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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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July 27, 2006, NEW YORK – As rockets soar between Hezbollah and Israel, the National Council of Churches USA and Religions for Peace-USA are encouraging religious communities to engage in prayers for peace. "We are encouraging religious communities to pray for peace as they gather in their own communities. We are also encouraging religious communities to join with others in common events of witness for peace," said Rev. Bud Heckman, Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA. In order to provide religious communities resources to do this well, the Interfaith Relations ministry of the National Council of Churches USA today launched a new Web site – www.seasonofprayer.org. Reconciliation Is Central to Ecumenical Vision, Says Kobia in Korea July 24, 2006 – Reconciliation is at the heart of the ecumenical vision, and can be a source of unity among churches and cultures, the WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, has affirmed at an international Methodist gathering in Korea. "It is because of God's reconciling work in Jesus Christ that unity is possible among Christians, among churches, among peoples of different cultures," Kobia stated in a keynote address to the 19th World Methodist Conference meeting in Seoul on 22 July. Religious, Political Leaders Speak on Immigration Reform July 25, 2006, WASHINGTON – Religious leaders from across the United States, along with several key lawmakers and a White House staff person, shared the importance of passing comprehensive immigration reform during this Congressional session. "Faith and Migration: Diverse Perspectives from Religious Leaders," was organized by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and held July 12 at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. Bishop Roy Sano, executive secretary of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, spoke of his own journey as the son of Japanese immigrants and the trials his family faced during their internment at the beginning of World War II. He urged the standing room-only audience to remember that immigration deeply affects people from all nations of the world, including Asian Americans. Lutherans in Black Ministry Celebrate ‘Crossing Over' July 28, 2006, SELMA, Ala. – "Crossing Over" – from bondage to freedom, from sin to salvation, from death to everlasting life – was the theme as some 1,000 people gathered for the 19th Black Ministry Family Convocation, held here July 19-23. In an emotional illustration of that theme, some 75 convocation attendees marched across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge – just as civil-rights protesters had done in 1965 – to celebrate and honor the determination of early Black leaders. The march was the "fulfillment of a dream" for Dr. Phillip Campbell, executive director of the Synod's Board for Black Ministry Services, which sponsored the convocation. Campbell described it as "very emotional." "I had heard so much about it when I was in school ... and here I am, actually in this [historic] place," he said. American Baptists Contribute to Latest Release of Hunger for the Word Resource July 25, 2006, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Following the release of two previous editions, Hunger for the Word: Lectionary Reflections on Food and Justice, Year C is now available from Bread for the World. A resource for pastors and liturgical ministers interested in justice-oriented Bible study and spiritual growth, Year C draws on the insights and stories of pastors, professors, and others active in anti-hunger advocacy. American Baptists Rev. Robert Tiller and Minister Derrick Boykin were two contributors to the project which included multiple authors from various denominations. July 28, 2006 – The partnership between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church received strong affirmation July 27 as the Global Mission Event (GME) opened at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Welcoming more than 1,300 participants, including a strong contingent of Episcopalians, GME is offering a full and varied agenda through July 30 as it meets under the theme "Sent by God's grace for the sake of the world." Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and ELCA's Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation, offered keynote addresses at the opening ceremony that underscored the churches' call to common mission. Ecumenism at ‘Turning Point,' Kobia Tells Methodists July 28, 2006, SEOUL, South Korea – Speaking as a fellow Methodist, the chief executive of the World Council of Churches told the World Methodist Conference that the ecumenical movement is "at a turning point in its history." In his July 22 presentation, the Rev. Samuel Kobia declared ecumenism to be "a topic in the best Wesleyan tradition." He cited Methodism founder John Wesley's assertion that "the New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion," and Jesus' initiative in entering into dialogue with those around him. He noted that the World Council of Churches continues to adapt its structure to meet the challenges of the times and is reorganizing following its Ninth Assembly, held earlier this year in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Since its beginnings, three of the council's six chief executives have been Methodist. July 27, 2006, SEOUL, South Korea/GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, says