Front Page

WCC General Secretary Meets with Families of Korean Hostages

August 14, 2007 – In a gesture of support toward the families of the Korean hostages being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), visited them this afternoon while on a trip to Korea. Of the 23 Christian humanitarian workers who were taken hostage on 19 July, two have been killed by their captors, while two others were released yesterday into the care of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. During the 40-minute meeting, which was held at the Sammul Presbyterian Church in Bundang near Seoul, Dr Kobia told the families that "the prayers of millions of Christians around the world" were being offered for the speedy and safe release of the hostages. The visit was pastoral, and Kobia did not engage the group in details about the hostage situation.

Christian Code of Conduct on Religious Conversion Wins Broader Backing

August 15, 2007 – The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is ready to join the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Vatican in supporting a code of conduct to guide activities seeking converts to Christianity. The WEA general secretary Rev. Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe "gave his full approval" to the organization's involvement in the process so far sponsored by the WCC and the Vatican, said Rev. Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, head of the organization's International Institute for Religious Freedom.

Pray to Allah, Dutch Bishop Proposes

August 15, 2007 – Breda Bishop Tiny Muskens, who once worked as missionary in Indonesia, has proposed that Dutch Catholics should pray to Allah just as Christians already do in other countries with significant Muslim populations. Radio Netherlands reports that Bishop Muskens says his country should look to Indonesia, where the Christian churches already pray to Allah. It is also common in the Arab world: Christian and Muslim Arabs use the words God and Allah interchangeably.

CWS Responding to Weather Emergencies in India, China, and Pakistan

August 14, 2007, NEW YORK – Humanitarian agency Church World service is accepting donations to help provide emergency food, clothing, shelter, and other supplies for victims of disasters in the Asian nations of India, China and Pakistan. Tens of millions of people in these countries are struggling to put their lives back together in the aftermath of torrential rains and other weather disasters that devastated entire areas. Church World Service's assistance will supplement efforts by churches and other aid agencies to respond to regional crises of such enormous magnitude.

UMCOR Offers Aid in Peru Earthquake

August 17, 2007 – NEW YORK – The United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding to the Aug. 15 earthquake that leveled several cities in Peru and killed more than 400 people – making the quake the deadliest in the South American country since 1970. The relief agency has offered aid to the Methodist Church of Peru and is working to provide a grant to Action by Churches Together, an international relief alliance that has mobilized a response team to Peru. UMCOR also is inviting United Methodists to contribute to its international disaster response fund to help in the recovery efforts. .".. Please know of our continuing prayers for the people of Peru as the recovery effort begins," wrote the Rev. Sam W. Dixon, interim top staff executive of UMCOR, in an e-mail to the Rev. Jorge Bravo, bishop of the Methodist Church of Peru.

General News

Oct. 21 Designated Bread Sunday: Anti-Hunger Group Offers Free Worship Resources

August 16, 2007, LOUISVILLE – Bread for the World (BFW), a Christian anti-hunger group has produced new worship resources to help congregations renew their commitment to fighting hunger during an annual day of observance called "Bread for the World Sunday." Most observances this year will take place on Oct. 21, although congregations are encouraged to choose any Sunday between World Food Day (Oct. 16) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 22). During every autumn harvest season, hundreds of churches across the nation take part in the event, which is sponsored by BFW, a lobbying group based in Washington, DC. The 58,000-member non-partisan organization is supported by 2,500 churches and more than 45 denominations and church agencies.

ELCA Assembly Encourages Restraint in Discipline of Congregations, Leaders

August 11, 2007 – CHICAGO – While the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made no changes to its standards for its professional leaders during the 2007 Churchwide Assembly, it encouraged restraint in disciplining people and congregations that call ministers in mutual, chaste and faithful, committed, same-gender relationships, and called for restraint in disciplining professional leaders.

‘Open Hearts' Ventures into Online Advertising

August 15, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The United Methodist "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors." advertising campaign is entering a new realm through online ads targeting people ages 22 to 44. >From Aug. 20 through mid-October, the ads will appear on Beliefnet, eHarmony, Yahoo, CitySearch, About.com and other sites. More than 21 million people are expected to see them. "We're seeking to reach people who feel like something is missing from their life and are looking for meaning or purpose," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, which coordinates the campaign. "Many of those people are searching online. We've chosen sites where they may be looking for something to fill a void in their lives-whether it's travel, relationships or something more spiritual."

