Front Page

The Signs of Death Do Not Represent God

April 6, 2003 SAN SALVADOR - We live in a world where the signs of death, such as war, violence, corruption and exclusion are constantly present, but none of these problems represent God's will, said Pastor Angel Furlan this Sunday at the opening worship service for the Lutheran World Federation's Latin American and Caribbean Pre-Assembly. "God is the God of life and limitless love and his will for humanity is life and not suffering," said Furlan, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (IELU) and moderator of the Latin American Lutheran Conference of Bishops and Presidents.

War in Iraq Underscores Bigger 'Clash,' Speakers Say

April 10, 2003, WASHINGTON - The current war against Iraq is not so much a clash of cultures as conflict between the United States and the people of the rest of the world, said former presidential candidate George McGovern. The former South Dakota senator, 1972 Democratic presidential nominee and history professor said the U.S.-led war is also in conflict with the United Nations, not to mention the Sermon on the Mount and positions taken by U.S. leaders throughout history. McGovern was among the speakers during an April 4-5 event honoring the servant leadership of United Methodist Bishop James K. and Eunice Mathews. The celebration included a symposium focusing on the "Clash of Civilizations: The Challenge to Our Institutions of Higher Learning." The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation and the Kerr Foundation sponsored the event.

Archbishop of Canterbury Hosts Dialogue of Christian and Muslim Scholars in Qatar

April 9, 2003 – While the war continued to rage in Iraq, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams brought together 15 Christian theologians and 15 Muslim scholars to explore the use of Scripture in the two faiths in a "Building Bridges" seminar in Qatar. In his opening remarks April 7, Williams thanked the Amir of Qatar for his "exemplary commitment to this dialogue," adding that "he has shown precisely the kind of enthusiasm for honest exchange and deepened understanding which meetings such as this are designed to assist."

General News

Black Caucus Needs New Vision to Remain Viable, Leader Says

April 11, 2003, LOS ANGELES - If the United Methodist African-American caucus wants to continue providing a prophetic voice in times of injustice and a pastoral presence in times of crisis, it needs a new vision, leaders of the group say. Speakers, workshop leaders, Bible study leaders and others led this refrain at the April 2-5 annual meeting of the National Black Methodists for Church Renewal. The 530 people in attendance focused on the emotional, spiritual and physical renewal of African-American churches and communities.

Book Focuses on Praying for President Bush

April 10, 2003 – Pauline Jones Hord believes President George W. Bush is "the kind of president we should get behind in prayer." She believes it so much she has written a collection of her prayers: Praying for the President. Hord, 96, is a lifelong United Methodist and member of Christ Church in Memphis. "One of the deep desires of my heart is that the Christians and God-loving people of America will unite in daily prayer for our president, the administration and our nation," she said.

ELCA Council Approves Plan for Mission, Recommends Budget

April 10, 2003, CHICAGO - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted "Faithful Yet Changing: The Plan for Mission in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America" and asked the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to authorize the next steps in the process. The council also recommended 2004 and 2005 budget proposals for the ELCA.

ELCA Council Nominates Presiding Bishop, Acts on Other Topics

April 10, 2003, CHICAGO - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) formally nominated the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, as a candidate for a six-year term as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies.

ELCA Council Seeks Clarity in Proposed Health Care Statement

April 10, 2003, CHICAGO - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) delayed transmission until this summer of a final proposed social statement on health and health care to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly. Acknowledging the document's strengths, the council said it had several concerns about the document related to "definition of key terms, clarity of language and sequencing of thought."

Cuban Episcopalians Reverse Decision on Rejoining ECUSA

April 7, 2003 – Anglicans in Cuba have decided against seeking to rejoin the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA). The decision, made at the regular annual synod of the Episcopal Church of Cuba in Matanzas this February, reverses a strong vote the previous February to seek reunion with ECUSA. In a vote by orders, 11 clergy voted against and eight voted in favor of the move, while in the lay order, 31 voted in favor and 17 voted against. A majority in both houses was required to pass the measure.