the formal affirmation of the Joint declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) by the World Methodist Council (WMC) represents a new ecumenical landmark "for which we must thank and praise God together." Addressing the 19th World Methodist Conference in Seoul, South Korea, on the occasion of the affirmation on 23 July, Noko said he hoped the Methodists' endorsement of the JDDJ would be an encouragement for new and broader forms of ecumenical cooperation among the respective communions. The 20-24 July conference met under the theme "God in Christ Reconciling." July 24, 2006 – Dear Nexus Editor: Poor little Israel indeed! If nothing else, the present conflict should lay to rest the myth of poor little helpless Israel – surrounded and threatened by so many hostile Arab enemies. With the complete support of the world's #1 superpower USA, Israel, the #1 Middle East super power has been laying waste to Lebanon with impunity from the air, land and sea. The feeble counter attack by Hezbollah exposes the myth of a united Arab world threatening to drive Israel into the sea. The myth of the US role as an "honest broker" trying to bring peace to the middle East has also been exposed by its delivery of jet fuel and bombs to Israel during hostilities and a veto of a UN resolution for an immediate cease fire. AJC Statement
on the Sanctity of Human Life and the Root Cause July 24, 2006 – Judaism's emphasis on the sanctity of human life, that all are created in the Divine Image (Genesis 5 v.1), is challenged when threatened by mortal attack. Judaism understands the Biblical injunction from Leviticus mentioned above as requiring one to defend one's family and community when attacked, even by violent or aggressive means when unavoidable. In this spirit Israel responded to the hostilities initiated by Hizbullah a week and a half ago. This latest conflict continues to rage at a heavy price in human life and infrastructure and must evoke the concern of all people of good faith. En Vísperas
De Las Elecciones En El Congo, 28 julio 2006 – En una carta pastoral dirigida a las iglesias miembros de la República Democrática del Congo en vísperas de elecciones históricas, el secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, ha ofrecido palabras de compasión y ha hecho un llamamiento a los líderes de la nación y al mundo en general. "Les dirijo esta carta especialmente a ustedes – y a todas nuestras iglesias e, incluso, al mundo entero – atónito de dolor y enojo, gimiendo con ustedes en agonía ante la insensata devastación de su país y las crueles matanzas de su hermosa población en una de las peores guerras de la historia de África," afirma en la carta. Crisis En Oriente Medio: Orar, Ayudar Y Denunciar, Pide El Secretario General Del CMI 24 julio 2006 – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, alentó a las iglesias miembros del Consejo a orar por todos los que sufren como consecuencia de la crisis en Oriente Medio, respaldar las peticiones de ayuda de emergencia y defender la justicia entre los estados y los pueblos de la región. En una carta pastoral enviada el viernes 22 de julio a las iglesias miembros del CMI en Europa, América del Norte y Oriente Medio, Kobia las animó a unirse ante Dios "para lamentar las víctimas mortales y la destrucción de viviendas y medios de subsistencia," y para orar "por la seguridad y bienestar de todas las comunidades de Oriente Medio: musulmanes, cristianos y judíos." On Eve of Congo Elections, Kobia Offers Plea for Justice July 28, 2006 – In a pastoral letter to member churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the eve of historic elections, World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has offered words of compassion and an appeal to the nation's leaders – and to the wider world. "I am writing this letter to you especially – and to all our churches and, indeed, to the world – numb with grief and anger, groaning with you in anguish at the senseless devastation of your country and the wanton killings of your beautiful people in the worst wars in Africa's history," the letter states. Rwanda – Never
Again to Genocide July 25, 2006, KIGALI, Rwanda/GENEVA – In one video clip, a young man narrates how he watched his mother's cold blooded killing – a gun shot to her head. In another, a young woman recalls the last time she saw their last-born sibling being carried away from their hideout by a family friend, who promised to take the baby to their parents, who had by then been killed. The narrators consider their survival miraculous. These are some of the flashbacks of the killings that engulfed Rwanda between April and July 1994, culminating in the death of nearly 1 million people, mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus. These testimonies are among exhibits displayed at the Kigali Memorial Center, which was opened in April 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the 100 days of the 1994 genocide in the Central African country. Statement of the
