Member Church News: Visits, Assistance, Endorsements

A delegation from the presbyteries of Peace River, Tampa Bay and Tropical Florida made a historic trip to Cuba in February 2016 to meet with leaders of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba (PRCC), their first official meeting in 54 years.

The heads of two German Protestant churches and the moderator of the country’s Reformed Alliance say the situation for refugees on the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is intolerable and more European aid is needed. They have committed to more help from Germany’s Protestant churches.

The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon has shared a video showing the vitality of the church in Syria.

Leaders of the United Church of Christ (USA) recently concluded four days of discussions in Cairo with representatives of government, communities of faith and the civil sector from both the United States and Egypt.

The Christian Reformed Church in Canada has joined other denominations in endorsing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a human rights document developed through years of negotiations with Indigenous people around the world.

The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson is the nominee to become the next stated clerk of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA).

French President François Hollande praised Protestant churches and organizations for their work in areas such as health, social inclusion and support for refugees and migrants during a meeting on 13 April at the presidential Elysée Palace with 300 Protestant leaders and representatives.

The temple of the Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate (IEVRP) Dolores (Uruguay) was completely destroyed during a violent storm, which included a tornado sweeping through the center and some suburbs of the city.

ACT Alliance has issued an alert and call to help for those impacted by the earthquake in Ecuador.

“Our theological endeavours today have to respond to the chaotic situation and work for a new world order that can lead to justice, peace and fullness of life for all,” said Dr. Huang Po Ho, a prominent Asian theologian from the Chang Jung University in Taiwan, in a keynote address delivered at the Eighth Congress of Asian Theologians being held in Kochi, Kerala, India from 19 to 22 April.

After years of action ranging from grassroots advocacy to international climate change conferences, more than 150 countries are expected to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on this day. A total of 195 countries adopted the agreement, which will enter force in 2020. The high-level ceremony takes place on Earth Day, 22 April. To accompany this historic event, religious leaders from around the world have signed an interfaith statement in support of the “full and ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and of all other decisions adopted at COP 21.” In addition to the more than 270 high-level signatories, individuals and organisations are also invited to sign the Interfaith Climate Change Statement.