The World Student Christian Federation in Europe wishes to pronounce its strong and unambiguous protest against legislative plans discussed in Russia at the moment to criminalise the self-expression and fundamental human freedom of sexual minorities, especially homosexual people.
Prayer Requests
As Christians we stand in all people and especially those who stand on the edges of society. We post prayers and in support of other students, SCMs and Christians around the world.
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WSCF-E calls on Russian Parliament to reject Anti-LGBT bill 6.13.1
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Call for Solidarity with the Student Christian Movement in Santiago de Cuba
WSCF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Secretary Marcelo Leites calls for solidarity with the Student Christian Movement in Santiago de Cuba:
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World Council of Churches invokes prayers for hurricane victims
The World Council of Church (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit calls for prayers for the people affected by Hurricane Sandy. In recent letters to the National Council of Churches in the United States and the Caribbean Conference of Churches Rev. Tveit says:
“I write to assure you of the prayers of the World Council of Churches for all those who have been affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones or who now find themselves without a home.”
Tveit went on to say that “in this time of recovery when so many local churches are working together to offer emergency relief and support, we see a poignant reminder of how important the common witness and service of the ecumenical family is.”
We encourage all our friends and supporters to join WCC general secretary and to pray for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
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WSCF Global Solidarity Statement & Call for Prayer
WSCF Global has released a statement of solidarity with SCM Philippines and calls everyone to pray for the victims of flooding in the Philippines.
The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) mourns the loss of lives, homes, and communities in the Philippines in recent weeks. The flooding caused by typhoon Gener in the third week of July and the more recent torrential monsoon rains Habagat has done immense damage and has forever changed the surviving communities in Metro Manilla and nearby regions.
The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) joined other students in forming a relief drive for the flood victims, TULONG KABATAAN, and have been focusing on affected communities and individuals who are not currently covered by the government’s ongoing relief and rescue operations in the larger Manilla area. As they continue their efforts, their work is to provide relief and services for those from Central Luzon and Southern provinces, the most affected regions during the typhoon, monsoon rains, and flooding.
The WSCF has offered an emergency grant for this effort and urges our members and friends to support the SCMP’s ongoing work. Anyone considering making a contribution may send it to the WSCF (details can be found in the full statement linked below) and we will transfer all monies received to the movement.
May the international community be in solidarity with the Philippines through prayers and advocacy. May the sharing of resources help revive hope and capacity within devastated communities. May the Philippine government and community leaders use relief resources with the highest level of integrity.
A prayer for the people of the Philippines
One: People have lost homes, personal possessions, places of worship, schools, public infrastructure.
Many: Help them rebuild.
One: People have no food, water, and shelter.
Many: Bring the basic necessities to those in need. Help communities and relief agencies work with speed and discernment; help aid to arrive on time.
One: People have lost loved ones.
Many: Help them to find the bodies for burial and closure; where this is not possible, help people find other ways to grieve. Bring healing and hope to those who have lost family members and friends.
One: People have lost a sense of security.
Many: Let people feel a sense of dignity restored as they find solutions for the future.
One: People have struggled with God.
Many: Let people know Your loving presence with them.
O God, we are overwhelmed in the presence of such loss and suffering. Make us instruments of assistance and comfort to one another, and especially to those who have lost much. Guide us all with your Holy Spirit. Comfort your people. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen. Amen.
The full statement and possibilities of contribution for SCM Philippines can be found here.
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SCM Great Britain Statement of Solidarity
SCM Great Britain has released a statement of solidarity with the National Sikh Students Alliance and the Sikh community:
We wholeheartedly condemn the horrific attack that took place on the 5th August at the Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We send our sympathy and solidarity to the Sikh community, both in Wisconsin and across the world, at this difficult time.
The student movement stands in solidarity with all victims of racism and far right aggression. We recognise the need to challenge and oppose racists and neo-Nazis, both in words and on the streets. We also struggle against the poverty, inequality and alienation that help fuel racist and far right ideas.
