Front Page

Stay Calm amid Tensions, Bonnie Anderson Urges Rio Grande Episcopalians

July 2, 2007, ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson told more than 275 people gathered June 30 in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande to both be prepared and to stay calm amid the current tensions in the diocese, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. "Keep your eyes on the prize, which is the reconciliation of the world through Jesus Christ, whom we love more than life itself," Anderson told the meeting at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. "And keep calm." People from 21 of the diocese's 60 congregations attended the afternoon meeting sponsored by Episcopalians for the Future in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, which included presentations by Anderson and her chancellor, Sally Johnson, and a question-and-answer period.

CWS Network Prepares for Heavy Fourth-Quarter Refugee Arrivals

July 5, 2007, NEW YORK – Gearing up for a heavier than usual influx of refugees over the next three months, Church World Service refugee service affiliates in several states are looking to congregations for help in welcoming the newcomers. For the whole U.S. Refugee Program, that means as many as 25,000 arrivals in three months toward an FY 2007 total of 50,000. For CWS, that could mean between 600 to 700 refugees arriving each month, double the monthly average so far this year. The majority will be ethnic Karen and Chin Burmese and Africans, a significant number of them "1972 Burundians." The 1972 Burundians are refugees, primarily Hutus, who fled widespread ethnic violence in Burundi in 1972 and have been in refugee camps ever since.

Regional Networks Meeting to Examine Impact of Migration
on the Church Across the Mediterranean Region

July 5, 2007 – Representatives of churches, church-related organisations and ecumenical bodies associated with the World Council of Churches (WCC) from Africa, Europe and the Middle East will be gathering in Brussels from 6-9 July 2007 for a meeting on migration in and between these regions. The participants from sending and receiving regions will focus on the issue of removals from Europe, coordinate advocacy work directed towards the European Union and the African Union and develop advocacy strategies to be implemented in the regions with a particular emphasis on "being church together." Current migration streams across the Mediterranean region particularly affect Africa, Europe and the Middle East and have a strong impact on the contexts in which churches live.

General News

Conference Aims to Move Churches from Mercy to Justice

July 2, 2007 – In second grade, Kellee Sikes met an Ethiopian boy whose brother had been killed and eaten by a lion. The attack happened as his family fled the African country in hopes of a better life. "Having him stand up and seeing the tears roll down his face is a memory I will never let go of even if I could," said Sikes.

Agency to Share ‘Women in Ministry' Study

July 3, 2007 – In 1835, when Methodist ministers barred Rebecca Jackson from speaking in church, a "wicked, drunken man" opened his house and allowed her to preach. During that same century, Julia Foote, an African-American Methodist, risked both life and dignity to travel and preach the Gospel. Near the end of the 19th century, Anna Oliver and Anna Howard Shaw became the first and second women, respectively, to graduate from the Boston University School of Theology, but both were then denied ordination by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1880.

LWML Adopts $1.7 Million Mission Goal

July 5, 2007, SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Relying on the "rock-solid" foundation of their faith in Jesus Christ, delegates to the 32nd Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League adopted a record-setting mission goal of $1.7 million for the 2007-09 biennium. More than 5,000 people attended the 65th anniversary convention, held here June 21-24 under the theme "ROCK! Rest On Christ the King," from Psalm 31:1-3: "Secure in Jesus, my rock and fortress, I step out in faith to declare His praise and serve others." Sioux Falls – known for its pink quartzite rock, second only to diamonds in strength – was mentioned by several speakers as being an apt location for the convention, with its "ROCK" theme. The record mission goal is $75,000 more than the LWML's previous goal for 2005-07.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Increase in Children's Health Program

July 3, 2007, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders of 20 other national religious organizations in a letter to leaders of the U.S. Congress June 7, urging expanded funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The religious leaders joined the People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO) National Network, and the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) in their call for action. They asked U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Finance Committee chair, and U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), majority leader, to help produce $50 billion in legislation to expand SCHIP. PICO and NCC have generated more than 9,000 letters from faith communities to the Senate on SCHIP, according to a PICO news release.

New DVDs Focus on History, Beliefs, Practices

July 5, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The media distribution ministry of United Methodist Communications has released three new DVDs as the church responds to requests for learning materials in new formats about basic Christian beliefs and practices. The Ecufilm releases include a three-part DVD to help acolytes, ushers and greeters understand their responsibilities; an updated DVD to trace the history of African Americans in The United Methodist Church; and a new video that explains the United Methodist position on baptism. "They represent another step into digital learning and the need for content that informs people about faith in new language and new format," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive at United Methodist Communications.

