Front Page

Praying Together for Christian Unity Throughout a Century of Changes

January 14, 2008 – Although prayer is certainly at the heart of Christian life, praying togetheris not an easy exercise for churches within worldwide Christendom. Even today, commonprayersare exceptional events rather than part of the daily life of the churches. But at least once a year it has become "normal" for many churches and congregations to pray together during the annual celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In 2008, the 100th anniversary of this most meaningful ecumenical initiative is being celebrated around the globe.

Pittsburgh Bishop Has Abandoned Communion of Episcopal Church,
Title IV Review Committee Says

January 15, 2008 – The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy. Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts. "On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote.

American Baptists Celebrate Life and Legacy of King

January 18, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) invited ABC staff, local churches, area businesses and local government representatives to remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a noon service in the ABC Mission Center at Valley Forge, Pa., Jan. 18. Rev. Charles Quann, keynote speaker and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Penllyn and Spring House, Pa., challenged attendees to not just observe the holiday, but to remember the mission of the man. "Too many churches today follow the path of ‘prosperity preaching' instead of Dr. King's message of social justice," he said. "The key question to ask ourselves is, are we making a difference with our lives?"

General News

Clergywomen of Color Build Unity to Build Influence

January 14, 2008, LOS ANGELES – Sharing stories of serving God amid the vestiges of racism and gender bias in The United Methodist Church, clergywomen of color convened for the first time in 25 years to worship, network and organize to build their influence within the denomination. "This day, we finally acknowledge that there will be no systemic changes unless we are united as women of color," said the Rev. HiRho Y. Park, a leader with the Board of Higher Education and Ministry, to open the United Methodist Racial-Ethnic Clergywomen's Consultation.

Chaplain Asks Churches to Send Care Packages to Soldiers

January 16, 2008, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The small care package on display in the Christian Reformed Church's Grand Rapids office contains snacks, breakfast foods, toiletries, a book of Bible-based reflections and a prayer card. Geared to satisfy personal as well as spiritual needs, the package is an example of ways that churches can reach out to soldiers who are serving overseas in Afghanistan or Iraq, says.

Strong Calling Undergirds Ethnic Clergywomen

January 14, 2008 – The Rev. Cynthia Belt was in her 30s with an established career and three children before a family tragedy convinced her that her life-long calling into the ordained ministry was an authentic calling from God. "My nephew was shot (and killed) two days before his 16th birthday in a drug-related incident and, in the process of moving my family through that, I really began to heed God's call on my life," recalls Belt, now 52 and pastor of Centennial Caroline Street United Methodist Church in Baltimore.

103 Congregations Pledge to Plant Churches

January 15, 2008 – LCMS World Mission executive Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab is starting the new year happy and hopeful. Happy because 103 Missouri Synod congregations have completed orientation to become Ablaze! "Covenant Congregations," pledging to start up to four "daughter" churches each over the next decade. His goal for the end of 2007 was to have 100 congregations on board, taking seriously Christ's Great Commission to preach and baptize beyond their walls. "We have surpassed our expectations, which is an indication that this is the right thing to do at this time in our church body," said Mengsteab, national director for new mission fields development.

Ecumenical News

Churches Uniting in Christ Seeks Reconciliation

January 18, 2008 – Members of Churches Uniting in Christ are seeking to bring two of its historically black partner denominations back to the table. The absence of representatives from the African Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church during the organization's Jan. 11-14 plenary in St. Louis overshadowed the ecumenical event, according to United Methodist representatives. The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which is also historically black, was present at the meeting. United Methodist Bishop Albert "Fritz" Mutti, chairperson of the event's planning committee, said the suspension of participation by the two denominations "dominated our discussion."

