May2025 FFL

First Friday Letter The World Methodist Council

May 2025

Greetings from the General Secretary The Peace and Joy of the risen Lord be with you!

“Jesus stood among the disciples and said: “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19b and 20) From Mary Magdalene and the first Apostles, the Easter message went out from Jerusalem affirming that: He has died; He is risen; He will come again.

On this 2025 Easter morning the same joyful message went out and loud again from all corners of the world. Amongst them also from the World Methodist Council to all on renewed life and joy in the risen Christ! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Click here to view Easter Greeting To mark this year’s joint Easter celebration - as the date coincided for all Christians regardless of the calendar they follow - some World Communions arranged for a joint message. This was agreed in pursuit of the prayer of Jesus that asked that they may be one so that the world may believe. The strength of ecumenical relations permitted it. See introduction to it here in this FFL and follow the link in it to discover another important joint anniversary.

and other ecumenical partners, including WMC, are engaged in a reflection on a New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA). NIFEA seeks to tackle the roots of economic inequalities and to announce the conditions for life to be flourishing for all. Also see inside a Call to Action regarding the climate crisis.

The WMC Steering Committee will meet in Ghana in August 2025. This will be under the invitation of the African Methodist Council and the Methodist Church Ghana. I am grateful for all the arrangements being made for that. I look forward to being in Ghana with fellow Methodists to sing with gusto the hymns of our tradition. I am sure you would have sung in your own language the words that Charles Wesley wrote to proclaim the message of Easter: “Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia.”

May that message fill our lives with hope whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in.

Revd. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto (known as Léo) General Secretary World Methodist Council

Pope Francis seemed to have waited to give the blessing of Easter before departing this life. His death happened in the morning just after Easter.

On behalf of the WMC a message of lament was sent to Cardinal Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. In the hope of the resurrection it conveyed sadness and thanks for the life of the late Pope. A small delegation from the WMC attended the funeral service at St Peter’s Square. You can find more about this in this FFL. On Easter Sunday 1885, some 140 years ago, missionaries Appenzeller and Underwood arrived in Korea. The Korean Methodist Church is celebrating the arrival of the Easter message in grand style.

There will be a series of fourteen commemorative events. The first of these events has already taken place. Commemorations will include the WMC Youth and Young Adults Pilgrimage for Peace. See more inside.

The proclamation of new life has to be practical and consequential. This demands calling out the evils of the system that denies life for all. The WCC World Methodist Council

Photo 136007839 © Kabayanmark | Dreamstime.com

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WMC General Secretary and President Attend Funeral of the Late Pope Francis Upon arriving in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral service, one of the first persons I saw was Rev. Martin Browne, a monk in the Order of Saint Benedict. When I offered my condolences regarding Pope Francis’ death, Martin responded, “This is privileged work.”

Friends, it was a privilege to represent the World Methodist Council at Pope Francis’ funeral. The delegation was composed of General Secretary Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leao Neto and me as your President. We were accompanied by the Methodist co-chair of the Joint Dialogue Commission between the World Methodist Council and the Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Dr. Edgardo Colon-Meric, and the Director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome (MEOR), Rev. Matthew Laferty. Methodists included in other official ecumenical delegations were Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah from the Global Christian Forum and Rev. Sarah Mae Gabuyo from Ponte Sant’Angelo Methodist Church in Rome.

The funeral was a profound spiritual experience.

The Cardinals arrived in their crimson robes and white mitres . . . the liturgy, music and homily were extraordinary . . . and Peter’s Square was packed with 250,000+ people. In addition, I was struck by the wide range of people who attended the service.

World leaders and immigrants, elderly and young, rich and poor, ecumenical guests from numerous denominations and faith backgrounds, people from a wide range of ethnicities, languages and theological perspectives all gathered to celebrate the

Pictured Left to Right: Bishop Najla Kassab, President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, WMC President World Methodist Council

life of Pope Francis. What an appropriate assembly for the funeral of a man who spent his life building bridges!

As members of the World Methodist Council, each of us has a unique opportunity to serve as bridge-builders, too. Indeed, bridge-building is central to the purpose of Christian Communions like ours. We do so as we pray, serve together in mission around the world, and develop relationships in our local contexts with brothers and sisters from other faiths.

I am inspired by each of you as you build bridges at home and abroad. Rev. Martin Browne’s response to the condolences I offered him at the Pope’s funeral are applicable not only to a monk who is feeling the loss of someone dear to him, but also to you and me in our work with the World Methodist Council. It is a privilege to be a part of the work we are doing together.

