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Thomas, Jaramillo Arrested at White House While Attempting to Deliver Anti-War Petitions

October 10, 2007 – After ignoring three warnings from police, the Rev. John H. Thomas and the Rev. Linda Jaramillo were arrested at 12:58 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, Oct. 10, for refusing to leave a no-protest zone near the White House gate. The two national UCC officers were attempting to deliver a Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War, along with 60,000 endorsing signatures. Both faced the White House and held up thick stacks of the petitions, before being asked by police to step back from the White House fence. After refusing to do so, Thomas and Jaramillo were handcuffed and led to a police van.

NCC Helps Thousands Fast for Peace

October 10, 2007, NEW YORK CITY – Thousands of Americans crossed the lines of faith traditions to fast from dawn to dusk last Monday (October 8) to call for an end to the Iraq War. Prayer and fasting events were also reported in Canada, Australia and elsewhere, said the Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, associate general secretary at the National Council of Churches USA (NCC), one of the fast's organizers. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Unitarians, people of other faiths and people of no faith observed a day of fasting together. In many communities the breaking of the fast was observed at Islamic centers with an "iftar" dinner on the "Night of Power," the holiest night in Ramadan.

Maryland United Methodists Oppose Legalized Slot Machines

October 12, 2007, COLUMBIA, Md. – United Methodists in Maryland have joined religious leaders across the state in opposing the governor's proposal for state-owned slot machines. United Methodists in Maryland have a choice, said Sandra Ferguson, director of justice ministries for the Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference. "We can act to stop the governor's proposal to bring legalized slot machines to the state or we can wring our hands and lament the ills that will inevitably follow. Act or lament – the choice is that simple," she said. In September, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, proposed legalizing slots as one measure to close the state's $1.7 billion shortfall.

Asian Episcopalians Plan Forum on Reconciliation

October 9, 2007 – An Asia-America Theological Exchange Forum, the first in the history of the Episcopal Church, is set for October 23-25 at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) in Berkeley, California. The theme of the forum asks the question "The Church as Agent of Reconciliation?" The event is co-sponsored by Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries; the Anglican Global Relations' Partnership in Asia; CDSP's Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL); the China Friendship Committee of the Diocese of California; and Province VIII's Asian Commission.

Environmental, Faith Groups Collaborate for Inspiration and Action

October 8, 2007 – Eleanor McKenzie DelBene, chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Task Force for the Stewardship of Creation, explaining the purpose of their Watersheds and Warming initiative, emphasizes: "We are focused on weaving broader networks for action. What this might look like will emerge out of those who are gathered." Participants in the one-day invitational conference October 11 will range from representatives of Alabama Power and the greater Birmingham public transportation system to nature photographers and grassroots conservationists, from university scientists and science educators to real estate developers.

General News

Emerging Church Seeks to Get Back to Church's Roots

October 11, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Young adults, seminarians and pastors with a heart for the Gospel are thinking and talking about new ways to "do church" by transforming churchgoing from the inside out. More than 50 people gathered in Nashville Oct. 4-6 for an "emergingumc" conference on getting back to the roots of church and its mission. The event was sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. The emerging church is a nondenominational grassroots movement that intertwines evangelism and social justice to make the church more relevant to today's culture and to make worship and Christian life authentic, experiential and connected.

Gay Seattle Clergywoman ‘Comes Out' During Worship

October 10, 2007, SEATTLE – An associate pastor says she disclosed her homosexuality during a recent Sunday morning worship service "to share with the congregation part of my faith journey and how I've experienced God's grace." The Rev. Kathleen Weber shared her story during the Sept. 30 service at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, where she has been on staff the past four years. She is a commissioned candidate for ministry in The United Methodist Church and is on track to be ordained next year. Members of Blaine Memorial, a 700-member Asian-American church in downtown Seattle, listened silently as Weber described how she came to realize she was homosexual.

Archbishop of Canterbury – Children ‘Not Expendable'

October 10, 2007 – In a video address to the Kids Company conference taking place today, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, outlined his support for Kids Company and the work that they do, saying that the greatest priviledge was being able to hear from the children directly: "what they think a real childhood is like, we all need to hear that, they know what they are missing, they know something of the privation that's at the heart of their lives. They know what they need and we need to hear it." The Archbishop also called on the government to invest in the vulnerable children in our society: "It's been said sometimes that you can gauge the termperature, the kind of moral climate of a society by looking at the way it treats its most vulnerable people..."

