, the Rev. Grace Wang, and parishioner and counselor Ping Luo saw a need with young people disconnected from family and education. Some of the young people were school refusers, and others had learning difficulties exacerbated by language gaps. Luo said she was working with young people one-on-one, but the Safe Space initiative enabled youths of similar backgrounds to come together, share stories and make social connections. “The youth find it very difficult to make new friends at school. They felt isolated,” she said. “Some are very anxious.” Safe Space was a recipient of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation youth grants. This funding was invaluable for the continued provision of food and mentoring at no cost to the young people. Wang said it was important to provide vulnerable young people with a safe environment where they could build trusted relationships and share their lives. The young people were initially withdrawn, not willing to make eye contact, but Wang has seen them transform. “They got back a life in their eyes,” she said. “It’s encouraging just to help the young people to feel recognized.”

[Episcopal News Service] In advance of its 50th anniversary celebration in June, Education for Ministry has announced new, shorter options meant to engage more people in theological formation in their parish, as well as a new online portal for some of the four-year-course’s curriculum. According to a news release, about 120,000 people have taken the course, initially called Theological Education by Extension, since it debuted in 1975. “We rarely hear of people who go through EfM who didn’t feel transformed,” the Rev. Kevin Goodman, its executive director, told Episcopal News Service. The goal of Education for Ministry, according to its website, is to provide formation for any ministry to which a course participant might feel called – whether lay or ordained – through small-group study and practicing theological reflection. Goodman said that when the program launched in 1975, the study materials were created by faculty at the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. In the early 2000s the program switched to using books written by scholars in their respective fields of Biblical studies, church history, and Christian ethics and spirituality – some of the same textbooks that seminaries and theology schools are using, he noted. Starting in September, an online study guide will accompany the course texts through a dedicated section, or path, on Pathwright, an online platform designed for interactive group learning. The guide previously had been available only in print. “The beauty of this is that we can say, ‘Go read this in your text, but also check out this podcast or this video,’ and they can link to it directly from the path,” Goodman said. “We can continually update it.” To differentiate the existing program from new offerings, beginning in September the traditional course will be called EfM: Classic. A new, one-year course that offers students a look at the same topics the longer form provides will be called EfM: Wide Angle. Both courses are led by group mentors who have had special training. Also beginning in September, EfM: Reflections, a series of study groups each lasting about six weeks, will help people reflect theologically on a variety of contemporary topics. During years of serving as an interim rector for congregations, Goodman learned that “formation needs to come in different [ways] in order to meet the needs of where people are.” These new options will provide additional “entry points” for that, he said. Also, as part of its 50th anniversary, Education for Ministry has compiled a book of essays from participants about what the program has meant to them, titled “Education for Ministry – 50 Years of Engaging, Responding, and Reflecting.” It also is hosting an anniversary celebration June 5 – 8 at the University of the South, with a keynote address by the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, who served former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as canon for evangelism, reconciliation and creation care; a concert by singer-songwriter Lilli Lewis; and Education for Ministry-related seminars. — Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas.

Rebecca shares how her unplanned pregnancy led her from crisis to calling – now supporting others with compassion, grace and hope

Take the first step towards becoming a confident and purposeful Christian public leader

The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites media representatives to the opening event of “Hope for Children Through Climate Justice,” a new resource that provides legal tools designed to hold financial actors accountable for their role in perpetuating the climate crisis.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration (PCCC) convened online on 1 April under the leadership of co-moderators H.E. Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Bishop Sally Dyck. 

Finnish churches are commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in unique ways. 

The following poem by Deborah Slone was submitted by pastor Larry Oneill of New Covenant Church of the Brethren in Atlantic Southeast District. He is serving this year as moderator of the district and as staff for English Speaking Ministry.