Front Page

Immigration Activist Arrested after Year in Refuge

August 20, 2007 – Elvira Arellano, an illegal immigrant and member of Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago, was arrested in California and deported to Mexico on Aug. 19 – four days after she left the Chicago church where she had received sanctuary for a year. Arellano, 32, and her 8-year-old son, Saul, a U.S. citizen, had lived in Adalberto United Methodist Church from Aug. 15, 2006, to Aug. 16, 2007. On the one-year anniversary of her life inside the church walls, she announced plans to leave the church and begin a nationwide campaign for immigration reform.

AFSC: "U.S. Policy Should Keep Families Together, Not Separate Mothers from Their Children"

August 19, 2007, PHILADELPHIA – In the wake of the arrest and deportation of Elvira Arellano – a Mexican immigrant who, with her 8-year old son, sought church sanctuary – the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) continues its call for a rational, humane, and fair system of immigration that provides a path to legal residency and citizenship and keeps families in this country intact. "Elvira exemplifies what's wrong with current immigration laws," says Christian Ramirez, national immigrants' rights coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker social justice organization. "Ripping a mother away from her 8-year old child is unconscionable. Such dramatic and drastic measures fail to address the root causes of migration to the United States and ignore the needs of multi-status immigrant families, specifically families with children born in the United States who have known no other life beyond the one they have had in this country."

Author: Faith Should Lead, Politics Follow

August 21, 2007, NEW YORK – After studying the effects of religion on politics in places as diverse as Chiapas, Mexico, and Charlotte, N.C., author Charlene Floyd has reached the conclusion "that faith should lead and politics should follow." A member of the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist in New York, Floyd says religious groups most often get into trouble "when politics are setting the agenda for people of faith." In her book Christian Voices: Journeys through Faith and Politics in Contemporary American Protestantism, she explores how "seasoned believers" – not theologians or politicians – integrate their faith into their political perceptions. The book was published in May by Greenwood Publishing Group.

General News

Arkansas Man Organizes Kenyan Chicken Project

August 22, 2007, VAN BUREN, Ark. – Chicken houses. The Lord told John Boster to build chicken houses. In Kenya. The Arkansas chicken breeder is bound and determined to obey. A member of Heritage United Methodist Church in Van Buren, Boster made his first trip to Kenya two years ago as part of a Volunteers in Mission team from Oklahoma City. The volunteers built a library for a deaf school in Meru and got acquainted with the land, the proud Kenyan people and their many needs.

Academy Prepares Hispanic/Latino Youth for Leadership

August 24, 2007, NEWARK, N.J. – A United Methodist training program is reaching young people such as Erica Granados-De La Rosa and preparing them to lead in the church. The Hispanic/Latino Youth Leadership Academy is the only United Methodist program specifically preparing Hispanic/Latino young people for leadership in The United Methodist Church. Granados-De La Rosa, a 16-year-old high school graduate from the Rio Grande Annual (regional) Conference, is a 2006 graduate of the youth leadership academy.

Hispanic Caucus Urges Immigration Reform

August 24, 2007, NEWARK, N.J. – The Hispanic caucus of The United Methodist Church will ask the denomination's top assembly to urge the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that emphasizes family unity, affordable education, fair treatment of laborers and a path toward citizenship. About 150 members of Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans, meeting Aug. 9-12, chided Congress for passing the 1996 Immigration Reform Act.

Beware of Nigerian Puppy Scam

August 22, 2007 – LCMS World Mission is asking all LCMS members to beware of an e-mail and Web-based scam concerning puppies that are available for shipping from Africa to the United States. The scam mentions LCMS Missionaries David Erber and Nathaniel Watt, who serve in Nigeria, and former missionaries to Nigeria Jerry Loewe and Brent Friedrich. Several people who viewed photos of puppies allegedly for sale on the Web site.

A Parent's Dilemma: When Your Child Is Gay

August 23, 2007 – Kathy and Dave England recall how stunned they were when their son announced he was gay. They were sitting around and talking on the last night of Christmas break, during his freshman year of college. "So, what do you guys think about homosexuality?" Scott asked them. "Well, I've never given it much thought," Mrs. England replied.

Commentary: Take Time to Make the Connection

August 20, 2007, BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic – On day three of the European Methodist Festival, I am sitting in the main festival tent during the morning "praise session" – wondering if I really want to be there before I've had a cup of coffee. A lively woman on stage leads worship – a bit too lively, I fear, as she asks us to turn to someone we don't know and introduce ourselves. The worship theme is about being "the foreigner." I turn and say "hello" to a woman wearing a translation headset. I'm not sure she can understand anything I'm saying. She is both nodding and shaking her head and we eventually establish that I am Kathleen and she is Ilzite. She comes from Latvia.