ELCA Council Transmits Evangelism Strategy to Assembly

April 10, 2003, CHICAGO - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended that the 2003 Churchwide Assembly adopt "Sharing Faith in a New Century: A Vision for Evangelism in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council met here April 4-6. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 11-17 in Milwaukee.

Mission Leader Sees Assets in Faith, Hope, Love

April 11, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - When the Rev. R. Randy Day pushes for asset-based development in mission, he's not talking dollars and cents. The new chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is looking beyond the agency's financial constraints to find ways to achieve its goals. He believes the church's assets of faith, hope and love can propel it forward. Our spiritual assets equip us to utilize material resources in ways that achieve the goals of mission: making disciples and making a difference for Christ in the world," Day said during an address at the April 7-10 Board of Global Ministries meeting.

Global Ministries Agency Sees Slight Improvement in Finances

April 11, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Staff Treasurer Stephen Feerrar had good news and bad news for the financially struggling United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. With a strong fourth quarter and stringent attention to cost control, expenses came in at $3.5 million below budget in 2002, he told board directors during the agency's April 7-10 spring meeting. His report did not include financial summaries for the Women's Division or Health and Relief unit. Steady World Service receipts, a 15 percent increase in giving to projects supporting missionaries, and a slight improvement in the board's cash position at the end of the year also were positive signs, he said.

ELCA Council Forwards Progress Report on Studies on Sexuality

April 9, 2003, CHICAGO - The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) transmitted a progress report on the church's studies on sexuality to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. At the direction of the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the church is conducting a comprehensive four-year study on homosexuality and a six-year study on human sexuality.

Baptist Ministers Conference Scheduled for Jan. 26-29, 2004

April 7, 2003, Valley Forge, Pa. - A national conference for American Baptist ministers, "Strong in the Lord," is scheduled for Jan. 26-29, 2004, in Orlando, Fla. The conference will seek to meet several goals, including shaping and strengthening pastoral ministry, connecting colleagues from various ministry specialties and geographical settings, and encouraging participation in collegial covenant groups. The conference, which will focus on the life of the minister, will feature worship, Bible study, plenary presentations and peer group gatherings.

Consultation Calls on Churches to Deepen Their Missionary Practice

April 6, 2003, BAD SEGEBERG - Participants reaffirmed their commitment to place themselves at the service of God's mission and called on all Churches to join this effort at the end of a consultation on mission and cooperation that brought together representatives from 22 countries in Europe and Latin America. In a letter to Churches on two continents, participants at the Bad Segeberg meeting recognized that both continents need to deepen the missionary practice and the concept that defines it so that Churches can live it in an integral manner.

From Shock to Service: How Congregations Respond to War's Impact

April 9, 2003 – For the most part, military chaplains come from congregations that receive the news that their priest is being mobilized and potentially deployed "suddenly," explains Bishop George Packard, the Episcopal Church's suffragan for chaplains. "It sends a shock wave through the whole Eucharistic community and they have to reorient themselves: how do we function, how do we take care of the priest's family left behind, how do we take care of our own needs? Will we have enough money for an interim priest? So there's lots of kinds of stressors that are brought immediately upon these congregations as well as those priests who are being deployed as chaplains."

Symposium Celebrates, Emphasizes Importance of Older Adults

April 9, 2003, NASHVILLE - In the United States, 35 million adults - 12.5 percent of the population - are 65 or older, and that number will more than double in the next three decades. In the United Methodist Church, nearly half - 48.4 percent - of the membership is already over 65, according to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey in 2001. "The United Methodist Church is graying faster than the country," said Shirley Painter, chairperson of the Older Adult Committee on Aging. Now is the time to establish active, committed older adult committees or councils in each annual (regional) conference, Painter added.

Task Force Will Seek Ways to Streamline General Conferences

April 10, 2003, PITTSBURGH - In an effort to better control costs, a newly formed United Methodist task force will examine ways to improve the operation of the church's top legislative assembly. The group's goal will be to produce a document that looks at the pros and cons of current and proposed procedures for conducting the church's business at General Conference. The assembly draws nearly 1,000 delegates together every four years to make decisions affecting the church's operation, laws and stands on social issues. It will meet again April 26-May 7, 2004, in Pittsburgh.

