Front Page

Torture Is Unacceptable, NCC Assembly Says

November 15, 2005 – Any use of torture is "unacceptable and contrary to U.S. and international legal norms," according to religious leaders. The condemnation of torture came when the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service met Nov. 9-11 near Baltimore. Assembly delegates, including United Methodists, commended the U.S. Senate's "anti-torture provisions" in the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill, which is before the House of Representatives for action. The resolution also criticized those in government who would fail to approve such legislation.

In Geneva, Faith Communities Urge New Commitment to Tolerance

November 15, 2005 – Whether in European suburbs or Middle Eastern capitals, religious identity can often seem to be a source or fuel of conflict. And as many Western societies struggle to adapt to an emerging multicultural and multireligious reality, issues of tolerance and "living together" become ever more acute. Responding to these concerns, people from virtually all the world's faith traditions came together in Geneva this week and appealed to their own believers and the broader world to nurture actively the sources of tolerance and compassion common to all religions. "We affirm that humankind, made up of many peoples, nations, races, colours, cultures and religious traditions, is one human family. Therefore we reject all attempts to drive wedges between religious traditions by presenting them as mutually exclusive. We commit ourselves to lift up the teachings and practices in our religious traditions that nourish life and promote community," affirmed a statement of "common commitments" sent to religious communities in Geneva and the region.

Cause for Thanksgiving: CWS and Local Congregations
Help Gulf Hurricane Survivors Get a Fresh Start

November 17, 2005 – Partnerships between local congregations and refugee resettlement agencies are key to the support Church World Service is providing in 10 states to people displaced by the Gulf hurricanes. The humanitarian agency is working with its Miami office and eight of its local resettlement affiliates around the country to provide comprehensive, individualized services to Gulf Coast residents who have relocated to their communities. Resettlement agencies train participating congregations on ways to provide moral and material support help uprooted people as they recover their dignity and self-sufficiency in new communities, whether their stay ultimately is short or long.

General News

United Methodist Billboard ‘Gift' Kicks off Holiday Season

November 14, 2005, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The United Methodist Church is kicking off its holiday advertising campaign with a giant billboard screen above New York City's Times Square. "The Gift," a message about sharing one's gifts with others, is expected to reach an estimated 2 million people flowing daily through Times Square. The 30-second spots will be shown on the 30-by-40-foot screen eight times a day for a two-week period, including during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. "The holiday season is a time when many people are feeling alone or are perhaps seeking some deeper meaning and purpose in their lives," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.

ELCA Council Commends ‘Evangelical Lutheran Worship' to Congregations

November 14, 2005, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) commended "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" – a new primary worship resource – to the church's 10,657 congregations for use as an "enriching addition" to ELCA worship patterns. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. Evangelical Lutheran Worship is an outcome of a five-year project initiated by the Church Council in 2000 to renew the worship life of the ELCA.

Native American Caucus Explores Bringing ‘Culture' into Church

November 15, 2005, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Should Native Americans deny their cultural practices in order to be Christian and to make their churches effective and vital? For a group of Native American leaders in the United Methodist Church, this question provided a starting point for discussing how native culture can be brought into the church. The resulting dialogue on "contextualization" or "contextual ministry" took up a good portion of the Native American International Caucus directors' Nov. 10-12 meeting.

Memorial Lecture Set to Address Global Environmental Justice and Racism
Richard Parker Guest Speaker at Annual Jonathan Daniels Memorial Lecture

November 15, 2005 – The 14th annual Jonathan Daniels Memorial Lecture will be held on November 17 at Episcopal Divinity Seminary (EDS), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with guest speaker Richard Parker, a senior fellow at the Shorenstein Center, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Daniels, a 26-year-old Episcopal seminarian, answered the call of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help register African-American voters in Alabama, only to be shot and killed months later, on August 20, 1965, while shielding 16-year-old Ruby Sales from the shotgun fired by a sheriff's deputy. He was declared "a martyr and witness to the Gospel" and in 1994 his name was added to the Episcopal Church calendar of saints and martyrs, to be remembered on August 14 each year.

Church World Service Members Call for ‘Sacrificial Giving' During 2005 Holidays

November 17, 2005, NEW YORK – The members of the General Assembly of Church World Service and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA called for the Assembly's ecumenical family of Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant communions to make this Christmas season a time of sacrificial giving in light of the enormous needs at present around the world. The member communions present at the gathering last week in Hunts Valley, MD, took personal action, pledging more than $32,000 for worldwide relief efforts.

