Front Page

There Is Plenty of Room at Bethlehem Inns this Year

December 24, 2005 – If Mary and Joseph had to get to Bethlehem this year, they would find themselves confronted with a 9-metre high concrete wall and a sophisticated, high-tech checkpoint. All visitors in and out of the once vibrant city where Jesus was born have to pass through a checkpoint that has recently been upgraded. It was opened on 15 November and is called the "Bethlehem 300 checkpoint." Passing through this terminal, you feel a bit like a sheep being herded as you go through one turnstile after another. If one of the turnstiles stops or gets stuck as you pass through, the remote voice of an Israeli soldier coming out of nowhere instructs you to wait, or try again to go through.

Senate Vote on the Budget Belies the Nation's Divisions

December 21, 2005, NEW YORK – The tie vote in the U.S. Senate on the fiscal year 2006 budget, broken by Vice President Dick Cheney's vote, demonstrates the power of one person to make changes for good of ill, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA said today. The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, expressing his disappointment at the narrow passage of the 2006 budget that includes billions of dollars of cuts for social programs for the poor, said the vote "is evidence of the divisions that exist in our nation." "Vice President Cheney's one vote tipped the balance of on this budget from need to greed," Edgar said. The one-vote margin "shows that half the Senate understands how billions of dollars of cuts in social programs would hurt the poor and voted for those in need," Edgar said, "The other half of the Senate, in granting continued tax cuts for the rich, voted for greed."

NCCC Praises Bush, McCain, for Taking Steps Against Torture

December 16, 2005, NEW YORK – The National Council of Churches praised President Bush and Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) Friday for their actions to ban torture by U.S. authorities. Mr. Bush promised to sign the ban into law Thursday after rejecting advice from Vice President Dick Cheney and other high administration officials that the provision be vetoed. McCain, who was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for 5 1/2 years, had insisted that the United States prohibit "cruel, inhuman and degrading" treatment of prisoners, many of them terrorism suspects, following well-known instances of abuse at two facilities operated by American forces, the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba.

NY Times, Bob Barr, Chuck Colson and NCC Agree:
It's Time to Stop Restricting Legal Aid for Low-Income Families

December 14 2005 NEW YORK – What do the New York Times, former Congressman Bob Barr, conservative commentator Chuck Colson and the National Council of Churches have in common? Usually not much. But they do agree on one thing: it's time to end a law that restricts legal help for poor families. The law prohibits the use of federal grant money for certain types of legal representation and prevents legal aid organizations from spending their own funds unless they establish a physically separate office with separate staff, office space, and equipment – a prohibitively expensive proposition.

NCC Welcomes the Senate's Caution about Renewal of the USA Patriot Act

December 19, 2005, NEW YORK – The National Council of Churches today praised the U.S. Senate for its caution when it declined to end a filibuster blocking the renewal of the USA Patriot Act. "The Patriot Act was hastily enacted after 9/11 in an attempt to protect U.S. citizens from further terrorist violence," said Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, associate general secretary of the NCC for International Affairs and Peace. "It's now time to ask ourselves what this law has meant with respect to our most basic freedoms." Last month, the General Assembly of the NCC and Church World Service passed a resolution calling for "ever-vigilant" support of civil and religious liberties. The resolution expresses concern that the Patriot Act "has the potential for vastly eroding" those liberties.

Christmas/New Year

Christmas Sampler: Sunday Services Across the Episcopal Church
Media Inquiry Sparks Responses from Congregations

December 21, 2005 "Indeed, there is a Christmas, Virginia," declares the Rev. Judith Stuart, rector of Redeemer Church in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, echoing the oft-quoted 1897 headline of the New York Sun. Stuart's response, like some 62 others to ENS, was prompted by a recent national network newscast's inquiry about Sunday services in the Episcopal Church on Christmas Day. The newscast's question followed the widely reported decision of some "megachurches" to cancel services on Christmas morning, a Sunday this year, to allow families time "around the tree."

Nativity Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Ruling Orthodox Christian Archbishop of North America

NATIVITY OF CHRIST 2005 Christ is born! Glorify Him! Dearly Beloved in the Lord: "All the angels in heaven are of good cheer and greatly rejoice today! The whole creation leaps with joy, for the Savior and Lord is born in Bethlehem! Every error of idolatry has ceased, and Christ reigns unto all ages!" – From the Nativity Eve Service As we celebrate the birth of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, we join our voices with those of the angels in praising the One Who took on our human nature in order to renew us and all creation, that we might become "partakers of His divine nature," as Saint Peter reminds us.