‘Holy Conferencing' Is ‘Means of Grace,' Bishop Says

October 9, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – Growing up in a Mennonite community, United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck learned about peacemaking at an early age. Now she and others would like to see an emphasis on peacemaking or "holy conferencing" implemented more widely across the denomination. Dyck, of Minneapolis, spoke about the need for holy conferencing during the Oct. 5-8 annual meeting of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. "While The United Methodist Church has not been a historic peace church, it's had the emphasis for many, many years," she told directors of the division.

Native American Urges Steps to Save Languages

October 11, 2007, ANADARKO, Okla. – Native American languages have been under "extreme and direct attack" for generations and many are in danger of extinction, said the director of a project working to save the Euchee language. Richard Grounds, project director of the Euchee (Yu-chee) Language Project in Sapulpa, Okla., works with the five remaining fluent Euchee speakers left in the United States. His daughter, Renee, a board member of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, has dedicated her life to helping him keep the language alive. Speaking in Euchee, Renee introduced her father to members of the commission at Ware Chapel United Methodist Church before his presentation on the project.

Commentary: Movie Offers Churches Lessons for Change

October 5, 2007 – All he wanted was to be a disappearing act. Instead, Jason Bourne is targeted by the very people who gave him his purpose and mission. He struggles to come to terms with the double loss of his memory and his only love. Defying bullets, car crashes and highly trained enemies, Bourne pursues a mission to rediscover his identity and redirect his destiny. The thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," with its global dimensions, invites congregations to reconnect with and re-imagine the Great Commission for the transformation of the world. This "three-quel" to "The Bourne Identity" and "The Bourne Supremacy" holds lessons for the church in three areas: memory, identity and activity. The loss of who he was and who he loved are not excuses for stagnation for Jason Bourne. His grief gives birth to motivation for engaging in the mission at hand.

International Ministries Premiers GOD @ WORK Missionary Video Series

October 11, 2007, VALLEY FORGE, PA – International Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA announced that a new series of videos on mission around the world is now available! GOD @ WORK , a series of short videos on a single missionary or missionary couple, is now available through the website of International Ministries. "We are pleased to be able to make these wonderful video presentations available for viewing and download by request to the public and especially to the many supporters of these servants around the world," said Dr. Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries.

New Leader Shares Vision for Racial Justice Agency

October 10, 2007, OKLAHOMA CITY – The commission charged with "building a beloved community" must become the heart of The United Methodist Church, said Erin Hawkins, the newly installed top executive of the church's racial justice agency. "As the heart of the church, we will serve the primary function of pumping life into and throughout the body of United Methodism," she said. "The life of this church is the people who represent all colors, nationalities and languages." Hawkins, 31, became the head of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race on Sept. 1. She was welcomed and installed as top executive during the Oct. 3-7 fall board meeting in Oklahoma City.

Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Works on Draft of Social Statement

October 12, 2007, CHICAGO – The Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality surveyed biblical, ethical and theological material that may be included in a draft of a social statement on human sexuality, and offered further instructions for its writing team when it met here Oct. 5-6. A proposed social statement on human sexuality is due in early 2009. The Rev. Peter Strommen, bishop, ELCA Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Duluth, and task force chair, said a primary objective of the meeting was for the task force "to continue work on the development of a first draft" of a social statement.

Native Episcopalians Reflect, Renew Ministries at Washington Gathering

October 11, 2007 – A group of twenty Native and non-Native American clergy and laity met for three days at the Cathedral College on the campus of Washington National Cathedral for the third annual Native Clergy and Lay Leadership Conference, October 8-10, 2007. Led by national missioner Janine Tinsley-Roe, the gathering was designed to spark conversation about the state of Native ministries in the Episcopal Church and potential new directions for the future, and help Native and non-Native clergy and laity working in Native contexts develop needed individual, spiritual and cultural strength for ministry.

Ecumenical News

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Letter from Muslim Leaders

October 12, 2007, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and president of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, responded today to an Oct. 11 letter sent to him and several global Christian leaders by 138 Muslim leaders from throughout the world. The 29-page open letter, "A Common Word Between You and Us," calls for Muslims and Christians to work more closely together for peace. "Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population," the Muslim leaders wrote. "Without peace and justice between these two religious communities there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians. The basis for this peace and understanding already exists."

