Front Page

Commentary: When Voting, Ask Right Questions - and Pray

October 26, 2004 – Politics - electoral, congregational or denominational - is a very strange game. We are in the midst of the political season, and to paraphrase the Scripture, "Where two or three are gathered, there will be a political discussion." My dad used to tell me, "If you want to keep your friends, don't talk about politics or religion." I already blew the religion part; now here I go on politics!

Churches' Worldwide Campaign to Address Violence Against Women and Children

October 25, 2004 – Churches worldwide will address violence against women and children within the framework of a World Council of Churches (WCC) campaign, "On the wings of a dove." From 25 November until 10 December 2004, churches and church-related organizations will be promoting increased public awareness, and attempting to bring justice and healing to those who have suffered or are still suffering from violence. Worships and prayer vigils, discussions and exhibitions are examples of the campaign activities planned for the 16 days. In particular, the campaign is designed to encourage the churches to develop pastoral and practical responses to various forms of violence by providing a safe space for women to tell their stories, by offering counseling both to survivors and perpetrators of violence, and by linking with other groups and movements working on overcoming violence.

Conference Announces Dec. 1 Trial Date for Philadelphia Pastor

October 27, 2004 – A Dec. 1 trial date is set for the Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud, a United Methodist pastor who has been open with her Philadelphia congregation about her sexual orientation and relationship with another woman. The date was announced Oct. 26 by the United Methodist Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference. Retired Bishop Joseph Yeakel will preside over the church trial, which will take place at Camp Innabah, a church camp near Pottstown.

General News

Best Step to Preventing Suicide: Open a Dialogue

October 22, 2004 – What's the best thing to do if you suspect someone you know is considering suicide? Ask them. And then really focus on the answer, says the Rev. Jo Ann Mann, certified counselor for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program and a retired U.S. Army chaplain. "Open that dialogue with them if you suspect there's a problem," Mann said. "Just say, 'Are you thinking about suicide?' If you give them permission to tell you by asking them a direct question, most people will tell you what they're thinking."

Apartment Ministry Reaches People Where They Live

October 25, 2004, DALLAS - For Mario Martinez, 13, the only church he has ever known for the past five years is the two-bedroom apartment transformed each Sunday into a sanctuary, nursery and Sunday school classroom at the complex where he lives with his family. Lake Highlands United Methodist Church brings worship services to Mario and dozens of other residents of the complex each Sunday because most of the older residents work during traditional worship hours. "It's time for us to get outside of our little group here and try to reach people outside the walls of our church," says the Rev. Pamela Clark, associate pastor at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, who heads the church's off-campus ministries.

Methodists in Agreement with Sexual Education in School

October 22, 2004, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina (IEMA) said it agrees with a Project that parliament is debating in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires to introduce a sexual education course in schools in the capital. In an Open Letter, published last Thursday the IEMA said "We consider that there is a need for an education where the human being, in all its integrity is at the center." The declaration was signed by Pastor Nelly Ritchie, bishop of the IEMA. The position of the Methodist differs from the one expressed last week by the Christian Alliance Federation of Evangelical Churches in the Republic of Argentina (FACIERA) who are opposed to the creation of this course, alleging that the sexual education of children should take place within each family, based on their beliefs, without State interference.

Board Forwards Proposal for New Worship Materials to ELCA Council

October 27, 2004, CHICAGO - The board of the Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) forwarded a report - which includes "provisions for finishing the development of a new primary book of worship" - to the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The council will consider the report for transmission to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The DCM board met here Oct. 15-16. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council meets Nov. 11-15. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, 2005, in Orlando, Fla.

ELCA Commission for Women Calls for 'Gender Justice'

October 28, 2004, CHICAGO - The steering committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Commission for Women wants a proposed redesign of the churchwide organization to replace references to "work on behalf of women" with efforts for "gender justice," said Agnes S. McClain, committee chair. The committee drafted a rationale for the new language at its Oct. 15-16 meeting here.

"'Work on behalf of women' can easily be heard or reduced to 'women's work,' which represents a dangerous misunderstanding" of the commission's mandate, said the rationale. "Work for justice around issues of gender is work done not for the sake of women alone, but for the sake of and for the health of the whole church," it said. The committee stressed "gender justice" over "work on behalf of women" in the ELCA's efforts toward clergy sexual misconduct prevention. Its rationale said a full-time staff person should direct that work "for the sake of children, men and women."

Yam Jam Collects 100,000 Pounds of Food for Needy

October 26, 2004, GOLDEN, Texas (UMNS) - Sandra Horton surveyed the soft, brown earth, looking for plump sweet potatoes to add to the orange mesh bag she was filling for the Society of St. Andrew.

Trouble was, it looked as if all that remained in the muddy 27-acre field were scrawny, black-spotted, root-resembling remnants of what used to be sweet potatoes. Horton had envisioned herself uncovering a bonanza that looked like the fat, rich, copper-colored spuds she usually sifted through in a bin at the grocery store.

