Front Page

Churches to Discuss Their International Advocacy Work While UN Meets in New York

November 11, 2004 – UN reform, economic justice, the crisis in Sudan and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty will be the focus of this year's World Council of Churches' (WCC) UN Advocacy Week, scheduled to take place from 14-19 November in New York City at the "Church Center" at the UN and the WCC's UN liaison office, with some seminars taking place in the United Nations building itself. This will be the second time that WCC has coordinated a week for advocacy, information-sharing, and strategizing on a number of international affairs. Last year, the event brought together over fifty people from the wider ecumenical movement to share their expertise and concerns and learn from one another. Those participants agreed unanimously to return to New York City for another Advocacy Week in 2004. This year, key people responsible for international affairs and advocacy in member churches, specialized ministries and ecumenical organizations will come together for strategic discussions on topics like "The responsibility of the international community for peace in Sudan" and "The role of the churches in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals." Participants in seminars and working sessions on many regions and issues of concern will address how to improve cooperation and prioritize efforts in the present international political environment.

Churches Preventing Child Abuse

November 8, 2004 – Can you think of a time when you last heard the words "child abuse" and "church" used together in a sentence that did not refer to a high-profile scandal involving a church leader who had sexually abused children? It is almost impossible to think of such an example, particularly considering the deluge of stories in the media about church-related child sexual abuse over the past few years. As a result, an accusing spotlight has shone on the inadequacies of systems within churches to protect children entrusted into their care from abuse. Church institutions have been exposed as having turned a blind eye to, or even attempted to cover up, internal cases of child abuse. In reaction to this, many churches have been falling over themselves to introduce child protection policies into all aspects of their work with children. So much so that it almost seems that today, a mother wanting to lend a helping hand at her child's summer scout camp has to fill in long and complicated forms and go through a vigorous police check before she is declared fit to teach the intricacies of knot-tying and to initiate songs around the campfire.

General News

Bishops Will Emphasize Disciple-Making in 2005-2008

November 9, 2004, ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - The bishops of the United Methodist Church will focus on disciple-making and world transformation as top priorities in the next four years, proclaiming "no greater calling" than to make followers of Christ. "There is no greater calling for this council than to lead this church into being one with Christ, one with each other and one in ministry to all the world," said Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Houston during a sermon Nov. 3.

Campaign Against Anti-Ethical Television Programs Enters New Phase

November 4, 2004, BRASILIA, Brazil - A campaign against those who fund anti-ethical, offensive television programs will now include efforts to lobby Congress to approve a legal bill that will create the Ethical TV Code, a Television Program Monitoring Council and the National Ethics in Television Commission. The bill is currently before the congressional Social Security and Family Commission. The initiative is being spearheaded by the congressional Human Rights and Minorities Commission, together with 60 groups from civil society.

Debate about Sexual Education in Schools Continues

November 3, 2004, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Debate about a Project to include a course on integral sexual education in schools in Buenos Aires divides Evangelical opinion. Claudia Lombardo, president of the Methodist Educational Institutions Commission (CIEM) published a statement supporting Methodist Bishop Nelly Ritchie, in favor of including the Integral Sexual Education as an obligatory course in schools in the capital.

Communications Gets Grant for Crisis Management

November 5, 2004 – Teams from five districts and the Synod's International Center have been trained or are being trained for crisis management, thanks to a $32,283 grant to the Board for Communication Services from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "It is very important that the LCMS have a carefully thought-through plan to deal with crises that affect the organization," said Rev. J. Thomas Lapacka, the board's executive director.

Church Spreads Warmth to City's Homeless

November 5, 2004, ATLANTA - Cascade United Methodist Church hopes the homeless of Atlanta can feel its warmth - literally. For 20 years, the Atlanta congregation has reached out to those on this city's streets, offering everything from food, clothing, and physical necessities to worship and job training. But two years ago, a new opportunity to help emerged when ministry leaders saw a need to help the homeless get through the cold winters. More than two dozen homeless ministry participants gathered their sewing machines and notions and began meeting every Saturday to transform discarded comforters into warm sleeping bags for those who spend each night sleeping outdoors.