Spanish News

Comunidades Religiosas Llaman a Ayudar Y Orar Por El Pueblo Peruano

18 agosto 2007, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Mientras crece el dolor y la necesidad entre las víctimas del terremoto en Perú, iglesias de distintas denominaciones y países, llaman a sus comunidades a prestar ayuda al pueblo peruano y a interceder por ellos. "Deseamos expresarles que oramos al Señor para que les dé la fuerza necesaria para confortar y fortalecer a los damnificados y a sus familiares, pidiendo que el dolor que representa la pérdida de seres humanos y bienes materiales pueda recibir consuelo por el apoyo que todos podamos brindarles.

Metodistas Unidos En Solidaridad

20 agosto 2007, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – El obispo Jorge Bravo Caballero de la Iglesia Metodista del Perú, informó a la hermana Iglesia Metodista Argentina, reunida en su XX Asamblea hasta este lunes 20, de los daños causados por el terremoto a templos y casas de metodistas en el Distrito Costa Sur. En la carta, Bravo informa que en la Iglesia Metodista de Ica, el templo sufrió rajaduras en un 10 %; la casa pastoral también tuvo daños y hay 15 viviendas de miembros de la comunidad, destruidas. En Los Juárez, la situación no es mejor. El templo presenta rajaduras en un 15%; la casa pastoral quedó destruida al igual que una vivienda de una familia de la congregación.

Firman Convenio Para Reforzar La Identidad Anabautista, Como Identidad De Paz

22 agosto 2007, SANTIAGO DE CHILE – La Unión de Iglesias Evangélicas Bautistas de Chile (Ubach), firmó un convenio de colaboración con la Iglesia Menonita del Canadá y la Red Menonita de Misión de Estados Unidos, orientado a reforzar, a través de trabajos concretos, la identidad anabautista. Se busca estrechar lazos de colaboración, manifestados a través de la formación de un Centro de Recursos Cristianos Anabautistas por la Paz (CERCAPAZ), con el propósito de fortalecer la común identidad histórica, doctrinal, eclesiológica y misionera, informa la página web de la Iglesia Bautista Chilena.

Luteranos Preparan Día De La Iglesia

22 agosto 2007, BLUMENAU, Brasil – La celebración del Día de la Iglesia en el Valle del Itajaí, en Santa Catarina, será especial en 2007 pues celebrará los 150 años del oficio del primer culto realizado en la ciudad de Blumenau y el centenario de fundación de la mayor institución de mujeres evangélicas del país, la Orden Auxiliadora de Señoras Evangélicas (OASE). Sobre el lema "El Abrazo de la Paz," el Día de la Iglesia en Blumenau, ciudad localizada a 139 Km. de Florianópolis, capital de Santa Catarina, pretende reunir, el domingo 26 de agosto, más de tres mil luteranos en el Parque Villa Germánica.

Bautistas Y Visión Mundial De Luto Por La Muerte De Dusilek

20 agosto 2007, RÍO DE JANEIRO, Brasil – Amigos, colegas y familiares se reunieron el viernes 17, en la Capilla del Seminario Sur, en Río, para la celebración de culto en memoria y acción de gracias por la vida y trabajo del profesor y pastor bautista Darci Dusilek, fallecido el día anterior, víctima de un paro cardíaco. Dusilek, de 64 años, deja una laguna en el pensamiento bautista brasileño, de modo especial en la Teología Sistemática.

Secuestradores Liberan a Presbítero Episcopal

22 agosto 2007, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – El presbítero episcopal colombiano reverendo Ricardo Morales Gaviria, que había sido secuestrado el pasado 20 de agosto por grupos paramilitares fue encontrado, aunque, según confirmó ayer el Obispo de Colombia, Francisco Duque Gómez, todavía estaba sufriendo los efectos de haber sido narcotizado para evitar que reconociera a sus secuestradores. Ahora está siendo atendido en un hospital del área. El 20 de agosto la Diócesis Episcopal de Colombia hizo un llamado reclamando la pronta liberación de Gaviria. En un comunicado diocesano,

Mujeres Del CLAI Releen Los Textos Sagrados Con Mirada De Género

21 agosto 2007, QUITO, Ecuador – Sarai, Agar, Abram, Ángeles de Dios y las Danzas del poder. ("¿De dónde vienes y adónde vas?: De Matriarcas, Patriarcas y el Patriarcado") fue el tema de dos encuentros de la Red de Mujeres del CLAI, Ecuador, celebrados en el Centro Mariapolis "Concordia¨en el valle de Puembo, cercano a Quito, y en las oficinas del CLAI Ecuador. El grupo contó con unas treinta personas, mujeres y varones, e incluyo representantes de varias iglesias de Quito y Guayaquil.