Pope Calls for Prayers after Orthodox Walk-Out

October 7, 2007 – Pope Benedict has asked for prayers for participants in the Catholic-Orthodox international theological dialogue after the Russian Orthodox delegation walked out of the meeting. "I ask you to join me in praying that this important meeting will help the journey toward full communion between Catholics and Orthodox and that we could soon share the same chalice of the Lord," Pope Benedict said. Members of the dialogue commission are meeting from October 8-15 in Ravenna, Italy, to continue work begun a year ago on a document on the sacramental nature of the church and its consequences for the structure of the church and church decision-making, the Catholic News Service reported.

Spanish News

Iglesia Luterana Llama a Comprometerse Con La Pastoral Del VIH SIDA

8 octubre 2007, SANTIAGO, Chile – En una carta emitida a fines del mes de septiembre, el obispado y la presidencia de la Iglesia Luterana de Chile (ILCH), llama a sus comunidades, pastores y consejos sinodales, a involucrarse activamente en la pastoral del VIH SIDA, dentro y fuera de las comunidades eclesiales. Con frecuencia, dice la misiva, las preocupaciones de las Iglesias reflejan lo que ocurre en los lugares donde vivimos, "enclaves estabilizados y protegidos por barreras de distinto tipo, desde rejas y alarmas que cuidan a nuestros hogares y, hasta ideologías y creencias que nos protegen.

FAIE Afirma Que El Estado Debe Ejercer Un Rol Activo Para Políticas Sociales Superadoras De La Pobreza

11 octubre 2007, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Federación Argentina de Iglesias Evangélicas (FAIE) dio a conocer un comunicado donde expresa, como integrante de la sociedad argentina, su preocupación por el diseño e implementación de políticas sociales de mediano y largo alcance que permitan superar la inequitativa distribución de la riqueza en el país, más allá de los avances que se hayan podido lograr en los últimos años.

Las Iglesias Luteranas Se Unen En El Compromiso De Una Pastoral Del VIH SIDA

8 octubre 2007, SANTIAGO, Chile – En una carta emitida a fines del mes de septiembre, el obispado de la Iglesia Luterana en Chile (ILCH) y la presidencia de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Chile (IELCH), llaman conjuntamente a sus comunidades, pastores y consejos sinodales, a involucrarse activamente en la pastoral del VIH SIDA, dentro y fuera de las comunidades eclesiales. Con frecuencia, dice la misiva, las preocupaciones de las Iglesias reflejan lo que ocurre en los lugares donde vivimos, "enclaves estabilizados y protegidos por barreras de distinto tipo, desde rejas y alarmas que cuidan a nuestros hogares y, hasta ideologías y creencias que nos protegen.

Comunicadores Católicos Debatirán Ciudadanía Y Solidaridad

9 octubre 2007, QUITO, Ecuador – Cerca de 800 comunicadores, docentes, investigadores y estudiantes estarán reunidos, del 14 al 19 de octubre, en la ciudad ecuatoriana de Loja, para un encuentro que pretende establecer estrategias de comunicación dirigidas a participación ciudadana y al fortalecimiento de las democracias latinoamericanas. El III Congreso Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Comunicación (COMLAC) presenta números y objetivos expresivos: serán más de 50 actividades académicas, entre conferencias, paneles, oficinas y salas de reuniones que formarán un espacio para el análisis y el debate sobre la urgencia de priorizar la ética en los procesos de comunicación.

Fuertes Aguaceros Provocaron Desbordamiento E Inundaciones En El Oriente De Cuba

12 octubre 2007, LA HABANA, Cuba – Los continuos aguaceros que han acumulado más de 300 milímetros en diferentes localidades de las provincias orientales provocaron inundaciones, desbordamientos de ríos e incomunicación entre los poblados, obligando al traslado de varios miles de personas que habitaban en lugares bajos o colindantes con ríos y represas, hacia albergues instalados en escuelas y casas de familiares y amigos. La provincia de Granma quedo ayer incomunicada por carretera con la segundo ciudad del país, Santiago de Cuba, debido al constante vertimiento de la presa "La Yaya," la mayor del territorio.

Senadora Evangélica Propone "Emancipación Judicial" Para Protección De Infantes

9 octubre 2007, BOGOTÁ, Colombia –"La emancipación judicial de una niña o niña la puede decretar el juez, lo cual da lugar a mecanismos adicionales de protección para los infantes, dando lugar a que los padres pierdan la patria potestad cuando medien causales predeterminadas en la ley," aseguró la pastora Claudia Rodríguez de Castellanos, actual senadora de la República.