Ecumenical News

'Bread' Campaign Supports Millennium Challenge Account

April 9, 2003, Valley Forge, Pa. - Bread for the World, the Christian anti-hunger organization supported by many American Baptist individuals and churches, is in the midst of a campaign, "Rise to the Challenge: End World Hunger," that encourages increased development assistance to poor countries through the newly-proposed Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).

Worship Arts Fellowship Plans Convocation for July 10-15

April 10, 2003, NASHVILLE - "Nurturing the Roots - Growing the Future" is the theme for the July 10-15 biennial national convocation of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts to be held in Dearborn, Mich. The fellowship is a national organization of worship planners and leaders, musicians, music directors, pastors, dancers, storytellers, actors and other liturgical artists. Though its membership is mostly United Methodist, people of all denominations are welcome.

Archbishop Demetrios Meets with President and First Lady

April 5, 2003, WASHINGTON - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, met on Friday, April 4, with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the White House. The President invited the Archbishop for a private meeting to offer his greetings on the occasion of the celebration of Greek Independence Day.

Jews and Christians Seek to Move from 'Contention to Cooperation'

April 4, 2003 – "We are living in the midst of a historic transformation in Jewish-Christian relations," said Rabbi Eugene Korn, director of interfaith affairs at the Anti-Defamation League, in his introduction to an April 3 panel discussion on "Jewish-Christian Relations in the New Millenium: From Contention to Cooperation" at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. The panel, linked by satellite with six other sites, was part of a series presented by the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life.

Lutherans Agree to Discuss Regular Theological Conversations

April 7, 2003, CHICAGO - Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) met as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC) April 3 here at the ELCA churchwide office and agreed to take the first steps toward regular theological conversations between the two largest Lutheran churches in the United States. The 5.1-million member ELCA and the 2.6-million member Missouri Synod account for all but about 840,000 Lutherans in the United States. The ELCA is the product of several 20th century Lutheran church mergers, the latest in 1988; the St. Louis-based Missouri Synod was established in 1847.

Editorial Page

Divine Intervention: Morality, Religion and an Illegitimate War

April 8, 2003, GENEVA - As we are being prepared for a longer and probably more destructive war in Iraq than was initially projected, voices opposed to the war grow louder, challenging the legitimacy of the decision by the United States and Britain to use military force to disarm Iraq and achieve a regime change there. Victory in itself will not establish legitimacy. By acting outside a United Nations mandate, the coalition partners deliberately took the risk of conflict with international law, hoping that quick success would silence those who questioned the wisdom and legitimacy of their undertaking. But now the question is being raised anew, and it may well begin to haunt the governments involved.

Spanish News

Asuntos Internacionales, Paz Y Seguridad Humana Moralidad, religión y guerra ilegítima

Mientras se nos prepara para una guerra en Irak mucho más larga y probablemente mucho más destructiva que lo previsto inicialmente, suenan con más fuerza las voces que se oponen a esta guerra, desafiando la legitimidad de la decisión de los Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña de usar la fuerza militar para desarmar a Iraq y conseguir allí un cambio de régimen. La victoria por sí misma no confiere legitimidad. Al actuar fuera del mandato de las Naciones Unidas, los países coaligados asumieron deliberadamente el riesgo de entrar en conflicto con el derecho internacional, esperando que un éxito rápido acallaría las voces de quienes cuestionaban la prudencia y la legitimidad de su empresa. Pero ahora la cuestión se plantea de nuevo, y puede empezar a obsesionar a los gobiernos implicados.

"Conquistar Corazones Y Mentes" - Asegurar La Ayuda Imparcial

9 de abril de 2003 – Mientras la guerra en Irak parece encaminarse a su fin, y el futuro del pams permanece incierto, la preocupacisn por los civiles iraqumes continza aumentando. Al mismo tiempo en que las fuerzas de la coalicisn luchan en las calles de Bagdad, el sufrimiento y las necesidades de la poblacisn se intensifican.

