Front Page

Catholics, Pentecostals Included in New Association of U.S. Churches
Christian Churches Together Bills Itself as ‘Most Inclusive' Ecumenical Group

April 10, 2006, NEW YORK – After nearly five years of discussions and planning, a new association of Christian churches in the United States, including Roman Catholics, Evangelicals and Pentecostals, has been formally launched. Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT), which calls itself "the most inclusive fellowship of Christian churches and traditions" in the country, was inaugurated on March 28. It represents the first time bodies representing the five major U.S. Christian traditions – Evangelical and Pentecostal, Protestant, predominately racial/ethnic, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic – have come together at a national level, although such churches often work together at local levels.

Duke Incident Reveals Deep Issues, United Methodist Leaders Say

April 13, 2006 – The sex scandal involving the Duke University men's lacrosse team has brought to the surface multiple issues about privilege and cultural values within higher education, the church and wider society, according to a United Methodist bishop. Issues raised from the controversy at the United Methodist-related school "are far more systemic and widespread" than the college and its larger community of Durham, N.C., said Bishop Ken Carder, director of pulpit and pew at the Duke Center for Excellence in Ministry at Duke Divinity School. An African-American female student at North Carolina Central University said that on the night of March 13, three white students at Duke, members of the lacrosse team, pushed her into a bathroom and raped her. The players deny any wrongdoing. Both sides agree only that they had hired her as an exotic dancer for their off-campus party. The university suspended the team's season and cancelled all related activities.

Future of Christianity Can Only Be Ecumenical, Says Head of LWF Assembly

April 13, 2006, GENEVA – The head of the host church for the 11th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in 2010 anticipates a major outcome of the LWF event in Stuttgart, Germany, to be emphasis on the ecumenical nature of Christianity in the future. "We want Stuttgart to constitute a semicolon for our common ecumenical future in the world," said Bishop Frank Otfried July, Evangelical Church in Württemberg, during his first official visit to the LWF Geneva Secretariat on 7 April.

WCC Asks European Union to Give New Palestinian Authority More Time

April 12, 2006 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) is urging the European Union to exercise "respect for the democratic mandate given by [the recent Palestinian] elections and time for the new government to find its feet and demonstrate its intentions," following the Council of the European Union's endorsement of a temporary halt to direct aid to the Palestinian government headed by Hamas. An 11 April WCC letter from WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia to the chairperson of the Council of the European Union, Austrian foreign minister Dr Ursula Plassnik, warns of the likelihood "of increasing suffering and new dangers to peace ahead" as a consequence of "decisions being taken these very days by the EU and other members of the [UN Security Council's Middle East] Quartet."

United Methodists Join in Demonstrating for Immigrants

April 11, 2006 – Immigration rallies across the United States on April 10 signal that something hopeful and historic is brewing, said United Methodist Church leaders, after nearly 2 million marched in 140 cities for the rights of undocumented people. "It was a powerful witness that indeed this is a much broader movement, broader than we have seen in years," said the Rev. Eliezer Valentin-Castañon, executive with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. "It is something that brings hope to my heart and soul that something is brewing. We were part of history yesterday and will continue to be part of history." Hundreds of thousands gathered in the nation's capital, where United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño, who leads the denomination's Phoenix Area, was one of several speakers to address the crowd.

Easter Message

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams – Easter Message to His Diocese

April 11, 2006 – I was always taught, of course, that you should never under any circumstances say ‘Alleluia' during Lent. It was like giving up chocolate or alcohol. Save it till Easter, and then you'll really enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed. There's plenty of good sense about this, if we understand what Lent is properly about – a preparation for Easter, a reminder that we still live in a world in which Easter hasn't yet quite sunk in and changed as it should. Just as in Advent we have to remember that we all still in some ways live in a pre-Christian world, waiting for Christ to arrive not only in Bethlehem but in our hearts and minds, so in Lent: the cross and the resurrection are never over and done with, never things we have been through and understood once and for all.

