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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
| Anglicans Retreat on Israel Divestment, but U.S. Jewish Group Isn't Satisfied March 14, 2006, LONDON – The Church of England appears to be backing away from a proposal to sell its stake in companies that do business with Israel. However, the shift hasn't mollified the American Jewish Congress. In a Feb. 6 vote, the Church of England's General Synod targeted the church's $4.4 million holding in U.S. machinery giant Caterpillar Inc., whose bulldozers allegedly have been used by Israel's army to destroy Palestinian homes in the occupied territories. However, the church's powerful Ethical Investment Advisory Group recommended on March 7 that the church hold onto its Caterpillar stock, because "there are no current or projected sales by Caterpillar (of) equipment for use by the Israeli government." March 13, 2006 – "This is not solely about what happens to immigrants," said Ruben Garcia, founder and director of Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas. "My concern is that all the focus is going to be on immigrants, and I think we have got to give considerable amounts of attention about what this does to us." Garcia, whose organization has served since 1978 as a home for newly- arrived illegal immigrants and a refuge for those seeking political asylum, addressed the theme "Border Realities: a Conversation on Immigration" March 2 at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City, hosted by Episcopal Migration Ministries. Native Americans Raise Awareness of Sacred Sites March 13, 2006 – Around the United States this spring, Native Americans and others are holding marathons and other events to focus public attention on the ongoing threats to the sacred places of indigenous people. Native Americans throughout the United States are running in a relays and marathons to ancient sites and mounds to connect with their pasts. The runs have been under way since February, and United Methodist churches have been providing hospitality to the runners. In the process, congregations are learning about the plight of sacred sites, which are threatened by housing, commercial and transportation development. Sacred Sites Run 2006 also includes a traveling exhibit, "Ancient North American Civilization," featuring historical sites that are recognized or have the potential to be recognized by governing agencies. Runners are gathering data at places where sites once existed and recording why they were destroyed. Mother of al-Qaida Conspirator Struggles with Son's Fate March 14, 2006 – That is how Aicha el-Wafi expressed her feelings. But she cannot be just a mother now because her son is Zacarias Moussaoui, an al-Qaida conspirator on trial in federal court in Virginia. During a March 12 gathering at the Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains, N.Y., el-Wafi spoke with a group of people who came to express their love and support for her as a mother experiencing great distress over the fate of her son. As the Rev. Joseph Agne, pastor of the White Plains church, noted, "I guess everything in the world is political, but this isn't a political gathering. This is a welcoming gathering." Church World Service and Denominations Protest Government Limits on Religious Freedom March 16, 2006, NEW YORK – Global humanitarian agency Church World Service yesterday led a delegation of religious leaders to a meeting in Washington, D.C., called by members of Congress, to press the demand that United States government agencies cease attempts to curtail religious freedom by imposing on national church agencies restrictive regulations on travel to Cuba for church work. Officials of the U.S. State and Treasury Departments listened to the concerns raised by members of Congress and the religious delegation. The Rev. John McCullough, executive director of Church World Service, also sent letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary John Snow. Episcopalians
Urged to Support Balanced Immigration Bills March 15, 2006 – The Episcopal Church's director of migration ministries said March 15 that Episcopalians ought to oppose immigration legislation that focuses exclusively on enforcement, without recognizing the human dimensions of the system's failures. Richard Parkins, director of Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), issued his statement in cooperation with the church's Office of Government Relations (OGR). "If the Congress misses this chance to produce a balanced bill which acknowledges that the U.S. needs workers and thus requires a legal and just way for this need to be recognized, we shall condemn our nation to an unjust and unworkable immigration system and, in the process, dishonor our tradition as a hospitable nation," Parkins said. United Methodist Board Creates Global Education Fund March 14, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The United Methodist Church's education agency is creating a global fund that will help Methodist schools around the world develop leaders and become more effective. The more than 720 Methodist educational institutions outside the United States are looking to