Front Page

Without Faith, Barack Obama Says, ‘Something Was Missing'

June 23, 2007 – Those who might have heard Sen. Barack Obama's GS26 address, expecting him to draw a distinct line between faith and politics, may have been a little surprised. "Doing the Lord's work is a thread that's run through our politics since the very beginning," Obama told a crowd of more than 9,000 during his keynote address on Saturday. "And it puts the lie to the notion that the separation of church and state in America means faith should have no role in public life. I dispute that." Obama urged America to dig itself out of its "cynical" approach to problem-solving. "Whether it's poverty or racism, the uninsured or the unemployed, war or peace, the challenges we face today are not simply technical problems in search of the perfect 10-point plan. They are moral problems rooted in both societal indifference and individual callousness – in the imperfections of man – and in the cruelty of man toward man."

Moyers Challenges UCC: ‘Drive out the Money Changers'

June 23, 2007 – In a speech inflamed with passion, anger and an altar call's possibility of hope, Bill Moyers spoke to General Synod on Saturday morning about poverty and justice. His 57-minute keynote address – interrupted by applause more than three dozen times and followed by a two-minute standing ovation – lamented the growing gap between the rich and poor in America and called the UCC to act in the name of the Jesus who was a disturber of the peace and threw the rascals out. "I have come to say that America's revolutionary heritage – and America's revolutionary spirit – "life, liberty and the pursuit of justice, through government of, by, and for the people" – is under siege," he said. "And if churches of conscience don't take the lead in their rescue and revival, we can lose our democracy!"

Moyers, Obama Speech Manuscripts Available

June 26, 2007 – Texts from two keynote addresses presented at General Synod 26 are both available online.

"They Have Stolen the Nights of Baghdad from Us"

June 28, 2007 – In an interview with Juan Michel a prominent Iraqi Christian shares his views on the situation in the violence-plagued country. "I come from a wounded Iraq and a severely wounded Baghdad," said the man in black habit standing in front of some 130 silent church representatives from six continents gathered for a peace conference on the Middle East. "The situation in my country is tragic," the man continued. "We were promised freedom, but what we need today is freedom to have electricity, clean water, to satisfy the basic needs of life, to live without fear of being abducted." The man addressing the World Council of Churches (WCC) 18-20 June international conference "Churches together for peace and justice in the Middle East" in Amman, Jordan was Baghdad's Armenian Archbishop Avak Asadourian, primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church (See of Etchmiadzin) in Iraq.

NCC's Mission Will Continue Without Him, Edgar Says

June 25, 2007, NEW YORK – The Rev. Bob Edgar wants the National Council of Churches "to own the issue of ending the poverty that kills." Part of his mission as the council's chief executive during the past seven and a half years has been to mobilize its 35 member communions to take action on all aspects of poverty. The United Methodist pastor says he likes the word "mobilization" because it allows the council to set achievable goals, market those goals and measure results.

Synod, Churches Receive Broadly-Signed ‘Pastoral Letter' Calling for End to Iraq War

June 22, 2007 – Just as they were beginning to celebrate the UCC's diamond jubilee, delegates and visitors to the 26th General Synod heard a call for an end to the war in Iraq and for the end to what was termed "the arrogant unilateralism of preemptive war." At the opening session of the historic meeting in Hartford, Conn., the UCC's five-person Collegium of Officers presented a pastoral letter that had been signed also by the chief executives of the denomination's regional conferences and the presidents of the seminaries. The letter included a confession that "too often the church has been little more than a silent witness" to the deaths of thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

General News

Lutheran Campus Ministry Celebrates Centennial June 25-29

June 25, 2007, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Vocation and Education unit will celebrate Lutheran campus ministry's centennial anniversary, which will coincide with the annual continuing education conference at Loyola University Chicago, June 25-29. "The centennial theme is comprised of three phrases, each emphasizing the ongoing mission of campus ministry: expanding minds, deepening faith, and inspiring service. These themes will be lifted up at our conference and echoed by our keynote speakers and various workshop presenters," said Sue Rothmeyer, director of campus ministry, ELCA Vocation and Education.

