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Kobia Challenges North American Churches to Reflect Global Perspective

July 26, 2005 – "If it was the challenge to US churches in 1965 to reflect a global perspective rather than that of an ultra-patriotic ‘culture club,' this remains a principal challenge 40 years later," World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia told a gathering of US Christians on 26 July. Speaking at the general assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Portland, Oregon, Kobia was recalling a 40-year-old, but still relevant insight from a former WCC general secretary from the US, Eugene Carson Blake. Commenting on today's world-wide fears regarding US policies like the doctrine of pre-emptive war, and the current US administration's reluctance to support international initiatives against global warming, or the Millennium Development Goals, Kobia said that the role of the churches is to "speak truth to power," even if it is unwelcome in some quarters. At the same time, he acknowledged the leading role of North American Christians in the modern ecumenical movement, and stressed the role of US churches in providing an alternative voice and taking a leading role in fighting hunger, poverty, HIV/AIDS, racial discrimination and violence.

Consumer Culture Challenged at Stewardship Conference

July 25, 2005 – In what one participant described as a "watershed event," Episcopalians came to Minneapolis and the Mall of America for a stewardship and education conference that examined the moral issues related to consumption, consumer spending and the effect of advertising aimed at children and teenagers. The conference, "Will Our Children Be Stewards?," was a historical change of course for the national stewardship office of the Episcopal Church in which children from ages 4 to 9, as well as several teenagers and young adults, joined their parents to discuss what support the church could offer to combat the consumer lifestyle of North American society. Participants had a personal encounter in a "living laboratory" of consumerism, the Mall of America, the largest enclosed retail and family entertainment complex in the U.S., with more than 520 specialty stores, four department stores and Camp Snoopy, a seven-acre enclosed theme park with 30 rides and attractions. "We're not against the mall, or mall shopping," the church's missioner for stewardship, Terry Parsons, stressed before buses took everyone from their hotel to the mall. "But we need to be sensitive to what we hear, see and smell. Who, and what, is it that is shaping our financial habits?"

At Jewish-Christian Gathering Kobia Talks about Divestment, Calls for New Alliances for Life

July 25, 2005 – While anti-semitism is a sin, not every critique of Israeli policies qualifies as anti-semitism, Samuel Kobia told a Jewish-Christian gathering on Sunday, 24 July. The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary addressed the issue of churches divesting from companies making profits out of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories in his keynote address at the annual conference of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), in Chicago. To those who feel that the WCC's recent call to member churches with investment funds to consider not participating economically in activities related to the occupation was "an act of anti-semitism directed against all Jews," Kobia restated the Council's historical condemnation of anti-semitism, which goes back to its inception. A "sin against God and man," anti-semitism is "absolutely irreconcilable with the profession and practice of the Christian faith," Kobia said, quoting the first WCC Assembly in Amsterdam in 1948.

General News

Church Adopts ‘Dresser Ministry' to Help New Parents

July 25, 2005, LE MARS, Iowa – Like many young couples, Brad and Melody Wheeler wondered about making ends meet as they started their family with not one addition but two. But a ministry launched by a nearby United Methodist church gave the Wheelers and their twins a head start by donating a dresser filled with many of the items their children will need in their first year. "It was sent from God," said Brad Wheeler. "I think it's the biggest blessing we've had so far."

Pastor Denies Membership to Homosexual, Placed on Leave

July 26, 2005– A United Methodist pastor in Virginia has been placed on "involuntary leave of absence" for refusing to allow a homosexual to become a member of his congregation. The Rev. Edward Johnson was placed on a year-long involuntary leave of absence, effective July 1, by action of the clergy of the denomination's Virginia Annual (regional) Conference on June 13. He will receive medical benefits but no salary. The clergyman, pastor of South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church for six years, could be reinstated as a United Methodist pastor in good standing if he fulfills recommendations from the conference's board of ordained ministry. The Rev. William Anthony "Tony" Layman, who was district superintendent when Johnson was placed on leave, said the pastor's unwillingness to allow a homosexual to become a member of the church led to the filing of a complaint against Johnson.

United Methodist Reveals past by Cleaning Tombstones

July 26, 2005, NEW BLOOMFIELD, Pa. – The dates and words on a tombstone serve as a snapshot of a life, but only if they can be read. Five years ago, most of the markers in the Snyder United Methodist Church Cemetery in New Bloomfield were unreadable. "When we first started, I would say there were 80 stones," said Miles "Mike" Beaston. "And out of those 80 stones, you might have been able to read 5 percent of them."