the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the denomination's University Senate for assistance in collaborative programs and peer review. The board seeks to raise $3 million to $4 million over the next three years for the Methodist Global Education Fund to provide technical support and scholarship aid to those schools. Registration Opens for Black Ministry Convocation March 13, 2006 – Planners for this year's Black Ministry Family Convocation, set for July 19-23 at Concordia College, Selma, Ala., believe the historical significance of the site will attract more convocation participants than in past years. "We're going to the cradle of Black Lutheranism in our Synod," explained Dr. Willie Stallworth, associate executive director of the Board for Black Ministry Services, which sponsors the biennial gatherings. Alabama was the fastest-growing field when LCMS missionaries began planting Black congregations in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ethics Course Has Students Reflecting on Universal Themes March 13, 2006, MUTARE, Zimbabwe – Twenty-year-old Kudzai Mukumba didn't know what to expect when she saw Christian Ethics and Values on her list of required courses at Africa University in January. With Christian Ethics and Values and three other core courses taught across all disciplines – African Studies, Communications Skills and Information Technology – the United Methodist-related university aims to equip a new breed of African professionals and leaders. Every undergraduate student must pass these four courses to receive a degree. "I thought it would basically be all about the Bible because of the name," Mukumba says. Older Adults Face Growing Threat of Poverty, Committee Warns March 15, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Many working men and women will retire after a lifetime of service and come face to face with the shocking reality that the pension they thought would support them for the rest of their lives isn't worth the paper it is printed on. The United Methodist Committee on Older Adults recognizes that reality and is waving "a cautionary flag" before the church, asking that attention be paid to actions that will increase poverty among older Americans and their families. A resolution approved by the committee during its March 11-16 meeting in Nashville urges "widespread notice and study of the threat to pension benefits throughout the church." Making
Church an Inalienable Rite March 13, 2006, LOUISVILLE – Making the church a multicultural family representing a full spectrum of races and cultures will be the focus of the seventh annual Multicultural Conference of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Orlando, FL. The official theme of the four-day symposium, which starts on May 25, is Many Peoples – One Family, inspired by the Biblical books of Genesis and Acts. "We're trying to focus on the fact that we may be different people, different cultures, different backgrounds, but in fact we are called to be together, to be one family, to worship together, to minister to each other," said the Rev. Raafat Girgis, a conference planner who is associate for the PC(USA)'s Office of Evangelism, Racial and Cultural Diversity (ERCD). Pastor Teaches Kids ‘Might for Right' in Tae Kwon Do Class March 16, 2006, PORT BOLIVAR, Texas – The idea, at first, sounded a little strange. Tae kwon do lessons at a church? "My first impression was somebody's teaching fighting at a church," says Cody Van Zandt, 11. Theological Task Force Members Offer Reflections on Their Final Report March 15, 2006, LOUISVILLE – The following reflections, from all 20 members of the Theological Task Force, are presented unedited and in alphabetical order. They were written after the group voted unanimously to approve its final report to the 217th General Assembly. Pittsburgh Minister under Scrutiny for Performing Same-sex Marriage March 17, 2006, LOUISVILLE – Pittsburgh Presbytery is investigating one of its ministers, a descendant of a legendary Puritan theologian, for officiating at a same-sex union last year. The Rev. Janet Edwards, 55, came under presbytery scrutiny last August after she married Brenda Cole, 52, and Nancy McConn, 65, who live near Wheeling, WV. McConn is a lifelong Presbyterian and longtime member of Dallas Presbyterian Church in Dallas, WV. Cole was raised Methodist but now is a practicing Buddhist. Edwards acknowledged that she married the women in a Pittsburgh-area ceremony on June 25, 2005. She said the rite was called a "wedding" and integrated the couple's Buddhist and Christian traditions. Reformation Museum in Geneva Is Next-Door to Calvin's Cathedral March 14, 2006, LOUISVILLE – A new museum in Geneva, Switzerland, devoted solely to the Protestant Reformation has delighted its founders by attracting more than 20,000 visitors in its first 10 months. "It's amazing to see the reactions so far," Isabelle Graessle, director of the International Museum of the Reformation told the Presbyterian News Service during one of a series of visits to U.S. Reformed churches to tout and raise funds for the museum. "Ninety percent of our visitors come out happy and amazed, but also shocked – because they've forgotten so much