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Peter D. Kramer

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First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn remains faithful to its past while strengthening its future.

In August 2026, a boy named Diego was forced to represent himself in immigration court. “I don’t know how to do it,” he explained, referring to an asylum application that must be filled out in English. The judge told him, “I can’t help you.”    In recent months, the Trump administration has ramped up its efforts to detain and deport ...

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The post Protect Immigrant Children: Urge Congress to Demand Safety and Due Process appeared first on CWS.

Indigenous-Racialized youth and young scholars share wisdom and learn about each other’s identities, cultures, and spirituality while decentering colonial narratives

The academic year began at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey with an opening ceremony for 33 students from 21 countries and 28 churches. 

United Methodist episcopal leaders in Africa gathered in Liberia to discuss regionalization, stewardship, sustainability and other issues affecting the continent.

Resonate Global Mission is celebrating an encouraging increase in the number of volunteers serving in various mission fields. In addition to supporting long-term missionaries, the CRCNA’s mission agency also sends individuals and groups on short-term trips ranging from one week to one year. Leaders from Resonate’s Volunteer Ministries team shared that they saw an expected post-pandemic resurgence in volunteer placements in Fiscal Year 2023-24 (beginning July 1). They expected volunteer numbers to level off since that time—but they haven’t. Interest in volunteering with Resonate seems to keep growing. Volunteer placements increased from 256 during FY 2023-24 to 299 throughout FY 2024-25. And in 2025-26, the team wrapped up the year working with 325 placements around the world. Reasons for the...

When Rev. Jul Medenblik planted New Life Church in New Lenox, Ill., in 1995, he didn’t yet realize the impact the new congregation would have on the community—specifically in one woman’s life, he said. Carol began attending the church and was very quiet during her first few weeks there, said Medenblik. Over time, however, she quietly disclosed that she was battling cancer. Then, after the worship service one Sunday, she approached Medenblik. “She said, ‘I just want to let you know that because of what you preached, I did not commit suicide this past week,’” he recalled. From there, he said, his family’s connection with Carol grew and developed into a strong, caring relationship. “Our kids even wanted Carol to...

The newly revised Korean translation of the CRCNA Church Order and Its Supplements (2025) has been released digitally. It can be found in the Synod Resources section of the denomination's Korean-language website. A print edition, incorporating the changes adopted at Synod 2026, is planned for release later this year. This translation update is the result of a full revision project that began in early 2025 and took a year and a half to complete. The project drew on the development of a full translation review by Rev. Jay Shim, emeritus, and an additional review by Catheryn Jo, communications specialist. A translation review committee commissioned by the Korean Ministers' Association— Rev. Insoo Oh, Rev. Edward Yoon, Rev. Ezra Jang, and Catheryn...

[Diocese of Tennessee] The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Tennessee on Sept. 8 announced the slate of nominees for the diocese’s 12th bishop. They are: The Rev. Colin Ambrose, vice rector, St. George’s, Nashville, Tennessee. The Rev. Brian Cannaday, canon to the ordinary, Diocese of Dallas, Texas. The Rev. Andy Olivo, rector, St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Background information, videos and written material from each nominee can be found here. “At every step of the way, the search committee has taken great care to represent the fullness of the diocese and to discern those candidates who were most capable and most committed to being the 12th bishop of the diocese,” the announcement said. “They have done this work with diligence and integrity and we, the standing committee, are delighted to present the slate of nominees they submitted to us.” The 12th bishop will succeed Tennessee Bishop John C. Bauerschmidt, who has led the diocese since 2007. In June 2025, Bauerschmidt announced his plans to retire in January 2027. In July, the Standing Committee announced it would extend its bishop search. The Electing Convention for the 12th bishop will take place on Oct. 24. The petition process for nominating additional candidates closes Sept. 15. Pending consents from diocesan standing committees and bishops, the bishop’s consecration will be held on April 10, 2027. The Diocese of Tennessee, one of three dioceses in the state, includes Episcopal congregations in the central third of Tennessee.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay offered the opening sermon on 9 September at the 2026 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Seoul, Republic of Korea.