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The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is coordinating a Regional Women’s Convening from 10 to 13 February in Lautokoa, Fiji. More than 50 women from 30 member churches, 10 national councils, and 18 countries and territories in the region, including Australia and New Zealand, are attending.

[Episcopal News Service] The dioceses of Central Pennsylvania and Bethlehem, which are in the process of merging, have announced plans to experiment with a “sibling parish” program, connecting congregations from one diocese with counterparts from the other to help smooth the transition to one diocese by next year. “Each parish in the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania will be invited to be matched with a parish in the neighboring diocese for purposes of building relationship, learning about diocesan culture and customs, and increasing fellowship as we come together as One Body,” Central Pennsylvania Bishop Audrey Scanlan and Bethlehem Bishop Kevin Nichols said in a joint statement issued Feb. 11. Participation is voluntary, though interested congregations are asked to notify their dioceses by March 14. The “sibling parish” matches will be notified in early April. The Harrisburg-based Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the neighboring Diocese of Bethlehem voted to reunify in October 2024 at their diocesan conventions. They are following a canonical process known as reunion because the two were once part of the same diocese. “Our dioceses will enter into 2025 as the ‘Year of Transition,’ during which we will continue to deepen our relationships, align systems and budgets, further develop the Constitution and Canons for a reunified diocese and much more,” the dioceses said in a joint statement released at the time of the votes. Following that timeline, they expect to reunite on Jan. 1, 2026, as the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna, named after the river that runs through the center of Pennsylvania.

[Anglican Communion News Service] The Rev. Rachel Mash, environmental coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, has been appointed as a member of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council. This newly established council, launched Jan. 30, brings together women faith leaders from across the world to advocate for environmental sustainability and the role of faith communities in addressing ecological challenges. The Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council is an initiative of UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition, which seeks to mobilize religious communities in pursuit of environmental action. The council comprises 24 distinguished female faith leaders who provide leadership on ecological justice, sustainability, and the intersection of faith and environmental responsibility. Mash brings extensive experience in environmental leadership to the council. She is the founder of the Green Anglicans Movement, an initiative that encourages young people to engage in climate action across Africa. She also serves as coordinator of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network and co-chair of the International Season of Creation Steering Committee, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to environmental advocacy within faith communities. Last year, Mash represented the Anglican Communion at the U.N. Environment Assembly and spoke on behalf of a coalition of civil society groups about sustainable lifestyles, reducing plastic pollution, environmental damage caused by mineral extraction and the links between environmental justice and armed conflict. In her address at the inaugural meeting of the Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council, Mash underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of young Anglican women in climate advocacy. “Across the communion we see women at the forefront of climate action — young climate activists raising their prophetic voices —  such as the Green Anglicans or the ‘Climate Yes’ youth ecumenical summit. We see women clergy at the forefront — diocesan environmental coordinators and missioners, liturgists, activists — and eco-bishops! Women are rising!” Furthermore, she spoke about the Mothers’ Union Eco Champs, a program launched across Southern Africa to empower women within dioceses to lead environmental efforts in their communities. She also acknowledged the critical role of women clergy in the Anglican Church, noting that while they are fewer in number, they are often at the forefront of environmental advocacy. Mash also addressed the pressing issue of the ongoing U.N. negotiations on a global plastics treaty. She urged faith leaders to advocate for policies that prioritize reducing plastic production rather than merely managing waste. She highlighted the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution on women, children and unborn babies, calling for faith communities to play a role in influencing decision-makers towards stronger environmental commitments. For more information on the work of the Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council, visit UNEP’s Faith for Earth website. For further updates on Anglican environmental initiatives, visit the Anglican Communion Environmental Network.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="" class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-02/crc-news-graphics_2024-2-12_world-renew-logo_0.jpg?itok=CKegHYm3" /> </div> </div> </article> <br /> World Renew invites churches and individuals to reaffirm their commitment to the call found throughout Scripture to show Christ’s compassion in the world.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="" class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-02/crc-news-graphics_2024-2-12_jesus%27-parables-in-luke.jpg?itok=v7I2Wvp3" /> </div> </div> </article> <br /> Sermons on several of Jesus’ parables about life in the kingdom of God were a highlight at the Calvin Symposium on Worship Feb. 5-7.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="Resonate missionary Pamela Alderman stands with Laszlo Szalay beside his sculpture Emperor. " class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-02/crc-news-graphics_2024-2-12_welding-sculpture-finding-hope.jpg?itok=Mzb4Qgg7" /> </div> <div class="field field-image-caption">Resonate missionary Pamela Alderman stands with Laszlo Szalay beside his sculpture Emperor.</div> </div> <div class="field field-image-credit">Resonate Global Mission</div> </article> <br /> When a veteran hit a low point in his life, God helped him find healing through an art ministry led by a Resonate Global Mission missionary.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="" class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-02/crc-news-graphics_2024-2-12_six-nations.jpg?itok=vFf1qAgU" /> </div> </div> <div class="field field-image-credit">Victoria Veenstra</div> </article> <br /> In October a group of learners gathered for an immersive experience in Indigenous history, ecological restoration, and reconciliation efforts.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="Calvin University president Greg Elzinga (second from left) accepts a check from AT&amp;T to be used for laptops, educational software, and essential digital literacy support for students in need. " class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-02/crc-news-graphics_2024-2-12_digital-divide.jpg?itok=UF78cWXX" /> </div> <div class="field field-image-caption">Calvin University president Greg Elzinga (second from left) accepts a check from AT&amp;T to be used for laptops, educational software, and essential digital literacy support for students in need.</div> </div> <div class="field field-image-credit">calvin.edu</div> </article> <br /> Calvin University received $50,000 from AT&amp;T to help bridge the digital divide for students in the recently launched Wayfinder Program.

[Diocese of Canterbury] The Church of England’s Diocese of Canterbury has five new chaplains for the LGBTQIA+ community after they were commissioned during a service of Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral on Feb. 5, during LGBT+ history month. The group includes two clergy and three lay people. Dover Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin has oversight for the diocese and performed the commissioning. Hudson-Wilson’s LGBTQIA+ advisor Mark Wilson said, “As we mark this significant moment, we celebrate the commitment to love, support and inclusion that the LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy offers. May this recommissioning remind us all to create spaces where every person is valued and welcomed for who they are.” After the recommissioning, the bishop said, “I want to thank Mark Wilson for the courageous and loving challenge which he has given not just to those in the congregation here at the cathedral this evening, but to the church as a whole.” Read the entire article here.  

For churches in Sweden, the year 2025 is already marked by renewed interest in ecumenism and the encounter with one another across church traditions.