Blessings to you in all that you do.

In Christ, Debra Wallace-Padgett President World Methodist Council

Pictured Left to Right: The Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York and Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto, WMC General Secretary First Friday Letter page 2

Ecumenical Panel on NIFEA Meeting Calls for Economic and Ecological Justice In 2020, the World Methodist Council (WMC) joined the NIFEA initiative, which goes back to a meeting in Sao Paulo in 2012, where the World Council of Churches (WCC), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Council for World Mission (CWM) decided to advocate for a New International and Financial Architecture (NIFEA) and to develop alternative economic models to prioritize people and the planet over profit. Every third year, a panel of experts and activists together with the General Secretaries of the sponsoring organizations and the NIFEA staff team meet to access the work, read the signs of the time and set goals for future collaboration.

More than a decade after the 2012 São Paulo Statement decried the failures of global capitalism and called for an “economy of life,” the NIFEA panel expressed alarm at what it describes as the “unprecedented consolidation of capital, technology, and political power.” This, the panel warns, is intensifying global inequality, exacerbating ecological destruction, and threatening democratic governance.

“For many of our siblings facing poverty, genocide, and climate catastrophe, this is a matter of life and death,” the communiqué states.

economic inequality, environmental catastrophe, the resurgence of colonialist structures, and the erosion of democratic norms—as evidence that the current capitalist model is fundamentally unjust and unsustainable.

Drawing attention to staggering global wealth gaps, the panel highlighted that billionaires increased their net worth by more than 15% in 2024, reaching more than $15 trillion, while over a billion people continue to live in poverty—half of them children.

The communiqué also acknowledges the complicity of churches in perpetuating systems of colonialism and economic oppression and commits to reckoning with this legacy in their ongoing work.

WMC General Secretary Revd Dr Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto calls for ‘metanoia”, a turn from a self-centered economy. Referring to the commitment of the WMC to be “On the Move”, and accompany people forced into migration, he says: “There are signs of hope already now: God is at work in the world, and we are called to be a prophetic and apostolic voice and to act for justice”.

Article by: Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, WMC Geneva Secretary

A Deepening Crisis: Colonial Legacy, Inequality, and Ecological Breakdown

Click here to read the Communiqué.

The panel identified intertwined global crises—

Click here to read the Pastoral Letter.

A woman scavenges for recyclable items in the smoldering municipal garbage dump in Chennai, India.

Photo by: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth Pictures

World Methodist Council

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140 years of witness in the Korean Peninsula

Empowering Women, Embracing Compassion at Baewha Women’s University The Korean Methodism marked the 140th Anniversary of its mission and presence in the Peninsula with a weekend of worship fest, shows and concerts, meals and events. Most of these took place in Methodist and Presbyterian churches, in theatre halls in the churches. Invariably their food involved music and celebration. Some of them in hotels and restaurants.

The Methodist Church in Korea has planned 14 events marking the 140th anniversary of the arrival of Henry Appenzeller and Horace Underwood, the missionaries who together brought Presbyterian and Methodist mission to the Peninsula. The two missionaries, though supported by different missionary agencies, travelled on the same boat to Korea, and agreed to disembark holding hands to show their commitment to one another and to working together for the propagation of the Gospel.

for the church to exist. All the rest comes after that.” In fact, the church is very strong numerically, including some very large congregations. Yet, the Korean Methodist Church has also initiatives on the educational, social and health areas just as the first missionaries did.

One of the events marking the anniversary will be a Pilgrimage of Peace, in June 2025. There will be around 45 to 50 youth and young adults from all over the world participating in it. The Korean Methodist Church is hosting the group of young pilgrims. For the World Methodist Council Youth and Young Adults committee this pilgrimage is part of their programme for the quinquennium as it is directly related to their theme: peace building - justice for peace. More information on the Pilgrimage for Peace can be found on page 6.

The first of the series of celebrating events took place from the 4th to the 6th of April. The missionaries had arrived on the 5th of April in 1885, which was Easter Sunday. On their arrival, the Rev Appenzeller prayed: “May he who this day burst the bars of the tomb bring light and liberty to Korea.” So many years later, one can say that the seeds they have sown in their mission have germinated, sprouted and produced hundreds of times over.