New York Metropolitan Area

Archimandrite Evangelos Kourounis Elected Metropolitan of New Jersey

April 12, 2003, NEW YORK - The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople elected unanimously today the Very Reverend Archimandrite Evangelos Kourounis as Metropolitan of New Jersey. The Metropolitan-elect was the first of three candidates chosen for the see of the Metropolis of New Jersey whose names were recently submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

National News

Educator Encourages Advocacy for School Reform

April 8, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Grass-roots advocacy is essential for continued school reform, according to a longtime educator. David Hornbeck, chairman and founding counsel for Good Schools Pennsylvania, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to public education reform, spoke during the April 4-7 meeting of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. He was named in March as the new president and chief executive officer of the International Youth Foundation.

International News

African LWF Member Churches to Contribute USD 20,000 to Endowment

April 11, 2003, NAIROBI, Kenya - The 29 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Africa plan to contribute USD 20,000 to the LWF Foundation - Endowment Fund over the next four years. The decision was made by church representatives attending the March 23-26 Africa Pre-Assembly Consultation in Nairobi, Kenya.

Foreign Debt Issue Should Be Brought to International Court

April 9, 2003, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - A Lutheran church leader from Argentina has described the foreign debt of countries in the South especially the Latin American region as illegitimate and anti-ethical and urged that this issue be brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Peace Agreements in El Salvador Ended the War, but Root Problems Remain

April 9, 2003, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Eleven years after the signing of peace agreements ending a war that left more than 75,000 people dead, it is possible to state that the war ended but the root problems remain, Dr. Angel Ibarra, a key presenter at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Pre-Assembly Consultation (PAC) for the Latin American and Caribbean region, said.

Ecclesiastical Diplomacy Takes the Stage in Taiwan

April 13, 2003 – A delegation from the Reformed Church in America (RCA), which has a longstanding and close relationship with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), paid a call to Taipei and Tainan from April 1 to 3 on its way to China. The group was led by the Rev. Mr. Tiu Geng-siong (John Chang), who is president of the RCA's General Synod this year.

CWS Flour Distributed in North Korea; Helps Mother, Child Nutrition

April 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - If you ask Church World Service senior staffer Victor W.C. Hsu about his trip to North Korea April 1-5, be prepared - his description of the smell and taste of fresh-baked bread could make your mouth water. Mr. Hsu, Senior Advisor to the CWS Executive Director, visited North Korea to monitor delivery of a CWS donation of 1.5 million pounds of fortified flour, intended for children under age seven, pregnant women and nursing mothers - among the most vulnerable of millions of hungry North Koreans who rely on donated food aid to stay alive.

Latin America and Caribbean Churches Called to Focus on Children and Youth in HIV/AIDS Work

April 10, 2003, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The president of the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope, Rev. Victoria Cortez Rodriguez, has called on church representatives in Latin American and the Caribbean to particularly focus on HIV positive children, and awareness raising among young people in the churches' HIV/AIDS work.

Historic Churches Offer Critical Support for Lula

April 11, 2003, BRASILIA - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes that Churches participate in the implementation of social programs in his administration but that they mainly act as critical voices that point out mistakes and correct the government's path. The president made the comments at a meeting with leaders from the National Council of Brazilian Christian Churches (CONIC) and the Ecumenical Service Coordinator (CESE).

Let the Children Study!

April 6, 2003 – "Taiwan is my home!" Though she will leave Taiwan in July to take up college studies in the USA, Kaohsiung American School senior Kate Alexander deeply loves this nation. She is aware, however, that there are many young people here who do not have the educational opportunities that she has enjoyed. Moved by this knowledge, she contacted Taiwan's World Vision social service organization and offered to help in the "Love Taiwan, Let the Children Study" movement.

Iraq, North Korea Draws Attention of Mission Agency

April 11, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Current events in Iraq and North Korea commanded attention when the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries met April 7-10. Board directors also forwarded a raft of social resolutions to be considered by the denomination's top legislative body next year and decided to have a first-ever telethon to raise money for mission projects. As the war in Iraq continued, directors adopted a resolution affirming the belief that war is incompatible with the teachings of Christ but acknowledging "the divisions within the household of faith in time of war."

