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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
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NCC Joins Call for US Brokered Cease-Fire in Mideast July 21, 2006, WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of Churches USA and its partner humanitarian ministry, Church World Service, are among 16 religious organizations calling for President Bush to "work with other world leaders to secure an immediate cease-fire in the violent conflict raging now between Hezbollah and Israel." The urgency of the request was expressed in a letter from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), an ecumenical group of Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox churches and religious organizations in the United States. The Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the NCC, and the Rev. John McCullough, executive director of CWS, signed on to today's letter. "Your presidential leadership and the full weight of the United States, acting in concert with the international community, must be applied now to achieve an immediate cease-fire and to launch an intensive diplomatic initiative for the cessation of hostilities," wrote the religious leaders. Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns the Escalating Violence in the Middle East July 19, 2006 – Writing to the Heads of Churches in the Lebanon, Dr Williams said: "I have been alarmed at the spiral of violence, the vicious circle of attack and retaliation, that has developed over the last few days. My prayers and sympathy are with the principal victims, the innocent civilians on both sides of the border, who now live in terror and are powerless to prevent the collective suffering at the hands of at the hands of Hizballah and the Israeli military. "The distress felt at the destruction not only of life but also the infrastructure so painstakingly rebuilt after years of conflict will, I know, be acute and reinforce the sense of helplessness at being caught up in a wider regional struggle. My condemnation of this resort to violence is unequivocal." July 18, 2006, GENEVA – The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, has denounced the current grave escalation of conflict in Israel, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. There needs to be a clear rejection of all violence as a means of securing peace, together with a genuine commitment to justice for all the people of the Holy Land, in order to forestall the accelerating spiral of violence, Noko urges in a statement, issued on Tuesday, 18 July. "If there is one lesson that the troubled history of the Holy Land teaches us, it is that violence does not bring peace," Noko says. Are Churches ‘Too Feminized' for Men? July 19, 2006 – Author David Murrow says a typical guy feels as comfortable in church as Tom Sawyer in Aunt Polly's parlor. "He must watch his language, mind his manners and be extra polite," Murrow writes in his popular 2005 book, Why Men Hate Going to Church. That's because the altar flowers and felt banners, mostly female Sunday school teachers and blue-haired ladies playing the organ, all make church feel like a "woman's thing." And unless a man enjoys serving on a committee or passing out bulletins, he may feel there's not much for him to do, so he steers clear. Today's contemporary worship services aren't much better: Their soft praise-and-worship songs and emphasis on relational needs are better suited to the needs of women than men, says Murrow, who is a member at a nondenominational church in Anchorage, Alaska. Welfare Ended, Poverty Remains, Griswold, Mainline Leaders Tell Congress July 20, 2006 – At a Congressional oversight hearing July 19 on the 1996 welfare reform bill, known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), a letter from Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and the leaders of four other Christian denominations pointed out that while "welfare may have ended as we know it ... poverty in our nation has not." Bishop E. Roy Riley, Jr., chair of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Conference of Bishops, included the letter during his testimony before the House Ways and Mean Committee. July 20, 2006 – Episcopal clergy have some serious health risks to address, according to a recently released report, but most are ready to take action to improve their health. "Episcopal Clergy Wellness: A Report to the Church on the State of Clergy Wellness," developed for the CREDO Institute, shows that stress poses an emotional health risk for 72.9 percent of Episcopal clergy. That level is 16.7 percent higher for males than that found in the population used for benchmark comparisons, and 13.3 percent higher for females. In addition, 27 percent of female reported that they deal with depression and 15 percent of males. Overall, clergy reports of depression exceed the benchmark population by 12.4 percent. The report also shows that more than 24 percent of clergy were at risk for high cholesterol and 20.7 percent were at risk for high blood pressure. ELCA Offers Resources for Possible Flu Pandemic July 20, 2006, CHICAGO – Domestic Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has prepared resources for congregations in event of a flu pandemic. Although avian flu is currently limited to fowl and is only occasionally transmitted to people in close contact with infected birds, infectious disease experts indicate that the virus could adapt and spread among people, said Heather L. Feltman, director of ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (DDR), in a July message posted on the ELCA Web site. If this occurs, the world may be faced with a