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Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Publisher & Editor
Rev. Pedro Bravo-Guzman, Editor-in-Chief
An Ecumenical Report of Local and Global News
in God's Household
Published by the Queens Federation of Churches
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Churches Worldwide to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide on April 24 April 15, 2005 – The member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) have been invited to make Sunday 24 April a day of memory of the Armenian genocide on its 90th anniversary. This way of commemorating the tragic massacre of one-and-a-half million Armenians in Turkey and the deportation of another million from their homeland was recommended last February by the Council's central committee. In its recommendation to commemorate what was the first genocide of the 20th century, the governing body stressed "the need for public recognition of the Armenian genocide and the necessity of Turkey to deal with this dark part of its history." April 10, 2005, NEW YORK, NY – Archbishop Iakovos, 93, spiritual leader of Greek Orthodox Christians in the Western Hemisphere from 1959 to 1996, died today, April 10, 2005 at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT, from a pulmonary ailment. In announcing the passing of Archbishop Iakovos, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, issued the following statement: "I have had the great honor and joy to know Archbishop Iakovos for more than fifty years. He has been a superb Archbishop who offered to the Church an intense, continuous, multifaceted and creative pastoral activity. He has been a true and whole shepherd to his people trying day and night to teach them, to guide them, to comfort them, to encourage them, to edify them in Christ and to lead them as a loving shepherd to the ‘springs of the living waters' (Rev. 7:17) of faith and life with God." Ecumenical Patriarchate Announcement April 11, 2005 – Replete with sentiments of sincere grief, our Holy Great Mother Church of Christ announces that yesterday, April 10, His Eminence, the venerable former Archbishop Iakovos of America passed away in the Lord. He was 94 years old. This man, who like an oak tree that offered its shade to the devout flock of the Greek Orthodox community in America, was born on Imvros, the island of the Aegean Sea from where many great men have come. He gained international recognition and became a vehicle through which the centuries-long tradition of the Orthodox spirit was expressed in the New World. It was in the New World where he sincerely and very fruitfully ministered to Orthodoxy and to the Nation in many capacities, a diakonia for which the Mother Church will remember him with great gratitude, praying that his memory be eternal. NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar on the Death of Iakovos April 12, 2005 – Generations of Americans were inspired by the presence of Archbishop Iakovos on all the frontlines of our history. Born on the small island of Imvros in the Aegean Sea, as the Archbishop and spiritual leader of his American flock he continuously celebrated its gifts and encouraged it to fulfill its full potential in the landscape of America. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1965 in Selma, Ala., and was a fervent and outspoken champion for the cause of civil rights. His commitment to that cause was exemplified in the 1990's when he lent his support to a National Council of Churches USA campaign to raise funds for burned African American churches. Under his leadership, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese grew from a small ethnic church community into a strong and vibrant church with a powerful voice for Christian ethics and values. ‘Christian Community Squeezes Through Bars' April 14, 2005 – The Louisiana State Penitentiary – once labeled the "bloodiest prison in America" – sprawls across 18,000 acres of fertile river bottom land surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River and on the fourth by the Tunica Hills north of Baton Rouge in Angola. On March 1 a group of 20 prison ministry pilgrims from a dozen states came there seeking the reasons for the peace and productivity that now mark this maximum security prison. The warden, Burl Cain, opens the gates and encourages faith-based programs to come inside. Yet it's the prison's own church inside that he says has the real impact. "We have our own inmate preachers," he said, "but we need you to come in to make it work." ELCA Presiding Bishop Links Worship, Leadership April 8, 2005, VALPARAISO, Ind. – The leader of the 5-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) encouraged Lutherans who plan worship services to break down "walls of sin" that divide and to create "tables of reconciliation." That "principal image has shaped my understanding of leadership," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson told 500 Lutherans attending the Institute of Liturgical Studies, Valparaiso University, on April 5. In his keynote presentation, Hanson offered several points on how presiding at "the table" is core to his understanding of what it means to be presiding bishop of the ELCA and as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) – a global communion of 138 Lutheran churches in 77 countries, with 66 million members. The LWF is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Bishop Impostor Targets Churches in Scam April 8, 2005, NORCROSS, Ga. – A phone scam by someone posing as a United Methodist bishop has robbed three African-American United Methodist congregations in Florida, Georgia and Maryland of about $2,400, a bishop's assistant said. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began investigating the matter April 6 at the request of Bishop G. Lindsey Davis, who oversees the North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church and whose office is in Norcross. In the scam, a man posing as the bishop contacts churches and asks them to wire money-usually between $700 and $800-to his niece, identified as Diane Williams, who is traveling in their area and having car trouble. He asks that the money be sent to Wal-Marts and other large stores. ELCA Council Moves Ethnic-Ministry Strategies Forward April 14, 2005, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly approve strategies for ministries among Arab and Middle Eastern people and among people of African Descent, and it recommitted the church to three other ethnic-specific ministry strategies. 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 9-11. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, in Orlando, Fla. The council placed the "Arab and Middle Eastern Ministry Strategy: Bridges Across History, Lands and Cultures" and the African Descent ministry strategy – "Many Voices Tell the Story, Create the Vision: Build the Future" – on the agenda of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly in an effort to intensify outreach and recommit the ELCA to partnership with existing Arab and Middle Eastern and African Descent congregations. ELCA Council Pushes ‘Renewing Worship' Project Forward April 14, 2005, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly commit the church to continue a plan to renew worship. A part of the plan includes the production of a new book of worship. 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 9-11. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, in Orlando, Fla. Bridge-Building, in the Spirit of Pope John Paul II April 8, 2005 – As millions today witnessed the funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II, the faith and unifying accomplishments of this Pontiff – a term derived from the Latin "bridge builder" – were clearly reflected among the unprecedented human assembly, which reached from those gathered at the Vatican to all who followed the rites worldwide via broadcast media. In death as in life, the Pope demonstrated a far-reaching "convening power" in assembling persons from all walks of life around the centrality of Christ's message of love, forgiveness, sacrifice and service. "What has always struck me is that John Paul II always gave an impression of personal approachability and involvement, especially to young people, who responded in huge enthusiastic crowds to his visits," said Paris-based Episcopal Bishop Pierre Whalon in comments before today's funeral Mass. Líderes Cristianos Piden Cambios En Las Reglas Del Comercio Internacional 13 abr 2005, GINEBRA, Suiza – En una reunión con representantes de la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC), celebrada hoy en esta ciudad, líderes de organizaciones ecuménicas cristianas les entregaron una demanda para introducir cambios en las reglas y procedimientos que actualmente rigen en el comercio internacional. "Demandamos que nuestro gobierno y los gobiernos del mundo cambien las reglas y prácticas que rigen el comercio internacional, para que den prioridad a los derechos humanos, protección al medio ambiente y contribuyan a erradicar la pobreza," dice la petición firmada por 264 dirigentes cristianos de todo el mundo. Iglesia Católica Hace Duro Diagnóstico De La Situación Del País 15 abr 2005, LA PAZ, Bolivia – Los obispos católicos, al concluir su 80ª asamblea, declararon que la situación social de Bolivia es crítica y no ha mejorado en los últimos seis meses, pero aclararon que no intervendrán como mediadores en un eventual diálogo entre los sectores enfrentados. Sin embargo, al clasurar el miércoles la asamblea de la Conferencia Episcopal, en Cochabamba, los obispos pidieron a los diferentes sectores políticos y sociales sentarse a buscar soluciones. Religiosos Se Oponen a Proyecto Sobre Teólogos 12 abr 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – Dirigentes de las iglesias protestantes expresaron a ALC su oposición a un proyecto de ley presentado por el diputado José Divino, para