GS26 Calls for Exploration of Ways to Increase Church Involvement in Synod

June 26, 2007 – Delegates at General Synod 26 adopted yesterday a resolution to direct Executive Council to work closely with UCC Conferences to increase local church involvement in General Synod. The resolution, which passed without discussion, stemmed from a substitute motion that was made during a committee meeting on Monday, June 25. The originally proposed resolution, titled "Changing the Composition of General Synod," called for every church to be permitted voting delegates if they had contributed at least $1 per member to OCWM over two preceding years. The resolution of the amended motion reads: "In order to strengthen covenantal relationships and to encourage increased participation of local churches in the work and ministry of the General Synod, while maintaining the mandates for a diverse delegation, General Synod 26 directs the Executive Council to engage in a conversation with the Conferences about increasing local church involvement in General Synod, including the nomination and election process for General Synod delegates, and to report back on that conversation with recommendations to General Synod 27."

‘Church in a Box' Concept Expands Ministry

June 27, 2007, BATAVIA, Ill. – Batavia United Methodist is a church on the move-literally. The thriving downtown Batavia congregation, 45 miles west of Chicago, has outgrown its historic building and 11 parking spaces. So, out of sheer necessity, the 850-member church has embraced a unique community outreach concept called "church in a box." Each Sunday, in addition to holding three worship services in Batavia, the congregation sends a missions team with a 24-foot trailer to the nearby family-oriented community of Aurora. Inside the trailer are wheeled containers filled with an altar, hymnals, musical instruments, audio and video equipment, signs and even a coffeemaker-everything needed to provide a worship service, Sunday school classes and a nursery.

Agency Funds Racial-Ethnic Projects and Ministries

June 26, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A United Methodist agency has awarded $120,590 to 15 projects and organizations serving racial-ethnic groups. The governing members of the Board of Discipleship approved funding for United Methodist-sponsored projects ranging from a 20-hour marriage enrichment workshop to a camp that helps African-American students in personal growth, spiritual formation and cultural enrichment. "These ministries and projects funded by the Racial Ethnic Local Church Concern Committee directly contribute to the United Methodist Board of Discipleship's mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ," said Sungnam Choi, director of the committee and director of board's Korean, Asian-American and Pacific Island Ministries. The recipients and grants were announced during the board's March meeting. "These grant awards help local United Methodist congregations fulfill their goals and serve the local community," Choi said.

Children of Incarcerated Find Unconditional Love at Summer Camp

June 28, 2007 – Children of parents in prison "are invisible. No government entity is responsible for them," says a U.S. Senate report. The president says there are 1.5 million of them. The Bureau of Justice statistics say they have a 70 percent chance of going to prison just like their parents. In the hope of doing something about that, dioceses all over the country are sending the littlest victims of crime to summer camp for a week of love, learning and fun. "If we can give them a week of unconditional love, there is hope," says the now-retired director of prison ministry for the national church, the Rev. Jackie Means.

Heartland Meets Katrina at Synod

June 25, 2007 – When Alice Sell and her husband drove from Bippus, Indiana, to Hartford, Conn., they never imagined a New Orleans connection. But serendipity happens. While standing in a line at Synod, Alice chatted with the woman next to her. They glanced at each other's nametags, and Alice noted that her friend was from New Orleans. The woman looked at Alice, and, with emotion in her voice, said, "Your conference sent my church quilt supplies after [Hurricane] Katrina." The New Orleans church had had a quilting group for outreach. They lost all their supplies in the flooding and devastation after the storm. In response Indiana-Kentucky had a conference-wide drive to collect quilting supplies to send to this New Orleans church, said the Rev. Carol Barth, associate conference minister for Indiana-Kentucky. The woman went on to tell Alice that they are now back in their church. They have no electricity. They use a generator. And the 30 or so who have returned to church sit on folding chairs.

The Holy Eparchial Synod Decides on Suspended Priest

June 27, 2007, NEW YORK – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened on June 26, 2007 as a Spiritual Court of the Second Instance to hear the pending case of the suspended priest, Nicholas Katinas. The Holy Eparchial Synod, after careful examination of the recommendation of the Spiritual Court of the First Instance of the Direct Archdiocesan District, decided in accordance with the Holy Canons of the Church, to propose the defrocking of the aforementioned clergyman. This decision, according to canonical procedure, will be submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate which has the final authority to decide on the matter and issue a decree of defrocking. During the same meeting the Holy Eparchial Synod examined carefully, and with special pastoral care, other issues relevant to the clergy of the Archdiocese and made the appropriate decisions.