United Methodist Women Take to the Road for Justice

August 16, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 200 United Methodist Women boarded buses and traveled to communities in the Nashville area to see what it means to be homeless, an immigrant or without health care. The community visits were part of the organization's 2007 "For Christ's Sake, Turn the World Upside Down" National Seminar Aug. 11-16 at Scarritt-Bennett Center. "The whole idea of community visits is to broaden our knowledge, to go beyond ourselves to gain insights and listen to the voices of those on the margins ...," said elmira Nazombe, executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the administrative arm of UMW. "This will help give us the landscape view we need to look for patterns and discern what the issues are telling us about our faith imperatives."

Seminary Deans Discuss Opening Schools' Resources to Entire Church
Conversations Could Lead to ‘Radical Shift' in Theological Education, Leader Says

August 14, 2007 – Financial difficulties and drastic changes in the role of the Christian church in society are prompting the leaders of the 11 seminaries connected with the Episcopal Church to reconsider theological education. The seminaries' Council of Deans has met three times this year already, twice more than its normal annual meeting, to discuss issues facing the seminaries. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori joined the deans in their March and June meetings.

Ecumenical News

Adventists and Evangelicals Expect Statement of Common Goals

August 13, 2007 – BERRIEN SPRINGS, Michigan – Theologians representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met August 5 to 10 at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan (USA) for their second round of theological conversation on world-level. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical Alliance are expected to announce a joint statement within the next few months identifying the common goals and results of theological discussions between the two institutions, delegates from both organizations announced in an August 9 press release.

Kieschnick Writes ELCA Action ‘Troubles Me Greatly,' Causes ‘Serious Concern' in LCMS

August 16, 2007 – In an Aug. 13 memo to LCMS leaders, Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick wrote that news of an action of the 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly just two days earlier "troubles me greatly and is causing serious concern and consternation among the members and leaders of the ... LCMS." Kieschnick's reference was to the assembly's Aug. 11 adoption of a resolution – by a vote of 538 to 431 – that "prays, urges, and encourages [ELCA geographical] synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship who have been called and rostered in this church."

Take it Slowly on Pope, Russian Patriarch Meeting: Etchegaray

August 17, 2007 – Retired French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray has said that both Pope Benedict and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II want to meet. However he added that the time should be favourable, and no "show" should be made of the event. Catholic Online reports that the vice-dean of the Vatican's College of Cardinals has warned against pressure to speed up the the much anticipated meeting. Speaking from Moscow, he said: "Not only the pope and the patriarch wish to meet but our nations want this meeting." For years, Alexy has been fearful that the Catholic Church has intentions of converting members of the Russian Orthodox Church to Roman Catholicism.

Spanish News

¿Cómo Puede La Iglesia Católica Ayudar a La Sociedad Cubana? Por Enrique López Oliva

13 agosto 2007 – LA HABANA, Cuba – A la pregunta: ¿Que aporte puede brindar la Iglesia Católica al desarrollo de la sociedad cubana actual? responde el padre Marciano García, de la Orden de los Carmelitas Descalzos, con un lucido ensayo titulado "Iglesia Católica y sociedad cubana," en el último numero de la revista diocesana laical habanera "Espacio Laical," cuya directiva fue removida hace unos meses por el Arzobispo de La Habana, el cardenal Jaime Ortega Alamino.

Código De Conducta Cristiano Sobre Conversión Religiosa Obtiene Apoyo Cada Vez Mayor

15 agosto 2007 – La Alianza Evangélica Mundial (WEA por su sigla en inglés) está dispuesta a unirse al Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y al Vaticano para apoyar un código de conducta común que rija las actividades de búsqueda de conversos al cristianismo. El secretario general de la WEA, pastor Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, "otorgó su plena aprobación" a la participación de su organización en el proceso patrocinado hasta ahora por el CMI y el Vaticano, dijo el pastor Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, director del Instituto Internacional para la Libertad Religiosa de dicha organización.