reglamentar la profesión de teólogo. Representantes de la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana de Brasil (IECLB), del Consejo Nacional de Iglesias Cristianas de Brasil (CONIC) y de la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de Brasil, opinaron en forma unánime: cada denominación religiosa tiene capacidad para autoadministrarse, siempre que el compromiso ético de ellas esté asegurado. Teólogo E Historiador Enjuician Política De Juan Pablo II 11 abr 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – Para fuera de la Iglesia, el papa Juan Pablo II fue un paladín del diálogo, de la tolerancia, del ecumenismo, se reunió con líderes de otras religiones para rezar por la paz. En el interior de la Iglesia Católica, en cambio, "atropelló los derechos de expresión, prohibió el diálogo, castigó con mano dura y produjo una teología con tonos fuertemente fundamentalistas," dice el teólogo brasileño Leonardo Boff en un artículo publicado en el diario Jornal do Brasil. "Vivir Es Un Acto Eucarístico," Afirma Frei Betto 15 abril 2005, LA HABANA, Cuba –"Vivir es un acto eucarístico," afirmó el destacado teólogo brasileño Frei Betto, durante el reconocimiento que le hiciera el Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), por sus aportes al pensamiento teológico cubano, a través del libro Fidel y la Religión que arriba a los 20 años de su primera edición. La entrega de una placa de reconocimiento tuvo lugar en el marco del Encuentro de Generaciones de Teólogos Cubanos, que sesiona este jueves y el viernes en la catedral episcopal de la Santísima Trinidad, en Ciudad de La Habana. Sistema Tradicional Católico No Cambió Bajo Juan Pablo II, Dicen Evangélicos 11 abr 2005, ROMA, Italia – La Alianza Evangélica Italiana (IEI) declaró, en un comunicado, que bajo el pontificado de Juan Pablo II, "a pesar de la aparente apertura ecuménica e interreligiosa, el sistema tradicional de creencias de la Iglesia Católica no se movió un centímetro." El comunicado, fechado el jueves, señala que pese a los sentimientos de pesar y dolor, que los evangélicos comparten, la obra del difunto Papa demanda una reflexión seria. Obispo Anglicano Y Pastora Luterana Elogian Al Papa 8 abr 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – En los últimos meses, la vida de Su Santidad, el papa Juan Pablo II, constituyó "un ejemplo y testimonio de entrega de su vida, ministerio y sufrimiento al Señor Resucitado, a semejanza de su redentor." Así se expresa el obispo primado de la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de Brasil (IEAB), Orlando Santos de Oliveira, en una carta enviada al presidente de la Conferencia Nacional de Obispos de Brasil (CNBB), cardenal arzobispo Geraldo Majella Agnelo, en la que se solidariza con el pesar de la Iglesia Católica por la muerte del Papa. April 16, 2005, NEW YORK – The Executive Committee of the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade today announced its unanimous decision to move the venue for Mr. Graham's last New York City evangelistic crusade, to be held June 24, 25 and 26, from Madison Square Garden to Flushing Meadows Park. "I am delighted by the decision to move the crusade meetings to Flushing Meadows," said Mr. Graham. "It is the site of two world's fairs – now the whole world is there. I'm told that the surrounding neighborhood is the most international community in the country, with 130 language groups within walking distance of the park." Since announcing the Crusade at Madison Square Garden last September, the Crusade Committee, made up of local pastors and business leaders, has held that facility on reserve for the June meetings. Based upon the high level of more than 1,000 churches participating in the pre-crusade preparations, crusade leadership recognized early this year the need to relocate the meetings to a large outdoor venue. April 13, 2005, GENEVA– The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has added its support to a petition calling on world governments to change the international rules and practices governing trade so that priority is given to human rights, environmental protection and poverty eradication. "We signed the petition because we believe that the consequences of the current trade policy, which is unfair given the high degree of poverty around the world, must be brought to attention," says Rev. John Halvorson, Director of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) program in Ethiopia. Other signatories to the petition in the context of a Global Week of Action on trade include LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, LWF/DWS program in Cambodia, and LWF member churches in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. April 10, 2005 – The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) notes with satisfaction media reports that a majority of the dossier special sub-committee, appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has recommended that the proposal to declare Siri Darbar Sahib a UNESCO world heritage site should be withdrawn immediately. WSC-AR also notes that the SGPC is considering the recommendations of the sub-committee. Inter-faith Service Sermon: Global Week of Action on Trade April 14, 2005 – Some years ago, a journalist asked me what sort of world I wanted to see. The answer came to me instantly: I wanted a world with a human face. In a world with a human face, every individual would be able to smile together in complete freedom, in unity, in peace, in prosperity. It would be a world where every human being can fulfil their potential as God created them to be. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophet Isaiah paints a picture of what this should mean: ‘No more shall the sound of weeping be heard or the cry of distress ... No more shall there be an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime ... They shall build houses and live in them, they shall plant vineyards and eat of their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit, they shall not plant and another eat.' (Is 65:20-22, extracts) ‘Waiting. Waiting. And Waiting' April 13, 2005, AMMAN, Jordan – "We've already lost our future," Maria Yosef says with passion. "We're thinking now about our sons, about the children." Yosef is addressing a group of women in the parlor of St. Ephraim's Syrian Orthodox Church, a Jordanian parish that is helping about 800 families of Iraqi Christians who would like to emigrate but have been refused visas or put on a waiting list that stretches all the way back to the first U.S. invasion of Iraq. Yosef has 10 children, and has watched them grow up almost homeless. No Exit – Iraqi Christians in Jordan Can't Stay, Can't Leave April 12, 2005, AMMAN, Jordan – Wafa Goussous takes a long, slow drag on her cigarette and says, "It's exhausting." She's talking about trying to raise money to help Christians who have left Iraq and are living – legally or not – in Jordan. They have no work permits. No chance to emigrate. No official refugee status, which would make them eligible for international aid. Goussous, a coordinator for Action By Churches Together (ACT), the relief arm of the World Council of Churches, watches warily as the Iraqi population grows, becoming an ever-greater burden on the local church. April 13, 2005 – M. Linda Jaramillo, a seasoned lay leader in the United Church of Christ and a longtime justice advocate, is being recommended to succeed the Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson as executive minister of the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries and as a member of the UCC's five-person Collegium of Officers. Jaramillo, 57, was chosen by a search committee and her name was forwarded to JWM's Executive Committee, which affirmed the recommendation last week. Her candidacy became public today (April 13) in a letter by Rose Lee, JWM's board chairperson, to the covenanted ministry's full board of directors. Traditions Meld in Funeral Rites for Navajoland Bishop Steven Plummer April 8, 2005 – In a service that combined Episcopal and Navajo traditions, the Rt. Rev. Steven Tsosie Plummer, Bishop of Navajoland, was laid to rest in a family burial plot on Wednesday, April 6. An estimated congregation of 300, including 10 bishops, participated in the requiem Mass, which was celebrated in English and Navajo. Plummer, the first elected bishop of Navajoland and the first Navajo to serve as a bishop in the Episcopal Church, died April 2 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 60. A Baby Boomer's Guide to Spirituality April 14, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – Seventy-seven million Americans are fast approaching retirement, most of them ill-prepared financially, mentally, and spiritually for their golden years. The baby boom generation during the 18 years following World War II has enjoyed an affluence their Depression-era parents lacked. On retirement, they will have another quarter-century more to live, but only a minority grasp what they are living for. David Yount's Celebrating the Rest of Your Life: A Baby Boomer's Guide to Spirituality provides practical and spiritual strategies for the rest of their lives. How Does God Listen?: New Book for Young Children Explores God's Presence April 12, 2005 – How does God Listen? is a new book by Kay Lindahl geared towards opening up conversations about God with children three to six years old. Through the use of vibrant, colorful photographs and simple text, the book focuses on helping children explore how God is always present in their lives and is always listening. Lindahl, founder of the Listening Center in Laguna Niguel, California, said she drew inspiration for her latest effort from her previous books about adult listening – The Sacred Art of Listening and Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening – as well as from people asking her to do "something for children."
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