Front Page

Church Should Speak Against Racial Profiling, Agency Leaders Say

September 15, 2004,WASHINGTON - A report that 32 million people have been victims of racial profiling practices since September 2001 should move United Methodist churches to speak out on injustices against racial and religious minorities, according to two denomination leaders. The unlawful use of race in police, immigration, and airport security procedures has expanded since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, and threatens to affect an estimated 87 million people in the United States, according to the report by Amnesty International USA. The report, "Threat and Humiliation: Racial Profiling, Domestic Security and Human Rights in the United States," was released at a press conference Sept. 13 at the National Press Club.

Bishops Oppose 'Misguided and Unnecessary' Euthanasia Bill

September 7, 2004 – Church of England and Roman Catholic bishops have joined forces to urge the UK Parliament not to change the law on euthanasia, arguing that allowing assisted suicide would undermine the protection of vulnerable people. In a joint submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, the Church of England House of Bishops and the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales describe the Bill as "misguided" and "unnecessary" and warn it would damage the relationship of trust between doctors and patients. The Select Committee was set up to consider a Private Member's Bill introduced by Lord Joffe.

UMCOR Hurricane Response Continues with Grants, Volunteers

September 16, 2004, NEW YORK - More than 80,000 Floridians have received assistance from the United Methodist Church as they try to recover from the multiple hurricanes of the season. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and the denomination's Florida Annual (regional) Conference have provided equipment and volunteers for cleanup, as well as monetary grants. Thirty tractor trailers full of cleanup supplies, emergency food and building materials from UMCOR and other United Methodist disaster relief depots have converged on the hardest-hit areas. Volunteers have borrowed church vans and rented commercial trailers to redistribute supplies.

Statement of Archbishop Demetrios on the Violent Demonstration Against the Ecumenical Patriarchate

September 9, 2004, New York - Responding to the violent demonstration that occurred on Sunday, September 5, 2004 in front of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, offered the following statement: "We are greatly saddened by the news of the recent provocative actions against our Ecumenical Patriarchate by some extreme nationalistic and political groups. These extreme elements are hostile towards our Ecumenical Patriarchate and, at the same time, are opposed to the process of accession of their own country, Turkey, to the European Union. Fortunately, these elements are truly a fringe group and do not represent the Turkish people. . .

Presiding Bishop Sends Letter to Russian Patriarch in Wake of Tragedy

September 10, 2004 – In response to the devastating terrorist siege at a Russian school which ended in the deaths of at least 335 people - most of them schoolchildren - Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold sent a letter to His Holiness Alexey II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, expressing his "heartfelt condolences and sympathy for the tragedy."

WCC Tribute to Pope Petros VII, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa

September 13, 2004 – It was with "deep sadness" that the World Council of Churches (WCC) received news of the "tragic accident in which Pope Petros VII, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa and other members of the Patriarchate, including bishops, priests and lay staff, lost their lives." In a letter sent today to the Patriarchate's authorities, WCC acting general secretary Georges Lemopoulos laments the loss of "a tireless witness of the gospel, a true servant of the people committed into his care by God, an advocate of fraternity and peace among peoples, an enthusiastic animator and renovator, a builder of the ecumenical movement in the Middle East, in Africa, and the world."

General News

Commentary: Christian Compassion Helps Russia

September 15, 2004 – On Sept. 1, all Russian children and families celebrate the Day of Knowledge. This day is the beginning of the new school year for kids. It is the time when schoolmates meet after a three-month-long summer break. Usually, it is a joyful day that children really love. All girls and boys wear a celebrative type of school uniform and present flowers to their favorite teachers on this day. Smiles are on every child's face; joyful greetings, music and the spirit of celebration are all around.

Point of Truth Programs to Premier on FaithStreams Internet Service

September 13, 2004 – Point of Truth, the Missouri Synods half-hour video worship program, premieres Sept. 14 and 15 on FaithStreams, a new service offering a library of faith-based video on the Internet. The Point of Truth shows, shot between March 2002 and June 2004, have all previously aired on the satellite Church Channel. The first two programs to be video streamed by FaithStreams - one on Sept. 14 and 15, and the other on Sept. 21 and 22 - feature sermons by Rev. Edward Wessling of Wickenburg, Ariz., and Synod President Gerald Kieschnick, respectively.

Lambeth Commission to Report October 18

September 10, 2004 – The Lambeth Commission on Communion announced today that it is to publish its report in London on Monday 18 October 2004 at the beginning of the meeting in London of the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates' Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council. The announcement follows the Commission's third plenary meeting, which was held this week (6 - 10 September) in Saint George's House, Windsor Castle.

Department of Religious Education Announces 2004 Fall Internet Classes
"The Ten Commandments for the Contemporary Orthodox Christian"

September 10, 2004, BROOKLINE, MA - The Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the Fall 2004 schedule of religious education classes for adults, families and parish educators over the Internet. The theme of the ISOS Fall Semester Classes is: The Ten Commandments for the Contemporary Orthodox Christian. The series of eleven 90-minute educational classes are intended to provide Christians the opportunity to examine the spiritual directives of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) in light of contemporary life.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Accepts Virginia Bishop's Invitation to Preside at Supplemental Confirmations

September 9, 2004, DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA - The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, has accepted an invitation from Bishop Peter Lee of Virginia to preside at two supplemental confirmation services on Wednesday, September 15, 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., at Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia. The services are especially provided for those congregations that are unhappy with Lee's consent to the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire, and feel the need for alternative episcopal ministry.