We reaffirm our solidarity with the Sikh community and our commitment to working with them to try and prevent atrocities like the attack in Milwaukee from ever taking place again.
A joint statement by the National Union of Students, UJS, FOSIS, NHSF and SCM, standing in solidarity with the National Sikh Students Alliance and the wider Sikh Community.
The statement can be found here. Find out more about SCM Great Britain on their website.
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Call to Prayer for Nigeria
The World Student Christian Federation invites our members and friends to join us in prayer for Nigeria, in the wake of the violence being carried out by the Boko Haram sect in Northern and Central Nigeria. We pray for the families and communities of those killed recently, including those killed in the attacks on churches in the cities of Jos and Biu last month.
We recognize the vulnerability the Nigerian people feel in their places of worship to be a violation of their right to worship publicly. We hope the federal government of Nigeria will be more strategic in its attempts to protect Nigerian citizens.
The WSCF also echoes the call of Christian leaders in Nigeria, including leaders of our member Student Christian Movement, for Christians to respond with prayer instead of violence. SCM Nigeria has emphasized to us that they are not in support of any reprisal attacks.
WSCF affirms and prays for the leaders from both Muslim and Christian groups, who are currently reaching out to one another and seeking a tolerant society, and we ask that God would give them wisdom and bless their efforts.
WSCF stands with the members of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria in their role as peacemakers. We uphold the efforts of the young Nigerians to bring peace, understanding, and reconciliation to their communities, and recognize the very real risk this poses to them in areas most affected by the violence.
Finally, we pray fervently that God may soften the hearts of those who would commit violence against another human being in the name of religion. We join the students in our member Student Christian Movement in Nigeria in praying that those who would join the Boko Haram might find purpose in their lives that would allow them to live in harmony with others.
Our God, hear our prayer.
“O Blessed Lord, who thyself didst undergo the pain and suffering of the cross: uphold, we beseech thee, with thy promised gift of strength all those of our sisters and brothers who are suffering for their faith in thee. Grant that in the midst of all persecutions they may hold fast by this faith, and that from their steadfastness thy church may grow in grace and we ourselves in perseverance, to the honour of thy name…”
— from WSCF’s Venite Adoremus II: Prayers and Services for Students p.191, reprinted from Gilbraltar Diocesan Journal.
Christine Housel
WSCF Co-Secretary GeneralHoracio Mesones
WSCF Chairperson -
A Prayer for the Executive Committee
The Chairperson of WSCF Europe, Sofie Eriksen, on behalf of the European Regional Committee would like to share a prayer for the Executive Committee Meeting of WSCF taking place 20-26 May 2012 in Berlin Germany.
God
Let your healing spirit be with us.When we leave our homes and travel
When we meet
When we work
When we pray.Let the wounded souls be healed
Let the pride fade away.Let the your love remind us
Why we travel
Why we meet
Why we work
Why we pray.Help us to take care of each other
to care for and nurture your light that shines within each and every one of us.God
Let us meet with open minds and hearts
Let us see what you see
Let us hear what you hear.God
Be with us. -
WSCF Prayer for His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
A prayer in commemoration of the life and ministry of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III at a gathering in Cairo on Saturday 28 April 2012, organized by the Middle East Region of the World Student Christian Federation and the Ecumenical Movement in Egypt, one of the student movements of the WSCF.
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Students in the Philippines express solidarity with local farmers
A Message from SCM Philippines
Student group asks the President to heed SC landmark decision on Hacienda Luisita
The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) expresses congratulations to the Hacienda Luisita farmers for their defiant struggle for the distribution to the toilers of HLI land. It proved that with unity and unwavering struggle, there is a “light at the end of the tunnel” so to speak.
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Prayer of Condolence
WSCF Members, Staff and Senior Friends are all united in sending our heartfelt sympathy at the loss of the beloved brother and colleague to the family of Rev. Peter Kodjo who passed away 27 February 2012.
Guided by our tradition of mercy and compassion, we are holding his entire family in our hearts and prayers during this sorrowful time.