Christian Educators Can Teach Tolerance, Speaker Says

October 26, 2004, NEW ORLEANS - Our enemies on Sept. 11 were not the 19 men who flew the planes - it was their teachers, according to James Fleming, director of the Biblical Resources Study Center in Jerusalem. "Hyper-fundamentalists" exist in all faiths, and the role of Christian educators is to help church members understand that hyper fundamentalism is "a human problem not a religious one," he said. Fleming presented a workshop on "Interfaith: Understanding and the Role of Christian Education" during the Oct. 14-18 Christian Educators Fellowship conference in New Orleans. The Biblical Resources Study Center is an ecumenical organization in Israel.

Puerto Rican Religious Leaders Discuss Island's Identity

October 27, 2004, SAN JUAN - Since the United States invaded Puerto Rico in July 1898 during the Spanish-American War, the political status of the island has been subject to debate and, at times, violent dispute. The territory was ceded by Spain to the United States after that war and is now a semi-autonomous "commonwealth" attached to the U.S. with a population of 3.8 million. In 1917, the United States granted citizenship to the islanders, though many inhabitants desired greater self-government. For some, this meant total independence, while others wanted Puerto Rico to become a state. Now, as the territory prepares for a Nov. 2 gubernatorial election at the same time that U.S. voters go to the polls, the issue of the island's future relationship to the United States is the focus of debate. Religious leaders are calling on the population to find new ways to resolve the issue.

Ecumenical News

Christian-Jewish Dialogue Works to "Seek Peace and Pursue It"

October 25, 2004 – The American Jewish Committee and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States convened a high-level Christian-Jewish summit in Washington, D.C., October 20-21, 2004. The group first gathered under AJC auspices last May and the second meeting is part of an ongoing initiative. The day and a half of meetings addressed perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how Christian and Jewish communities in the United States can work together to advance peace in the Middle East. At the core of the discussions was a vigorous exploration of ways that key concerns of each of the communities can be presented and understood by the other. The Christian and Jewish representatives spoke positively of their long-standing cooperation on a range of domestic policy issues and ways to strengthen their common social justice agenda. Among issues discussed was divestment, which came to the fore in July after the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed a resolution calling for a process that could lead to selective divestment in certain companies doing business in Israel. Participants agreed to close consultations in the weeks and months ahead on this matter of critical concern to the Jewish community.

Lutherans Assume Commitments and Ask Jewish, Black and Indigenous People for Forgiveness

October 18, 2004, SAO LEOPOLDO, Brazil - Upon commemorating 180 years of presence in the country, Lutheran Evangelicals committed themselves to assuming their public responsibility with greater strength, contributing to making Brazil a more just country, marked by solidarity, which is able to overcome poverty and misery. At the same time, they promised to continue struggle for peace, justice and the integrity of creation, to work for social inclusion and to combine their ecumenical commitment with the missionary task.

Christian Educators Organization Offers Support, Advocacy

October 26, 2004, NEW ORLEANS - Are there any teachers in your church who are passionate and committed but have never had any formal training? Christian educators are those "grassroots workers" who are helping churches grow but often they are left to lead without any formal training, according to Chris Jackson, president of the Christian Educators Fellowship board of directors. More than 700 Christian educators met Oct. 14-18 in New Orleans for the fellowship's national conference to network and build relationships with others from around the United States.

World Council of Churches Calendar for November 2004

WCC general secretary to visit Latin America, November 1-20 – Five countries are listed on the agenda of WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia's 1-20 November 2004 trip to Latin America. During his first visit to the continent since being elected as general secretary, Kobia will meet with members and representatives of churches and ecumenical organizations, governments and civil society in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

Spanish News

Campaña Mundial De Las Iglesias Frente a La Violencia Contra Mujeres Y Niños

25 Octubre 2004 – Las iglesias denunciarán en todo el mundo la violencia contra mujeres y niños en el marco de la campaña del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) "Sobre las alas de una paloma." Del 25 de noviembre al 10 de diciembre de 2004, las iglesias y organizaciones conexas promoverán una mayor concientización e intentarán llevar justicia y sanidad a quienes han sufrido o están todavía sufriendo violencia. Encuentros de culto y oración, debates y exposiciones son ejemplos de las actividades planificadas para la campaña durante esos 16 días. En particular, la campaña pretende estimular a las iglesias para que desarrollen respuestas pastorales y prácticas a las diversas formas de violencia ofreciendo un espacio seguro a las mujeres para que cuenten sus problemas, dando consejos tanto a las víctimas como a los causantes de la violencia, y conectando con otros grupos y movimientos que trabajan para superar la violencia.

International News

Financial Stability must Be Inscribed Within a Context of Justice

October 22, 2004, QUITO, Ecuador - We Churches cannot become filled with enthusiasm about a notion of financial stability that is based on the current system, said Argentine Lutheran Pastor Angel Furlan, in the session dedicated to ethical and theological considerations during the Global Dialogue with the Financial Sector. The event took place in Quito, sponsored by Bread for All and the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI). To the contrary, financial stability should be inscribed in a context of truth, justice, peace and respect for the integrity of Creation, said Furlan, who is coordinator of the Lutheran World Federation's Action Program on the Illegitimate Foreign Debt in Latin America.