Executive Council Thanks Covenant Study Guide Responders

July 2, 2007 – The Episcopal Church's Executive Council is sending its thanks to all those people who responded to questions in a study guide aimed at helping the Episcopal Church consider the draft version of a proposed Anglican Covenant. The study guide, prepared by a subcommittee of the Executive Council's International Concerns Standing Committee (INC), was released in mid-April with invitation for response by June 4 to a series of questions it contained. The General Convention office collected more than 400 responses, many of them representing more than one person's input.

‘Chinese Lutheran Book of Worship' Now Available

July 5, 2007, CHICAGO – "Chinese Lutheran Book of Worship" is a new bilingual worship book for members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Developed by ELCA Chinese pastors, worship leaders and others, the worship book is designed to offer flexibility in worship planning that encourages a common yet diverse core of worship and prayer. This is the first Chinese-English worship resource in the ELCA, said the Rev. Pongsak Limthongviratn, director for Asian and Pacific Islander ministries, ELCA Multicultural Ministries. He said the worship book was created with an understanding of the cultural diversity and varying worship needs in the Lutheran Asian community.

Youth Gathering to Offer Home ‘Connections'

July 6, 2007 – A number of ‘back-home' connections for the July 29-Aug. 1 LCMS National Youth Gathering and first-ever companion Adult Gathering in Orlando will help link congregation members with their members at the Gathering. Under the theme "CHOSEN," based on 1 Peter 2:19, some 25,000 participants and thousands of volunteers will gather for the Gathering at the Orange Country Convention Center. Those connections include a Sunday-morning Bible study written by the Gathering Bible-study team and based on the theme text – the same Bible study members in Orlando will be using – and a first-time Web video stream of Gathering mass events and the Tuesday-evening worship service. The text from 1 Peter reads, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God."

Video Series Teaches ‘God Is a Great Big God'

July 6, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Children all across the United States are leaving church on Sunday mornings with these words ringing in their ears: "God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God's great big world, God is a great big God." They are also talking about Bongo, Mr. Z and Ms. Lucy, "The Station" and "Common Ground Café." Along the way, they are developing lifelong faith and a love for Sunday school.

Ecumenical News

United Methodist Interfaith Body Sets Global Priorities

July 5, 2007 – The United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns wants to help the denomination put its interfaith and ecumenical agenda in context. That means explaining how hard it is to separate the church in the United States from history, culture and government, according to the Rev. Larry Pickens, the commission's chief executive. "The church, in many ways, has to overcome the legacy of what it means to be a citizen of the United States and, with that, how this country is viewed internationally," he told United Methodist News Service in a July 3 interview.

Editorial Page

Commentary: Remembering Our Brave Soldiers

July 3, 2007 – I was asked to write this as a letter home from a soldier. I thought I might write from the viewpoint of a young infantry soldier in the war zone, but I couldn't. I have never actually heard the sounds of combat. The noise of battle in Iraq or Afghanistan is the boom of an IED (improvised explosive device) exploding or the crack of a sniper rifle. Sometimes it is the cry of the wounded and dying. Sometimes it is even the "thank you" of the rescued. The sound of battle where I fight the war here-at the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Alexandria, Va.-is mostly the click of the computer keyboard or the ringing of a phone. The more wrenching sounds are in the background. It is the sound of the anguished cry of a wife or parent or child when told their "soldier" has died or is seriously wounded.

Spanish News

Ante El Silencio Y La Complicidad, Mujeres Llaman a "Silbatazo"

5 julio 2007, SAN MIGUEL DE TUCUMÁN, Argentina – Mujeres y adolescentes Tucumán, provincia del centro del país, se movilizarán el sábado 7 al centro de la ciudad capital, para manifestarse contra la inseguridad, el abuso y el maltrato que sufren diariamente las mujeres en las calles. Con una original convocatoria, un silbatazo, buscarán ser oídas y combatir el silencio y la complicidad que rodea la violencia y los abusos a los que son expuestas. La Casa de las Mujeres Norma Nassif, el Centro de estudiantes de la carrera de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, EPASI y la Escuela de Psicología Social, entre otras organizaciones serán las que lleven adelante esta propuesta simbólica de no callar, pero intentan alcanzar con la medida a hombres y mujeres de todas las edades.