"You Sometimes Feel Lonely and Forgotten"
Call for Sustainable Living, Working Conditions of Church Workers in Africa

November 14, 2005, WINDHOEK, Namibia/GENEVA – "All our life we were used to the church paying for our rent, our electricity and our water bills. Our car was church property and the church paid for the petrol. But when retirement came, we faced many changes. We had to leave the church house in which we had lived for many years. And we had to look for our own accommodation and also pay all the bills." Lissie Diergaardt does not complain, she is just describing a situation experienced by the majority of pastors and their spouses upon retirement. Their small pensions, if they are lucky enough to receive one, usually do not even cover the basic cost of living.

Lutheran Services in America Opens Affordable Housing Initiative

November 18, 2005, CHICAGO – Lutheran Services in America (LSA) launched an initiative to change the face of affordable housing in the United States and Caribbean. LSA is an alliance of nearly 300 social ministry organizations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. "Lutherans have an enormous presence in affordable housing across the country," said Jill Schumann, president, Lutheran Services in America. Many Lutheran social ministry organizations are known for this work, and many Lutheran congregations are also engaged in providing shelter for people with low incomes or no incomes, she said. "We don't really know who is doing what where," she said.

Restaurateur Makes Difference for Homeless at Thanksgiving

November 16, 2005, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sam Lee is living the American dream. He came to the United States five years ago from Seoul, South Korea, to study at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management. He now owns Khan's Mongolian BBQ in downtown Nashville. More than being a successful businessman, he is an example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in need.

Queen Elizabeth Joins in Abbey Eucharist and Inauguration of New Synod

November 15, 2005 – Hundreds of members of the new Synod of the Church of England join with Her Majesty the Queen, for a Communion Service to mark the opening of the "church's parliament." The synod is re-formed every 5 years and the Queen by custom attends the Eucharist and speaks at the opening session, in her role of Supreme Governor of the Church of England. HRH Prince Philip joined the Queen and they were seated in the main sanctuary near the high altar. The service, using the propers for the Holy Spirit, was held in Westminster Abbey.

ELCA Publisher Introduces ‘The Christian Handbook'

November 16, 2005, CHICAGO – Augsburg Fortress, publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), recently introduced "The Christian Handbook" to the marketplace, following its highly successful introduction this year of "The Lutheran Handbook." Some 36,000 copies of The Christian Handbook were sold in advance of the book's appearance on the market last month, primarily to a variety of Christian retailers.

Press Statement from the President Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East

November 17, 2005 – I was saddened to read in The Guardian newspaper of 17th November a front page article headed "Archbishops threaten split over gay clergy." The article noted that a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury was posted on conservative evangelical websites and was being read around the world before he had had an opportunity to read it himself. It is most regrettable, and in no way helpful to the Church's mission, that a personal letter, which should have been confidential, was broadcast in this way.

Selling Christmas Wreaths Helps Hard-Pressed Families

November 14, 2005, SALEM, Maine – Wes Moody measures the tree branch against his forearm, with the tip just touching his elbow. "We reach in, measure the tip with our elbow and ..." Snap! That 14-inch-long tip of a balsam fir tree will soon become part of a Christmas wreath. Displaying wreaths is a Christmas tradition, but in this area of Maine, the time-honored decoration represents something much more: a financial life-saver for local families. "A lot of the jobs that people had for years and years are gone now," says Kay Webb, a local pastor and director of United Methodist Economic Ministry. "Factories have closed down."

Ecumenical News

Challenged to Open Our Eyes and to Bear Witness

November 16, 2005 – Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, contributes in the following article a reflection from the perspective of the Roman Catholic Church on the theme of the upcoming World Council of Churches 9th Assembly: God, in your grace, transform the world. The theme of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) 9th Assembly God, in your grace, transform the world, is a profound prayer of faith and hope in God, who gratuitously and continually leads the Christian to personal renewal and conversion, and uses the church as an instrument of his love in transforming the world. In two of the proposed biblical readings on the theme (Luke 4 and Isaiah 61), one finds the theological foundation for God's action through the church as "the indivisible sacrament of salvation."