flu pandemic, she said. A document, "Responding Faithfully to Pandemic Flu," was created to prepare congregations in the event of a pandemic, according to the message. It refers directly to ELCA social statements on what it means to be a public church and the roles of congregations. World Methodists Approve Further Ecumenical Dialogue July 20, 2006, SEOUL, South Korea – World Methodists have unanimously approved a resolution authorizing further dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, with the stated aim of "full communion in faith, mission and sacramental life." The resolution was adopted when the World Methodist Council's 500-member governing body met July 18-19 in historic Chung Dong First Methodist Church in Seoul, the first Protestant church established on Korean soil. Members also passed a resolution authorizing the association of the council and its member churches with the agreement on the Doctrine of Justification approved by the Lutheran World Foundation and the Catholic Church on April 31, 1999. CLAI Envía
Carta a Presidente Bush Por Recomendaciones 18 julio 2006, QUITO, Ecuador – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) envió este martes una carta al presidente de Estados Unidos, George W. Bush, expresándole preocupación por las recientes recomendaciones del "Segundo Informe de la Comisión para Ayudar a una Cuba Libre," e instándolo a buscar nuevos caminos políticos con respecto a ese país. "Nosotros no cuestionamos los derechos que le asisten a los Gobiernos de Cuba y los Estados Unidos de tomar sus propias decisiones, (...)pero nos causa profunda conternación "cuando las decisiones tomadas hacen casi imposible el diálogo, cuando las decisiones conducen a confrontaciones, tensiones e imposiciones hegemónicas," agrega la carta. Seminario Evangélico De Teología Lamenta Retiro De Iglesia Metodista 19 julio 2006, LA HABANA, Cuba – El Seminario Evangélico de Teología (SET), de Matanzas, lamentó la decisión de la Iglesia Metodista de Cuba, de separarse de esa asociación, y dijo que permanece abierto a considerar su retorno, "porque con ella nos unen indisolubles lazos históricos y afectivos." La Junta Directiva del SET afirmó en un comunicado, que tras un largo proceso donde analizó las quejas presentadas por la Iglesia Metodista, consideró pertinente formular algunas precisiones acerca de la permanencia como "profesor invitado," del licenciado Carlos Molina, motivo central del conflicto. Metodistas Desconocen Junta Directiva Del Seminario Evangélico De Teología 21 julio 2006, LA HABANA, Cuba – La Iglesia Metodista en Cuba desconoció a la Junta Directiva del Seminario Evangélico de Teología (SET) de Matanzas, electa el pasado 11 de julio, porque allí no estuvieron presentes sus delegados y reiteró la necesidad de discutir la disolución de ese centro de estudios, según un comunicado dado a conocer el martes 18 de julio. En la cita se abordó el conflicto que arrastra el principal centro ecuménico de educación teológica del país desde hace varios meses y que en junio último derivó en la ruptura metodista del Pacto suscrito, hace 60 años, con las iglesias Presbiteriana y Episcopal para la conducción y sostenimiento del Seminario. 21 julio 2006, LIMA, Perú – La participación de Alan García en el culto evangélico de acción de gracias el domingo 30, ya como presidente en ejercicio, viola el principio de laicicidad del Estado, una suerte de "tradición" que se repite en el Perú cada año cuando el mandatario de turno asiste a los Te-Deum por fiestas patrias. Según Marco Huaco, abogado adventista y especialista en temas de igualdad religiosa, un acto como el anunciado, es un absurdo que se plantea desde una violación a los principios de Laicidad y de Igualdad, al propiciarse la asistencia de autoridades y funcionarios, a cultos religiosos públicos. CMI Pide Poner Fin a Conflicto En Medio Oriente 17 julio 2006, GINEBRA, Suiza – El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha sumado su voz a la demanda internacional para el cese inmediato de los enfrentamientos en el Medio Oriente, garantizar la protección a los civiles y abandonar la retórica de la guerra. ""El CMI insta con firmeza a todas las partes a que detengan y reviertan la escalada del conflicto y a que se abstengan de todo uso de la retórica belicista," afirmó el pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, secretario general del CMI, en una declaración difundida el 13 de julio. Ishmael Noko Y Cardenal Kasper Participan En La Conferencia Mundial Metodista 21 julio 2006, GINEBRA, Suiza – El secretario general de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM), pastor Ishmael Noko y el presidente del Consejo Pontificio para la Promoción de la Unidad de los Cristianos, cardenal Walter Kasper, participarán el domingo 23 en la ceremonia de adhesión del Concilio Mundial Metodista a la Declaración Conjunta sobre la Doctrina de la Justificación, en Seúl, Corea del Sur. Religious Leaders Advocate for Immigration Reform at Faith and Migration Conference July 21, 2006 – More than 150 religious leaders and representatives of a broad spectrum of faith traditions joined members of Congress July 12 to affirm their common commitment to comprehensive immigration reform during a conference and advocacy day entitled "Faith and Migration." The Episcopal Church was among the religious bodies sponsoring the conference, with the Church's Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries directly involved in planning and organization. The timing of the conference coincided with an escalating national debate on immigration legislation now before Congress, and was intended to counter the efforts of some members of the House of