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[Melbourne Anglican] Melbourne Anglicans will learn about the diocese’s gender-based violence work in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, often referred to as CALD,  in the lead up to this International Women’s Day, March 8. The Preventing Violence Against Women in Multicultural and Faith-Based Communities forum, taking place at at St. Philip’s, Collingwood on March 7, will feature learnings from the Safe and Thriving CALD Anglican project, research from Deakin University and observations from a panel of multicultural clergy. Panelist the Rev. Xiaoxi Lou said the forum would help increase awareness about violence in communities, which often does get seen but often goes unacknowledged. She hoped it would assure people caught in violent situations that the church supported them, while simultaneously making others aware they, too, could act to counter family violence. “Different cultures will often deal with violence differently, and being a voice to acknowledge that God and the Anglican church do not see violence as OK within the family, can help bring light and truth to these situations,” Lou said. The Rev. Prashant Bhonsle said he was participating because he was concerned about the world being divided by gender lines, globalization and patriarchy especially. He believed the focus on growing churches tended not to give long term consideration to how congregations would evolve without integrating gender justice and challenging the patriarchal structures of society. “We would not really be able to have a holistic, ecumenical and justice-oriented approach in our congregations without that long-term thinking,” Bhonsle said. “We need to have gender justice as a core concern running across all our themes and programs of our congregational life right from the beginning. Interpreting the Scriptures with an inclusive dimension is very important for any priest to foster an inclusive understanding.” He said this was important to empower women as well as people with different gender orientations in congregations. “Unless we affirm that we all created in the image of God, we will be unable to sail forward,” Bhonsle said. He added he hoped forum attendees would gain a good understanding of the challenges some congregations faced while trying to address such a sensitive issue as gender-based violence. CALD PVAW project officer Sarah Aruliah said the four-year-old initiative had given the diocese a better understanding about the CALD genderspace. She said there were many unique layers that needed to be covered in working with faith, multiple cultures and prevention work, and there were plenty of insights to be shared. Aruliah said the diocese was leading the way in intersecting those areas and working with different cultures, but it was still learning, and building support networks with other faith-based and secular anti-violence organizations. She said the forum was open to everyone, and would be especially useful for people from culturally diverse communities and clergy.

On most Sundays at First Congregational Church of Memphis, the Rev. Tony Coleman delivers his sermons surrounded by large, brightly colored art and a diverse group of congregants gathered in a circular arrangement. First Congo, as the church is often…

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In the small Honduran community of Valle Verde, Oscar and his family have embraced new agricultural techniques through the ‘Produce Verde’ project, improving their harvests, securing their food supply and building a brighter future. Sowing Seeds of Faith and Family For Oscar Caballero Benitez, farming is more than just a livelihood—it’s an act of patience, faith and resilience, which all ... Read More

[Diocese of Dallas] The Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas on March 4 announced a slate of three candidates for the diocese’s bishop coadjutor. They are: The Rev. William Carroll, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Longview, Texas; The Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton, bishop assistant in the Diocese of Dallas and rector of the Church of St. Dunstan’s Church in Mineola, Texas; The Very Rev. Rob Price, dean of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dallas, Texas. The candidates will participate in five meet-and-greet sessions around the diocese from April 1–4. The electing convention is scheduled for May 3 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. No date has been announced for the consecration of the bishop coadjutor, who will serve alongside Dallas Bishop George Sumner until his retirement. The bishop coadjutor then will become the eighth bishop of Dallas. Sumner has been bishop since November 2015. The release of the slate also marks the beginning of the petition process. That process will close at noon Central time on March 11. Additional information is on the diocesan website’s bishop coadjutor election hub.

Marie Higgins had a problem — a good one. On the fifth Sunday of a month, her church — Hope Community United Church of Christ in Aurora, Illinois— gathers not for traditional worship, but for “work-ship.” This gathering has become…

The post Small but mighty: Congregations flex their mission muscle, assembling kits funded by Global HOPE matching grants appeared first on United Church of Christ.

United Church of Christ congregations, Associations and Conferences all need websites to boost engagement with those who are involved, or interested in being involved with UCC churches, and many do not have one. It’s an important way to keep membership…

The post UCC Everywhere is truly everywhere, from congregations to Associations and Conferences appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Staff Planning Days are underway from 3-6 March, a time during which the WCC will focus on its Strategic Plan, and streamline activities, resourcing, and cooperation around priorities for the Ecumenical Year 2025. 

Washington, D.C.— In an unprecedented moment of moral reckoning, Church World Service (CWS) today issues The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation. With 45 initial signers—including CWS’ Covenant Members—this declaration is more than a statement, it is a solemn and unshakable commitment by religious leaders and organizations ... Read More

Rani Joshi, head of South Asian Forum shares who she is celebrating this International Women's Day

Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG) Statement and Call to Action – 3 March 2025 Beijing+30: Upholding Commitments in Section J on “Women and the Media” Communication rights – particularly those of women and marginalized groups – are under severe threat world wide. This...