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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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To Preserve and Strengthen Social Security: April 26, 2005, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sixteen national religious organizations today released a joint statement of principles to guide Congress as it considers how to preserve and strengthen Social Security. "Our religious communities speak with one voice on the importance of providing compassionate care for the elderly, widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities. We believe it is the birthright of each person to live a life with dignity and with access to the basic necessities of life," said Kay Bengston, Director of Domestic Policy of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Edgar Thanks Bush for Moderating Statement April 29, 2005 – The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA has sent a message to President Bush thanking him for defending the right of religious people "to express their opposition without being accused of being less religious and less patriotic than their opponents." In response to question in his news conference Thursday night, Bush cautioned his supporters and government officials against accusing religious groups who oppose their programs of being "against persons of faith" or of being unpatriotic. The president said that people in political office should not accuse their opponents of being "not equally American if you don't happen to agree with my view on religion." Christian Centers Continue to Provide Micah 6:8 Ministries May 6, 2005, VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – The Christian centers related to National Ministries' Neighborhood Action Program (NAP) and to the American Baptist regions where they are located continue to bring transformation and hope to low-income families and children, even though the centers are dealing with reduced funding. "National Ministries is proud to be in continued partnership with the Christian Centers," said Dr. Cheryl Dudley, National Ministries' associate executive director for Church in Community Transformation. May 6, 2005 – While the Rev. Johnna Camp allows that Education for Ministry (EFM) has far exceeded initial expectations – boasting some 60,000 participants compared to a 1975 goal of about 600 – the interim program director's eye is on the next generation. "It feels like we're at a cutting edge time; we have to make decisions about what the program will look like for the next generation," says Camp, who began serving as interim director two years ago. Statement from the Church of the Province of Southern Africa May 6, 2005 – This is the text of a Statement from the Anglican Church on Marriage and Same-Sex Relationships in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa in Bloemfontein, 30 November 2004 Episcopalians Practice ‘Communicating in Real Time' at Utah Conference May 6, 2005 – Nearly 120 communications professionals in Episcopal Church ministries met at the Salt Lake City Center Hilton April 27-30, coming from every province of the Episcopal Church USA – including El Salvador and Panama – to learn and share under the theme "Communicating in Real Time: Yesterday...Today...Tomorrow." The annual meeting is designed to help members improve themselves as well as network with one another regarding new ideas. There are more than 250 members of the organization. Episcopal Church Embraces All God's Creatures May 2, 2005 – When trappers killed Franz, a beloved tiger cat, the Rev. Rebecca Deinsen looked for help. That's when she discovered that there was little recourse against the trappers, and frankly, that few people were interested in the issue. "I started contacting animal rights' organizations, and they were the only ones who cared," said Deinsen, associate priest at St. John's, Worthington. "In the midst of all that, I discovered that there was a need here. There was no spiritual outlet for grieving the loss of pets even though all of creation is a spiritual issue." Listening, Learning as Anglicans May 6, 2005 – "Listening encompasses much more than words," writes Anglican author and interfaith leader Kay Lindahl. "Listening is a way of being in the world." Such is the depth of listening to which Anglicans – particularly those in Canada and the United States – are called by the recent Windsor Report and Primates Communique – and as these processes unfold, a new on-line resource has been launched to reflect and to document the richness of this learning. Faith Groups Observe "World Day of Prayer to End Homophobia" on May 29, 2005 May 2, 2005 LOS ANGELES – Faith groups around the globe will observe the "World Day of Prayer to End Homophobia" on Sunday, May 29, 2005. The international observance is organized by Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the world's largest faith group with a primary, affirming ministry to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) persons. "Too often homophobia has been rooted in religious intolerance," said veteran human rights activist Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry, Moderator of the MCC denomination. Ecumenical Service of Commemoration at Sutton's Hospital in Charterhouse May 6, 2005 – Between 1535 and 1540 seventeen monks and lay brothers of The London Charterhouse, a Carthusian monastery, were put to death because they would not accept the Act of Supremacy. The first to be executed was the Prior of Charterhouse, St John Houghton. This took place on 4 May 1535, together with the execution of the Priors of Beauvale (Nottinghamshire) and Axholme (Lincolnshire), Richard Reynolds, a Brigittine Monk from Syon and John Hale, Rector of Isleworth. These five were Proto-martyrs of the Reformation era, a fact which is often forgotten or overlooked. International Conference to Review the Direction of Interreligious Dialogue May 6, 2005 – More than a hundred people from diverse faiths and traditions will come to the "Critical moment in interreligious dialogue" conference scheduled for 7-9 June 2005 to analyse, assess and review the experience of interreligious collaboration and dialogue as it has been practised over recent decades and might be practised in future. Religious scholars, academics, human rights activists, humanitarian