La Archidiócesis De Los Ángeles Deja En La Calle a Religiosas
Para Pagar Indemnizaciones De Los Pederastas

11 octubre 2007, CALIFORNIA – La Archidiócesis del sur de California ha decidido vender unos 50 edificios no parroquiales, entre los que se encuentran al menos cuatro conventos. ¿Protestas? No, sólo tres monjas de Santa Bárbara se han atrevido a hablar. El resto de las devotas religiosas se siente obligado a callar y sufrir en silencio, de acuerdo al voto de obediencia que profesan, pero en privado se muestran dolidas por la afrenta de que las echen a la calle para pagar los pecados de los curas pederastas.

Salvaje Asesinato De Un Miembro De La Sociedad Bíblica En La Franja De Gaza

8 octubre 2007, MADRID, España – La Sociedad Bíblica en España, a través de su responsable de Comunicación y desarrollo, Lola Calvo, acaba de hacer pública una nota de prensa en la que confirma el asesinato de Rami Ayyad, personal de la Sociedad Bíblica Palestina en Gaza, quien había sido secuestrado el sábado 6 de octubre. «El domingo por la mañana se confirmaba la terrible noticia de que Rami había sido asesinado por sus captores» – señala la nota, en la que se añade que «Aún no se ha confirmado la identidad del grupo pero sí que lo mataron por ser cristiano».

Opinión – 498 Mártires

Octubre 12, 2007, ESPAÑA – El próximo día 28, con toda solemnidad en la plaza de San Pedro de Roma, serán beatificadas por el papa 498 personas que murieron asesinadas en la Guerra Civil española de 1936 a 1939. Nunca, en la larga historia de la Iglesia, habían recibido los honores de la beatificación tantos cristianos a la vez. Se trata, pues, de un hecho enteramente singular que debería ser motivo de gozo para toda la Iglesia, especialmente la española.

Opinión – Pasado, Presente Y Futuro Del Che Guevara. A 40 Años De Su Muerte

11 octubre 2007, MÉXICO – El Che, icono omnipresente A 40 años de la desaparición de Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, el médico y combatiente argentino que creyó ciegamente en la posibilidad de hacer la revolución y cambiar las estructuras sociales en los ambientes más impensables, nadie discute la forma en que se ha convertido en uno de los íconos más manipulados de la década de los 60.

La Emigración Deja Huérfanos a Niños Y Adolescentes Que Crecen Sin Contención

7 octubre 2007, BUCAREST, Rumania – Ya son 12 los niños que se suicidaron este año porque se sentían abandonados por sus padres, que estaban trabajando en el extranjero. En Rumania hay regiones donde uno de cada cuatro adolescentes crece sin padres. Rumania se conmocionó la semana pasada por el suicidio de un niño de 12 años, quien se ahorcó porque su madre una vez más iba a trabajar a Italia.

Representantes Indígenas Se Reúnen Para Conocer Propuesta De Reforma Constitucional

8 octubre 2007, CARACAS, Venezuela – A través de un ritual indígena, ofrecido en privado en los jardines del Palacio Federal Legislativo, representantes de comunidades indígenas apoyaron el proyecto de Reforma Constitucional de Chávez, mientras van conociendo los detalles de la propuesta.

National News

Global Ministries Board Dismisses Chief Executive

October 10, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – Directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have abruptly dismissed the mission agency's chief executive. The decision not to re-nominate the Rev. R. Randy Day came Oct. 9 upon recommendation from the board's personnel committee during the board's annual meeting in Stamford. The dismissal was effective that day. Directors then approved the appointment of an interim chief executive, and retired United Methodist Bishop Felton May immediately filled that role.

Kiowa United Methodists Share Culture with Commission

October 11, 2007, OKLAHOMA CITY – Caroline Botone Willis interrupted a luncheon of Indian fry bread tacos at Wares Chapel United Methodist Church to teach the hungry group a Native American word. "We are going to do it in four parts, just like I teach my classes," she said. "Repeat after me: Ok-la-hom-a." Laughing sheepishly, board members of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race repeated after Willis. Smiling, she said, "That's just what happens when I teach that in my class." The Choctaw word means "people red."

Churches Uniting in Christ Recommits to Goal of Racial Justice

October 10, 2007 – At a special three-day gathering of the Coordinating Council of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC), representatives of 10 communions committed themselves to "keep racial justice at the top of its agenda" as together they seek to build "God's Beloved Community." Some twenty-five members of CUIC's Coordinating Council and members of its Racial Justice Task Force met at the Conference Center of the Maritime Institute in the Baltimore – Washington corridor October 4-6, 2007.