Lutherans, Roman Catholics Begin Planning for 2017

November 16, 2005, VATICAN CITY – Lutherans and Roman Catholics began planning for 2017 with recognition of their movement toward reconciliation during the past 500 years and with a renewed commitment to continue in that direction. 2017 will be the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which traditionally began Oct. 31, 1517, when Dr. Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

The Roman Catholic Church and the WCC Assess 40 Years of Collaboration
and Look Ahead to a Renewed Ecumenical Movement

November 18, 2005 – The Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (WCC) could address issues of common concern together with a united voice to meet the expectations of people in a world of uncertainties and tensions. WCC central committee moderator Catholicos Aram I made this statement at the opening event of a 17-19 November consultation on the renewal of the ecumenical movement in the 21st century and the future role of a joint consultative group between the two bodies. "In a world of uncertainties and tensions," Aram I said, "people are increasingly expecting the churches' united voice."

Spanish News

Desafiados a Abrir Los Ojos Y Dar Testimonio

16 noviembre 2005 – El Cardenal Walter Kasper, presidente del Pontificio Consejo para la Promoción de la Unidad de los Cristianos, contribuye con el artículo siguiente a la reflexión, desde la perspectiva de la Iglesia Católica Romana, sobre el tema de la próxima IX Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias. El tema de la IX Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Dios, en tu gracia, transforma el mundo, es una profunda oración de fe y esperanza en Dios, quien gratuita y continuamente dirige a los cristianos hacia la renovación y conversión personal y utiliza la iglesia como instrumento de su amor en la transformación del mundo.

Jóvenes Luteranos Apoyan Proyectos Comunitarios

17 noviembre 2005, SAO LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Más de mil jóvenes confirmados de la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana de Brasil(IECLB) recaudaron voluntariamente entre abril y agosto de este año unos 13 mil reales, cerca de 5 mil 900 dólares, que serán destinados a proyectos de la iglesia en las ciudades de Manaos, Joinville y Jaguarao. El monto fue recibido a través del proyecto "Acción Confirmados 2005," una iniciativa de la Obra Gustavo Adolfo (OGA), entidad de beneficio sin fines de lucro vinculada históricamente a IECLB.

Bautistas Apoyan Día De La Libertad Religiosa

14 noviembre 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Asociación Bautista Argentina (ABA) apoyó la iniciativa del Consejo Argentino para la Libertad Religiosa (CALIR) de declarar el 25 de noviembre de cada año como "Día de la Libertad Religiosa," así como incluirlo en los calendarios escolares y disponer su respectiva conmemoración. Precisó que resulta oportuno dedicar un día a reflexionar sobre el tema y encontró propicia la fecha que coincide con la "Declaración sobre la eliminación de todas las formas de intolerancia y discriminación fundadas en la religión o las convicciones," aprobada por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) el 25 de noviembre de 1981.

Iglesias Evangélicas Adoptan Horarios Diurnos Y Vespertinos

14 noviembre 2005, LA HABANA, Cuba – Muchas iglesias evangélicas de la isla adaptaron su programación a horarios diurnos y vespertinos en previsión de los cortes de electricidad con que el gobierno enfrenta la dura crisis energética que afecta al país, trasladando el culto de la noche a jornadas que siguen a la llamada Escuela Dominical. El fin de semana se supo que Cuba no cambiará de horario para evitar afectar a la población con los "apagones."

Luteranas Criticaron Invisibilización De La Mujer

17 noviembre 2005, COQUIMBO, Chile – Su repudio a la invisibilización de las mujeres a lo largo de la historia y a la falta de reconocimiento de su liderazgo, pensamiento e impacto en la sociedad, expresó el Encuentro Nacional de la Iglesias Luteranas que reunió en Guanaqueros, comuna de Coquimbo, a unas 150 mujeres luteranas de todo el país para abordar el tema Superación de la Violencia.

Líder Evangélico Rechaza Maniobras Del ex Presidente Fujimori

14 noviembre 2005, LIMA, Peru – El director ejecutivo del Concilio Nacional Evangélico del Perú (CONEP) rechazó las maniobras del ex presidente Alberto Fujimori por su evidente intencionalidad política y señaló que la forma en que pretende regresar al país constituye una "grave falta de respeto a la dignidad de los peruanos." "Lo que él debería hacer es regresar al país para responder por los delitos que se le imputan, antes de pretender cualquier acción política," sostuvo Arroyo.