LWF New Year Message: a Call to Equitable Sharing of Material and Spiritual Resources
Noko Criticizes Progress Notion in "Bigger" and "More"

December 22, 2005, GENEVA – In his 2006 New Year Message, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko calls for reflection on the spirit of giving and what it means to be a communion of churches seeking to serve Christ by serving each other especially the poor and vulnerable. The LWF general secretary counters the assumption that "bigger" and "more" signal progress by citing the environmental danger of global warming, and the growing social gap between the rich and the poor, threatening both the health and stability of communities. "God has blessed us with enough material resources and spiritual insights for all. We are called again to reflect on how we share these blessings with one another," he says.

General News

Jesus' Birthplace Featured in New Episcopal Church Documentary
Pilgrims Transformed by ‘Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus'

December 20, 2005 Bethlehem looks much different in person than most Christmas cards or carols suggest. So say Episcopalians who recently visited holy sites in Israel and the Palestinian Territories on a pilgrimage featured in "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus," a 25-minute documentary newly produced by the Episcopal Church's Office of Communication. The pilgrims, members of the Diocese of Los Angeles, made the journey October 15-25 as part of a mission trip that built on an existing companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem. They called the visit "life changing" and "awe-inspiring." Led by tour guide Iyad Qumri, the pilgrimage included visits to Bethlehem, Galilee, Jerusalem and Nazareth.

Passion about Poverty Leads United Methodist to Work in Congo

December 20, 2005, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Early in her life, Taylor Walters was seized by a passion to understand poverty. Now, at age 26, she is seeing and experiencing it firsthand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as assistant to United Methodist Bishop Ntambo Nkulu, who leads the United Methodist Church's North Katanga Annual (regional) Conference. "Right now there is a slow hemorrhage on my savings account," she says, laughing, as she talks about how she is managing to live in the Congo without a salary. She went to Africa last March both as a volunteer in mission and as a missionary from Indianapolis Metro Ministries, which is the mission arm of the Indianapolis East and West Districts in the South Indiana Conference.

Winter 2005 Mosaic Television on ‘Introducing the Old Testament'

December 21, 2005, CHICAGO – A video presentation about the Old Testament, its authors and history, is available to congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Introducing the Old Testament" – the winter 2005 release of Mosaic Television – was recorded in Israel, the West Bank and Egypt, and features interviews with Old Testament scholars. Mosaic Television is the quarterly video program produced by ELCA Communication Services. It is intended for educational use in a variety of congregational settings including Sunday school classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups, new member classes, congregational council, committee and other organizational meetings.

Ecumenical News

LWF Invites International Lutheran Council Observer to Biblical Study Process
2005 Joint ILC-LWF Meeting Discusses 500th Reformation Anniversary

December 20, 2005, GENEVA – A representative of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) will be invited as an observer to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) study processes on the authority of the Bible and biblical hermeneutics. This was agreed at the December 8-10 meeting between representatives of both Lutheran world bodies, hosted by the LWF in Geneva, Switzerland. The decision to invite an ILC observer to such study processes follows an agreement of the 2003 joint meeting that both church bodies invite observers to each other's official meetings and consultations.

Pope Says Catholics, Orthodox must Work for Unity

December 17, 2005 – Catholics and Orthodox have a responsibility to work toward full unity in accordance with the will of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI has said. Catholic News Service reports that he spoke on Thursday with a committee preparing for a full meeting of the international Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, the pope said he rejoiced at the desire to "take up again and pursue the dialogue which, over the past few years, had known serious internal and external difficulties." The last meeting of the international Catholic-Orthodox dialogue was held in 2000 to discuss the role and theological implications of the agreements that led to the formation of the Eastern Catholic churches.

2006 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

December 21, 2005 – "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" from Matt. 18:20 is the theme of the 2006 edition of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It was chosen by an ecumenical group in Ireland. Jointly prepared since 1968 by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Roman Catholic Church, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated from 18-25 January, although in the Southern hemisphere, other dates are sometimes chosen, for example, around Pentecost.

