We would like to invite you to this year’s annual Faith in Action awards luncheon on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Each year the Virginia Council of Churches recognizes an individual and/or Church/Organization who exemplify personal faith and action on behalf of all God’s children. This year we are presenting three awards; to The Rev. Dr. Joseph M. Vought, The Brandermill Church, and Richmond Hill. Additionally, it is our great privilege to be presenting a Lifetime Ecumenist award to Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer. Lisa Schaffner, Public Relations and Marketing Director for UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) will be this year's guest speaker. REGISTER TODAY Read More...
Virginia Council of Churches
The Virginia Council of Churches is the oldest ecumenical body in the Commonwealth, representing thirty seven governing bodies of eighteen Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant denominations. As we work together as Christian communions, we build Christian Unity; as we work together with persons of other faiths, we build human community.
Lisa Schaffner to be Guest Speaker at 2012 Faith in Action Awards
Jon Barton - Friday, March 23, 2012
Solitary Confinement is ineffective and destructive
Jon Barton - Monday, March 19, 2012
As the New York Times reported this week, a growing number of states are recognizing that reliance on prolonged solitary confinement is not only ineffective and destructive, it’s expensive. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is encouraged to see growing national debate about the abuse and immorality of prolonged solitary confinement and a growing number of faith-based state campaigns to end prolonged solitary confinement. Now is a crucial time for you to raise the issue with your congregation. NRCAT has a new resource for you to do just that. Read More...
NCCCUSA Working to End Poverty
Jon Barton - Thursday, December 29, 2011
As the year comes to a close with the celebration of Christmas and the hope for a better year in 2012, we pause to thank you for your interest and participation in the National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative. In a year of severe challenges to the middle class and especially those living below the poverty line, we have organized and advocated for fairness and justice in the affairs of our government. We are profoundly disappointed at the failure of Congress to act decisively to alleviate the suffering of the poor among us. We end the year confident that God will continue to work through us all to share the abundance of the earth with the whole family of humanity. We know our work is unfinished and we resolve to continue to pray and advocate with you in the New Year. If we don’t believe we can end poverty now—we never will.
Here is a look back at a year of intensive advocacy in solidarity with those who struggle the most for a fair share of the abundance of God’s creation. In 2011, the NCC Poverty Initiative: Read More...
Faith Leaders Arrested in Protest to Protect the Poor
Jon Barton - Thursday, July 28, 2011
Washington, July 28, 2011 – Frustrated that their pleas to the Administration and Congress to protect funding for the nation’s most vulnerable are being ignored, nearly a dozen leaders from the faith community were arrested inside the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday.Despite repeated warnings from the U.S. Capitol Police, the leaders refused to end their public prayers asking the Administration and Congress not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor.
Among those who were arrested were the Rev. Michael Livingston, former president of the National Council of Churches, now director of the NCC’s poverty initiative; and Jordan Blevins, director of peace witness for the Church of the Brethren and the NCC.
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