Representatives to promote an enforcement-only bill. Hearings are being held in various parts of the country emphasizing border control and security as the exclusive premises upon which the US immigration system should be reformed. Federal Stem-Cell Research Falls to President Bush's First Veto July 21, 2006 – The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 810, was vetoed by President George W. Bush on July 19, extinguishing the hope held by many that the legislation would accelerate the progress of research in the field of regenerative medicine. After two days of debate, the Senate on July 18 had passed the stem cell legislation, which would have expanded the number of embryonic stem cell lines that can be used in federally funded research. The vote was 63-37. The bill, which easily passed the House of Representatives in May 2005 by a vote of 238-194, was swiftly vetoed by Bush on July 19. The House attempted to override the veto, but fell short of the requisite two-thirds majority on a vote of 235-193. ELCA Disaster Response to Distribute Funds for Middle East, Indonesia July 18, 2006 – International Disaster Response (IDR) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission is distributing funds to provide aid for the Middle East and the Indonesian island of Java. According to a July 17 IDR announcement, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has reached a critical level, contributing to death and destruction in both Israel and Lebanon. ELCA Global Mission has approved $20,000 as an immediate response from IDR to be sent to the Middle East Council of Churches. An additional $30,000 was approved in anticipation of a financial appeal by Action by Churches Together (ACT). An earthquake off the coast of Java and a tsunami that followed killed more than 300 people July 17, according to the Indonesian Department of Social Affairs. Christian Leaders Worldwide United in Calls for End to Mideast Violence July 20, 2006 NEW YORK CITY – Christian leaders representing millions of Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholic faithful are joining the National Council of Churches USA in calling for an end to the violence in Lebanon and Israel. Church leaders, many of whom have personal relationships with Middle East church officials, are also offering continuing prayers for those caught up in the spiraling violence. "The escalating violence and regional dimension of the conflict is alarming," said Churches for Middle East Peace in a letter today to President Bush. "It is urgent that you call on all the parties to restrain from using force and, rather, to trust a diplomatic process." CMEP's letter referred to a July 7 statement from Patriarchs and heads of local Christian Churches in Jerusalem. Nine Concordia University Students Evacuated from Israel July 18, 2006 – Nine Concordia University students from three U.S. campuses who were taking part in an archeological excavation in Israel have left the country because of rocket blasts in Tiberias – seven miles across the Sea of Galilee from where the students were working. The students were among a group of 30 who left the United States July 2 for a six-week archeological excavation led by Dr. Mark Schuler, a professor of theology at Concordia, St. Paul. The group was working at an excavation begun in 1999 of the Byzantine city of Hippos at Kibbutz Ein Gev on the Sea of Galilee. After three explosions on July 15, the students were evacuated to Jerusalem, then Tel Aviv. Dispatches from the Iraqi Desert July 21, 2006 – The Rev. Stuart Kenworthy, rector of Christ Church, Georgetown, took leave from his parish in January to serve as an Army chaplain with the 372nd Military Police Battalion in Iraq. Kenworthy, who holds the rank of major, ministers to members from all branches of the service. He is expected to return from Iraq in August. This is an excerpt from one of his regular dispatches to his congregation. I recently concluded an eight-week Bible study on the Book of Genesis. Gathering with troops each Wednesday evening here in our small Battalion Chapel, we read and discussed large portions of this first and foundational book of the Bible. Fortress Press Releases People's History of Christianity Volume 3 July 17, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – There have been many books about bishops and kings, clerics, and theologians, but what do we know about the Christian life of "ordinary" people across the last 2,000 years of Christian history? Very little . . . until the release of a pioneering new series from Fortress Press, A People's History of Christianity: The Lived Religion of Christians in the First Two Thousand Years. The highly acclaimed first two volumes, Christian Origins and Late Ancient Christianity, were released last November. Upper Room Introduces New Worship Resource July 19, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new worship resource that will be introduced this summer "is so well done, it practically sings itself," according to a United Methodist Church executive. The Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation is a new collection of some 350 hymns and songs, with new prayers and liturgies. The compilation will be launched nationally by the Upper Room Aug. 28-31 at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and with worship services at the Upper Room Chapel and the Scarritt-Bennett Center. "In the spirit of the Wesleyan tradition, the Upper Room worship book is truly a resource for the whole church, for it forms the heart and imagination and makes us want to follow Jesus," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
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