Corea: En Busca De La Paz Entre El Norte Y El Sur

15 agosto 2007 – La crisis de los rehenes en Afganistán llevó a los cristianos coreanos a los titulares de los periódicos en todo el mundo. Pero otra dimensión, menos visible, del testimonio de las iglesias coreanas también está siendo reconocido estos días. En los últimos años, la espectacular tasa de crecimiento del cristianismo en Corea del Sur – que es la mayor en Asia – ha llegado a ser tema reiterado en los medios de comunicación. Pero menos conocido es el trabajo que durante décadas las iglesias históricas de Corea han desempeñado en favor de la paz y la reunificación de su dividida nación.

Luteranos Alemanes Ayudan En Viviendas, Agua Y Producción

13 agosto 2007, SAN RAMÓN, Matagalpa, Nicaragua – La Iglesia del Distrito de Wutterpal, Alemania, ha cooperado solidariamente en los últimos cuatro años a través del Consejo de Iglesias Evangélicas Pro alianza Denominacional (Cepad) con 219 mil dólares destinados a proyectos de 68 viviendas, en créditos para familias rurales productoras de granos básicos y frutas y capacitación teológica. En la primera semana de agosto, una delegación de luteranos y luteranas, bajo la coordinación del pastor Jorg Widder de la iglesia del distrito de Wutterpal, intercambiaron experiencias pastorales y participaron en la inauguración de un proyecto de viviendas, la ampliación de un mini acueducto de agua y en la promoción de 49 pastores y lideres evangélicos, que se suman a los 1800 capacitados en los últimos 4 años.

Secretario General Del CMI Se Reúne Con Familias De Rehenes Coreanos

15 agosto 2007 – GINEBRA, Suiza – En un gesto de apoyo a las familias de los rehenes coreanos secuestrados por los talibanes en Afganistán, el pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), las visitó ayer cerca de Seúl. De los 23 trabajadores humanitarios cristianos que fueron secuestrados el 19 de julio, dos han sido asesinados por sus secuestradores, mientras que otros dos fueron liberados ayer en manos de las sociedades internacionales de la Cruz Roja y la Media Luna Roja.

Código De Conducta Cristiano Sobre Conversión Obtiene Más Apoyo

15 agosto 2007 – GINEBRA, Suiza – La Alianza Evangélica Mundial (WEA por su sigla en inglés) está dispuesta a unirse al Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y al Vaticano para apoyar un código de conducta común que rija las actividades de búsqueda de conversos al cristianismo. El secretario general de la WEA, pastor Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, "otorgó su plena aprobación" a la participación de su organización en el proceso patrocinado hasta ahora por el CMI y el Vaticano, dijo el pastor Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, director del Instituto Internacional para la Libertad Religiosa de dicha organización.

National News

Appeal Hearing in Spahr Same-Sex Marriage Case Set for Friday
Synod of the Pacific PJC to Hear Redwoods Presbytery Appeal

August 15, 2007, LOUISVILLE – The Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, who was acquitted last year on charges that she violated the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s constitutional ban on performing same-sex marriages, is headed back to church court on Friday (Aug. 17). The judicial proceeding comes after Redwoods Presbytery appealed the March 3, 2006, acquittal of Spahr by its Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC), which determined Spahr acted within her rights as an ordained minister when she married two lesbian couples in 2004 and 2005.

CWS Joins Water Advocates in Call for U.S. Leadership

August 15, 2007 – WASHINGTON, DC – Church World Service has signed on to an advocacy statement prepared by religious community water activists who want the U.S. government to lead the global community in efforts to insure that all people-especially the poor-have access to safe water for drinking and domestic use. The statement, which was prepared by the Washington, DC-based Religious Working Group on Water, says, "the U.S. government has both the capacity and the imperative to fully commit itself and its resources to exercising global leadership to ensure safe, affordable water for all members of the human community."