Spanish News

Un Siglo De Oración Por La Unidad De Los Cristianos

14 enero 2008 – Aunque la oración se halla sin duda en el centro de la vida cristiana, el orar juntos no es siempre algo fácil para las iglesias que forman el cristianismo mundial. Incluso hoy en día, las oraciones en común son más bien actos excepcionales, y no una parte de la vida diaria de las iglesias. Pero, al menos una vez al año, ha llegado a ser algo "normal" para muchas iglesias y congregaciones el orar juntas durante la celebración anual de la Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos.

Ciencia, Teología Y Barro En La Cancha

18 enero 2008 – BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La que sigue es una reacción a la nota de Alberto Roldán publicada por ALC. Lo sustancial de la exposición de Alberto Roldán se encuentra en lo que sigue y que cito en forma textual. Dice Alberto: El domingo último leo en el diario Perfil: "Tras ser acusados de hacer teología, los científicos sociales se defienden." El artículo se refiere a un debate que se generó entre el ministro de ciencia de la Argentina y científicos sociales.

Las Iglesias Son Más Creíbles Que Los Poderes Del Estado

18 enero 2008, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Las iglesias, tanto católica como evangélicas, en la última encuesta de la firma MR, realizada el fin de año 2007, lograron mayor confianza dentro de la opinión publica con un 62.4 por ciento de preferencia la primera y la segunda con un 51 por ciento, muy por encima de los poderes del estado que resultaron aplazados por la población por considerar que su función publica no va encaminada al bien común.

Metodistas Tras Los Pasos Pastorales De Juan Wesley

14 enero 2008, MÉXICO – El pasado viernes 11 de enero finalizó la primera semana de los talleres de enero que imparte el Seminario Metodista Dr. Gonzalo Báez Camargo. Uno de los talleres tuvo como eje, el cuidado pastoral de Juan Wesley. La reverenda puertorriqueña Carmen Gaud de la Iglesia Metodista Unida de Estados Unidos, editora internacional de la publicación "Aposento Alto," tuvo a su cargo el desarrollo de la pastoral "al estilo wesleyano."

Papa Cancela Visita a Universidad Romana Ante Protesta Estudiantil

15 enero 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – La protesta de estudiantes y profesores llevó al papa Benedicto XVI a cancelar una intervención en la universidad La Sapienza, informaron hoy distintos medios de prensa. El Papa había previsto asistir este jueves 17 a la inauguración del nuevo curso académico en la mayor universidad italiana. Este lunes, 67 profesores de La Sapienza hicieron pública una carta pidiendo la cancelación de la visita del líder espiritual de los católicos, al que califican de "oscurantista."

Iglesias Históricas Celebran 16 Años De Los Acuerdos De Paz

18 enero 2008, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Con cantos, maracas, guitarras y tambores, las Iglesias históricas de El Salvador, celebraron ayer los 16 años de la firma de los Acuerdos de Paz. Una paz, fuertemente cuestionada, olvidada y arrebatada por la violencia, la muerte y la criminalidad. Pero de todos modos una fecha que marcó una nueva era en El Salvador. Este es un país que a diario ve morir a hombres y mujeres; migrar, llorar, rezar. Pese a este escenario la obligación era pararse frente a Cristo de la Paz, un Monumento al sur de San Salvador, creado para dignificar la paz.

National News

Fire Destroys Historic Church in Virginia

January 18, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Zion Baptist Church of Portsmith, Va., affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS), burnt to the ground Dec. 20. The fire destroyed three other buildings adjacent to the church including the church's Vision Center where Zion members served breakfast to homeless people three days a week. Built in the late 1800's, the church was originally established by emancipated slaves in 1865 and was the first property owned by African Americans in the city.

International News

Africa Mission Leader Optimistic about Kenya

January 16, 2008 – Pastor Mwaya Wa Kitavi, a Christian Reformed World Missions leader for Africa, is optimistic that his homeland of Kenya will weather its current political crisis without plunging further into turmoil and violence. Coming days will be critical to the political future of the country that erupted in protests, arsons and killing earlier this month after incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election.