Evangelicals Criticize OAS Interference in Internal Affairs

October 20, 2004, MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Evangelical leaders spoke in favor of Nicaraguan institutionalism and criticized the intromission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in internal affairs that should be resolved by Nicaraguans themselves. Officials from the OAS Council, US Luigi Einaudi, who is currently acting Secretary General and Aristides Royo, have been meeting with President Enrique Bolanos, Congress representatives, magistrates from the Supreme Court and leaders from the Liberal, Alliance for the Republic and Sandinista Front parties. Royo, after the first meetings, said that the Nicaraguan crisis is harming investment and the national economy.

The Religious Theme Wins Space in Cuban Culture

October 19, 2004, HAVANA, Cuba - The religious theme, essentially taboo in expositions and art shows that were organized in Cuba in the 1980s, is gaining ground. The change was sparked by a search for a human response to the vicissitudes brought by the fall of European socialism and the call to the unity of all Cubans to save the country, no matter what their philosophical perspective. This created an opening in the art field that has been expressed, over the years in a discrete by very present fashion in many of the collections that are exhibited and in the competitions.

PC(USA) Seeks Accompaniers for Colombia
Church Leaders There Continue to Be Harassed, Threatened

October 28, 2004, LOUISVILLE - Dozens of volunteers are now being sought to serve as accompaniers with the Presbyterian Church in Colombia (PCI) to curb violence against its pastors and church workers. The PCI has been asking for help for more than six months. During its September meeting the PC(USA)'s General Assembly Council approved sending accompaniers under the joint auspices of the Worldwide Ministries Division and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Teams of two or three volunteers will go into the region for stints of four to six weeks until a full-time mission co-worker is hired to host mission groups and provide pastoral support for the PCI. The church is ministering amidst government repression, guerrilla warfare and brutal paramilitary incursions.

Religious Leaders Support Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in U.S.

October 28, 2004 – Bishops Leo Frade and James Ottley have joined other religious leaders in south Florida to request that President Bush grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitians residing in the U.S. A similar request was also sent to Democratic presidential contender Senator John Kerry. Faith-based refugee and immigration organizations such as Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) have been advocating for months to have the U.S. Government permit Haitians residing in the U.S. without legal status to remain here until the current crisis in Haiti subsides. As recently as last week, Haitians were being deported, despite the violence and upheaval in their country.

Middle East News

Middle East, Sudan Focus of United Methodist Advocacy Agency

October 27, 2004 – Deep concern for the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in the Middle East and the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the Darfur region of Sudan has been expressed by members of the United Methodist Church's social action agency. The Middle East statement calls for action both in Israel/Palestine and in Iraq and urges the U.S. government to use its influence to bring lasting peace to the region. The Sudan statement demands an international effort "to take all necessary steps to end the terror of civil conflict and the violence of hunger, disease and displacement..." The denomination's Board of Church and Society wrote the two statements during its Oct. 14-18 meeting in Herndon, Va. Board members also elected Bishop Beverly Shamana of the San Francisco Area as its president for the next four years and Bishop William Hutchison of Louisiana will serve as vice president. Two-thirds of the board's 63 directors are serving for the first time.

Christian Tourists Overcome Fear, Return to Israel

October 28, 2004, JERUSALEM - After a nearly four-year hiatus sparked by the Palestinian "intifada," or uprising, Christian tourists are coming back to the Holy Land. Their presence can be felt on the streets of downtown Jerusalem, where tour buses are again making an appearance; in large restaurants that can accommodate tour groups; and in local hotels, virtually all of which were forced to lay off staff after the September 2000 uprising. Many hotels, particularly in Bethlehem in the West Bank and Nazareth in northern Israel, were forced to close their doors completely.

People in the News

Shirley Guthrie Dead at 77
Theologian Taught at Columbia Theological Seminary for 40 Years

October 25, 2004, LOUISVILLE - The Rev. Shirley C. Guthrie, who taught theology at Columbia Theological Seminary for nearly 40 years from a deeply held perspective of God's love and justice, died Oct. 23 at his Avondale Estates, GA, home. Guthrie, 77, fought cancer for a number of years. He frequently criticized the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s internal debates. During yet another discussion of human sexuality in 2001, Guthrie declared, "You've got self-righteous people on all sides arguing with other self-righteous people. Maybe God is saying 'no' to what we are and these little trivial debates we're having in the church while hundreds of thousands of people are starving to death."

Reviews

Biblical Women Tell Their Own Stories in Brenner's I AM. . .

October 22, 2004, MINNEAPOLIS - In the newly released I AM . . ., Athalya Brenner presents fictionalized "autobiographies" of a dozen women and women groups in the Hebrew Bible, and also lets them share a conversation session . This allows her to include how these women have been interpreted-not only in the Bible itself, but also in Jewish and Christian traditions and by modern commentators. The result is a thoroughly engaging and insightful look at women, from a leading biblical interpreter who has a very creative edge to all her work.