Church Retirees Key in on Salvaging Computers for Students

November 10, 2004, TYLER, Texas - Computers junked by government agencies and schools are being saved from the scrap yard and, thanks to a small church, helping hundreds of students. A dedicated group of retirees from Cedar Street United Methodist Church in Tyler recycles the computers and gives them to elementary and high school students. Some 500 PCs have been repaired and placed in students' homes since the high-tech ministry began two years ago.

Ecumenical News

Cost of War and Disaster Is Incalculable, CWS Chief Says
'Faith Community Called to Heal Otherwise Broken World'

November 10, 2004, ST. LOUIS - Insurance adjusters and statisticians can readily calculate the financial cost of disasters and wars, Church World Service (CWS) Executive Director John McCullough told the opening session of the joint National Council of Churches/CWS General Assembly here today. "But more than the loss of property," McCullough said, speaking of the four hurricanes that slammed into Florida in rapid succession this summer, "is the matter of lives turned upside down, and traumatized - perhaps for a lifetime, forever suspicious of strong winds blowing in from the south."

Spanish News

Temas Que Interesan a Los Latinoamericanos Abordará La Asamblea Del CMI

10 noviembre 2004, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil - Asuntos que interesan particularmente a los países latinoamericanos, como la lucha contra el hambre, el combate a la violencia contra las mujeres, la superación de la globalización, el racismo y el cuidado del medio ambiente, figuran en agenda de la IX Asamblea General del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI).

Analizaron Trabajo De La Iglesia Entre La Niñez Y Adolescencia

11 noviembre 2004, SAO PAULO, Brazil - Los problemas de la niñez y adolescencia fueron analizados, del 1 al 5 del corriente mes, en la ciudad brasileña de Campinas, por 180 representantes de iglesias y organizaciones evangélicas de 21 países latinoamericanos y del Caribe. El encuentro, en el que participó un representante de la UNICEF, fue facilitado por el Movimiento Cristiano Juntos por la Niñez, conformado regionalmente por Compasión Internacional, Cristo para la Ciudad, Tearfund y Visión Mundial, y congregó a organizaciones que trabajan en la defensa, protección y promoción de los derechos de la infancia.

Cristianos Invitan a Celebrar El Día Internacional De La Tolerancia

9 noviembre 2004, ROSARIO, Argentina - La Confraternidad de Líderes Cristianos (CLC), la Red de Iglesias Evangélicas en Acción Social y otras organizaciones de esta región de la provincia argentina de Santa Fe, invitaron a celebrar el próximo martes 16 de noviembre el Día Internacional de la Tolerancia. El llamamiento recuerda que en 1995, por iniciativa de la UNESCO, la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas declaró al 16 de noviembre Día Internacional de la Tolerancia y todos los años invita a las naciones a realizar celebraciones y actividades reflexivas en pos de un mundo más tolerante.

Iglesias Examinarán Su Trabajo En Asuntos Internacionales Mientras La Onu Se Reúne En Nueva York

11 noviembre 2004 – Reforma de las Naciones Unidas, justicia económica, la crisis del Sudán y el Tratado de No Proliferación Nuclear serán los temas de la Semana de Promoción de Derechos de este año organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en las Naciones Unidas, que tendrá lugar del 14 al 19 de noviembre en Nueva York en el "Centro Eclesiástico" de la ONU y en la oficina de enlace del CMI con la ONU, celebrándose algunos seminarios en el edificio de las Naciones Unidas.

Celebrarán 200 Años De Las Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas

9 noviembre 2004, LA HABANA, Cuba - El Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC) celebrará los 200 años de las Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas (SBU) el próximo domingo 5 de diciembre. En Cuba se celebra el Día de la Biblia el primer domingo de diciembre. El CIC invitó a todas las iglesias a preparar programas que incluyan poesías, himnos, testimonios, lecturas especiales, dramatizaciones y mensajes. En cada localidad se puede celebrar un culto unido alrededor de la Biblia.