workers, journalists, and people experienced in working across religious traditions will gather at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva under the themes of "thinking together," "assessing the present," and "imagining the future." Pentecost 2005: Message of the Presidents of the WCC May 4, 2005 – Grace and peace to you on this Feast of Pentecost 2005, in which we celebrate the many gifts of God's Spirit! As the apostle Paul has exhorted, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). The gift of spirituality has been lavished upon humanity not only for our own inner contentment and individual fulfillment, but to enable us to proclaim our faith together through action in the world. Our spiritual worship requires us to present our bodies, that we may be of service to God and our neighbours. Anglican Leaders Meet with Pope Benedict XVI April 29, 2005 – The Archbishop of Canterbury and two U.S. Episcopal Church bishops were among ecumenical representatives greeted by Pope Benedict XVI during an April 25 audience at the Vatican. Archbishop Rowan Williams greeted the Pope in German and presented him with a pectoral cross. Representing the Episcopal Church were Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold's deputy for Ecumenical Relations, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Epting, and the Paris-based Bishop-in-Charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, the Rt. Rev. Pierre Whalon. "I have appreciated the signals Pope Benedict XVI has been sending with respect to ecumenical and interreligious affairs," said Epting, who added that "actions speak louder than words, so we shall have to wait and see" in terms of new advancements. Evangélicos Preparan Vigilia Por La Justicia Y La No Violencia 4 mayo 2005, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Numerosas iglesias y organismos evangélicos convocaron, para el viernes 6 de mayo a una vigilia no violenta y pacifista frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos en esta capital. El acto de solidaridad con las "comunidades de paz" incluirá una movilización internacional. Los convocantes son Justapaz, Pan y Paz, Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Colombia, Equipos Cristianos de Acción por la Paz y la Iglesia Menonita. Desarmarse En Cuerpo Y Alma: Iglesias Brasileñas Participan En Campaña Nacional De Desarme 2 mayo 2005 – Quienes acuden a iglesias brasileñas estos días pueden liberarse no sólo del peso de sus pecados, sino también del de sus armas de fuego y de los riesgos que su tenencia implica. En el Brasil, las armas de fuego en poder de civiles equivalen a casi diez veces las que están bajo control del Estado. Al mismo tiempo, el país es líder mundial en víctimas mortales causadas por ellas. No sorprende entonces que las iglesias brasileñas estén participando activamente en una campaña de desarme de la población civil. Desde fines del año pasado, las iglesias están movilizando a sus comunidades locales para abrir puestos de recepción de armas en parroquias y otros centros comunitarios. Evangélicos Promueven Defensorías Comunitarias De La Niñez 4 mayo 2005, GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador – Organizaciones evangélicas que trabajan con los niños en Ecuador, acordaron crear e impulsar defensorías comunitarias, así como veeduría y vigilancia ciudadanas, mediante coordinación con los gobiernos locales, para el cumplimiento efectivo de las medidas de protección a los menores previstas en el marco jurídico vigente. El acuerdo se adoptó en la reunión del Movimiento Nacional Juntos por la Niñez, conformado por la Confraternidad Evangélica Ecuatoriana, Compassion International, Sociedad Bíblica Internacional, Facultad Latinoamericana de Estudios Teológicos (AFLET), Fraternidad Teológica Latinoamericana (FTL) Capítulo Ecuador, Seminario Sudamericano (SEMISUD), Visión Mundial y la emisora HCJB. Mensaje De Los Presidentes Del CMI, Pentecostés 2005 4 mayo 2005 – Gracia y paz a todos ustedes en esta fiesta de Pentecostés 2005, en la que celebramos los muchos dones del Espíritu Dios! Con la exhortación del apóstol Pablo, "les ruego, hermanos y hermanas, que, tomando en cuenta la misericordia de Dios, cada uno de ustedes, en adoración espiritual, ofrezca su cuerpo como sacrificio vivo, santo y agradable a Dios" (Romanos 12:1). El don de la espiritualidad se ha derramado copiosamente sobre la humanidad no sólo para nuestro propio contento interior y satisfacción espiritual, sino para que, unidos, proclamemos nuestra fe por medio de la acción en el mundo. Religiosos Se Oponen a La Privatización Del Agua 4 mayo 2005, BERNA, Suiza – El agua es un bien fundamental para la vida, un derecho humano, que tiene un significado espiritual y no puede ser tratada solamente como un bien económico que puede ser privatizado. Al contrario, el agua es un bien público y parte integrante del derecho a la alimentación adecuada. Estos principios son proclamados en la Declaración Ecuménica firmada en Berna, el 22 de abril, por representantes católicos y evangélicos. Teóloga Sugiere La Ética De La Simpatía En El Diálogo Interreligioso 2 mayo 2005, SAO LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Al proponer la "ética de la simpatía" como forma de acogida y comprensión de las diferentes manifestaciones religiosas, la doctora en teología y profesora de la Universidad del Valle del Río dos Sinos (Unisinos), Cleusa María Andreatta, dijo que la fe personal no necesita excluir la fe de otros. La actividad teológica, aunque se manifiesta a partir de la fe individual de cada uno, no puede anular la diferencia con el otro. "El gran problema cuando se trata del diálogo interreligioso es el modo cómo afirmo mi identidad religiosa," resaltó. May 3, 2005 NEW YORK – Last week, six months since the UN premier of their emotionally charged human rights music video, UNITED, Youth for Human Rights International and the Director of the film, Taron Lexton, were back in New York, this time gathering accolades at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The message, delivered with an inescapable emotional impact, was one familiar to anyone who knows the works of American writer and human rights advocate L. Ron Hubbard: "Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream." Following the screening a reception just off Times Square, at the Church of