Spanish News

Pastor Metodista Es El Nuevo Secretario Ejecutivo Del Conic

19 diciembre 2005, BRASILIA, Brasil – El Consejo Nacional de Iglesias Cristianas de Brasil (CONIC) eligió al pastor metodista Western Clay Peixoto, 53 años, como nuevo secretario ejecutivo del organismo ecuménico brasileño. Clay Peixoto, quien asumirá el cargo el 1 de febrero próximo, es natural de Dores do Rio Preto, del estado de Espíritu Santo. Es pastor y ejerció el magisterio en varias instituciones educativas de la Iglesia Metodista y en el Seminario Arquidiocesano San Antonio, de la Iglesia Católica Romana, en la ciudad de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. También integra la Comisión Teológica del CONIC.

Líderes Religiosos Destacan Mensaje De Esperanza Que Trae La Navidad

22 diciembre 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil –"Navidad es un constante renacer de esperanzas, un brotar renovado del espíritu de solidaridad, una reminiscencia irrenunciable a Jesús," dijo el pastor-presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana en Brasil (IECLB), Walter Altmann, en carta pastoral dirigida a las congregaciones. Altmann recordó, en la carta, el encuentro que el Consejo de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM) tuvo este año en Belén.

Espiritistas Presentan Mayores Niveles De Escolaridad Entre Personas De Diferentes Grupos Religiosos

21 diciembre 2005, BRASILIA, Brasil – Los espiritistas del país presentan el mayor nivel de estudios, con una media de 9,6 años, mientras los evangélicos pentecostales registran el más bajo, con un promedio de 5,3 años de estudios, según los datos del Censo Demográfico del Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística (IBGE).

Costumbre De Enviar Tarjetas Navideñas Surgió Hace Siglo Y Medio De Una Casualidad

19 diciembre 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Federación Argentina de Iglesias Evangélicas (FAIE) recuerda que la costumbre de enviar tarjetas navideñas es una tradición que se mantiene desde hace un siglo y medio y que nació, como muchas tradiciones, de una feliz casualidad. El envío de tarjetas de Navidad comenzó en Inglaterra cerca de 1840 con el inicio del "Penny Post," el primer sistema de servicio postal. Fue el británico Henry Cole, quien acostumbraba dejar todo para mañana, quien dio comienzo a la tradición sin proponérselo.

Televisión Española Transmitirá Por Primera Vez En Vivo Un Culto Protestante De Navidad

22 diciembre 2005, MADRID, España – Por primera vez en la historia de España, un culto religioso evangélico será transmitido en directo por el canal TV2, la segunda cadena de televisión española, con motivo de la fiesta de Navidad, informó la publicación "Madrid Protestante." Para los protestantes españoles, este hecho tiene la calificación de "histórico," pues la transmisión les permitirá a los evangélicos celebrar juntos el nacimiento del Mesías con su estilo propio, en un acontecimiento nunca antes visto.

Un Pastor Presbiteriano Brilla En El Cine Y La Televisión

21 diciembre 2005, MÉXICO – El pastor presbiteriano Samuel Gallegos González, que brilla como actor en el cine mexicano, afirmó que no existe contradicción entre su trabajo artístico y religioso, y consideró injusto que se disuada a los jóvenes evangélicos a desarrollar su vocación artística. El pastor que tiene el papel protagónico en el film "Carnaval de Sodoma," la más reciente entrega del afamado director mexicano Arturo Ripstein, descartó que su faceta artística tenga que ver con intereses meramente económicos.

Concilio Nacional Evangélico No Promueve Ningún "Partido De Los Evangélicos"

21 diciembre 2005, LIMA, Peru – El Concilio Nacional Evangélico del Perú (CONEP) aclaró en un pronunciamiento difundido hoy que no alienta ni avala ninguna organización política partidaria, ni menos impulsa un "partido de los evangélicos." La organización, que preside el pastor Rafael Goto Silva, afirmó que la iglesia no debe promover una opción o adhesión uniforme u homogénea que pueda calificarse de evangélica, tras expresar su convencimiento de que "la opción política es libre."