The President of the Korean Methodist Church, Bishop Kim Chungsuk, who is also the senior pastor of the Kwanglim Methodist Church in Seoul expressed his commitment to make sure the Church continues to be a missionary orientated church. He said that: “our first commitment is to preach the Gospel. That is the number one reason World Methodist Council

Rev. Dr. Byung Bae Hwang Director of Missions for the KMC introducing General Secretary Reynaldo F. Leão Neto to share greetings at the 140th Anniversary Service Click here to read on the 140th Anniversary Service First Friday Letter page 4

Joint Celebration of Easter 2025 and the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea The World Methodist Council along with 11 other Christian World Communions have issued a message to mark the shared date of Easter in 2025 by all Christians, in conjunction with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea.

The message seeks to bear witness to the Resurrection of Christ and has been signed by General Secretaries and ecumenical representatives of 12 Christian World Communions.

It calls for Christians to work for the unity of the Church, praying for “the Holy Spirit to move our Communions to live and walk together, in obedience to the call of Jesus’ that all his disciples may be one.”

It also offers words of hope “at this time of great political instability in the world, when so many live with fear, suffering, persecution, famine, and other forms of instability and vulnerability.”

All Christians are called together to proclaim the good news of “repentance and forgiveness of sins … to all nations” (Luke 24:47-48).

The statement embodies the Communions’ conviction that “that the Lord calls us to agreement, and unified witness,” in a year when the coincidence of Christian calendars will see all Christian churches, West and East, celebrate the Day of Resurrection on Sunday, April 20.

Historically, the date of Easter has differed between Eastern and Western churches. The Gregorian calendar, used by most Western churches, differs from the Julian calendar, which is the basis for calculating Easter in some Eastern Orthodox churches.

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew have publicly advocated for a shared Easter date, seeing it as a step towards greater unity among Christians.

2025 is also significant as the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, formulated by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD (and later revised at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD).

The Nicene Creed presents the most authoritative statement of trinitarian Christian faith.

The Letter has been signed by: The Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See-Cilicia The Anglican Communion The Baptist World Alliance The Christian Church and Churches of Christ The Ecumenical Patriarchate The International Old Catholic Bishops’ Conference/Old Catholic Church The Lutheran World Federation The Moravian Church Worldwide Unity Board The Mennonite World Conference The Pentecostal World Fellowship The Salvation Army The World Methodist Council Speaking in support of the Statement, General Secretary Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto of the World Methodist Council said: “This year, unusually, all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day: 20th April. The General Secretaries of the World Christian Communions produced a joint letter to mark Easter. It also refers to the 1700 years of having a common creed: the Nicene Creed. May both the joint Easter and the Creed stand as a sign of unity, of one humanity and faith, even in a very divided world: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) Speaking in support of the Statement, President Debra Wallace-Padgett of the World Methodist Council said: What a powerful witness it will be when Christians all over the world celebrate Easter this year on April 20th. This occurrence happens during years when Christian calendars from the East (Julian) and West (Gregorian) align in observing Easter Day. A letter written by the General Secretaries of the World Christian Communions to commemorate Easter Day as well as the 1700th anniversary of the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea are reminders of our unity in the midst of diversity. Praise God for what we hold in common through the Resurrected Christ. May we renew our commitment to fulfill Jesus’ prayer, ” that they may all be one.” (John 17:21) The World Communion’s Easter message can be found here.

‘You are witnesses of these things.’

—Luke 24:48 World Methodist Council

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Young Adults Walking Toward Reconciliation in Korea In a world where conflict and division dominate the headlines, the World Methodist Council Youth and Young Adult Committee (WMC YYA), in collaboration with the Korean Methodist Church (KMC) and the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries (UMC GBGM), has launched an inspiring initiative: the Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace (YAPP).

Sixteen young adults from five continents—Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas—have been selected for the 2025 Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace in South Korea, embodying the vibrant diversity of the World Methodist Council.

Though their journeys begin in distant corners of the world, they share a common passion for transforming their communities through faith-rooted peacebuilding. This pilgrimage will be both a physical exploration of Korea’s history of division and a spiritual formation, challenging them to become courageous voices of reconciliation.

Participants will visit sites such as Ginyeom Park, Goryeonggol Peace Park, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), encountering the deep scars of past conflicts and the ongoing pursuit of peace.

Through worship, storytelling, and dialogue, they will engage with Korea’s complex realities and discern how the Church can reclaim its prophetic voice in building bridges across fear and division.

Junyoung Kim Junior Pastor

Among the Korean young adults helping to organize YAPP is Junyoung Kim, a junior pastor in The Central Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church. Reflecting thoughtfully, Junyoung shared how his ministry is shaped by serving near the DMZ and how South Korean society, and the Church, grapple with generational tensions regarding North Korea.