Scientology, gathered UN diplomats and human rights advocates from the US, Ghana, Guatemala, Holland, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other countries, as well as filmmakers and wellwishers. Staten Island Episcopal Parish Home to Newly Consecrated Pet Cemetery May 2, 2005 – The faithful gathered in song and prayer on Earth Day, April 22, on the grounds of the Church of Saint Andrew in Richmondtown, Staten Island to consecrate a special cemetery for pets. "Pets are an important part of our lives, and this cemetery is one way of honoring what they have meant to us and to our families," said the Rev. Michael Delaney, rector of the Church of Saint Andrew. Throughout its almost three hundred year history, the Church of Saint Andrew has remained a strong and active faith community dedicated to prayer, fellowship and community outreach. "The Cemetery for All God's Creatures" is open to all faiths, said Delaney. It serves as a reminder that we are "stewards of all God's creation." To Disarm, Body and Soul: Brazilian Churches Participate in National Disarmament Campaign May 2, 2005 – People going to Brazilian churches these days have the opportunity not only to free themselves of the weight of their sins but also of their weapons and the risks entailed in their possession. In Brazil, civilians possess nearly 10 times the number of firearms as those held by state agencies. At the same time, the country tops world figures on the number of gun-related deaths each year. It may therefore come as no surprise that Brazilian churches are actively participating in a government-sponsored disarmament campaign aimed at the civil population. May 4, 2005, NAIROBI, Kenya/GENEVA – "Wasting water and playing with water were the important taboos that children were taught to observe from an early age. We could have weekly showers," Rev. Dr Peri Rasolondraibe said of his childhood in a volcanic region of southern Madagascar where rains came only every three years. Rasolondraibe, a pastor of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, and former director of the Department for Mission and Development (DMD) of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) was narrating his story to participants attending the April 25-29 LWF African region consultation on water under the theme "Stirring the Waters" in Kenya's capital Nairobi. Richard Bliese Named next President of Luther Seminary May 3, 2005, CHICAGO – The Rev. Richard H. Bliese will become president of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., on July 1. The seminary's board of directors and Foundation board of trustees elected Bliese, 49, on May 2 to succeed the Rev. David L. Tiede. Luther is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "I feel both excited and honored to be at Luther Seminary at this time in its history," said Bliese. Morton to Lead ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministries May 5, 2005 CHICAGO – The Rev. Darrell D. Morton, Woodbridge, Va., will become assistant to the presiding bishop for Federal Chaplaincies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on July 1. Morton, 59, succeeds the Rev. Lloyd W. Lyngdal, who retired Nov. 30, 2003. Lyngdal served as assistant for federal chaplaincies since Jan. 1, 1988, the date the ELCA came into existence. The Rev. Ivan G. Ives, chaplain (Col.), U.S. Army, Ret., is serving as interim assistant. Vasconcelos Named next BWA Evangelism Director May 3, 2005 VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – Fausto Aguiar de Vasconcelos, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been invited by the Baptist World Alliance to be the new director of the Evangelism and Education and Study and Research Divisions for the next five years (2005-2010). He will succeed Tony Cupit of Australia, who retires in July. Translation Coordinator Named to Episcopal Church Center Staff May 5, 2005 – The Rev. Thomas Mansella has joined the Episcopal Church Center's Office of Communication in the newly created position of Translation Services Coordinator. Mansella, 60, is an Episcopal priest and member of the American Translators Association (ATA), which he has served as an administrator in the Spanish Language Division. Most recently, he has worked as a translator in Falls Church, Virginia. A Clarion Call to End Racial Division in Church and Society May 6, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – In The Church Enslaved: A Spirituality of Racial Reconciliation by Tony Campolo and Michael Battle, two of the most vocal activists on racial issues in the church seek nothing less than a conversion of American Christianity. Campolo and Battle expose the sad history and present realities of racism in the churches and then lift up a vision of a church and society without racism. To achieve reconciliation among Christians, they argue, both black and white churches need to acknowledge and overcome substantial problems in their traditions. Campolo and Battle then directly challenge Christians to a deeper spirituality, enabling them to resume leadership in overcoming and redressing America's legacy of racial division. Helping Sexual Abuse Survivors Heal May 3, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – In the newly released Through the Fire: Spiritual Restoration for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Rick Meyer shows how the cross can be a significant emblem for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse – their source of courage, comfort, and transformation. He relates how Jesus becomes an experienced guide who can and will assist them in their journey toward renewal. As a pastoral counselor, the author has helped survivors of abuse discover the path to spiritual renewal and healing. Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships May 4, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – In the newly released Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships, Al Miles, a nationally recognized expert in the field of domestic violence and teen relationship violence, explores the complex issue of teen dating violence. Through interviews and other research, he provides critical information that parents, caregivers, clergy, and educators can use to protect teens and help them foster healthy dating relationships.
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