General News

CPH to Revise New Edition of Concordia

April 10, 2006 Concordia Publishing House will revise Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, A Reader's Edition following a decision from the LCMS Commission on Doctrinal Review to revoke doctrinal certification of the first edition published in 2005. In a March 16 memo distributed through LCMS E-News, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president, and Robert M. Knox, chairman of the CPH Board of Directors, said CPH is working closely with the Doctrinal Review commission to prepare an amended and revised second edition and a supplement of revisions that should be inserted in or attached to the first edition.

Festival of Faith & Writing at Calvin College

April 11, 2006, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A stunning lineup of keynote and public addresses will highlight the 2006 Festival of Faith & Writing at Calvin College, slated to run April 20 to 22. A highlight will be a Festival-opening address, titled "The Thumbprint on the Clay," by acclaimed author Luci Shaw. That talk – free and open to all – is scheduled for noon on April 20 in the Calvin Fieldhouse and will kick off the 2006 Festival, which will draw almost 2,000 registrants from around the globe for workshops, seminars, lectures, networking, conversations and more around the intersections of faith and writing.

"The Other Holy Land" to Be Rebroadcast on Hallmark Channel Sunday, April 23

April 10, 2006 – The Other Holy Land will be rebroadcast on the Hallmark Channel, Sunday, April 23 at 7:00 a.m. (ET/PT). April 23 is celebrated this year as Easter Sunday in the Orthodox churches. Check local listings. The program, originally broadcast in September 2003, features four geographical areas – Constantinople, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Smyrna – where it becomes strikingly clear that the history of Christianity in The Other Holy Land is also the history of the Greek Orthodox Church. The one-hour documentary filmed in Turkey and the United States, includes interviews with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Bishop Kallistos Ware, Spalding Lecturer in Eastern Christian Studies at Oxford University and other noted theologians and historians.

Anglican Observer at the UN: On a Mission, a Long Way from Home

April 13, 2006 – Archdeacon Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Matalavea – known to her American colleagues simply as Archdeacon Tai – is a long way from home. A native of the Pacific island country of Samoa, the Archdeacon has lived and worked in New York for the past five years as Anglican Observer at the United Nations. In addition to the warmth and humor of her homeland, she brought with her a lifetime of experience working with the United Nations and for the Anglican Church. The Anglican Observer serves as an advocate, lobbyist and facilitator to the United Nations for the Anglican Communion. Given that the Communion has member churches throughout the world, it is no small task.

Mutt Ministry Puts ‘Shining Light' in Lives of Elderly

April 12, 2006, FOLEY, Ala. – Louise Greenwald went through many sad, lonely hours after the death of her second husband last fall. "He passed away in October," she says of husband Frank Foster, "and it's been quite empty." But thanks to the Mutt Ministry at a nearby church, the 92-year-old piano teacher now has a new companion – a tiny Chihuahua named Honey.

Episcopal Seminarian to Teach Peace and Justice Writing Course in May

April 11, 2006 – Social justice workers, writers or those interested in exploring the power of words and how to use them to effect change will meet at the Ghost Ranch Campus in Abiquiu, New Mexico May 22-28 for a week-long course on writing for peace and justice. Greg Garrett, a second year divinity student at Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, will teach "Writing for Peace and Justice: Being a Voice for Change," emphasizing how to use the power of words to direct attention and energy toward issues concerning them in their community, the nation, and the world.

Presbyterian "Meeting Place" Becomes "Mother Church" While Still a Child

April 10, 2006 – In the Presbyterian way of going about being the church, there is a classification of congregation known as a "Meeting Place. To organize one, all that is required is a group of people who meet at a fixed place and time to conduct divine worship. Ordinarily a "Meeting Place" is governed and supported by a "Mother Church," which offers financial and human resources support. For that reason, most "Meeting Places" are numbered within the general class of "weak and small churches." They are not very attractive to clergy seeking a call.