Ecumenical News

Conference to Explore Interfaith Dialogue Formation, Locally and Globally

September 14, 2004, NEW YORK - With the theme "Charged to do what is Right and Just," the Episcopal Church's Interfaith Education Initiative Conference will take place September 30 - October 2 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Produced in partnership with the College of Preachers, the National Cathedral and the Interfaith Education Initiative (IEI), the conference brings together a network of individuals who are actively engaged in interfaith dialogue at the local level. Three teams comprised of Christians, Jews and Muslims will share with participants the nuts and bolts of relating to each other in their three respective communities: Abilene, Texas; Dearborn, Michigan; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Bridges of Understanding, Justice

September 13, 2004, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has called on Christians and leaders from different faiths to build bridges of understanding between people, and to work together for peace and justice in the world.

LWF Council Affirms Role of Global Network of Churches and Agencies

September 12, 2004, GENEVA - The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has affirmed the important role of Action by Churches Together (ACT) in responding ecumenically to global emergencies, and confirmed that the LWF shall maintain collective membership with regard to ACT. The LWF is a founding member of the Geneva-based ACT, a worldwide network of churches and their related agencies.

Role of Theology and Ecumenism Affirmed as Basis for LWF's Life and Work

September 13, 2004, GENEVA - The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has affirmed the role of theology and ecumenism as foundational to the life and work of the LWF. At its September 1-7 meeting near here, the Council agreed that additional funding be found for LWF theological work so as to include the area of worship and proclamation. Receiving the report of the Program Committee for Ecumenical Affairs, the Council affirmed the LWF's commitment to find ways to fund the ecumenical dialogues and related Lutheran research.

Re-Commitment to Peace with Justice

September 17, 2004 – The United Nations has called on all member states to observe 21 September as the International Day of Peace. In the framework of its Decade to Overcome Violence, the World Council of Churches, associating itself with the international community, has called on its member churches to observe the same day as an International Day of Prayer for Peace. Peace is a gift of God to humanity through the Incarnation of Christ. The birth of Christ was announced by the angels as the restoration of peace in this world. A God-given reality cannot be usurped by man. This is a sin against God.

Strengthening Theological Bases for the Understanding and Practice of Mission in the 21st Century

September 14, 2004, GENEVA - At its September 1-7 meeting near Geneva, the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) received the LWF mission document "Mission in Context: Transformation, Reconciliation, Empowerment: An LWF Contribution to the Understanding and Practice of Mission," with the provision that reactions to the statement and additional input be incorporated wherever possible. The Council also requested the Program Committee for Mission and Development to designate three of its members to provide editorial approval prior to the document's publication.

Spanish News

Renovación Del Compromiso Por La Paz Con Justicia

17 de septiembre, 2004 – Las Naciones Unidas han invitado a todos sus estados miembros a observar el 21 de septiembre como Día Internacional de la Paz. En el marco de su Decenio para Superar la Violencia, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, asociándose con la comunidad internacional, ha instado a sus iglesias miembros a observar el mismo día como Día Internacional de Oración por la Paz. La paz es un don de Dios a la humanidad por medio de la encarnación de Cristo. El nacimiento de Cristo fue anunciado por los ángeles como la restauración de la paz en este mundo. Una realidad dada por Dios no puede ser usurpada por el hombre. Es un pecado contra Dios.

Eminentes Personalidades Cristianas Y Pacifistas Afirman El Poder Y Promesa De La Paz

9 de septiembre, 2004 – El premio Nobel de la Paz Arzobispo Desmond Tutu, el Patriarca Ortodoxo Ecuménico Bartolomé I de Constantinopla y el máximo representante de la Iglesia Evangélica en Alemania Obispo Wolfgang Huber figuran entre quienes apoyan el Día Internacional de Oración por la Paz, convocado por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en el marco de su Decenio para Superar la Violencia. La fecha fijada para su celebración es el 21 de septiembre.

International News

Darfur Crisis Is Diverting Resources Meant for Southern Sudan

September 12, 2004, BERLIN - Addressing a joint Conference of Catholic and Protestant Church leaders, Rev. Dr. Harunn Runn, Executive Director of New Sudan Council of Churches, pointed out that the Darfur genocide was predetermined by Khartoum government aimed at depopulating the agricultural and potentially mineral rich Darfur for subsequent resettlement by Arabs from northern Sudan. As a result, global attention has shifted from the peace talks while resources which could have been used to support an estimated one million Sudanese refugees to return home, are being diverted to Darfur.

Prominent World Christian Leaders and Peace-makers Affirm the Power and Promise of Peace

September 16, 2004 – Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and the head of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Bishop Wolfgang Huber are among those supporting an International Day of Prayer for Peace called for by the World Council of Churches (WCC) within its Decade to Overcome Violence. The date set for observance is 21 September.

Abyei: Mobilisation for Peace

September 17, 2004 – Action for peace has already started in the disputed area of Abyei. Impatient for a full peace agreement to be signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the people of Abyei are taking the initiative to try to resolve conflict and reduce tension in the area. The catalyst for this initiative has been a peace-building workshop organised by the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) with the support of Tear Fund (UK).

Reviews

Holley and Walters Challenge Church Leaders to Expand Their Vision

September 14, 2004, MINNEAPOLIS - In the ten short chapters of Called by God To Serve: Reflections for Church Leaders Rev. Robert F. Holley and Rev. Paul E. Walters take readers on a great journey-from the hot desert sands of Mount Sinai, to the shores of Galilee, through the belly of the great fish, to the first days of the church after the day of Pentecost, to the garden of the resurrection, and back to the early church.

Cultivating a Mature Faith in a Complex World

September 17, 2004, MINNEAPOLIS - The essence of spirituality is loving God, says Mark Allen Powell in his new book, Loving Jesus. The Bible, the Talmud, and the Qu'ran all direct their followers not merely to believe in God, to trust God, to obey God, and to serve God-but to love God. Can we learn to love God?