Extranjeros Se Nacionalizan Con Ayuda De ACNUR

17 agosto 2007, MANAGUA, Nicaragua –"Hoy se convierten en hijos de Sandino y Rubén Darío," dijo la Ministra Gobernación, licenciada Ana Maria Morales, al entregar los certificados de nacionalidad a 37 extranjeros de 12 países, en su mayoría salvadoreños. La titular de gobernación reconoció la valiosa contribución para la nacionalización de los extranjeros de la licenciada Blanca Fonseca, delegada del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para atención de los refugiados (ACNUR), representado por el Consejo Iglesias Evangélicas Pro Alianza Denominacional (Cepad), en Managua. Fonseca, muy complacida, dijo sentirse feliz porque el nuevo gobierno ha demostrado interés en darle respuesta a miles de solicitudes de salvadoreños indocumentados que llegaron como refugiados huyendo de la guerra en su país en la década de los 80.

Mujeres Políticas Analizan Delitos De Trata Y Explotación Sexual Trinidad Vázquez

23 agosto 2007, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Para combatir la trata de personas hay que combatir también la corrupción, sostuvo la coordinadora regional de Save the Children de Suecia, Ana Salvado, al hablar sobre el tema en el VII Foro de Mujeres de Partidos Políticas en esta capital, el 21 de agosto. Cuando hablamos del crimen organizado hablamos de corrupción; igual ocurre cuando se habla del tráfico de armas y el narcotráfico que también se vincula a la corrupción y trata de personas, indicó la expositora, quien lamentó que el poder judicial sea otro problema haya que discutir.

Comienza Reconstrucción De Zonas Afectadas Por Terremoto

22 agosto 2007, LIMA, Perú – Transcurrida una semana luego del devastador terremoto del pasado 15 de agosto, que dejó muy destruidas las ciudades de Ica, Chincha y sobretodo Pisco, se ha iniciado la limpieza y reconstrucción de las mismas, anunció el presidente peruano Alan García. Esta limpieza ha comenzado gracias al aporte de maquinarias especiales de parte del sector privado. Para ello, se ha abierto el programa "Construyendo," el cual dará trabajo a cuatro mil pobladores de la ciudad de Pisco, la zona más afectada, y dos mil tanto en Ica como en Chincha. Este programa consta de dos etapas: la limpieza y levantamiento de escombros; y el proceso de reconstrucción.

National News

Two Years and Counting, Katrina Struggles Continue

August 23, 2007, NEW YORK – Every sticky, humid day in St. Bernard Parish, La. huge pumping trucks drive around Lisa Smith's neighborhood, gathering sewage from holding tanks set up as an emergency after Hurricane Katrina. "If a storm hits, the first thing that'll happen is those trucks will leave," Smith said. "Then sewage will be everywhere. You just don't know what to think sometimes." Smith's palpable angst is common among those who Katrina did not force away, the thousands whose hope is shadowed by the glacial pace of recovery. Two years after one of the most devastating storms to hit the U.S. made landfall, there are at least a couple of bright spots.

Lutheran Disaster Response Responding to Upper Midwest Flooding

August 24, 2007, CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) staff, in partnership with Lutheran leaders and social ministry organizations in southeastern Minnesota and in the area near La Crosse, Wis., has begun its work to assist people affected by severe flooding there. A series of severe storms that dumped more than a foot of rain in the region caused rivers to overflow. The storms, remnants of Tropical Storm Erin, are responsible for at least 26 deaths across several states.

Church World Service Still Helping Gulf Coasters in Second Year of Recovery

August 23, 2007, NEW YORK – Over the past two years, Church World Service, with the help of its member denominations and other partners in service, has been able to help thousands of Gulf Coast hurricane survivors on the long and difficult road to recovery. The New York-based humanitarian agency's efforts range from the ongoing work of helping communities establish locally run long-term recovery organizations, to helping people rebuild homes destroyed by the hurricanes, and providing grants to help young people whose their lives were upended by the disaster. When survivors were evacuated out of state-for long or short stays – CWS used its expertise in refugee assistance to help people displaced to 10 states find services, jobs, housing and schools in their new communities.

Quaker Organization Calls on Congress to Tighten Mine Safety Rules

August 22, 2007, PHILADELPHIA – The recent tragedy at the Murray Energy Crandall Canyon mine in Huntington, Utah, prompts a renewed call for the vigorous implementation and enforcement of proposed mining safety measures, urges the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization with a long history of supporting coal miners and communities. "Congress should move swiftly to pass recently introduced legislation that, among other things, immediately requires mining companies to use systems that can track and communicate with miners," says Rick Wilson, director of the American Friends Service Committee West Virginia Economic Justice Project.