Q Television Network Becomes Second Gay-Themed Channel
To Air United Church of Christ's Ad at No Charge

April 12, 2006 – Q Television, a national network directed to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, has become the second gay-themed cable channel to run the United Church of Christ's "ejector" commercial for free as a public service announcement. QTN plans to run the UCC's 30-second "ejector" spot at least six or seven times a day because of its positive, LGBT-inclusive message, a QTN spokesperson said. The decision comes a week after LOGO, a Viacom-owned, gay-focused network, rejected the ad, apparently in keeping with its parent company's blanket decision to deny the UCC's gay-positive advertisements.

Ecumenical News

Anglicans, Roman Catholics Continue Discussion of Seattle Document on Mary

April 10, 2006 – The 60th meeting of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the USA (ARC-USA), took place at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Belleville, Illinois, March 30 – April 2. The meeting was co-chaired by Bishop Edwin F. Gulick, Jr. of Kentucky, and the Most Rev. John C. Dunne, Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Center, in the absence of the Most Rev. Edward W. Clark, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, the newly-named Roman Catholic co-chair. The majority of the meeting was devoted to further reflections on the 2004 "Seattle Document" of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ."

Swedish Lutheran Church Official Sees Hope for Restored Relations with Russian Orthodox

April 12, 2006, UPPSALA, Sweden/GENEVA – A Church of Sweden official from the northern diocese of Lulea sees hope for the resumption of bilateral relations between the Swedish Lutheran and Russian Orthodox churches. The relations were suspended after an October 2005 vote by the Swedish church's General Synod to introduce a special service of blessing for civil partnerships. The decision by the Swedish church implies that a couple in a formally recognized partnership, including a same-sex civil partnership, is entitled to an official blessing of the relationship in a Church of Sweden parish.

Spanish News

Iglesias Ofrecen Información Sobre Celebraciones De Semana Santa En Internet

10 abril 2006, BERLÍN, Alemania – La Iglesia Evangélica de Alemania (EKD, por sus siglas en alemán) y la Iglesia Católica se unieron para ofrecer en una página en Internet informaciones sobre cultos, misas y procesiones en Semana Santa. El servicio facilita información a personas que se encuentran de viaje, de visita a familiares y amigos, o aún en la localidad donde residen, sobre cultos del jueves santo, viernes santo, sábado de gloria y domingo de resurrección.

Líder Del Concilio Evangélico Pide Vivir El Sentido Pascual En Semana Santa

13 abril 2006, LIMA, Peru – La vida cristiana, como la vida de Jesús, es una donación, un acto de amor que es el fundamento de la ética de los creyentes, dijo el presidente del Concilio Nacional Evangélico del Perú (CONEP), pastor Rafael Goto Silva, que instó a los fieles evangélicos y católicos a vivir el sentido pascual en esta Semana Santa. "Sentido pascual que parte de la donación que Cristo hizo de su vida en la cruz para liberar al hombre de su destino de muerte y afirmar que el destino y sentido de la humanidad es la vida en plenitud," declaró Goto al boletín electrónico Contexto, del Instituto de Estudios de Comunicación (IEC).

National News

Arkansas' Working Families Get Long-Overdue Raise

April 10, 2006 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Working families in Arkansas won a resounding victory today when a $1.10 an hour increase in the state minimum wage was signed into law by Gov. Mike Huckabee. A community and faith coalition led by a United Methodist pastor played a key role in persuading lawmakers to enact the increase. The Rev. Stephen Copley and the coalition he leads, "Give Arkansas A Rai$e Now," is an affiliate of the "Let Justice Roll" living wage campaign, a national interfaith and community initiative for a living wage. The National Council of Churches (NCC) is a lead organization in Let Justice Roll. The new law overwhelmingly passed the 135-member Arkansas Legislature with only three votes in opposition.

Group Marks Lent with Protest at Nuclear Test Site

April 12, 2006 – Fifty years ago, tourists traveled to Las Vegas to watch mushroom clouds rise in the distance. Between 1951 and 1991, more than 900 nuclear tests were conducted at a site 65 miles northwest of the city. Science would not know until decades later the environmental and health fallout from experiments at the Nevada test site. It has been called the "most bombed place on earth." For the last 25 years, the site has been a draw not for tourists, but for anti-war and pro-environment demonstrators. Margaret Fuller-Lindgren of Palm City, Calif., goes there every year with a group of United Methodists. "When I come here it's very humbling, but it's also very empowering," she says.