Iglesias Celebran Cultos Especiales En Navidad Y Reciben Con Vigilias El 2006

20 diciembre 2005, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Las iglesias evangélicas se preparan para celebrar la Navidad este sábado 24 de diciembre y el fin de año con cultos de acción de gracias y vigilias de oración para que Nicaragua tenga un mejor 2006. Ramón López., líder de la Asociación de Pastores de Nicaragua (APANIC), dijo que tradicionalmente las iglesias evangélicas celebran la Navidad con un culto para recordar el significado del nacimiento de Jesús y con reuniones familiares para compartir cenas navideñas, y reciben el fin de año orando y cantando himnos de gratitud a Dios.

Semana De Oración Por La Unidad De Los Cristianos 2006

21 diciembre 2005 – El tema elegido por un grupo ecuménico irlandés para la edición 2006 de la Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos es "Cuando dos o tres estén reunidos en mi nombre, allí estaré yo con ellos" (Mateo 18:20). La Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos se celebra tradicionalmente entre el 18 y el 25 de enero y desde 1968 está preparada conjuntamente por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias y la Iglesia Católica Romana. En el hemisferio Sur, se prefiere otras fechas para la realización de este evento, como por ejemplo, alrededor de Pentecostés.

National News

Hurricane Relief: Bishops Voice Gratitude, Describe Fund Use

December 20, 2005 – This is a Joint statement by: The Rt. Rev. Harry B. Bainbridge III, Chairman, Episcopal Relief and Development, The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins, Diocese of Louisiana, and The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III, Diocese of Mississippi. All three of us are deeply grateful for the outpouring of generosity by Episcopalians around the country. Never before have we seen the Church so united in its care and support as it has been for those suffering from the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina. All of the organizations we represent have received support from around the country in the aftermath of the disaster which befell the country following Hurricane Katrina.

Senate Takes Final Action on Budget and the Arctic

December 22, 2005 – The debate over the FY ‘06 Federal Budget, which began when President Bush presented his proposal in February, ended December 21 with Vice President Dick Cheney returning from an overseas trip to break a tie-vote in the Senate. By a 51-50 vote, the Senate approved $40 billion over the next five years in budget cuts from low-income families while protecting special interests. Because of changes made in the Senate, the House will have to vote again on the budget but timing is uncertain. Revenues from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge had been included in the President's budget but were removed when it became clear that their inclusion would kill the budget.

International News

LWF Protests Against Attacks on Freedom of Expression at Information Society Summit
NGOs Urge UN Secretary General to Review Procedures of Choosing Host Country

December 20, 2005, GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has joined national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) protesting against attacks on human rights and the right to freedom of expression during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005. .".. at the World Summit on the Information Society, both inside and outside the official Summit, we have witnessed serious attacks on human rights and the right to freedom of expression," the NGO representatives state in their open letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi A. Annan.

Middle East News

NCC Condemns Ahmadinejad's Holocaust Statement

December 16, 2005, NEW YORK – In unusually strong language, the National Council of Churches USA has condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for the obliteration of Israel and his claim that the Holocaust was "a myth." "It is no accident that among the first protests of the Iranian president's statement were those of German leaders, whose parents were witnesses of the horrible reality of the Holocaust," said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the NCC. "Anti-Semitism's most vociferous manifestation is the ‘Big Lie' now coming from Tehran." Edgar also reaffirmed the NCC's support for the security of the State of Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian State.

People in the News

David H. Engelhard Dies

December 22, 2005, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Christian Reformed Church announced today that David H. Engelhard, general secretary-emeritus of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, succumbed to the effects of brain cancer after a 10-month struggle. In making the announcement, Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director of the CRCNA, said: "The family and all who knew David are comforted by his testimony that God was and is with him. There is relief in knowing that David is now free of pain and declining capacity. There is assurance in knowing that the gates of heaven opened wide so that he could enter into his eternal rest."

Reviews

Christian Involvement in the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict

December 21, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – The highly charged Israeli-Palestinian situation has strained Christian-Jewish relations and left Christians with missed commitments. In the newly released Christians and a Land Called Holy authors Charles P. Lutz and Robert O. Smith provide a clear account of the situation and a compelling plea for Christian involvement in the area. Carefully sorting out the tangled historical and religious roots of the problems, they reveal the strong forces at work in the bitter and divisive clashes of the last fifty years, the driving biblical notions of election and covenant, the affects the turmoil has had on Palestinians (particularly Palestinian Christians), and how, finally, Christians can help secure a future of justice and peace.