Father Justinus, of Jacob’s Well Monastery, Nablus, was beaten on 24 January by unknown assailants.
“Fortunately, suspects were arrested, and the Palestinian Authority stationed security personnel as guards in front of the monastery,” said Sauca. “No explanation has been given for this attack.”
Father Justinus has survived no fewer than 32 life-threatening attacks over the years, including one on 26 August 2021.
Click here to read more.
Photo: Unsplash
“It is both connected to the river delta and the ocean, which connects our islands not only to the vast blue Pacific continent of large ocean states but also by the sea to all of you,” explained Bhagwan.
The United Nations has declared 2022 as The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Click here to read more.
Photo: Unsplash
General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, published a statement on his memories of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“Not long ago, the world joined the Tutu family and South Africa to honour and celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his 90th birthday. It was a glorious celebration at St George’s cathedral where together with his dear wife of over 60 years, Aunt Leah, the Archbishop was a joyous and venerable presence,” Mpumlwana said.
“In that celebration we could not imagine that under 12 weeks later the same cathedral would be hosting his funeral, with his ashes interred at the foot of the sanctuary. His departure closes the curtain on the live performance of an incredible actor of the human life obligation according to Micah, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).”
“After the very busy few weeks of the Tutu national frenzy that marked the departure of this diminutive prelate who loomed so very large in the minds of church and society, it’s a good time to reflect on the Archbishop and what he has been to us in his life.”
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the premier of my predecessors as General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. I look back with amazement in considering his role together with Father Aelred Stubbs (editor and publisher of Steve Biko’s collection of papers, I Write What I Like), in enabling my theological and ministerial training at the ecumenical
Federal Theological Seminary (FEDSEM). This was to help answer the burning question for me at the time – “What does it mean to be created in the image of God if you are black in apartheid South Africa?”
Click here to read more.
Photo: Facebook
Bible Media did an interview with top matric student from 2021 from a small town in Upington. He told us more about his journey to become the person he is today and also the struggles he went through.
“I am Albert Venter and I’m from the desert town in the Northern Cape, Upington. I attended Duineveld High because of their great academic history and because I live across the school. My passions include watching series, spending time with animals and reading the Guinness World Record books.
“I achieved 6 distinction in the NSC exam and slightly missed the seventh one for Mathematics.
” I definitely believe that God played a very important role in my matric year. At the beginning of the year my mental health declined rabidly due to stress and the impact of the pandemic. I really struggled for the first half of the year. In my record exams my father was also rushed to Bloemfontein with an ambulance due to Covid 19 complications. A few days before my NSC physics exam, our family dog also became paralyzed and had to be put down. I prayed every night to God to help me get through this horrible time. I asked him to help me stay focused and motivated and also to take the pain away and to stop worrying. He truelly came through for me and I successfully completed my exams with several distinctions.
“I am going to study BChD (dentistry) at the University of Pretoria this year. My home for the year will be the male health sciences residence, House Ukuthula.”
“I am so incredibly proud of you that despite the difficult year you have had, you were able to push through to achieve your dreams,” his mom commented.
Photo: Instagram
In a statement on Twitter, The South African Christian Leadership Initiative (SALCI), said that it would host a contextual Bible Study course starting on 1 March 2022.
When: Six week block: weeks of 8, 15, 22, 29 March; and 5, 12 April.
Then take a break for two weeks over Easter and Freedom Day, to reconvene for the last two sessions on 3 and 10 May.
For whom: Those between 18–35 years old
Where? Online
Presenter: The Warehouse (Rev Rene August, Thandi Gamedze and Craig Stewart)
Description: The story of Christianity in South Africa is a complex one, intertwined with a painful history of colonialism whose legacy continues to have significant impact today. However, examples abound both locally and globally, showing how the Bible has been used not only for oppression but also for liberation. In order for us to follow in the liberative footsteps of Jesus, we need to do the work of disentangling the Bible from colonial narratives, which is the work of decolonization.
For more information of what this course will teach you, click link here: https://volmoedyouth.org.za/volmoed-programmes/a-contextual-reading-of-the-bible-vyltp-online-course/
Photo: Unsplash
The award, presented by the Geneva Internet Platform, DiploFoundation, and Cantone de Geneve, encourages convergence around development, human rights, digital and other policy issues between communities worldwide and International Geneva, host of many international negotiations with an impact across countries and continents.
“During 2021, most of all, the WCC continued to use its social media channels to spread a message of hope—whether that hope was related to digital justice, a violence-free world, or hearing the voices of vulnerable communities,” said WCC Communication director Marianne Ejdersten. “Social media channels were crucial in helping people access over 100 online productions—including webinars, webcasts, podcasts, and video messages—that shared the prophetic work of WCC member churches.”
Click here to read more.
Photo: WCC
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year. Praying for each place on earth and its people at least once a year, we affirm our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts. Pray with us!
Prayer is at the very heart of the ecumenical movement. Jesus prayed that we – his followers – may all be one. When we pray with and for one another, we can feel God’s gift of unity. Prayer sustains us on our way towards a unity that all can see, “so that the world may believe”. (John 17:21)
The suggested prayer texts are based on the publication “Pilgrim Prayer – an Ecumenical Prayer Cycle“. The book and the website offer valuable aids for intercessory prayers, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others.
Click here to read more.
Photo: Oikoumene
Tune in today at 07:45 on Radio Tygerberg 104FM during Breakfast with Anton and Rouchelle Liedemann for the interview with Pastor Raymond Daniel Lombard about his experience in the ministry and his work as Presiding Pastor of the Living Word Parow – Full Gospel Church.
Read more:
Photo: Facebook
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Ecumenical Institute has held sway and in September 2021 was able to welcome a student body of 33 students to begin their studies at Bossey.
Alongside the regular components of studies at Bossey, such as engagement with local church communities, visits to ecumenical partners and the Vatican, and not least the half-year-long experience of living in community with fellow students from all over the world, the study year of 2021/2022 also saw the Ecumenical Institute mark no less than 75 years of ecumenical formation.
Click here to read more.
Photo: Peter Williams/WCC
Daoud Nassar, director of Tent of Nations, an educational and environmental farm southwest of Bethlehem, reflected that the situation is difficult for many local Palestinian Christians, who might feel like a minority population.But Jesus spoke to the minority, Nassar noted.
“He was talking to a small minority that made a big difference,” he said.
Click here to read more.
Photo: Unsplash
