Hate Will Never Yield Ecumenism

Hate will never yield ecumenism. 

Two Seemingly Simple Quotes

  

Love your neighbor, as yourself.

- Jesus

Won't you be my neighbor?

- Fred Rogers

Jesus said, quoting Scriptures, to “love God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.” That’s the first quote in the post followed by “Won't you be my neighbor?” The latter was a question Fred Rogers sang in the opening theme song to his old children’s TV program. Fred passed away back in 2003, but I am pretty sure he knew the Jesus quote quite well, trust me on that one. I don’t know if we understand Jesus these days, although many of us can quote him easily. I mean sometimes our actions don’t seem to reflect an interpretation of Jesus’ words. Of course, we all usually get away with our wrongful actions by using the excuse that nobody is perfect, and yes that is true.

I don’t want to make this post long and complicated. But, in a world where many of us probably find it difficult to love our neighbor for many justifiable reasons perhaps, it seems like a breath of fresh air to hear someone sing an invitation to anyone out there to become their neighbor. Fred would sing that to anyone who would listen. Of course, if we all said this to everyone knowing that Jesus wanted us to love our neighbor, it really takes the application of the saying a step above, or as they say now days “above and beyond.” Blessings, and won’t you be my neighbor?

WCC Article on Next Generation Ecumenists

"For the commission’s moderator, Rev. Dr Rudolf von Sinner, one of the highlights of the 2019 meeting will be the challenge of how ecumenical education answers the real questions asked today.  “To do ecumenical theological education is to equip, to nurture, to empower, sometimes to restrict, to ensure that we do our very best avoiding abuses and fostering good use (WCC)."


The previous excerpt is from an article on the WCC's website. Without a doubt ecumenical theological education is of utmost importance, and needs to be addressed. Read the full article at the link below.


https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-commission-gathers-to-focus-on-next-generation-of-ecumenists

Article on Yom Kippur and Early Christianity

"It is largely glossed over that early Christians used Yom Kippur to explain both why it was that people needed saving, and how the death of Jesus could save other people (thedailybeast.com)."

The foregoing excerpt well describes what the article is about. Since Yom Kippur begins at sundown, I thought I would share a relevant article by Candida Moss for the Daily Beast. Blessings, you can read the full article at the link below!

How Christianity Co-Opted Yom Kippur to Explain Jesus’ Death

Reference:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-christianity-co-opted-yom-kippur-to-explain-jesus-death?ref=author.

Shana Tova Greetings

“At the World Council of Churches we are currently observing the Season of Creation which has recently become a feature of the liturgical year in many Christian traditions,” Tveit wrote. “This focuses our attention both on the dignity of the whole human family, each one of us created in the divine image, and also on the challenge which we share as stewards of God’s good creation (oikoumene.org)."

The foregoing is an excerpt from an article at the World Council of Churches website. Read the full article at the link below, and Shana Tova to all!

WCC offers Rosh Hashanah greetings with an eye for collaboration — World Council of Churches

Reference:

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-offers-rosh-hashanah-greetings-with-an-eye-for-collaboration

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.











Source:

Psalm 119:105 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

A Restaurant with a View

If you visit Switzerland and wish to dine with a view of Lake Geneva, you may wish to consider Chateau de Bossey.

"Chateau de Bossey, though mainly known for the Ecumenical Institute and its conference facilities, is open to and welcomes everyone from near and far (oikoumene.org)."

“Bossey is a friendly place, uses locally grown products, it is traditional and familial,” according to Chef Pheulpin.

Read more about it at the following link.

Behind-the-scenes in the kitchen at Bossey — World Council of Churches

Reference:

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/behind-the-scenes-in-the-kitchen-at-bossey