Synod Affirms UCC's Embrace of Theological Diversity

June 26, 2007 – "I have felt an extravagant welcome" here at Synod, the Rev. Bob Thompson, president of the UCC's Faithful and Welcoming Congregations, told delegates on Tuesday. "And I want to take home to our [evangelical, conservative, orthodox and traditional] churches that we are wanted and welcome." Thompson was speaking in reference to the Synod's vote to affirm the resolution, "Reaffirming our Commitment to Covenantal Relationships," which was an amended and renamed version of "Reaffirming our Faith to Retain our Churches," a resolution submitted by Thompson's Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory, N.C., and 25 other churches, representing seven states, affiliated with the FWC movement.

ELCA Mission Investment Fund Helps ‘Build the Church'

June 26, 2007, CHICAGO – The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has more than 700 loans totaling $382 million at work in congregations and ELCA- related ministries such as seminaries, outdoor ministries and social ministry organizations. Investors across the church provide the money to help "build the church" while getting a good rate of return, said the Rev. Arnold O. Pierson, MIF vice president for church relations and communication. "Any person or institution that is related to the ELCA can be an investor in the fund," he said. Approximately one-third of the ELCA's 10,549 congregations have invested in the fund. Fewer than 10,000 individuals have invested, and Pierson wants the ELCA's 4.85 million members to consider investing. Not only does the investment have a rate of return similar to a certificate of deposit or money market account, Pierson said, it helps the ministries of the church and only the ministries of the church. "We're not involved in the stock market or mutual funds, so we know that all of that money is ‘green' money where it is being used for the advancement of church," he said.

Catholic Bishop Opens Saturday Worship at Synod

June 23, 2007 – The Most Rev. Peter Rosazza, Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop in Hartford, drew frequent applause during his homily during Saturday's opening worship at General Synod 26. "As church persons we have every right to address the moral content of political issues in the public square," he told Synod attendees. Rosazza, 72, known throughout Connecticut for his stands for justice, referred to Connecticut Conference Minister Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree as "our conference minister… You [UCC members] continue to inspire so many of us. You are living examples of Christ's own thirst for justice that moves you to serve others, especially the poor, the immigrant, the homeless." Rosazza told of three UCC city churches he believes are living examples of such justice.

GS26 Calls for Churchwide Conversation, Study on Physician-Assisted Death

June 26, 2007 – The United Church of Christ, at every setting, was urged Tuesday afternoon to initiate study and conversation about the possibility of supporting the legal right of a terminally ill and mentally competent adult to receive medication to hasten death. The original resolution, brought to GS26 from the Northern California Nevada Conference and the Congregational Church of Belmont, Calif., called for the UCC to affirm physician aid in dying. However, a difficult and sometimes contentious committee process – and the firm objection of the UCC Disabilities Ministries – led to the decision to call for a study of the issue instead. In presenting the resolution to the delegates, the Rev. Shawnthea Monroe-Mueller of the Minnesota Conference called it "an urgent invitation to a conversation, a thoughtful and prayerful conversation" on an issue that "we lack the moral and theological resources to discuss" at this time.

Time to Say ‘Hello,' ‘Goodbye' as Pastors Come and Go

June 29, 2007 – Maybe you loved her. Maybe you thought one more Sunday with him in the pulpit and you would lose your religion. Then suddenly, one hot summer day, it all changes. A decision is made and it's out with the old and in with the new.

Church Supports Farmers Co-Op as Act of Stewardship

June 27, 2007, HOHENWALD, Tenn. – Edgehill United Methodist Church has always been involved in feeding ministries for the community. Now members of the Nashville congregation have found a way to feed themselves-and support community-based agriculture that keeps family farms in business. Through a farm cooperative that began with 30 Edgehill families, Avalon Acres in Hohenwald now feeds nearly 400 families from at least a dozen churches and businesses. The growth is a blessing to the eight full-time workers who run the farm, as well as for people who live miles away and can own shares in a working farm, in addition to reaping the rewards at harvest time.

Ecumenical News

United Methodists, Muslims Partner to Ease Suffering

June 27, 2007, LONDON – Religious leaders, diplomats, British government ministers and members of Parliament are praising the new partnership between United Methodist and Muslim relief agencies as "bold," "significant" and one that "confounds stereotypes." The New York-based United Methodist Committee on Relief signed a partnership agreement with the London-based global relief and development agency Muslim Aid on June 26 at the House of Commons. Stephen Timms, the British government minister who hosted the event, said UMCOR and Muslim Aid both were formed out of an "ambition to relieve suffering."

