Coming Up in May

2nd Annual Luncheon and Discussion on Interreligious Cooperation with Missions and UN Agencies

Thursday, May 24

1-3 PM at Church Center, 2nd Floor

Hosted by the Committee of Religious NGOs with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations

Free for paid members

$10 per person for non-members and guests

You MUST R.S.V.P. by Monday  21 May to Carolina Vasquez <cvasquez@bic.org>

Wednesday, May 16

PREMIERE FILM SCREENING OF MAYAN RENAISSANCE

RNGOs co-sponsored the film Mayan Renaissance on May 16th in the Tillman Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations at First Avenue and 44th Street.

This film was shown during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to highlight this year’s Special Theme, “The Doctrine of Discovery: Its Enduring Impact on Indigenous Peoples.” It stars 1992 Nobel Peace Laureate and Maya leader Rigoberta Menchu Tum.

A 7-minute preview of the film can be seen at: http://mayanrenaissance.org

RNGOs Tour “Transition to Christianity”

April 24, 2012

The RNGO’s were invited by the Onassis Cultural Center, as arranged courtesy of RNGO Bureau member Lila Prounis, to a special guided tour of the exhibition, Transition to Christianity.

Coffee and traditional Greek pastries were offered before the tour.

RNGOs Visit “Transition to Christianity”

The vibrant and complex life of the Eastern Mediterranean during a time of reinvention and renewal is the subject of the exhibition at the Onassis Cultural Center in Midtown Manhattan. On view from December 7, 2011 through May 14, 2012, Transition to Christianity: Art of Late Antiquity, 3rd – 7th Century A.D. brings together more than 170 exceptional objects on loan from Greek museums, as well as museums in Cyprus and the United States. Incorporating many outstanding works of art that have never before been seen outside Greece, as well as recently discovered works that are being exhibited for the first time anywhere, Transition to Christianity reveals a period of extraordinary and perhaps unexpected creativity in the Greek world of Late Antiquity.

Warm thanks to Lila Prounis, who represents the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council of North and South America, for arranging this fascinating and informative tour.

Upcoming Events for April and May 2012

April 23rd, Monday – “Religion, Women and Peacebuilding”

2nd seminar on “Religion, Women and Peacebuilding” organized by Religions for Peace and co-sponsored by RNGOs and other organizations will focus on “Religion, Security and Violence Prevention” and will be held in the Tillman Chapel at the Church Center. Refreshments and lunch will be served in the Drew Room. RSVP required.

RSVP by Friday, April 20: http://act.religionsforpeace.org/site/R?i=47dOdU-IFbhJRGZj44d_Aw

April 24th, Tuesday —NYC Onassis Cultural Center

The RNGO’s are invited by the Onassis Cultural Center, as arranged by RNGO Bureau member Lila Prounis, to a special guided tour of the exhibition, Transition to Christianity on Tuesday, April 24. Please be in the lobby of Olympic Towers, 645 Fifth Avenue (between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue at 51st Street) at 10:45A.M. Coffee and pastries will be served before the tour. RSVP required. RSVP by Friday, April 20 to: ldprounis@aol.com

April 24th, Tuesday – Washington, DC

“A Day for the Climate” sponsored by Interfaith Moral Action on Climate. The event will begin with a sunrise vigil at the Martin Luther King Memorial, followed by a service for healing the climate at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, a multi-faith procession to the US Capitol, a commissioning and vigil at the capitol, constituent visits with ethical report cards and a closing sharing and benediction at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation. Groups or individuals may sign on to a statement at www.interfaithactiononclimatechange.org

May 16th, Wednesday – Church Center

RNGOs will co-sponsor the film Mayan Renaissance on Wednesday, May 16th at 6:00 PM in the Tillman Chapel. This film is being shown during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to highlight this year’s Special Theme, “The Doctrine of Discovery: Its Enduring Impact on Indigenous Peoples”. It stars 1992 Nobel Peace Laureate and Maya leader Rigoberta Menchu Tum. A 7 minute preview of the film can be seen at: http://mayanrenaissance.org

May 24, Thursday

2nd Annual RNGO Luncheon with

Missions and UN Agencies

1-3 PM at Church Center, 2nd Floor

Japan One Year Later: A People’s Response After March 11th

Japan One Year Later:

A People’s Response After March 11th

a firsthand report from Rikuzentakata

with special guest speaker

Mr. Kiyoshi Murakami

Kiyoshi Murakami is a former UNHCR officer and seasoned multinational human resources executive. He comes from the small coastal city of Rikuzentakata, which was described as being “wiped off the map” by the epic tsunami on March 11 last year.

Hiro Sakurai of the NGO Committee on Disarmament introduced Mr. Murakami.

Mr. Murakami gave us a firsthand report from Rikuzentakata on the devastating losses and suffering brought by the disaster, as well as the people’s inspiring response to those challenges.

Mr. Murakami presented RNGO President Monica Willard with a gift bearing the new mascot of the town of Rikuzentakata, which was chosen by the children to represent “chume,” or “hope.”

This program was co-sponsored by the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations in collaboration with the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security and United for Culture of Peace.

Thursday, March 29, 2012        

1:00-2:30 p.m.

The Chapel at the UN Church Center