Evangélicos Afirman Que Combate a La Pobreza Es Prioritario

14 noviembre 2005, LIMA, Peru – En el Perú existen 17 millones de pobres, más de un 60 por ciento de la población, de los cuales la tercera parte sobrevive en condición de extrema pobreza, con un ingreso de 3 soles diarios (90 centavos de dólar), insuficientes para cubrir sus necesidades más elemtales. Pese a los anuncios oficiales, esta situación continúa, dejando a una mayoría de peruanos al margen de la economía y el bienestar, y por ello, sostiene, el Concilio Nacional Evangélico del Perú (CONEP), la lucha contra la pobreza es prioritaria.

Iglesias Deben Vigilar Cumplimiento De Objetivos Del Milenio

16 noviembre 2005, LIMA, Peru – La lucha contra la pobreza no avanza porque los países ricos no se han involucrado lo suficiente en el cumplimiento de los Objetivos del Milenio y los países pobres no aplican políticas sociales de desarrollo, sostuvo Jorge Chediek, representante del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD).

Ordenan Destruir Monumento a La Biblia

18 noviembre 2005, MÉXICO, Nov. 18 – Un monumento a la Biblia inaugurado por la Sociedad Bíblica de México a finales de octubre en el centro histórico de esta capital está a punto de ser destruido por la Delegación de Cuauthémoc que aduce que no fue levantado en el sitio previsto. El fin de semana pasado una cuadrilla de trabajadoras de la citada delegación se hizo presente en el monumento, portando una autorización de demolición, según denunció la Sociedad Bíblica.

International News

Church Leaders Resolve to Establish Lutheran Council in Africa
Need for Renewal of Lutheran Communion

November 18, 2005, WINDHOEK, Namibia/GENEVA – Participants in the Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Conference have agreed to establish a Lutheran Council in Africa to strengthen cooperation and enhance efforts in addressing challenges faced by the churches there. The historic conference took place 9*14 November in Windhoek, Namibia, under the theme, "From Isolation to Communion: For the Healing of Africa." The leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Africa also committed themselves, in a final statement, to actively engage in renewal of the whole Lutheran communion.

"We Need the Prophetic Voice of Africa"
Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Conference Receives LWF Mission Document

November 14, 2005, WINDHOEK, Namibia/GENEVA – "We need the prophetic voice of Africa. Africa's spirituality is a gift to the world," said Rev. Dr Kjell Nordstokke, director of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Mission and Development (DMD). He was presenting the LWF Mission Document, ‘Mission in Context: Transformation, Reconciliation, Empowerment – An LWF Contribution to the Understanding and Practice of Mission' to the Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Conference, taking place November 9-14 in Windhoek, Namibia, under the theme "From Isolation to Communion: For the Healing of Africa."

Methodists Respond to Disasters in Mexico, Central America

November 15, 2005 United Methodists are helping provide relief to hurricane-stricken areas of Central America and Mexico. At the beginning of October, Hurricane Stan caused flooding and landslides in Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. In Guatemala alone, more than 1,500 people were dead or missing, and dozens of deaths were reported in the other four countries. The disaster also killed cattle and destroyed houses, roads and cultivated areas. "Conscious of the situation in the affected areas of Chiapas, the Methodist Church of Mexico has opened its doors in many parts of the Federal District as storehouse centers," said Bishop Moisés Valderrama, with the Methodist Church of Mexico.

Middle East News

Archbishop of Canterbury to Visit Pakistan

November 17, 2005 – The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to visit Pakistan next week at what he says is a highly important period for the country. "This is a crucial time to be visiting Pakistan. I know that there are many concerns about those who may have survived the recent earthquake but whose future is still threatened by the onset of extremely cold weather conditions. I hope to learn about the things being done to transfer aid to people in the direst of needs. "This is also a very important time for Pakistan's faith communities – the good relations between Christians and Muslims in many parts of the UK and in Pakistan provide a platform for building further and for eradicating mistrust and misunderstanding.

People in the News

Michael Livingston to Be Installed as NCC USA President

November 10, 2005, HUNT VALLEY, Md. – The new President of the National Council of Churches USA, who is being installed today in Baltimore's Douglas Memorial Community Church, has been a pastor, educator and church administrator for most of his adult life. What's more, there is hardly an aspect of the ecumenical movement – local, national, international – that he hasn't served. "Early in my ministry I've been a pastor," says the Rev. Michael E. Livingston. "I've held many other positions, but I've never left the ministry of the Gospel." Livingston was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on July 27, 1975 and he has been a member of the New Brunswick, N.J., Presbytery since 1985.