Latest news with #Congregational
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Local clergy members fast in protest of war in Gaza
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Some local clergy members are joining in a national movement among faith leaders to go without food in protest to the ongoing war in Gaza. Broome County Peace Action and Veterans for Peace organized a protest today outside the MetroCenter office of Congressman Josh Riley to call for an end to the War in Gaza. The activists renewed their accusation that Israel is engaging in genocide in its efforts to root out Hamas terrorists in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. Across the country, clergy from various religions are engaging in fasting for a 40 day period lasting through the month of June. Different faith leaders are abstaining from food in various forms as a sign of opposition to the war. Gary Doupe, a retired Methodist pastor, says he plans to go without eating during daylight hours every Thursday. 'I'm planning to do that through the remainder of June at least. I think I will continue with it until we really see a cessation of hostility in Gaza. The least I can do is refrain from food for a few hours a day,' Doupe said. Local Catholic, Presbyterian and Congregational clergy members are also participating. Following their rally, the protestors walked to the offices of Riley and US Senator Chuck Schumer in the federal building to deliver letters outlining their opposition to the war. They say they plan to rally every Thursday midday outside the MetroCenter through the month of June. Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: The EV Revolutionizer Guthrie Lourdes Health and Fitness turns three with free wellness event 52nd annual Greek Fest kicks off in Vestal Ribbon cutting held for $15 million project at Good Shepherd Village at Endwell New York Times agrees to license its material for Amazon's AI Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Looking back, looking forward: The United Church of Canada at 100 years
ST. JOHN'S, NL, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925, through an Act of Canadian Parliament. On June 8 at 7 p.m. NL, a worship service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John's, NL, will commemorate that moment 100 years ago. The Centennial theme is Deep, Bold, Daring. "As The United Church of Canada prepares to commemorate its centennial, it is not just looking back at 100 years of faith and justice in Canada, but using the occasion to look forward to the next 100," says Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary. "We're answering the call to renew the church for the next 100 years by highlighting the global and local work the church is doing, and who the church is becoming." The service includes a mass choir from churches across Newfoundland and Labrador. Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, will address the special in-person service, which will also be livestreamed nationally on The United Church of Canada's YouTube channel. Other highlights of the weekend include: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. – more than 50 leaders and members of the General Council Executive volunteering at Bridges to Hope, First United Church, 221 Park Ave., Mount Pearl, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Stella's Circle, 77 Charter Ave, St. John's, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. – Centennial celebration dinner for invited guests Sunday, June 8 at 10 a.m. – senior staff preaching at churches in and near St. John's. The United Church of Canada brought together some Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational congregations, along with the General Council of the Local Union Churches in a remarkable effort of collaboration and agreement. It inherited the Wesleyan tradition in Canada and is a member of the World Methodist Council. The service at Gower Street UC honours Newfoundland's integral role in the history of The United Church of Canada – both as the historic home of Methodism in Canada, and because Newfoundland joined the United Church more than two decades before it joined the confederation of Canada. REV. PROF. DR. JERRY PILLAY As the general secretary of the World Council of Churches. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is the chief executive officer with final responsibility for the work of the Council and its staff, and speaks on its behalf. He began serving as general secretary on January 1, 2023. He is the ninth general secretary in the WCC's history since the fellowship of churches was founded in 1948. He was previously dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria. A member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he is from South Africa. [email protected] | [email protected], Based in Kitchener, Ont.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Looking back, looking forward: The United Church of Canada at 100 years
ST. JOHN'S, NL, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925, through an Act of Canadian Parliament. On June 8 at 7 p.m. NL, a worship service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John's, NL, will commemorate that moment 100 years ago. The Centennial theme is Deep, Bold, Daring. "As The United Church of Canada prepares to commemorate its centennial, it is not just looking back at 100 years of faith and justice in Canada, but using the occasion to look forward to the next 100," says Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary. "We're answering the call to renew the church for the next 100 years by highlighting the global and local work the church is doing, and who the church is becoming." The service includes a mass choir from churches across Newfoundland and Labrador. Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, will address the special in-person service, which will also be livestreamed nationally on The United Church of Canada's YouTube channel. Other highlights of the weekend include: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. – more than 50 leaders and members of the General Council Executive volunteering at Bridges to Hope, First United Church, 221 Park Ave., Mount Pearl, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Stella's Circle, 77 Charter Ave, St. John's, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. – Centennial celebration dinner for invited guests Sunday, June 8 at 10 a.m. – senior staff preaching at churches in and near St. John's. The United Church of Canada brought together some Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational congregations, along with the General Council of the Local Union Churches in a remarkable effort of collaboration and agreement. It inherited the Wesleyan tradition in Canada and is a member of the World Methodist Council. The service at Gower Street UC honours Newfoundland's integral role in the history of The United Church of Canada – both as the historic home of Methodism in Canada, and because Newfoundland joined the United Church more than two decades before it joined the confederation of Canada. REV. PROF. DR. JERRY PILLAY As the general secretary of the World Council of Churches. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is the chief executive officer with final responsibility for the work of the Council and its staff, and speaks on its behalf. He began serving as general secretary on January 1, 2023. He is the ninth general secretary in the WCC's history since the fellowship of churches was founded in 1948. He was previously dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria. A member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he is from South Africa. SOURCE United Church of Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Guardian
02-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The Rev Michael Jackson obituary
My father, the Rev Michael Jackson, who has died aged 88, was a minister with the United Reformed Church in Winsford, Cheshire, and later in Reading, Berkshire, where he also served as padre to the Arborfield Garrison of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps. He worked hard to deliver worship plus pastoral care not only to church members but also to the thousands of users of the church buildings. Born in Greasbrough, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Michael was the elder son of Cecil Jackson, who worked in telecommunications, and his wife, Frances (nee Robinson). From Rotherham grammar school, he went into ministerial training at Northern Congregational College, Manchester, in 1961. He also studied for a BA degree in theology at the University of Manchester, where he met Elizabeth Smith, then a trainee teacher, who was later ordained as one of the first female Anglican priests. They married in 1967, and went on to have three children, Simon, Ruth and me. In 1966, Michael was appointed minister at Over Congregational Church, Winsford, which became Over URC Church in 1972 when the United Reformed Church was founded from a union of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. He moved to Park URC Church in Reading in 1978. My father would always find it funny to deliver the assembly at the school Simon and I attended in Reading without telling us in advance. As he was walking up to the stage in the hall, he would look at us and smile, followed by hundreds of our schoolmates turning around to say: 'That's your dad.' Even worse, he did not even give us a lift – we had to walk to school as usual. Often we tried to pretend we weren't with him. Once, when distracted on a holiday in France, he walked into a gumball machine outside a cafe, tipping it over and spilling a river of multicoloured sweets down the cobbled street. Although the locals, and even the cafe owner, laughed, as teenagers, my brother and I were mortified. My father loved helping with the training of student ministers from Mansfield College, Oxford, who came on placements to work alongside him in order to gain practical experience of ministry. Outside the church setting, he was an advocate for social justice and religious equality, working with the Berkshire branch of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, and with the Council of Christians and Jews and the Family Planning Association. He was also an enthusiastic Rotarian and had the gift of listening and caring, which, when coupled with his charisma, made everyone he spoke to feel special. Five years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia, and Ruth became his primary carer. He is survived by Elizabeth, Simon, Ruth and me, and eight grandchildren.