Episcopalians Join Nationwide Rallies for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

April 11, 2006 – Thousands of immigrants, their families, and an assortment of immigrant rights advocates staged rallies around the nation April 10 in support of comprehensive immigration reform. Among those speaking out in favor of reforming the US immigration system, to allow a substantial increase in the number of workers who could legally enter the US as well offering a pathway to legal status for about 11 million residents here without status, were religious leaders and persons of faith from all traditions.

International News

International Ministries Calls for Continued Prayer for Nepal

April 11, 2006, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Benjamin Chan, who oversees International Ministries' work in Nepal, called for continued prayer on behalf of Nepal and its people, in the light of new developments this week in the tense political situation affecting the country. Opposition parties in the Kingdom of Nepal called for a four-day transportation stoppage April 6-9, and a major protest in Kathmandu, the capital city, on Saturday, April 8. Before the protest was to begin, the Nepali government responded by declaring a 10 am to 9 pm curfew for Kathmandu and environs, and by cutting off service to mobile phones.

Ministries Division: Haiti Traffic Is Stop & Go
Says Missionaries May Return, but Risk Is Too Great for Mission Groups

April 13, 2006, LOUISVILLE – Although the Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has said that its mission personnel may resume work in Haiti, church leaders are urging mission groups to stay away for now. "After assessing the security situation in Haiti and conferring with our church partners there, we decided to allow our mission workers to return," said Bill Simmons, chair of WMD's Security Team. "Violence in Haiti has subsided since elections were held in February." WMD pulled its mission personnel out of Haiti last year when political unrest in the tiny Caribbean nation led to a surge of violence. Although the political situation is more stable now, Simmons said the risk of kidnapping is still high. He said Haiti may be calmer after more elections later this spring.

Middle East News

Holy Land: A Call to Action from the Presiding Bishop

April 12, 2006 Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold has issued a Call to Action in response to the "deteriorating political situation ... throughout the Holy Land," in which he asks members of the Episcopal Church "for prayers in every congregation, praying for peace and reconciliation of this ongoing and devastating conflict," and urges giving through the traditional Good Friday Offering and Episcopal Relief and Development "so that we may do our small part in alleviating this unfolding humanitarian crisis." The full text of Griswold's statement follows: During this Holy Week the worldwide Christian community commemorates the significance of the events of Christ's passion, and we made aware yet again of Christ's sacrificial suffering on Good Friday in order to draw all humanity into God's mighty act of salvation.

Supporting Iraqi Christian Refugees – A Lenten Missionary Letter from Jordan

April 12, 2006, AMMAN, Jordan – Lenten greetings from the Middle East. I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. (Psalm 31: 14-15) Last year about this time, Alexa Smith of the Presbyterian News Service was here in Amman to write about Iraqi Christians who came to Jordan as refugees, seeking security and a safe place, leaving behind their families, friends and homes, hoping for a better future. Not only Christians came, but also Muslims.

Reviews

Book Chronicles Women's Struggles for Full Clergy Rights

April 10, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A book recounting the stories of the first women to receive full clergy rights in the Methodist Church has been published by the denomination's Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Courageous Past - Bold Future chronicles the historic journey of the first women to receive full clergy rights and looks at challenges still facing clergywomen 50 years later. "The stories of the women in these pages carry hope for the younger generation of United Methodist women. They are living narratives that bear the pain and joy of ministry that represents the paradox of Christ's call," said the Rev. HiRho Park, director of Continuing Formation for Ministry at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Insights about God, Inspired by the Works of Jürgen Moltmann

April 13, 2006 MINNEAPOLIS Jürgen Moltmann's distinctive insights in trinitarian theology – especially about the relations within God and God's presence in creation – are revolutionary for theology and set the stage for further explorations in the newly released God's Life in Trinity from Fortress Press. Edited by Miroslav Volf and Michael Welker, God's Life in Trinity brings together an esteemed group of contributors probing new ways of understanding the triune character of God.