Capellán Juzgado Por Violaciones a Los Derechos Humanos

5 julio 2007, LA PLATA, Argentina – Cuando aún no se conoce el paradero de Julio López- testigo de los juicios a ex represores del proceso militar de la década del 70 desaparecido en septiembre pasado- se inicia el juicio al ex capellán de la Policía bonaerense Christian Von Wernich, acusado de violaciones a los derechos humanos. El Tribunal Federal Oral N° 1 de La Plata dio inició hoy, con fuertes medidas de seguridad, el juicio donde numerosos testigos esperan declarar, aún cuando la desaparición de López produce lógicos temores e inseguridades. El ex capellán, confesor del ex jefe de la policía bonaerense, Ramón Camps, es juzgado por 7 homicidios, 31 casos de torturas y 42 privaciones ilegales de la libertad y torturas.

CMI Apuntala Esfuerzos De Iglesias En Favor De La Paz En Palestina E Israel

2 julio 2007 – Las iglesias en Palestina/Israel están esperanzadas ante la posibilidad de que la comunidad fraternal de iglesias Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) desempeñe un papel más importante en el apoyo a sus luchas en favor de una paz justa en la región. Este ha sido el principal logro de la visita a la región de una delegación dirigida por el secretario general del Consejo, pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, del 21 al 26 de junio. Un nuevo foro, inaugurado antes de la visita, y el programa de acompañamiento ecuménico son una prioridad en la lista de acciones de las iglesias destinadas a alcanzar ese objetivo.

National News

United Methodists Respond to Floods in Central U.S.

July 5, 2007 – United Methodists are responding to flooding that has plagued the rain-soaked central United States from mid-June through early July. In Texas, where several churches have served as Red Cross shelters for storm victims, volunteers are assisting with cleanup. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has sent an emergency grant to the denomination's North Texas Annual (regional) Conference-where Cooke and Grayson counties suffered from widespread flooding on June 18-and dispatched consultant Barbara Tripp there in early July. UMCOR emergency grants range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Farmworker Ministry Urges Passage of AgJOBS

June 25, 2007, WASHINGTON, DC – The National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) last week joined with farmworker organizations from across the country at a news conference here to call for passage of the AgJOBS farmworker legislation. The "Agricultural Job, Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act," sponsored by the United Farm Workers, represents a unique agreement between agricultural employers and farmworker organizations to provide a stable legal work force in the agricultural industry while protecting farmworkers from exploitative working conditions. The bill would provide hundreds of thousands of farmworkers and their families the chance to earn permanent legal status. Supported by both Democrats and Republicans, it is currently a part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill that is under consideration.

A Spiritual Recovery Two Years after Hurricane Katrina

July 6, 2007, NEW ORLEANS – The windows tell a soulful story at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Two years after Hurricane Katrina, this New Orleans congregation boasts a perfectly manicured lawn, colorful flags blowing in the breeze and newly painted, air-conditioned interiors. Yet the streaked and clouded windows remind visitors that this church, which sits on a corner of Canal Street under the shadow of Interstate 610, was inundated with six feet of water for more than two weeks. Grace Lutheran's buildings sustained $1.3 million in damage; only $400,000 was covered by insurance.

International News

Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries Explores Diversity and Leadership as Themes of 34th Consultation

July 2, 2007, LOS ANGELES – Becoming culturally competent leaders is essential in a diverse, rapidly changing world, the Rev. Eric H.F. Law told about 250 clergy and lay leaders meeting in Los Angeles for the 34th annual consultation of Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries (EAM). Comparing church leadership with rapidly evolving technology, Law held up his cell phone. "This was state of the art two years ago. Now it's a dinosaur and they're introducing the iPhone," he said. "Things are changing so fast, how can we be competent Christian leaders in a fast-changing world?"

Middle East News

Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum Launched

July 2, 2007 – Representative of Christian churches and church related organizations all over the world met in Amman, Jordan (17-21 June 2007) at the call of the World Council of Churches to launch the "Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum." The conference convened to mark the 40th years of Israel occupation to Palestine. According to the WCC Central Committee decision, the Forum was an instrument to "catalyze and coordinate new and existing church advocacy for peace, aimed at ending the illegal occupation in accordance with UN resolutions, and demonstrate its commitment to inter-religious action for peace and justice that serves all the peoples of the region."