ELCA to Offer Racial-Ethnic Multicultural Event in Los Angeles, July 12-15

June 27, 2007, CHICAGO – Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Reformed Church in America will come together to celebrate diversity at the "Spirit of Wholeness in Christ: A Racial Ethnic Multicultural Event." The event will be held July 12-15 in Los Angeles. "This event is the result of the partnerships of ethnic- specific/racial-ethnic staffs of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and ELCA. People of all ethnicities and races will have the opportunity to learn, value and appreciate racial and cultural differences," said Rosemary Dyson, associate executive director, ELCA Multicultural Ministries.

Spanish News

Taller De Ciencias Bíblicas Para Profesores Y Alumnos De Seminarios

25 mayo 2007, MATANZAS, Cuba – Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas (SBU) y la Comisión Bíblica del Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), con el Seminario Evangélico de Teología de Matanzas como anfitrión, llevaron a cabo un Taller de Ciencias Bíblicas para profesores y alumnos de los Seminarios existentes en la isla, que resultó de alto nivel académico. La actividad se llevó a cabo del 18 al 22 de junio en la ciudad yumurina y se desarrolló con dos importantes objetivos: Elevar el nivel de conocimientos de los participantes y promover el estrechamiento fraternal entre los mismos, ampliando la visión de la obra cristiana de la cual forman parte.

"Nos Han Robado Las Noches De Bagdad"

28 junio 2007 – En una entrevista con Juan Michel, un prominente cristiano iraquí explica su opinión sobre la situación de su país asolado por la violencia. "Vengo de un Irak desgarrado y de una Bagdad gravemente herida," dijo el hombre vestido con un traje negro delante de 130 silenciosos representantes de iglesia de los seis continentes, reunidos en una conferencia por la paz en Oriente Próximo. "La situación de mi país es trágica," continuó diciendo el hombre. "Se nos prometió la libertad, pero lo que necesitamos hoy es la libertad de tener electricidad, agua potable, satisfacer las necesidades básicas, vivir sin miedo de ser secuestrados."

Complacencia De CEDECOL Por Fracaso Del Proyecto De Ley De Derechos a Homosexuales

25 junio 2007, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Complacido se mostró el pastor Roosevelt Muriel, presidente del Consejo Evangélico de Colombia (CEDECOL), con el fracaso del proyecto de ley 130 sobre derechos patrimoniales a parejas del mismo sexo que cursaba en el Congreso y que a última hora y para sorpresa del mismo, no logró obtener la votación suficiente por parte del legislativo. El diario El Tiempo, en su edición del miércoles 20, indicó que fue debido a los "congresistas cristianos" que no se aprobó el proyecto que daba reconocimiento y derecho patrimonial a las parejas homosexuales, señalando al grupo de congresistas evangélicos como responsables de la finalmente no aprobación de la citada ley.

Dolor Y Repudio De Las Iglesias Ante La Muerte De Los 11 Diputados Secuestrados

29 junio 2007, BARRANQUILLA-BOGOTA, Colombia – La conmoción no cesa en Colombia desde que se conoció la noticia de la suerte corrida por los 11 diputados secuestrados por las FARC desde 2002. Varias iglesias se hicieron eco del dolor social y emitieron comunicados al respecto; entre ellas la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia (IPC) y la Comisión de Restauración Vida y Paz, Región Centro del Concejo Evangélico de Colombia, CEDECOL. Osvaldo Ardila Frías, coordinador de la comisión de Cedecol, hizo un llamado a las iglesias de Colombia a unirse para rechazar el secuestro y exigir al Gobierno y las FARC posibilitar de inmediato el acuerdo humanitario, solicitado por la gran mayoría de colombianos y la comunidad internacional.

Pastor De Jóvenes Se Postula Como Candidato Al Concejo De Bogotá

26 junio 2007, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Jesús David Camacho Sandoval, un joven pastor de la Iglesia Cristiana Internacional En Tu Presencia, de profesión ingeniero industrial, que realiza una especialización en Gerencia, Gobierno y Asuntos Públicos de la Universidad Externado, afirma que es importante prepararse académica, profesional y espiritualmente para una labor tan importante como lo es la legislativa en la concejalia de Bogotá, corporación a la que aspira en las elecciones del próximo 28 de octubre.

