The group convened under the leadership of H.E. Metropolitan Dr Vasilios of Constantia – Ammochostos, who reflected on the preciousness of meeting in fellowship at this point in time.
“The Middle East is in many ways a burdened area, as we all live and experience every day. But even so, it is important that our churches can exchange ideas and propose activities to promote peace in our region,” the Metropolitan said.
Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Using Desmond Tutu’s spiritual and life journey as a mirror to see God, other humans, the rest of creation, and yourself more clearly, we will deepen belief and engage in creative action for justice, reconciliation, and peace.
Join us for a weekly Lenten Program where the Very Rev. Michael Battle and a South African team will lead us to learn about Tutu’s spiritual practice that was the foundation upon which his heroic life rested. Rev. Dr. Michael Battle and the SA team will reveal insights they learned from Archbishop Tutu over several decades of the Archbishop’s life, witness and ministry.
This series will focus on the spirituality of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, within the framework of the mystical cycle of Purgation, Illumination and Union. Throughout the six weeks, participants will be exposed to various spiritual exercises, ubuntu circles and spiritual music. There will be time for sharing. The series will be presented by the Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D. (USA), Rev Rene August, Althea Banda-Hansmann and Rev Edwin Arrison (South Africa).
Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
From lectures to seminars, online hangouts to concerts, daily prayers to film screenings, the five-day event is being organized by the World of Neighbours Practitioners Network, a peer-to-peer support network.
Connecting grassroots practitioners working on behalf of people on the move across Europe, World of Neighbours is drawing expertise and content from the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Church of Sweden, and many others to form the agenda for the Week of Neighbours.
Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) fellowship has grown to 352 member churches in 120 countries after the WCC central committee welcomed new member churches, the First African Church Mission (Nigeria) and the Apostolic Faith Mission South Africa. Both churches were invited to send delegations to the WCC 11th Assembly.
The central committee also recognized the continued membership of the Anglican Province of Alexandria as a member church of the WCC that has experienced a change in structure.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
According to the World Council of Churches, a gathering of church leaders in Africa held via videoconference on 11 February as part of the ongoing WCC central committee meeting has expressed hope for healing, reconciliation and unity amidst several challenges facing the continent.
“Even though Africa and the world are broken by impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, God’s love has remained at the center of our hope, healing and source of unity,” said Bishop Jonah Katoneene Mwesigwa of the Church of Uganda.
Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Bible Media News (BMN)* speaks to the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, about finding inspiration in Scripture and being in the “business of hope”.
BMN:Give us a glimpse into your life by describing one thing on your To Do List for this week, that is giving you energy.
Thabo Makgoba: My travel plans this week are heading to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to inspire school children as the new academic year kicks off. I will be visiting the Umlazi High School in KwaZulu-Natal.
BMN: Is there a story you tell people when they ask: What gives you hope for South Africa?
Thabo Makgoba: Yes. I am in the business of hope. Feel free to watch my lecture on creating hope for the youth, titled “Skills Development and Rural Livelihoods”, by watching my lecture, in partnership with the University of Limpopo and the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust, below. This give me hope for South Africans.
BMN: What was the last thing that surprised you?
Thabo Makgoba: The last thing that surprised me was a conversation with Nicky Gumbel, an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions. We spoke about how God works on all of us – with our faults and all.
As a spiritual leader I listen to the stories of other people, so talking about mine was both a gift and pleasant surprise.
BMN: What have you learnt about how Christians can make an impact in society?
Thabo Makgoba: The Ministry of presence and taking examples of Christ’ public ministry as well as the ancient prophets’ role seriously.
BMN: Is there a piece of Scripture that you often go back to in order to find inspiration?
The piece of Scripture that I often go to for inspiration is John 10: 9-10. It states: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
More aboutMakgoba:
Thabo Cecil Makgoba, born on 15 December 1960, is the South African Anglican archbishop of Cape Town. He became archbishop of Cape Town on 31 December 2007, the youngest person ever to be elected to this position.
He has a doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town, a Higher Diploma in Education Science, an MEd in Educational Psychology and a BSc degree from Witwatersrand University.
Since 2008, He has taken up his current role as Anglican Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: encompassing 28 dioceses across Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and the island of St. Helena.
He is the Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, and Former Commissioner of the Press Freedom Commission. Since 2012, Archbishop Makgoba has been the Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.
With a new motu proprio published on Tuesday, Pope Francis has modified canon law for both the Latin Church and the Eastern Churches, changing the areas of competence for various bodies within the universal Church.
Specifically, with the Apostolic Letter Assegnare alcune competenze (“Assigning certain competencies,” taken from the opening words, or incipit” of the document), Pope Francis transfers certain responsibilities from the Vatican to local bishops.
Read more below:
Pope Francis modifies the Code of Canon Law and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches to favour greater decentralization.https://t.co/RxD1NoUKAd
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
South African Council of Churches has an excitong app! Don’t miss out & download it it now. Its available on both iOS & Android. Here is how yo can download:
1. Visit your play store (Android) or App store (iOS) 2. Search (SACC app) 3. Click install & voila!
Click here to read more:
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Pope Francis’ call to pray for peace came a day after US President Joe Biden warned his Russian counterpart that invading Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering.”
The White House said Biden also told Russian President Putin that the West was still committed to diplomacy to end the crisis.
But President Biden stressed that Western allies were, in his words, “equally prepared for other scenarios.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained that those scenarios could include sanctions and military action in Eastern Europe.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Sauca expressed regret that the central committee could not meet in person in Geneva as hoped, but thanked God for providing another way to meet – to pray together, to share with one another and to move together.
“Your commitment to the WCC fellowship of member churches and the one ecumenical movement is remarkable,” he said to the central committee.
With the WCC 11th Assembly just seven months away, the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” resonates ever more deeply, said Sauca.
“The theme announces the love of God in Christ for all creation,” he said. “It speaks to the heart of our faith and the reason for our fellowship. It inspires our common calling to walk, pray and work together for justice and peace – for reconciliation and unity – for renewal and healing.”
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