International News

ILC Accepts Four New Member Churches

October 11, 2007, ACCRA, Ghana – The International Lutheran Council (ILC) accepted four new member church bodies – the most at any one time – during its 22nd international conference here Sept. 24-30. The ILC is an association of 34 confessional Lutheran church bodies from six continents that promote proclamation of the Gospel in accordance with the inspired and infallible Scripture, as confessed in the Lutheran Confessions. The new member church bodies are The American Association of Lutheran Churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya, the Evangelical Lutheran Church – Peru, and the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church.

African Bishops Focus on Poverty at Historic Meeting

October 5, 2007, MUTARE, Zimbabwe – United Methodist bishops in Africa ended their first continental meeting with a renewed resolve to work together strategically to fight poverty in Africa. The three-day African Bishops Roundtable brought together 12 active and retired bishops to the campus of Africa University in Mutare. The bishops, representing congregations from west, east, central and southern Africa, developed strategies against poverty and committed to make United Methodist-related Africa University a partner in their efforts. The Sept. 10-13 roundtable was the first gathering of its kind for the denomination's African bishops, who lead 3.2 million United Methodists and 1 million preparatory church members.

Communique from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network

October 9, 2007 – The international Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN), has issued a communiqué from its recently concluded triennial meeting in Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi Participants included representatives from 17 provinces (list below) of the Anglican Communion. The meeting focused on conflict transformation and exploring the role of violence in societies throughout the world. Bishop Pie Ntukamazina of the Diocese of Bujumbura, a leader of its steering committee, hosted the APJN on behalf of the Anglican Provinces of Rwanda and Burundi. The meeting began with a welcome address in Kigali by Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, primate of the Anglican Church in Rwanda.

Sri Lankan Methodists Find Hope Despite War, Tsunami

October 12, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – The escalation of the war in Sri Lanka has made life very difficult, according to the president of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka. "Our own congregations are now being displaced from their areas," the Rev. W.P. Ebenezer Joseph, who is based in the capital city Colombo, told United Methodist News Service. Because of the conflict, which has intensified since a ceasefire collapsed in 2006, at least eight Methodist congregations have been forced to move, along with the rest of their villages.

UMCOR Approves $4 Million Tsunami Project in Indonesia

October 12, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – A $4 million project for continued tsunami recovery work in Indonesia has been approved by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. That and other actions came as UMCOR directors met during the Oct. 8-11 annual meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, its parent agency. The "Reconstruction and Development for Aceh and Nias Project" is scheduled to begin in October and continue through March 31, 2010, in the Bireuen, Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar districts, Aceh Province and the South Nias district.

Trade Week of Action Galvanizes Churches

October 11, 2007 – Calling for alternatives to enforced free trade, churches and church-related organizations world-wide, along with other religious groups and community partners, are gearing up for the Trade Week of Action, 14-21 October. Planned events range from hunger strikes and pickets to worship and high-profile seminars. Organizers are highlighting current trade practices that are inflicting misery on millions of poor people and advocating for changes in national and international arenas. Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), in supporting the week of action stated, "Trade which does not eradicate poverty, enhance equality and care for the environment is not worth promoting.

WARC Executive Committee: Trinidad and Tobago, 18-28 October 2007
Unity of the Church Against Today's Slavery Is WARC Executive Committee's Focus

October 12, 2007 – Reformed church leaders from around the world will gather in Trinidad and Tobago, 18 to 28 October to consider several critical issues concerning the unity of the church. The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) Executive Committee meets under the theme "Called to be a communion: from Elmina to Port of Spain," to continue a poignant journey begun at the slave dungeons of Africa in 2004. The 39-member body will be holding its second meeting since the 24th General Council in Ghana, where delegates came face-to-face with the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade at Elmina, a port from which slaves were shipped overseas.

Episcopal Relief and Development Awarded $1.5 Million Grant for Malaria Program

October 11, 2007 – Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is the receipient of a five-year $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Malaria Communities Program (MCP). ERD will work in partnership with the Anglican Church of Angola to implement a malaria prevention program in Angola. The program will reach 90,896 people; including 18,179 children under five years old, 11,388 pregnant women, and 3,454 people infected with HIV/AIDS.

People in the News

Donald McCoid to Head ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

October 10, 2007 CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced Oct. 6 that the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, former bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, will lead the church's Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations section for four years, effective Nov. 1. McCoid, 63, completed his service Aug. 31 as a synod bishop, a role in which he served since 1988. He had previously announced he would not be available for re-election as bishop. McCoid will succeed the Rev. Randall R. Lee, who will conclude his service as section executive on Oct. 31.