World Alliance of Reformed Churches July 24, 2006 – The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) continues to be horrified by the hostilities, loss of life, injuries and destruction in the Middle East and today calls for an immediate cessation of violent acts by all parties, particularly those taking place along the southern border of Lebanon. We are followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are convinced that there are alternative ways of achieving justice and security in the region in order that all peoples there may be able to enjoy the fullness of life God intends for them. The first step is for all acts of violence to end immediately. Prisoners held by all sides must then be returned. Following that, talks must be undertaken to secure a long-lasting peace with justice in the region, one that secures the rights of ordinary civilians of all nationalities and faiths. Episcopal Relief and Development Responds to People in the Middle East July 27, 2006 – The growing violence in Gaza City has spread into Lebanon, causing over 430 fatalities in the region. More than 400,000 people evacuated their homes and sought shelter in the various schools around the region. There is no electricity in the area, making it nearly impossible for people to attain food and clean water. Numerous security checkpoints are also making it difficult for people to get to the necessary medical facility to receive care. With danger of military attacks imminent on every corner, reaching life-saving supplies has become a matter of life and death for the people in Lebanon. July 28, 2006 – Commenting on the unfolding developments in the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said today: "While much of the world's focus is understandably on the disaster in Lebanon, we cannot forget the continuing humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in Gaza." "Reports from the Anglican Hospital in Gaza, Ahli Arab, are devastating," Griswold said. In a letter of thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development for its contribution of $25,000, hospital director Suhaila Tarai wrote: "Since yesterday Israel military tanks and warplanes are sowing destruction to Palestinians homes, lands, infrastructures, roads, water supplies and electricity, innocents, children, women and sick persons are targeted. Church of Ireland: Emergency Appeal During Middle East Crisis July 26, 2006 – The Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin have approved an emergency allocation of £20,000 from Bishops' Appeal funds to help with the settlement of displaced persons during the current Middle East crisis. The House of Bishops of the Church of Ireland have also issued the following press release on 25 July 2006: Middle East Situation – Statement from the House of Bishops. July 28, 2006, JERUSALEM/GENEVA – As conflict escalates in Israel, the Gaza strip and Lebanon, Palestinian Lutheran Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan says the only way to end all the military operations in the Holy Land and to stop further loss of human life is "to negotiate around the unsolved and urgent core issue-the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." In a pastoral letter dated 24 July, Younan who is bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) noted it was time to move from the logic of war and from self-justifying violence and acts of terror. He also called for world leaders to admit that they have failed to bring a just peace "and humbly change course." A Book of Courage and Hope for Our Fearful Times July 28, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – Although Christianity began as a dissident movement and in the Reformation recreated itself through dissent, traditional Christianity has always been uneasy with dissent and pluralism. Whether directed against the church itself or the larger society, dissent has been most often met with ridicule and persecution. Lively and engaging, Paula Cooey's highly relevant new book, Willing The Good: Jesus, Dissent, and Desire, retrieves and valorizes the reforming impulse from Reformation times, follows it back through the early church's internal and external battles, and traces it back to Jesus himself. Book Gives Insights into ‘Living Fully, Dying Well' July 28, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dying is as natural as drawing breath, but the church has done a poor job of talking about the subject, says retired United Methodist Bishop Ruben Job. To help open the door to this topic, Job, 78, has written Living Fully, Dying Well, published by Abingdon Press. The study includes a DVD featuring video segments by Job and other contributors as well as study sessions for adults and teens. A Lavish Look at Some of the Bible's Most Noted Couples July 26, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – The book of God is also a book of people. Love and lust, devotion and betrayal, sex, sin, jealousy, and grief – the stories of biblical couples disclose a full panorama of human emotions and actions. In the newly-released Great Couples of the Bible from Fortress Press, these stories of love, marriage, sex, and death, historically fascinating and yet also wellsprings of great artistic traditions and religious meaning, are presented in an informative and engaging format with more than 200 full-color illustrations from classic, chiefly Western art sources. Renewing Jerusalem, its Temple, its Clergy, and its Worship July 26, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – Fortress Press is happy to announce the release of 1 Chronicles by Ralph W. Klein in the Hermeneia series. This commentary takes full advantage of recent advances in the textual history of Samuel and Kings, demonstrating in many cases that the differences often ascribed to the Chronicler came in fact from the divergent copy of the canonical books he was rewriting. Klein brings to lively expression the unique theological voice of the Chronicler and demonstrates there have been far fewer secondary additions to the text than is normally assumed.
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