International News

Lutherans Support Cyclone-Relief Efforts in Madagascar

August 17, 2007 – CHICAGO – Six cyclones have struck Madagascar since December 2006, leaving homes damaged and food supplies sparse. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided $25,000 in August to support recovery efforts there. "This is the first time that Madagascar has been struck by so many cyclones in such a short period of time," said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, spokesperson for ELCA Global Mission. Cyclone Bondo made landfall on Dec. 25, 2006, Cyclone Clovis on Jan. 3, 2007, Cyclone Favio on Jan. 18, Cyclone Gamede on Feb. 26, Cyclone Indlala on March 15 and Cyclone Jaya on April 3.

Home-Grown Pastors to Serve Albanian United Methodists

August 17, 2007, BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic – Albanian United Methodists have never had a pastor who spoke their language or who has grown up with their culture. This tiny mission church has always relied on outsiders to help organize and lead their congregations. But that is about to change. Within a year, 23-year-old Rigels Kasmollari will finish his pastoral training and return to Albania to help lead the country's three United Methodist congregations. Pastors from countries with small Methodist populations – such as Albania, Macedonia and Serbia – must go outside their countries for training. Kasmollari has had a year of German language instruction in Austria, followed by three more years in an Austrian Lutheran seminary.

ELCA Helps Fund Flood-Relief Efforts in South Asia

August 17, 2007 – CHICAGO – About 23 million people are believed to be affected in Bangladesh, India and Nepal from what is being described as the worst flooding in "living memory." In response to the floods in South Asia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided an initial $120,000 in August to support relief efforts there. "The sheer size and scale of flooding and the massive number of people affected pose an ‘unprecedented challenge to the delivery of desperately-needed humanitarian assistance,'" according to a statement from the United Nations, reported the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, spokesperson for ELCA Global Mission.

Ecuadoran Government Invites Lutheran Churches to Participate in Foreign Debt Audit
New Commission Initiative Marks Milestone

August 14, 2007 – QUITO, Ecuador/GENEVA – The Government of Ecuador has invited the Latin American member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to participate in Ecuador's newly formed "Comisión para la Auditoria Integral del Crédito Público * CAIC" (Commission for the Complete Auditing of Public Debt). The invitation came in relation to the churches' illegitimate foreign debt program. Set up by Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in early July, the commission will audit all of the South American republic's public debt between 1976 and 2006.

Six Countries' Churches as Watchdog for Six Party Talks

August 14, 2007 – A proposal for a parallel meeting of churches from nations involved in the Six Party Talks on the Korean peninsula was endorsed by a broad range of churches over the weekend at a conference in Seoul celebrating the centenary of the Korean Great Revival of 1907 and exploring the churches' role in bringing peace to the divided nation. The proposal, which was submitted in a keynote address to the conference by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), recommended churches in the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and the two Koreas to "persuade their respective governments to ensure the continuity of these talks to diffuse tension and conflict in the peninsula so that people can live together in peace."

LWF General Secretary Appeals for Safe Return of South Korean Hostages
International Community Urged to Support Release Efforts

August 13, 2007 – GENEVA – The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, has called on the international community to strongly support the Government of South Korea in its efforts to secure the safe release of the South Korean hostages still held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. "This crisis should be resolved by negotiation, rather than by military or other means that might put the lives of the hostages at further risk," he writes in a statement issued today. The general secretary calls on the Taliban "to release the remaining hostages unharmed, and to cease targeting civilians in their political and military campaign."

Middle East News

ELCA Assembly Calls for Recommitment to Israel, Palestine Strategy

August 15, 2007 – CHICAGO – The 2007 Churchwide Assembly called on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to recommit to the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine, through awareness-building, accompaniment and advocacy activities. The assembly also suggested some possible economic initiatives in its amended action on Aug. 11. The strategy is part of the "Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land" campaign adopted by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.

People in the News

Religion and Race Agency Names Erin Hawkins as New CEO

August 15, 2007, WASHINGTON – The United Methodist agency that monitors and advocates for racial inclusiveness has elected staff executive Erin M. Hawkins as its new chief executive. Hawkins will become general secretary of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race effective Sept. 1, and will officially be installed at the agency's fall board meeting in October. At 31, she is possibly the youngest top executive of a denominational agency, according to the commission. She has served as associate general secretary – a staff executive position – since 2001.