Church navigating society like a compass, “pointing always toward Christ’s way of love, not fear.”

The significance of nurturing young peacebuilders resonates even more deeply in the wake of the recent passing of Pope Francis, whose ministry consistently called young people to be “witnesses to hope” and builders of bridges. In his message, shared at the 2024 Mass for the Solemnity of Christ the King in Saint Peter’s Basilica—during which the World Youth Day symbols, the Cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, were passed from the Portuguese to the Koreans ahead of the 2027 gathering in Seoul—Pope Francis urged young people to sow seeds of dialogue and fraternity among peoples, a vision that YAPP seeks to embody.

As political polarisation and cultural divides threaten the fabric of many societies, initiatives like YAPP affirm the hope that young people, empowered by faith, can be bearers of transformative peace. Participants will confront historical wounds and weave new narratives of unity.

Looking ahead, Junyoung and other young leaders envision broader efforts to sustain peace beyond YAPP’s three years, dreaming of launching a “Peace School” under the WMC YYA to equip young people worldwide for peacebuilding. While the selection process for 2025 was highly competitive, the WMC YYA affirms all applicants: God’s work in you has only just begun. New opportunities, including online gatherings, will soon nurture this shared mission.

In this spirit, the Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace stands as a living testament that through faith, courage, and solidarity, reconciliation is not only possible—it is already unfolding.

Article by: Stefanie Gabuyo, WMC YYA Committee Chair (Co-ordinator)

While some people in the church often harbour deep mistrust, younger Christians are reimagining relationships across the division. Junyoung lamented that parts of the Church have echoed hostile narratives but urging that church should advocate the emerging voices calling for peace, reconciliation, and justice.

“Even a few voices rooted in peace can change the world more brightly,” he said, envisioning a World Methodist Council

The mysteries of lightphotograph. Photo by: Getty Images

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World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women

World Executive meeting in Kuala Lumpur February 2025. We continue to observe Thursdays in Black, a campaign to bring an end to violence against women and girls.

The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women World Officers have been moving around the world since April 2024, attending Weaving Together Programs and Area Seminars in nine geographical areas where their affiliated members are organized in country Units. The World President leads a Weaving Together Program where world officers meet with the Area President, Area Vice President, Helen Kim Memorial Scholars and all Unit Presidents in the visited Area. This two-day program is for world officers to meet and know the leaders in the Area and hear from their reports the work they are doing in line with the WFMUCW action plan. The Area Seminar is organized by the Area leaders and every member from all the Units in the Area is allowed to register and attend. This comes after the Weaving Together Program at the same venue. World Officers have already been to seven Weaving Together Programs and Area Seminars and are left with one to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the South Asia Area in June 2025.

World Officers, Area Presidents and Editor of our quarterly magazine “The Tree of Life” came together for our 3rd World Executive meeting in February 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our Archivist and Web Manager were also in attendance.

At this meeting, the theme for the 2026-2031 was announced by the World President Sipiwe Chisvo.

World Methodist Council

Our theme for the 15th World Assembly and following quinquennium (2026-2031) is Arise and Shine for The Glory of God Is Upon You, taken from Isaiah 60:1 (“Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”) This reminds us that we are women empowered by the splendour of our Lord. Together we arise in the light of His glory, claiming our space and declaring our purpose. We are no strangers to hardships, but we are called together to shine in the face of adversity and reflect God’s glory into the world through our attitudes and actions. We are His instruments, so arise, and shine, women of faith; arise and shine Methodist and Uniting Church Women for the glory of God is upon you!

The 15th World Assembly will be held in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand from the 25th to 29th of August 2026.

Online registration will open in August 2025. Delegates & Visitors arrive on 24th and depart on 30th August 2026.

Article by: Sipiwe Chisvo, World President of WFMUCW First Friday Letter page 7

From the General Secretary’s Diary “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42)

As the ecumenical guests arrived for the Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis, the view of St Peter’s Square packed full of mourners was moving. Under the sunshine, the Prophets, Apostles, Saints, and Martyrs standing on Bernini’s great colonnade welcomed the pilgrims to the service.

The train of people extended down the Via della Conciliazione as far as the eye could see. One of my ecumenical colleagues, an Anglican, astonished by the sight said: “the body of Christ, gathered. It is beautiful and moving!”