Las Iglesias Y La Prevención Del Abuso De Menores

8 noviembre 2004 – ¿Recuerdan ustedes haber oído en algún momento las palabras "abuso de menores" e "iglesia" en una misma frase que no se refiriese a un grave escándalo relativo a una personalidad eclesiástica acusada de abusar sexualmente de los niños? Es casi imposible imaginarlo, sobre todo si se considera el torrente de informaciones periodísticas sobre abusos sexuales de los niños en relación con las iglesias durante los últimos años. En consecuencia, un foco acusador ha proyectado su luz sobre las deficiencias de los sistemas dentro de las iglesias para proteger de los abusos a los niños confiados a su cuidado. Se ha denunciado a las instituciones eclesiásticas por haber cerrado los ojos ante casos internos de abusos de niños, o incluso por haber tratado de ocultarlos.

Pastores Analizan Resultado De Las Elecciones Del Pasado Domingo

11 noviembre 2004, MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Los evangelicos nunca ha sido votos cautivos para ningún partido y nunca lo serán porque hace falta mucha cultura polìtica, sostuvo William González, pastor de la Iglesia de Dios al analizar los resultados de las elecciones municipales del 7 de este mes. La membresía de las iglesias evangélicas tiene su militancia política en los partidos Liberal, Sandinista y de la Resistencia y desconfía cuando ve nuevas opciones de partidos que nacen de las mismas iglesias, como Camino Cristiano (PCC) y Alternativa Cristiana (AC), dijo González.

National News

Sixty-one United Methodists will Serve in 109th Congress

November 9, 2004 – The number of United Methodists serving in the 109th Congress will remain at 61, unchanged from the 108th Congress. The United Methodist Church also remained in third place among all religious groups represented in the Senate and House of Representatives. The lawmakers will be working with an administration in which the president, George Bush, and vice president, Dick Cheney, are United Methodist. There are 13 United Methodists in the Senate and 48 in the House. Republicans outnumber Democrats 38 to 23, again a repeat from the last election, even though the three newly elected United Methodist House members are Democrats. One longtime House member, Sam Hall of Texas, switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican before the 2004 election.

International News

Plurality of Experiences in the Arrival of Protestantism to Latin America

November 1, 2004, SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico - "It is necessary to overcome the historical vision that Protestantism in Latin America began with the arrival of foreign missionaries in the XIX Century," said Mexican theologian and investigator Carlos Mondragsn, during the II Symposium on Evangelical Protestantism in Latin America.

Christians for Peace Formulate Message of Hope

November 1, 2004, BOGOTA, Columbia - The so-called community state and democratic security project spearheaded by the current Colombian government is breaking down collective land rights and the autonomy of the communities, according to the Continental Meeting of Christians for Peace with Justice and held in this city from October 30. This government policy is only sustainable if backed by strong repression against social and resistance movements expressed in recent years by a paramilitary strategy that is leading to the massive displacement of entire populations, attacking life, culture and the social fabric, according to the final statement from the event.

Baptist Leader Calls for Calm in the Face of Electoral Violence

November 2, 2004, MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Arsenio Alvir, Baptist candidate for the National Convergence alliance for the mayor of New Guinea called on people to remain calm and to turn to dialogue in the face of rising electoral violence that left its first victims in its wake. Alvir is the favorite as mayor of New Guinea, some 300 kilometers southeast of Managua in municipal elections to be held November 7. Here last Sunday the remains of farmer Martin Zeledon Urbina were buried. Urbina was shot October 28 but two alleged adversarial activists.

AACC Challenges the Church to Promote Lasting Peace

November 11, 2004, NAIROBI - Sierra Leone has suffered war for almost a decade, from 1991. The inhabitants knew nothing save serious unrelenting humanitarian crisis caused by war and terror leaving the country in ruins. Over 70,000 were killed and thousands mutilated. Almost half of its population was displaced. However, in 1999, with the signing of the Lomi Peace Agreement on 7 July 1999 calm returned to Sierra Leone. Today they are busy rebuilding their very beautiful country. The General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, on behalf of the churches in Africa, visited the country to among other things, express solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone and also to encourage the process of rebuilding the country.

