Twenty years ago today I was walking through the Rwanda refugee camps surrounding Goma, Zaire (now the Democratic of the Congo). This was not the typical Christmas break experience for a college student. Traveling as a designated observer for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), one of CWS’s long-time partners, my task was simple: gather stories and information that …
Christmas Eve reflections
Rev. John L. McCullough | December 23, 2015
In his Gospel, Matthew writes, “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” Luke opened his text noting, “I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you…” The Christmas narrative we revere today is the result of scholarly work. In fact, all four of the Gospel texts …
CWS applauds Omnibus funding increases for development assistance, disaster assistance and global health
December 18, 2015
CWS applauds bipartisan Congressional leadership for the Omnibus appropriations agreement on 2016 funding announced today. This funding increases provisions for several of the critical budget lines on issues on which CWS has long advocated. “These investments are significant and will make a real difference to the lives of the world’s most vulnerable communities,” CWS President and CEO, the Rev. John …
Oh Holy Day
Don’t we all have that one person (or those dozen people) in our lives for whom, every year – every single solitary stinkin’ year – we think: Oh holy day. WHAT are we going to get (him/her/them) this year? EVERY year, we ask ourselves this question, right?! Often more than once. Often with such inner turmoil and woe that it …
Church World Service Applauds Timely Omnibus Vote
WASHINGTON – Following today’s passage of the omnibus appropriations bill, Church World Service welcomed the timely vote that ensures funding for the vital functions of the U.S. government. To see the organization’s full statement on the omnibus, please click here. Since 1946, international humanitarian organization Church World Service has assisted displaced individuals internationally and resettled refugees in the United States, …
Church World Service Encouraged that Omnibus Does Not Include Anti-Refugee Provisions
December 16, 2015
WASHINGTON – Following the public release of the Omnibus agreement between House and Senate leadership, Church World Service welcomed the fact that the bill does not include provisions to halt the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. “The world is facing the largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II. Congress must ensure that the United States’ legacy …
Progress made in Paris: but falls short of a fair deal for the world’s poorest communities
December 14, 2015
Church World Service welcomes bold new steps taken by world leaders in Paris, but remains concerned that it is not an equity based climate agreement that puts vulnerable people first. More than 190 countries have contributed to a first, significant international agreement. Consensus has emerged about the need to limit global warming to 2.00 degrees. CWS commends the High Ambition …
#WeChooseWelcome
Rev. Virginia Lohmann Bauman |
Last week I made a new friend. Her name is Leena Ayesh, and she is a 17 year old Muslim youth who lives in Columbus, Ohio with her family. She attends a local school and she knew a lot more about my iPhone than I did, just like my own 17 year old daughter! Leena and I met at an …
COP21: World leaders must listen now on climate change
Rev. John L. McCullough | December 11, 2015
Pope Francis could not have been any clearer in his message: We, as humans, have a clear duty to take care of creation and protect “our common home.” It is not just about the planet, but also a concern for people, for individuals, families and communities whose lives are being transformed by climate change. Let us do unto the planet …
Stories of Change
A bakery in Lamontay
CWS and its partners support 12 agricultural cooperatives in Haiti. Those cooperatives have 5,753 members. Among those is cooperate KRCLJ in the town of Lamontay, which includes a number of members who sell bread for a living. With the help of CWS and partners, KRCLJ’s members were able to build a bakery in the community. Co-op members, other residents and students worked together to carry rocks, sand, straw and water across the mountains into their town.
On the day the bakery opened, there was celebration in Lamontay. Bread is a necessity for residents, and now it can be produced locally. “I dance, I am happy,” said Gelina Predenstin, one of the women who had previously baked bread in far away bakeries. She explained, “We used to leave at midnight, walking in the dark and danger, on narrow and bad roads, in rain and sun.” Alase Naissance added, “What we have built is something sustainable, that will be left behind for our children.”
Elizia Saintilus, another of the bakers who had previously traveled great distances only to wait in long lines to bake bread, said, “We spent three days away to bake bread. Now I dance, but we also worked hard to get this far.”