Religious Liberty News

Appeals Court Favors Episcopal Church, Diocese in Los Angeles Property Cases
California Court Overturns Lower Court's Rulings

June 26, 2007 – A California Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles in cases where the majority of members of three Episcopal congregations voted to leave the Episcopal Church for oversight by bishops in another Anglican province. The decision, which overturns rulings by a lower court, comes in the first of the recent cases brought to recover Episcopal Church property retained by congregations now calling themselves St. James Anglican Church, Newport Beach; All Saints' Anglican Church, Long Beach; and St. David's Anglican Church, North Hollywood. The congregations voted in August 2004 to amend their articles of incorporation, and maintain that they are now part of the Anglican Province of Uganda.

National News

Church's 400-year Heritage Is Fabric ‘Woven Together with Prayer'
Virginia Episcopalians Host Commemorative Service June 24 on Jamestown Island

June 25, 2007 – The fabric of four centuries of history – woven with the 1607 beginnings of the Jamestown Settlement, Native American responses, and the rise of the African slave trade – was prayerfully examined on June 24 as Episcopalians gathered for Eucharist to mark the church's 400-year heritage rooted in the region. Recalling the settlers' original sailcloth, canvas suspended from trees shaded the rough-hewn altar around which bishops from the four dioceses that comprised the original Virginia of 1785 gathered with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori for Eucharist at which Bishop John Clark Buchanan of Southern Virginia was celebrant.

More than 500 Join Anti-War Protest at Synod

June 25, 2007 – Spilling onto the sidewalks and spreading a message of passion and principle, more than 500 attendees of General Synod 26 marched through downtown Hartford during afternoon rush hour yesterday with a unified plea to "stop the war, start the peace." Volunteers began to hand out bright orange "Be Bold! Do Peace" flyers over the weekend, and by 5 p.m. yesterday – immediately following the afternoon plenary – dozens of handwritten yellow signs filled the air in the Hartford Civic Center lobby in preparation for the march. "If you can't bear the war, don't." "Apathy = death." "Get angry. Jesus did." The march was organized by Rev. Lael Atkinson of the Massachusetts Conference and Jim Antal, Massachusetts Conference Minister.

General Synod Supports Immigration Reform

June 26, 2007 – On the same day that the United States Senate voted to reconsider stalled immigration legislation, General Synod delegates voted with only a handful of nay votes to support a resolution advocating for a humane immigration policy. The resolution declared that "the Militarized Border Enforcement Strategy of the United States government has been ineffective and inhumane." Although the resolution acknowledged the existence of other immigrant communities that deserve our support and prayers, its primary concern was with immigrants from Latin America. Since 1993, when the United States began its current blockade strategy of border enforcement, more than 3,000 men, women and children have died attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexican border.

International News

Bishop Brings Message of Hope to Zimbabweans

June 28, 2007, MUTARE, Zimbabwe – David sat in the balcony of Hilltop United Methodist Church as Bishop John R. Schol preached to 2,000 congregants about Jesus Christ's love and compassion for 10 lepers. The story from Luke 17 was one with which he could relate. The 35-year-old resident of Mutare was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS nearly five years ago. He says that because of the lack of medicines in Zimbabwe, he is on the verge of death.

Resolutions from the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
Blessing of Same-Sex Unions Defeated

June 25, 2007 – The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada has narrowly defeated a resolution that would have allowed dioceses to decide for themselves whether or not to bless same-sex unions. Lay delegates voted 78 to 59 in favour of the motion and clergy voted 63 to 53 in favour But the House of Bishops voted 21-19 against it. As a result the motion was defeated, since it required approval by each of the three orders to pass. The motion read: "That this General Synod affirms the authority and jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of the diocesan bishop, and in a manner which respects the conscience of the incumbent and the will of the parish, to authorize the blessing of committed same-sex unions."

Delegation Delivers Nets to Malaria-Infested Township

June 28, 2007, CHAKOWA TOWNSHIP, Zimbabwe – Malaria robbed Herbert Mlambo of his family. The devastating disease that kills one person every 30 seconds took one of his two sons, two grandsons, one granddaughter and his only sister. Another grandson is now battling for his life. Mlambo has lost count of the many friends and relatives who also have died of malaria. He estimates the number to be in the hundreds.