Aug. 29 Will Be Day of Prayer, Reflection, in Mississippi

August 20, 2007 – United Methodists in Mississippi will hold times of prayer and reflection Aug. 29, the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall. Three separate services will be held during the day. The first will be at 10 a.m. at Camp Gulfside on the grounds of Gulfside Assembly, Waveland; the second will be at noon at Seashore Assembly in Biloxi; and the third will be at 2 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Ocean Springs. "What more appropriate expression of our life together than a time set apart to pray with thanksgiving for all that we have experienced since Aug. 29, 2005?" said Rev. Bill McAlilly, district superintendent.

International News

Anglican Church Is Supporting Peru Earthquake Victims

August 23, 2007 – The tiny Anglican Diocese of Peru has been feeding up to 6,000 people a day since a massive earthquake hit the region last week, claiming more than 500 lives. Working alongside government and aid agencies, the diocese has set up soup kitchens and community help centres, as well as distributing vital supplies, such as medicine and blankets. The earthquake, measuring 7.9, struck on Wednesday 15 August, just off the coast of Peru. The province of Ica was the most damaged. In the town of Pisco, 127 people died when a church collapsed.

Dallas Presbyterians Ambushed During Mission Trip to Kenya
No One Seriously Hurt in Bandits' Jungle Attack

August 22, 2007, LOUISVILLE – Ten members of Dallas' Highland Park Presbyterian Church were ambushed by bandits while on a mission trip to Kenya earlier this month, according to a story in today's (Aug. 22) Dallas Morning News. According to the report, the group was traveling through remote jungle on the way to install an irrigation system on Aug. 13 when they were accosted by bandits. No one was seriously hurt in the attack. The attackers were armed with rifles and a machete. Church members said it was the first time in many years of mission trips that there has been any trouble.

AJC Provides Humanitarian Aid to Peru Earthquake Recovery

August 20, 2007, NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee is contributing $35,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to help Peruvians recovering from the devastating earthquake in the southern part of their country. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones in the earthquake and our empathy to the people of Peru as they strive to rebuild," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. AJC is sending $25,000 to the Asociacion Judia del Peru, the umbrella organization for Peru's Jewish community, which will facilitate the disbursement to relief and recovery efforts in the stricken areas.

PC(USA) Mission Worker in Peru Helping with Earthquake Relief
newcomer Jacob Goad Gets Taste of Real Mission, Real Fast

August 24, 2007, LOUISVILLE – Even though his first fulltime assignment as a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission worker started just eight months ago, 24-year-old Jacob Goad has already been airlifted into an earthquake zone in Peru, slept amid the crumbling ruins of a city nearly shaken off the map and helped to launch two feeding programs for hungry quake survivors. Goad, who in January accepted the PC(USA)'s new volunteer position of delegations and partnership coordinator in Peru, is working with ecumenical partners in response to a deadly magnitude-8 trembler that struck off the Peruvian coast Aug. 15.

People in the News

NCC's Edgar Departs for Common Cause; Interim Named

August 20, 2007, NEW YORK CITY – The Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary at the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) since January 2000, departs at month's end for Common Cause. He will then assume fulltime responsibilities as the nonpartisan advocacy group's president. Anticipating Edgar's departure the NCC's executive committee has appointed Clare Chapman, NCC's deputy general secretary for finance and administration, to be Acting General Secretary. "We are blessed to have the administrative gifts and talents in Clare Chapman to manage the day-to-day leadership of the NCC," said the Rev. Michael Livingston, president of the NCC. "Clare will carry us through to the end of the year when we expect to have our next General Secretary in place." A search committee has been considering candidates for the General Secretary position for several weeks.

Caucus Honors Theologian Justo González

August 24, 2007, NEWARK, NJ – The Rev. Justo González holds forth a vision of God calling people into the future, and it is a future that should influence how people live in the present. González sounded notes of hope as well as concern about issues such as immigration during remarks at the annual meeting of Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans. The United Methodist Church's Hispanic/Latino caucus, known as MARCHA, honored Gonzalez for his contributions and work at a banquet held Aug. 11 – his birthday – during the annual meeting. "We should live the present in the light of the future," González said during one of three lectures at the MARCHA meeting.

Reviews

Exploring the Social Tumult Behind the Reformation Movement

August 23, 2007, MINNEAPOLIS – Perhaps no period in Christian history experienced such vast religious tumult and rapid social change as the European Reformation, when it quickly became apparent that social and political issues-finding deep resonance with the common people-were deeply entwined with religious ones raised by the Reformers. For historians, clergy, college, university, and seminary students and general readers who want to learn more about this period in time Fortress Press is happy to announce the release of Reformation Christianity, Volume 5 in the A People's History of Christianity Series.