Ecumenical & Interfaith Archives

International Peacemakers gather in Louisville

Posted September 22nd, 2016

A group of Christian leaders from across the globe have gathered at the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville to prepare for a month-long journey throughout the U.S. Nine International Peacemakers will be speaking to congregations, presbyteries and synods about the challenges and rewards of sharing Christ in their homelands.

Waldensian and Methodist Churches in Italy gather for Synod

Posted August 25th, 2016

The Synod gathering of Waldensian and Methodist Churches met in Turin, Italy, August 21-26, 2016. The meeting included ministers and member commissioners from congregations and 32 ecumenical guests from Europe and from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Leaders and ecumenical representatives spoke Italian, English, French, German and Spanish.

World Social Forum sows seed of hope in global north

Posted August 22nd, 2016

Delegations from the World Council of Churches (WCC) attended the 12th World Social Forum (WSF) in Montreal, Canada, which concluded on August 14. More than 30,000 participants from around the world gathered to discuss global issues based on their local experiences, network with others working on similar problems, and create new joint initiatives advancing a progressive path forward.

Churches embrace Olympic refugee team, other athletes

Posted August 18th, 2016

As many in the world observed and cheered the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, church leaders spoke out in support of the Olympic refugee team and the place of public honor it offered for refugees competing in the games.

Korean Christians advocate for lasting peace on Peninsula

Posted July 27th, 2016

On July 27, 1953, the guns fell silent on the Korean Peninsula. An armistice brought three years of war to an end, yet a peace treaty has never replaced the ceasefire. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members are invited to join Korean Christians to act for peace by signing a petition and sending an email asking the U.S. government to enter negotiations for a peace treaty.

Faith-based groups vow to create even more safe spaces for people living with HIV

Posted July 26th, 2016

“Prophet, people and a plan.” That’s what faith-based organizations (FBOs) need to ensure nobody living with HIV is left behind, said Jesse Milan, past board chair of the Black AIDS Institute. He was speaking as part of a panel group at the Faith on the Fast Track AIDS2016 Pre-Conference.

‘Why Jesus-Loving Presbyterians Should Care About People of Other Faiths’

Posted June 14th, 2016

We live in a time of unprecedented encounter with people of many religions, and in a time of extreme distrust of people of other religions, particularly when it comes to Christians and Muslims. In the wake of the funeral of Muhammad Ali—which took place on Friday, June 10, just feet from the Presbyterian Center—and the horrific mass murder on June 12 of 50 LGBT persons by a young Muslim man, I want to try to express why I think interfaith relations work is so important to Christians, particularly Presbyterian Christians.

Crowds turn out in Louisville to honor Muhammad Ali

Posted June 10th, 2016

The streets of Louisville, Kentucky were filled with thousands of people honoring Muhammad Ali this morning as his funeral procession traversed 19 miles of the city. Enthusiastic crowds cheered, threw flowers on the road and hearse, and chanted “Ali” as the 17-car motorcade passed Ali’s childhood home, the museum named after him, the boxing gym where he began his career, and the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville next to the KFC Yum! Center where an interfaith memorial service was held this afternoon.

Faith community issues call to action: end AIDS by 2030

Posted June 8th, 2016

At an interfaith prayer service on 7 June, people from diverse faith communities issued a call to action to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The call focuses on reducing stigma and discrimination; increasing access to HIV services; defending human rights; and ensuring testing and treatment for all, including children.

Muhammad Ali, interfaith pioneer and Louisville native, dies at age 74

Posted June 8th, 2016

As a grieving city, nation, and world respond to the death on June 3 of Muhammad Ali—the larger-than-life boxing champion, poet, and humanitarian—the Rev. Dr. Charles Wiley III, coordinator for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s office of Theology and Worship remembered Ali “as bombastic, an enormous talent, and someone who stood up for what he believed in.”