Faith and Sacrifice Build New Church in Zimbabwe

June 28, 2007, MURADZIKWA, Zimbabwe – The words sacrifice and faith had new meaning for members of a congregation gathered for the groundbreaking of their new church building in Zimbabwe. The new Muradzikwa United Methodist Church will be built 300 yards from the current structure. "Everyone is welcome here," sang the choir in their native Shona language as Dawson Pasirai, vice district lay leader of the Zimbabwe Conference, reflected on the strength of the 300-member church and the significance of the June 10 groundbreaking.

Middle East News

WCC to Strengthen Churches' Peace Efforts in Palestine/Israel

June 27, 2007 – Local churches in Palestine/Israel are looking to the whole fellowship of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to play a stronger role in supporting local churches' struggles for a just peace there. This is the main finding of a delegation led by the Council's general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia that visited Palestine/Israel from 21 to 26 June. A new advocacy forum launched prior to the visit, and ecumenical accompaniment are high on the churches' list of actions in pursuit of this goal. "The visit allowed us to confirm that the WCC does have a role to play in strengthening and supporting the churches in Palestine/Israel," said WCC delegation member Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, head of the Church of Norway's Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. "In so doing, it will be crucial to carefully listen to the churches in the Holy Land and let them decide what kind of support they need," he added.

Churches in Jerusalem Welcome WCC's New Advocacy Initiative for Peace in Palestine/Israel

June 25, 2007 – Heads of churches in Jerusalem have welcomed the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum launched in Jordan last week. They voiced satisfaction with the new advocacy initiative at meetings with World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia during his 21-26 June visit to the Holy Land. The need for mutual understanding between the peoples in the region was highlighted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine Theophilos III on the first day of Kobia's visit. Although primarily interested in religious issues, church leaders are also concerned about political developments, Theophilos said. They aim to play a positive role and contribute to the wellbeing of the peoples in the region. He also stressed the crucial role of dialogue among Christians as well as with people of other faiths, something particularly important in a city like Jerusalem, which holds a particular significance for all three monotheistic religions.

People in the News

Felipe Lozada-Montañez Elected Bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod

June 29, 2007, CHICAGO – The Rev. Felipe Lozada-Montañez, pastor of San Juan Lutheran Church, Dorado, Puerto Rico, and mission director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was elected June 22 to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod. Lozada-Montañez was elected on the third ballot for bishop, 71-28 over the Rev. Marysol Diaz-Feliciano, Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Marcos (St. Mark Lutheran Church), Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The synod assembly was June 21-23 at Frederick Lutheran Church, Charlotte Amalie, (St. Thomas) U.S. Virgin Islands. Lozada-Montañez led with 64 votes on the second ballot for bishop. Diaz-Feliciano received 36 votes. There were 12 names on the first or nominating ballot.

'Sense of Outrage' at Injustice Drives Re-Elected Edith Guffey

June 25, 2007 – "I have for a very long time had a sense of outrage about many of the injustices in our society." This is how Edith Guffey described herself and the passion she brings to her work as the UCC's associate general minister. Guffey was the only candidate nominated by the Executive Council to be "called by election" to the position, her third and final four-year term. Prior to first being elected in 1999, she had served since 1991 as the elected secretary of the UCC's national setting. In her Monday afternoon speech, Guffey described growing up in the inner city of Kansas City, Mo., not only seeing injustices first hand but living many of them. These included "attending substandard schools where options presented to us were limited," she said, "and too often possibilities seemed out of reach for way too many." "That outrage is what likely led me to major in social work and what attracted me to join a local UCC church that was actively engaged in the community," she said.

Reviews

A Fresh and Refreshing Look at the Emerging 21st Century Church

June 29, 2007, MINNEAPOLIS – Curious about the world in which we live and informed by the emerging church conversation, author Nathan C. P. Frambach asks, "What does it mean to be the church as we live-not as we think or remember or long for, but as we live God's mission today?" In his book, Emerging Ministry: Being Church Today, Frambach suggests that being church today will look more like a local kiosk than a big-box chain. It will be characterized by the diffusion of indigenous leadership that is always on mission-incarnational, mobile, agile, and culturally authentic. And-it will be birthed by the Spirit of God. He speaks directly to the concerns of twenty-first century Christians who wonder about the church's relevance and worry about disconnect in their own lives between Sunday and Monday faith. Emerging Church: Being Church Today includes an extensive list of additional resources and questions for reflection/discussion following each chapter.