Then seated, we were gently called to attention for the rosary prayers. Ecumenical guests were sat in a place of great honour, beside the Cardinals. But the silence from our side made me conspicuous as I recited the ‘Ave Maria’, and the ‘Padre Nostro’ again and again following the pattern of the rosary. Though there was silence on my side, I knew that I would not be praying the rosary on my own, my Anglican colleague seating farther down, an evangelical although liturgical, would be praying with me too and the crowds of course. It gave me strength to continue the responses in the company of the prayerful mourners, in the midst of the silence of other ecumenical guests (let’s agree to leave this matter for another occasion: who can or cannot pray with Catholics and why not?).

Cardinal Re’s sermon was a fitting eulogy to Francis’ papacy. Francis’ love and his prayerful life came clearly through. After reflecting on the biblical passage, ‘Peter, do you love me? So feed my sheep’, Cardinal Re showed how Pope Francis was faithful to his calling: to guide the Church to be a church for all, and in particular, for and with the marginalised, the destitute, the poor, the migrant, the different ones. Re described the Pope’s voice for peace, his defence and welcome of migrants. At the end, Re said: “Pope Francis you asked us not to forget to pray for you. Now we ask you: Pope Francis, pray for us.”

After the sermon came the prayers of intercession as is customary. In his bids for prayer, I noticed that Cardinal Re could not utter the words: ‘dei tuoi eletti’ (the assembly of your elected). But changed the words to: “the assembly of your saints.” He had just given the most strong testimony of Pope Francis’ ministry to guide the church to be a church for all people, for priests to love their sheep, and the church to welcome all. That is why Cardinal Re would no say the word: ‘eletti’. Maybe I am exaggerating. Maybe the Dean of the Colleague of Cardinals changed that word unintentionally.

I don’t think so. I don’t think he would. As a Methodist who upholds Arminian principles, emphasising human free will and the universality of God’s love and grace, I would like to think that it was intentional. That Cardinal Re could not say the word of the prayer as printed because it would have been in contradiction to what he had just preached. Deep in my heart, I sang Charles Wesley’s hymn ‘Let earth and heaven agree’: “In him who died for all! For all my Lord was crucified, for all, for all my Saviour died!”.

World Methodist Council

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“What About Korea?” - Book Review “What About Korea? Homer B. Hulbert: Champion of Korean Independence, Justice and Humanity” by DongJin Kim, Hollym, Carlsbad, CA, USA and Seoul, Korea. First published on 1st March 2025.

When Ahn Junggeun, one of Korea’s most revered heroes of the independence movement was interrogated by Japanese policemen, he answered with conviction: “Hulbert, outraged by Ito’s actions, spoke out to the world about Korea’s suffering. Koreans must not forget Hulbert even for a single day.”

You know when you have found a good book: extensively researched, relevant and with a narrative that flows. It is a joy to read it. This is the case with: “What about Korea?” by Kim DongJin, chairman of the Hulbert Memorial Society, the very recently published biography of Homer B. Hulbert (March 2025). It can be acquired on the World Wide Web. Kim DongJin describes the commitment of Homer Hulbert to the Korean people, their struggle for independence, for liberation from colonialism: Japanese, Chinese, North American or Russian.

By the invitation of King Gojong, Homer brought to Korea the enlightenment methods of education, with formal education that included a full curriculum and importantly reclaiming the Korean script, the Hangeul characters. Examinations were taken before the King himself. They were in English though the King did not speak the language quite so proficiently. Thankfully the Korean students had a sense of humour with which K-Culture today has taken over the world.

Even though away from Korea, he continued to campaign for Korean independence for 38 years, until Korean liberation in 1945. He came back in old age to be recognised for his efforts. He died within a week of being back. He is buried at the Protestant cemetery in Seoul. He said that he would rather be buried in Korea than in Westminster Abbey.

Korea eventually came to independence although not completely unscathed as the historical Joseon continues divided by parallel 38 and with no armistice. Thus, the Korean people’s cry is still echoing: one Korea for one people. Many still carry on the same struggle, e.g. the DMZ Forum and the One Green Korea movement: a cry for a One Green Korea.

Peace for the Korean Peninsula, has been the call from the World Methodist Council through many of its resolutions and the peace efforts of the former President J.C. Park. The Korean Methodist Church and the WMC Youth and Young Adults are in conjunction with GBGM organising a Pilgrimage for Peace in Korea this June 2025. I join my voice to theirs and Homer: for a One Green Korea.

Homer, for me, represented the Lukean wholistic mission: spirituality and culturally meaningful whilst also politically engaged, as in the Magnifcat, and the Manifesto of Jesus. Homer’s family motto inspired him and should continue to inspire all: ‘Character is more fundamental than victory’.

Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto (Léo)

Upon his arrival in Korea, in July 1886 Homer developed a close friendship with Underwood and Appenzeller, both missionaries whose 140th anniversary of missionary work the Korean Methodist and other Protestant churches commemorated this year. Homer created the first textbook in the Korean alphabet and simplified the script. He was an internationally published journalist on Korean affairs and its history. He wrote the first comprehensive history of Korea. In spite of all these remarkable achievements, victory was not necessarily on their side for a while. But his character and determination shone through nonetheless.

Homer campaigned against the Eulsa Coerced Protectorate Treaty imposed by Japan with the support of the USA. He covertly represented the Korean King before the 1907 Hague Peace Conference. He was latterly persecuted for that reason and had to leave Korea under Japanese threat.

World Methodist Council

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A Call to Action towards COP30 As faith leaders and organisations from across Latin America and the Caribbean, we have come together to reflect on the current reality of the climate emergency.

Every day we face the irreversible consequences of climate change. Our territories, understood by us as sacred, are being destroyed. We witness the destruction of the Amazon, other ecosystems, and the people who live there, caused by large-scale agriculture, mining, and fossil fuel extraction. These activities, in the name of “progress,” seek only the unlimited and concentrated accumulation of capital.

Those who protect our lands - environmental and human rights defenders – are increasingly being persecuted.

We stand in solidarity with the people and communities most affected as we “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). At the same time, we maintain a steadfast hope in a God who is renewing our minds and our world (Romans 8:19-21) as He urgently calls us all to action.

COP30 in Belém is a pivotal moment to reaffirm our commitment in our fight for climate justice. It marks the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a landmark commitment to limit global temperature rise. It coincides with the need for each country to submit updated and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), showing their commitments to accelerate climate action.

The road to COP30 cannot fall into the traps of recent years: stalled progress on phasing out fossil fuels, last-minute deals, and broken promises on climate finance.

Governments must respond to the climate emergency and act with the urgency that is needed.

We therefore call on governments and the international community to show leadership in the following priority areas: 1. Deliver on climate finance promises. The commitments made at COP29 fell far short of the finance that developing countries need to tackle climate change. We urge governments to fully engage in the “Baku to Belem roadmap” and define how they will provide the $1.3tn climate finance needed by 2035. This should not increase the debt burden but should be through prioritising grants and new forms of public finance such as wealth taxes and polluter pays taxes.

World Methodist Council

2. Ensure the full implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund. This includes both economic and non-economic impacts, consolidating it as the third pillar of climate finance and ensuring the delivery of grants this year. The Loss and Damage Fund should be operationalized immediately, with streamlined and priority access for affected communities.

3. Accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuel dependency. The lack of action to phase out fossil fuels endangers our common home, as well as the very survival of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. We call for commitments at COP30 for the transition to 100% renewable energy and the progressive elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, repurposing them towards sustainable development.

4. Support communities to adapt to climate change. Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean face devastating and recurrent climate impacts, demonstrating resilience and creativity in their adaptation. We call on governments to significantly increase funding in response to adaptation needs, including comprehensive healthcare and other needs identified by the most vulnerable communities. In addition, governments must submit National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which should respond to community needs, including the protection of key ecosystems such as the Amazon and the coral reefs, the territorial integrity and rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the protection of environmental defenders.

5. Prioritise the voices of those most impacted by climate change. Affected communities – including Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, children and youth, women and human rights defenders - need to participate in an equitable and meaningful way in climate decisions, so that their voices drive just and effective solutions. We call on national governments and the COP30 Presidency to create conditions that allow the participation and recognition of the most affected and excluded populations, fostering trust and solidarity.

We commit to accompanying you in this process, joining you in prayer and action to make these demands for climate justice a reality.

Brasilia, Brazil.

To read in Portuguese click here To read in Spanish click here

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Photo credits: Perkins School of Theology/ R. Hipps

Photo by Bruno Dias Guedes/ WCC Press

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About the First Friday Letter

This and past First Friday Letters can be found online at FirstFridayLetter.worldmethodistcouncil.org.

The First Friday Newsletter is a monthly publication of the World Methodist Council.

The World Methodist Council’s website may be found at worldmethodistcouncil.org.

Publisher: Rev. Dr. Reynaldo F. Leão Neto, General Secretary

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Communications: Michaela Bryson All stories and photos, unless otherwise stated, are protected by their respective copyrights. Please do not copy without expressed written permission from the Council.

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