'Nancy' Faces Uncertain Future as Canada Decides to Deport Her

April 1, 2003 – An Iranian woman seeking to become a refugee in Canada, who says she fears that, as a Christian convert she will be jailed, tortured or killed if forced to return to her homeland, is about to be returned to Iran. Canada has decided to deport the woman by April 24 - a move that will send "Nancy" back to the land and people she fled two and a half years before.

Man Who Threatened Colombian Pastor Escapes Jail

April 4, 2003, LOUISVILLE - A man accused of threatening a Presbyterian minister and his family in Colombia has escaped from jail, according to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Nicolas Alfonso Pezzano Bornacelly, a Colombian paramilitary leader, was arrested in Barranquilla, in northern Colombia, in November, 2002, and was awaiting trial for making phone calls threatening the life of the Rev. Milton Mejia, stated clerk of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. According to the church, police tracked the calls to Mejia directly to Bornacelly.

Taiwan Youth Pray for Peace

April 13, 2003 – "Make me a channel of your peace, Where there is hate, let me sow love..." The words of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi were heard when youth from several churches from the Longevity Mountain Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan gathered at Ren-mei Church last week. They prayed for the end of the war between America and Iraq and for world peace. Holding hands in a circle, they called for peace to descend upon the world, and promised to be seeds of peace, love and hope.

Middle East News

Episcopal Chaplains Bring Compassion to War

April 9, 2003 – Two weeks before the first air strikes were launched on Baghdad, Bishop George Packard, suffragan in charge of the Episcopal Church's chaplaincies, reminded a gathering at the Episcopal Church Center that "when America goes to war, the Episcopal Church will go to war too" - in the person of active-duty and reservist Episcopal chaplains who accompany U.S. troops into battle.

Iraq Conflict Heightens Suspicions of US Intentions

April 9, 2003 – While American-led coalition forces continue their progress in the Iraq war, the reaction in parts of the Arab world point to a continuing problem of perceptions over the underlying purposes of the war. An unflattering cartoon of US President George W. Bush, for example, appeared on Sunday on the front page of one of Jordan's Arabic-language newspapers. It depicted him attired in Texas cowboy garb, trying to corral Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with a lasso. Other newspapers featured graphic photographs of Iraqi troops and civilians maimed or killed by US military forces.

McClure pleads for churches' role in peace, relief efforts: Churches Take Iraq War Concerns to Kofi Annan

April 4, 2003, LOUISVILLE - An ecumenical delegation has met with United Nations General Secretary Kofi Annan to stress the importance of getting humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians trapped inside the expanding war zone. The Rev. Marian McClure, director of the Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) of the Presbyterian Church (USA), was the spokesperson for the delegation that included representatives from Church World Service (the relief arm of the National Council of Churches), the Quakers, the Anglicans, the Lutheran World Federation and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Christians Have Duty to Debate War, Church Executive Says

April 8, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Joyce Sohl does not believe that her protest of the U.S.-led war against Iraq makes her unpatriotic. As a concerned Christian and American, she said, "I must protest this war as I feel God is calling me to do..." Sohl is chief executive of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Reporting to the division's directors at their April 4-7 meeting, she focused on why she and others have taken an anti-war position.

Up to Three Million Internally Displaced Persons Expected in Iraq

April 7, 2003, AMMAN, Jordan - Knut Eker is preparing for his journey home. For two and a half months the Norwegian engineer has been coordinating the activities of the Norwegian churches' relief agency, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). The NCA staff have been setting up the water supply and sanitary installations in the United Nations reception camp situated on the Iraqi border. Another contingent from Norway will take charge of the project. On his last working day, another violent sandstorm prevents Eker from checking the progress of the work in the camp. To see anything at all, they would have needed protective spectacles, he says.

US-Led Coalition May Win in the Conflict, But Peace Will Have Been Lost

April 9, 2003, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, reiterated his criticism of the war in Iraq during a press conference in the Salvadoran capital, San Salvador. The United States-led war against Iraq cannot be justified, as the United Nations inspectors were carrying out their work, and the United States and Great Britain did not allow them to continue to disarm Iraq in the framework of UN agreements, Noko said.