Ecumenical News

Kobia to Pay First Official Visit to the Caribbean

July 27, 2005 – The US presence and policies, human rights, democratization, international aid, as well as ecumenism in the region, and the forthcoming 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will be the main topics on the agenda during the first official visit by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia to churches in Cuba and Haiti from 31 July – 7 August 2005. On 28 July, Kobia will also meet the leadership of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) at its headquarters in Trinidad. WCC president from North America, Dr Bernice Powell-Jackson of the United Church of Christ (USA), and WCC central committee member Bishop Rolf Koppe of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) will join the delegation in Cuba. Central committee member Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi of the Episcopal Church of Burundi will accompany the group in Haiti. Caribbean Conference of Churches general secretary Mr Gerald Granado and WCC central committee member Ms Donnalie Edwards-Cabey of the Church in the Province of the West Indies (Bahamas) will participate in the 28 July meeting at CCC headquarters in Trinidad.

Spanish News

Iglesia Católica Acusa a Grupos Mediáticos De Librar "Batalla De Significados"

22 julio 2005, BOGOTA, Colombia – La Iglesia Católica lanzó duras criticas a los grupos que lideran el campo de las comunicaciones en el mundo, acusándolos de estar inmersos en una "batalla de significados" con intereses que van más allá de la venta de sus productos. Monseñor John P. Foley, presidente del Consejo Pontificio para las Comunicaciones Sociales del Vaticano, sostuvo que los grupos mediáticos "ofrecen también unos marcos de comprensión de la realidad, unos valores, unas actitudes, por desgracia no siempre acordes con la dignidad de cada persona humana. Foley, un personaje de gran influencia en el Vaticano, fue el orador principal de una de las jornadas de la Reunión de Responsables y Expertos en Comunicación de América Latina, que culminó el jueves en esta ciudad.

Movimiento Ecuménico Pide Al Gobierno Que Impida Visita De Bush

29 julio 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – El Movimiento Ecuménico por los Derechos Humanos (MEDH) pidió al gobierno argentino que evite por todos los medios que se concrete la visita al país del presidente de Estados Unidos, George W. Bush. "Indigna y repugna que los mismos genocidas que someten y expolian a nuestro pueblo, caminen entre nosotros," dijo el organismo religioso en un pronunciamiento difundido el jueves. El presidente de los Estados Unidos es uno de los principales invitados a la IV Cumbre de las Américas que se desarrollará en la ciudad de Mar del Plata, en la costa atlántica argentina, la primera semana de noviembre.

Pastores Evangélicos Impedidos De Postular En Elecciones Generales

29 julio 2005, TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Los 14 pastores evangélicos que aspiraban a sendas diputaciones en las elecciones generales de noviembre próximo, quedaron fuera de carrera después de que la Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) falló en su contra el jueves. La coordinadora de la Sala de lo Constitucional de la Corte Suprema, Sonia Marlina Dubón, dijo a la prensa que los pastores evangélicos "no pueden participar en política," dando por cerrado este caso que provocó gran controversia en el país.

Crece Expectativa En Las Iglesias Ante Visita De Kobia

29 julio 2005, LA HABANA, Cuba – Crece la expectativa entre los cristianos cubanos ante la llegada este sábado del secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Samuel Kobia, en su primera visita al Caribe luego de que asumiera el cargo en enero del 2004. La visita del pastor Kobia, que comenzó el jueves en Puerto España, Trinidad y Tobago, con una reunión de líderes de la Conferencia Cristiana del Caribe (CCC), y culmina el próximo 7 de agosto en Haití, permitirá abordar entre otros temas la presencia de Estados Unidos y sus políticas en la región, la democratización, los derechos humanos y el ecumenismo.

Kobia Visita Oficialmente El Caribe Por Primera Vez

28 julio 2005 – La presencia y las políticas estadounidenses, los derechos humanos, la democratización, la ayuda internacional así como también el ecumenismo en la región, y la próxima Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) serán los temas principales en la agenda de la primera visita oficial del pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, secretario general del CMI, a las iglesias de Cuba y Haití. La visita, la primera desde que Kobia asumió su actual cargo, tendrá lugar entre el 31 de julio y el 7 de agosto de 2005. El 28 de julio, Kobia se reunirá con los líderes de la Conferencia de Iglesias del Caribe (CIC) en su sede en Trinidad.

Religious/Civil Liberty News

Group Seeks Stories from Youth on Rights Violations

July 27, 2005, NEW YORK – Youth for Human Rights, a youth program of the Church of Scientology, has invited other youth from the New York area to speak at a multi-faith conference on "Human Rights Education: Problems and Solutions," on August 22nd. "Even in this country, youth and even parents don't know about the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Ms. Hannah Mets, the 13-year-old New York youth spokesperson for the group. "With true human rights education, people can demand and protect their human rights. And more important, it helps individuals respect each other, and promote real peace." An award-winning short film, UNITED, will be used to set the tone of the conference, says Barbara Carmichael, Youth for Human Rights coordinator for the Tri-State area. The movie, filmed largely on a round-the-world tour to promote the Universal Declaration, urges youth to know their human rights, and respect those of others. The film even targets a lack of human rights education as the source of much of misery and mayhem currently at large in the world.