Church Leaders Address Violence in Liberia

November 8, 2004, NEW YORK - Interfaith leaders helped restore calm after a recent eruption of violence in Liberia, according to humanitarian sources. After the late October burning of several churches, mosques and schools in the Redlight and Jacob Town areas outside Monrovia, Christian and Muslim religious leaders quickly met, then visited five area radio stations and in broadcasts called for calm and cessation to further violence and burnings. The leaders also met with United Nations Mission in Liberia officials, who then increased security in the affected areas, according to Benjamin Dorme Lartey, head of the Liberian Council of Churches.

Middle East News

Denominational Leaders Offer Comfort Amidst Palestinian Transition
Letter Affirms the Role of the Christian Community

November 11, 2004, LOUISVILLE - Upon learning of the death of Yasser Arafat, the following letter was released by denominational officials to two Palestinian leaders, Dr. Nasir Al-Kidwa, ambassador of Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations; and Prime Minister Ahmad Qrei'a. The letter is signed by John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council; the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and Rick Ufford-Chase, moderator of the 216th General Assembly.

U.S. Heads of Missions Visit Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel
CWS Delegation Finds Increasing Challenges for Region's Christians

November 4, 2004, NEW YORK - A delegation of U.S. church leaders returning from a tour of five Middle Eastern countries is reporting that stable Christian communities and churches in the region are being severely challenged by volatile and escalating humanitarian and political crises. Led by global humanitarian agency Church World Service, the delegation of U.S. mission agency heads visited government officials and Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel between October 23 - November 1.

Following Arafat's Death, Build for Peace, United Methodist Leader Says

November 11, 2004 – Israelis and Palestinians should consider the death of Yasser Arafat to be an opportunity for peacebuilding rather than an excuse for further conflict, a United Methodist official said. The Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, noted that Arafat's death "comes at a crucial and volatile time in the Middle East." Day returned Nov. 1 from a trip to the Middle East, where he and other members of a Church World Service delegation met with Christian and Muslim leaders in the region.

Letter from the Bishop in Jerusalem on the Arrest of Mordechai Vanunu
from St George's Cathedral Close this Morning

November 11, 2004, JERUSALEM - It is with tremendous grief and sadness that I inform you that the Israeli special police force entered St George's Cathedral Close today without permission and took Mordechai Vanunu into custody. Approximately thirty officers, many with guns, entered the cathedral gardens and interrupted breakfast in the Pilgrim Guest House. It was a traumatic event that terrorized many of our tourists, pilgrims, and staff. In the 100 years of the cathedral's history, such an event has never taken place. Immediately I related how they have come into a sacred place, and that their guns were not welcome. The officers with guns withdrew to outside of the Cathedral Close; however, it came to my attention later, that at least one of the officers still carried a concealed weapon. This was after I had been reassured that all weapons had been removed from the church grounds. It is inconceivable why such force is mandated for procedures like today's.

WCC Representatives to Attend Arafat's Funeral

November 11, 2004 – At the funeral service for President Yasser Arafat in Cairo on Friday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) will be represented by the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest member church of the WCC in the Middle East and the largest Christian church in the region. Pope Shenouda is also a former president of the WCC.

LWF Leaders Praise Arafat for Support of Palestinian Christians

November 11, 2004, CHICAGO - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland, paid tribute to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat as a strong supporter of the religious rights and freedoms of Palestinian Christians and "always attentive to their place and importance in the Holy Land," according to a statement issued by LWF leaders Nov. 11. Arafat, 75, died Nov. 11 in a Paris hospital. He was brought there Oct. 29 from Ramallah, West Bank, for treatment. A funeral will be held in Cairo, Egypt, before his burial in Ramallah Nov. 13.