Lutheran Churches Protest Against War in Iraq

Against the background of the war in Iraq, officials of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), meeting in Hanover, Germany, March 27-28, expressed their gratitude for the many prayers for peace. The churches have offered many people a place where it is possible to express concerns and fears and to experience a sense of hope. The prayers also expressed global sympathy with the suffering of the victims.

Lutherans Assist with Aid for Iraqis

March 31, 2003 – U.S. Lutherans are among those who helped provide a shipment of medical aid to benefit children in Iraq that was delivered to two hospitals in Baghdad the week before hostilities broke out. The $90,000 shipment of antibiotics, emergency medicines and medical supplies came from seven faith-based agencies - including Baltimore based Lutheran World Relief (LWR) - that are co-sponsoring an appeal for Iraq called "All Our Children." The goal is to raise $1 million for medicines and medical supplies for sick and malnourished children in Iraqi hospitals and clinics.

Third Shipment for Iraqi Pediatrics Hospitals Ready in Jordan

April 8, 2003, AMMAN, JORDAN - As Baghdad's hospitals report a dramatic increase in admissions since the start of the war, a third shipment of supplies for pediatric hospitals is ready to leave Jordan as soon as it becomes possible to cross the border into Iraq and continue onward to Baghdad. The three-ton shipment includes 32 wheelchairs, 600 blankets and 800 bedding kits. Contributing $50,000 toward the shipment is All Our Children, a children's health initiative of several U.S. agencies including the global humanitarian agency Church World Service and the National Council of Churches.

ELCA Council Hears Presiding Bishop's Concerns about Iraq War

April 9, 2003, CHICAGO - The church must ask moral questions about the "rightness" of a U.S. government decision that the Pentagon - and not the United Nations or non-governmental organizations - be in control of service to people, institutions and the infrastructure of Iraq after the war ends. The comment was made by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in his report here April 5 to the ELCA Church Council.

UMCOR Plans for Iraq Relief Assistance

April 9, 2003, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The United Methodist Committee on Relief is prepared to offer training and technical assistance to many of the church-based humanitarian efforts in Iraq, according to the Rev. Paul Dirdak. Dirdak, who leads the agency, explained those plans when UMCOR directors gathered April 8 during the spring meeting of the agency's parent organization, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. In surveying its international professional staff, he reported, "we have identified five technical competencies which we believe are of such a high quality that we think our partner agencies will want to make use of our skills." Such assistance would be provided at UMCOR's expense, he added.

Winning Hearts and Minds or Ensuring Impartial Aid

April 9, 2003 – While the war in Iraq may be nearing an end and the country's future remains uncertain, concerns for Iraq's civilians continue to mount. As coalition forces battle in the streets of Baghdad, the suffering and needs of Iraqi civilians intensify. Many of Basra's 1.7 million inhabitants have been getting by on little food and insufficient and dirty drinking water. This is an unsustainable and unacceptable situation. If it continues for much longer, it not only puts many civilian lives at risk, but could lead to a situation where coalition forces and their governments may be accused of possible violations of the Geneva Conventions. The Conventions clearly forbid warring parties from using starvation as a weapon and they insist on free passage for humanitarian aid. Even when this is not the intention, the military reality in Iraq is increasingly likely to put the warring parties on a collision course with International Humanitarian Law.

People in the News

National Christian Council in Japan Elects New General Secretary

April 3, 2003, TOYKO - The Rev. Toshimasa Yamamoto was elected as the General Secretary of the National Christian Council in Japan.

Reviews

Lutheran Voices Resound

April 11, 2003, MINNEAPOLIS - Augsburg Fortress is proud to announce the release of Reclaiming the "L" Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core, the first in a new series entitled Lutheran Voices. Lutheran Voices will provide quality accessible books by Lutheran authors that will inform, teach, inspire, and renew. Grounded in Lutheran theology and practice, the books will cover a wide range of subjects and themes of interest to ELCA members and the wider Christian community.