Protestant Leaders Condemn Abuses in Philippines

Jul. 25, 2005, MANILA, Philippines – Filipino and foreign Protestant church leaders have condemned what they describe as "massive human rights violations" and outright killings of innocent people perceived as "subversives" under the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "We demand justice for all victims of massive human rights violations and desecration of human lives under Arroyo's watch," said Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, chief executive of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, in a July 21 statement. Ruiz-Duremdes asserted there has been a "wave of killings" of peace advocates in the country, including church people. She said it has alarmed international church leaders and organizations, such as the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. One recent victim, she said, was the Rev. Edison Lapuz of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and a leader of the Promotion of Church People's Response, a multi-denominational group working for justice and peace in central Philippines.

National News

Volunteer Teams Needed for Hurricane Dennis Cleanup

July 22, 2005 – Volunteer teams will be needed this fall in Alabama and Florida for continued cleanup after Hurricane Dennis. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, U.S. disaster coordinator for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, said some teams already scheduled for the continuing Hurricane Ivan repair work were diverted to cleanup duty after Dennis came ashore July 10. But more assistance, in the form of both unskilled and skilled labor, is needed from Labor Day through the fall. "There is a great need for teams," he told United Methodist News Service. "At this point, there's still a lot of debris to clean up."

International News

Archbishop of Canterbury Praises Anglican Church of Burundi

July 19, 2005 – Archbishop Rowan Williams and Mrs. Williams were greeted with jubilant traditional drumming and dancing at their arrival in Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, last Friday. This first-ever visit of an Archbishop of Canterbury to the Province of Burundi comes at a time of rebuilding following years of civil strife in that country. Upon his arrival, the Archbishop said that the aim of his visit was to "affirm and praise the work of the Anglican Church in Burundi" and "to show that we pray and care for the needs of the nation." He expressed his "hope that the church, under its new leadership, will continue the great work that it has done for reconciliation and development." Concluding, the Archbishop said: "So, we are here to celebrate with the church; we are also here to learn what we can do to assist the process of reconciliation."

Brethren Funds Team up to Respond to Sudanese Refugees, West Timor Drought

July 22, 2005, ELGIN, IL – Two funds of the Church of the Brethren General Board – the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) – are both contributing aid to Sudanese refugees returning to their homes after years of displacement due to war, and to West Timor, Indonesia, following a severe drought. The EDF gave $50,000 and the GFCF $20,000 to the needs of the Sudanese refugees. Responding to West Timor, the EDF gave $20,000 and the GFCF $10,000. Two other recent grants from the EDF support relief work in India and China. The Sudan emergency appeal comes from the Church World Service (CWS) Emergency Response Program and the ACT Alliance. The EDF grant will help provide basic needs for refugees including fresh water, sanitation, household supplies, tools, and seeds.

AIDS/HIV Becomes a Focus for Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, and Brethren Mission Workers

July 22, 2005, ELGIN, IL – If we had to name the one area of our work that we find most compelling, we'd have to say it is our work with the HIV/AIDS ministry of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN – the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). HIV/AIDS is endemic throughout Africa. Millions of African men, women, and children are infected with the virus, and, with few exceptions, that number continues to grow. Fortunately, the problem of AIDS isn't as bad in Nigeria as it is in some African nations where 30 percent of the population is infected. Nevertheless, HIV/AIDS is still a huge problem in Nigeria. According to government statistics, 5 to 12 percent of Nigeria's population is infected with HIV/AIDS. That means that between 6 and 15 million Nigerians are infected. Far too many Nigerians are either infected, afflicted, or affected by the disease.

Archbishop Robin Eames' Response to the I.R.A. Statement

July 28, 2005 – In response to the IRA Statement Archbishop Robin Eames emphasises the moral issues involved in the current situation. Archbishop Eames said: "Quite apart from the political debate which will follow this statement from the IRA there are moral issues which must be addressed. Any moves which will remove the threat of terrorism and violence from the entire community must be welcomed. On this day my thoughts and prayers are for the many individuals and families who have lost loved ones through terrorism over the years. The victims of the past must never be forgotten. The IRA statement could herald the beginning of a period of transition from violence to peaceful and democratic co-existence – but only if words lead to clear and unambiguous action. There is now a moral imperative for Republicanism to be seen to act. A community which has grown wary and weary of fine sentiments not linked to action will welcome this transition if it is genuine and clear.

Reviews

New Book Helps Children Cope with a Parent's Terminal Illness

July 27, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – Mama's Going to Heaven Soon is a compassionate story that assists children and caregivers in talking about the anticipated death of a parent. Readers will begin to process their own feelings as they listen to the children in the story talk about the confusion they feel because their mom is sick, the sadness they feel when they learn that their mom will die, and their questions about what will happen when she dies. The bright, childlike artwork and the simple, straightforward language combine to offer an assuring, hopeful message. For caregivers, the final pages of the book offer suggestions to further assist them in talking to children about death.