of their religious roots." The museum, believed to be the first in the world dedicated exclusively to the Reformation, is housed in Maison Mallet, built in 1722 next-door to the cathedral of the Protestant Church of Geneva – founded by John Calvin – that dominates old Geneva's skyline. Red Ecuménica De Colombia Denuncia Amenazas De Muerte Contra Dos Líderes 16 marzo 2006, BARRANQUILLA, Colombia – Dos defensores de los derechos humanos, integrantes de la Red Ecuménica de Colombia, uno de ellos pastor evangélico, fueron amenazados de muerte por un grupo vinculado a operaciones de inteligencia del Ejército, denunció esa organización. La organización ecuménica dijo que el pastor Milton Mejía, secretario general de la Iglesia Presbiteriana, y Mauricio Avilez, integrante de la Comisión de Justicia y Paz, miembros de la Secretaría Ejecutiva de la Red, recibieron amenazas de muerte. Según indicó, las amenazas vendrían de una organización conocido como GAULA, siglas del Grupo de Acción Unificada por la Libertad, presuntamente vinculado a la Segunda Brigada del Ejército de Barranquilla. Consejo Evangélico De Colombia Acusa a Grupos Alzados En Armas Por Asesinato De Dos Pastores 16 marzo 2006, BOGOTA, Colombia – La Junta Directiva del Consejo Evangélico de Colombia (CEDECOL) acusó este jueves a los grupos alzados en armas por la muerte de dos pastores evangélicos en la ciudad de Buenaventura, la ultima ocurrida ayer. La protesta de CEDECOL es la primera reacción de la comunidad evangélica al asesinato de los pastores Alfredo Orozco, de la Iglesia Cristiana Nuevos Comienzos, acaecido el miércoles y Oscar Muñoz, de la Alianza Cristiana y Misionera, ocurrido el pasado 3 de marzo. Obispo Luterano Felicita a Alcaldesa Electa 16 marzo 2006, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Es urgente que el Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) se "despartidice," sostuvo el obispo de la Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña, Medardo Gómez, quien hoy felicitó a Violeta Menjívar, convertida en los comicios del pasado domingo en la primera alcaldesa de esta capital por un escaso margen de 59 votos. El obispo luterano dijo que resulta imperativo que los partidos políticos dialoguen y se encuentren fórmulas que mejoren la actuación del TSE, a propósito de las controversias suscitadas en la elección de la municipalidad capitalina. Indígenas Evangélicos Anuncian Nuevas Protestas 17 marzo 2006, QUITO, Ecuador – Tras varios días de movilizaciones y bloqueo de carreteras contra la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con los Estados Unidos y la expulsión de la petrolera Oxy, liderados por el pueblo indígena, el movimiento evangélico indígena anunció nuevas protestas, esta vez en demanda de la renuncia del presidente Alfredo Palacio y la conformación de una Asamblea Constituyente. Marco Murillo, presidente de la Federación Ecuatoriana de Indígenas Evangélicos (FEINE), oficializó el jueves la plataforma de lucha de su organización en la provincia de Chimborazo, donde el 60 por ciento de la población indígena no es católica. Líder De La Sociedad Bíblica Peruana Pide a Electores Un Voto De Conciencia 17 marzo 2006, LIMA, Peru – El pastor Pedro Arana, secretario general de la Sociedad Bíblica Peruana, hizo un llamado a la ciudadanía para que emita un voto de conciencia en las elecciones del próximo 9 de abril, "donde prime la razón sobre la emoción." Dijo que la persona merecedora del voto ciudadano, debe tener experiencia política. "No se trata de experiencia legal, castrense o de gestión empresarial, sino de participación en la vida pública, en el servicio o acciones sociales, que haya buscado el bien de su pueblo y luchado por su bienestar," advirtió. El elegido debe estar comprometido con la justicia social, los pobres deben ser objeto de su mayor preocupación. Iglesias Muestran Más Interés En Derechos Humanos Que Los Partidos Políticos 15 marzo 2006, LIMA, Peru – A los partidos políticos les importa muy poco que se investiguen los actos contra los derechos humanos que se imputan al candidato presidencial Ollanta Humala, pues su interés principal es desembarcarlo del proceso electoral, dijo el padre Gastón Garatea, presidente de la Mesa de Concertación de Lucha contra la Pobreza.. En declaraciones al servicio Contexto, Garatea citó el caso de Humala para fundamentar su hipótesis de que las iglesias presentan mayores avances que los partidos políticos, en materia de derechos humanos, de lucha contra la pobreza y de seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación (CVR). Religious Leaders Protest New Restrictions on Cuba Travel March 17, 2006, NEW YORK – A delegation of religious leaders joined a March 15 meeting in Washington, called by members of Congress, to demand that U.S. government agencies cease attempts to curtail religious freedom by imposing restrictive regulations on travel by church agencies to Cuba. Officials of the U.S. State and Treasury Departments listened to the concerns raised by members of Congress and the religious delegation, which was organized by Church World Service. The letters, signed by 11 other heads of mainline Protestant organizations, demanded an end to the restrictions. Healing Sought in
U.S.-Cuban Strife March 14, 2006 – Havana children's hospital director Francisco Perez Villaverde knows something about healing against the odds. In the oncology ward, he praises staff for curing kids "at a rate up to the standards of the rest of the world." He notes that among the 10,000-plus patients admitted last year, 54 died, and of those cases – each severe – "the result would have been the same in any hospital." Repairs to the hurricane-weathered wards are running slow, he adds. Elevator parts take weeks to arrive from Spain, because U.S. trade restrictions – now in their forty-seventh year – prevent shipment from Miami 90 miles away. U.S.-made medicines are similarly unavailable. Ex-Captive Taking Steps Against Genocide and Slavery in Sudan March 17, 2006, LOUISVILLE – Simon Deng is walking south along the highway near Fort Lee, NJ, this morning. He says it is windy. "But we're all right," he adds reassuringly. He's got about 30 folks with him, some still carrying Sudan Freedom Walk signs. Others have gotten tuckered out fighting the wind and put their placards in a car that is following Deng's procession. The group left New York City Wednesday morning and is headed south to Washington, DC. Institute
to Launch Iran Program March 16, 2006 WASHINGTON, DC – Institute on Religion and Public Policy President Joseph K. Grieboski today announced the establishment of its Iran Project and the appointment of Dr. Bijan Sepasy as the Program's Founding Director. With a newly elected president who is more hostile toward the West than any of his predecessors and a resumption of nuclear development activities, Iran poses a great threat to global security and interests. These recent developments have made the need for timely and accurate information on Iran a critical necessity for global policy analysts and makers. March 14, 2006, NEW YORK – The North American peace activist group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) says it will continue its work in Iraq despite the murder of one of four team members abducted in January. The body of American Quaker and CPT brigade member Tom Fox, 54, of Clear Brook, VA, was discovered in Baghdad on March 9 by U.S. troops. His death was announced the next day. He apparently had been tortured before death, officials said. No reason has been given for his murder. "Our work continues," Kryss Chupp, a spokeswoman for the peace activist organization, said in a March 13 interview. March 16, 2006 – The small size of the assembly did not diminish the intensity of the message shared by Rania Riah Abu El-Assal, daughter of Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, at the UN Church Center on March 8. El-Assal, who is the public relations officer at Bishop Riah's Educational Campus in Nazareth, was in New York City as the Anglican Consultative Council's delegate from Palestine for the 50th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW). "We are here together on a mission and God entrusted all of us with the ministry of reconciliation," said El-Assal. "You can be the messenger and help me spread the message." Austria Honors United Methodist Bishop March 17, 2006 – The Republic of Austria has honored a United Methodist bishop for being a "bridge builder" in Europe. Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, who is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and oversees 15 countries for the denomination, was honored in Vienna, particularly for his ability to build connections with Eastern European nations. Rev. Scott S. Libbey, UCC Leader, Dies March 13, 2006 – The Rev. Scott S. Libbey, who served as a National and Conference UCC leader for more than 30 years, died on March 12 at a Des Moines, Iowa, hospital, United Church News has learned. He was 76. Libbey was executive vice president of the former United Church Board for World Ministries, the UCC's overseas mission arm, from 1984 until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1994. Augsburg Fortress Distributes Castle Quay Titles March 15, 2006 MINNEAPOLIS – Augsburg Fortress is happy to be distributing titles from award-winning Canadian authors from Castle Quay Books. Castle Quay Books Canada was founded in 2002 as an independent Canadian Christian publishing imprint of Augsburg Fortress Publishers Canada. It is dedicated to the advancement of the Canadian Christian writing community with the purpose of developing and publishing high value, quality Canadian titles, with both established and new authors. Fortress Press Releases How to Think Theologically 2nd Edition
March 13, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – An outstanding introduction for college, seminary,
and lay readers, this second edition of the 1996 volume, How to Think Theologically,
by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke has been fully updated and expanded with
new resources, examples, vignettes, diagnostic exercises, and case studies. Addressing
the how and why of theological sources, moves, and methods, Stone and Duke guide
readers into their own theological roots and then into major theological topics
– gospel, sin and salvation, vocation, ethical discernment – through real-life
case studies. |
