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Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Publisher & Editor
Rev. Pedro Bravo-Guzman, Editor-in-Chief
An Ecumenical Report of Local and Global News
in God's Household
Published by the Queens Federation of Churches
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Iran Arrests National Bahá'í Leaders May 15, 2008, WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy has learned that officers of Iran's Intelligence Ministry yesterday arrested six of the seven members of the country's national Bahá'í leadership, the worst assault on Iran's Bahá'ís in almost 30 years. The seventh leader has been in detention since March 5. According to information received from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, the arrests came during morning raids on May 14. American Baptist Church to Address Growing Gun Violence in Urban Neighborhoods May 13, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Millcreek Baptist Church, part of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, is planning the Stop the Violence Conference that includes an opportunity for community members to turn in guns for gift cards. They are joined by various civic and community organizations including the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia Safety Net. "This event is one response to an environment replicated in far too many urban areas across our country, where American Baptist congregants reside," said Rev. Valentine Royal-Thomas, executive director of American Baptist Women In Ministry. Churches Help Families Left Behind after Raids May 15, 2008, CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Textbook open, Mariela studies environmental science while her three younger sisters watch TV before bed. In a few minutes, she will help them brush their teeth and say their bedtime prayers. But the 18-year-old is not babysitting. Mariela is the primary caregiver for her sisters ages 2, 4 and 7 now that their mother is gone – arrested in an immigration raid at her workplace. "She was not supposed to be at work on that morning," Mariela says. Local Organizations Making the Difference; Delivering Food, Water, Shelter in Myanmar May 13, 2008, BANGKOK – Ten days after cyclone Nargis devastated parts of Myanmar (Burma), as tens of thousands of people still wait for assistance, global humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS) reports that its support is reaching survivors in need. Meanwhile CWS continues to expand its fundraising to support relief in the country. CWS first provided humanitarian assistance in Burma in 1959 and has long-term partnerships in the country. Faith Groups Work Toward Myanmar Relief May 13, 2008 NEW YORK – As aid trickles in to cyclone survivors in Myanmar, United Methodists and other faith-based groups are cooperating on relief efforts. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with partners in the Action by Churches Together network, including Church World Service. Local partners have distributed water purification tablets, food and materials for shelter reconstruction, according to the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive. About 1.5 million people are thought to be at risk following the May 3 cyclone in the Southeast Asian nation, formerly known as Burma. The Myanmar government now puts the official death toll at 34,273, but the United Nations believes that 62,000 to 100,000 may have died. May 15, 2008 – A common prayer and message for peace in Palestine and Israel is ready for use in about 100 countries. Churches in 17 countries, plus two international ecumenical organizations, are planning various education and advocacy activities. These and more are part of a global week of action led by the World Council of Churches (WCC), 4-10 June 2008. This year marks 60 years since the partition of Palestine and 41 years of occupation. After 60 years of peace denied in the Middle East, churches on five continents are demonstrating their concern together,' said WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in announcing the week. Delegates Call for World Peace, End to War in Iraq May 15, 2008, FORT WORTH, Texas – The Iraq war, world peace and prayers for members of the armed forces and veterans were on the hearts and minds of delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference. The denomination's lawmaking body approved petitions calling for an immediate end to the war in Iraq, a ban on cluster bombs, the prevention of "space weaponization" and study of the "degrading effects that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide have on the victims, the perpetrators and on those who silently stand by." The statement on space weaponization calls for the rejection of any nation's efforts to "weaponize" space and urges all nations to pursue the "peaceful and collaborative development of space technologies and of outer space itself." CRWRC Receives Grant Award During Americorps Week, May 11-17 May 13, 2008 GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – This week, AmeriCorps Week 2008, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.org) received approval of a nearly $1 million grant from AmeriCorps. The $960,000 three-year award, a 27 percent increase over a previous award, will fund 19 full-time and 14 half-time AmeriCorps member positions based in ten states – from California to New Jersey – from October, 2008 to September, 2011. The new grant will expand and CRWRC's strengthen community-building projects among marginal and impoverished neighborhoods across the United States. Pastor Preaches Recovery from Alcoholism, Addictions May 16, 2008, ST. PAUL, Minn. – Adjusting his microphone, the Rev. Jo Campe greets about 250 worshipers at Central Park United Methodist Recovery Church. "I'm an alcoholic. My name is Jo," Campe says to open Sunday morning worship. Campe can relate to many of the people sitting in the pews today. He's walked the same path. Archbishop of Canterbury's Pentecost Letter to the Bishops of the Anglican Communion May 13, 2008 – The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent an open letter to the bishops of the Anglican Communion, in advance of the Lambeth Conference. Assembly Sets Guidelines on Clergy Effectiveness May 16, 2008, FORT WORTH, Texas – Delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference approved a petition dealing with clergy effectiveness and annual appointment, and also outlined conditions under which a pastor's appointment may be terminated. The petition was one of many measures approved April 30 on the General Conference's consent calendar. The denomination's top lawmaking body, which meets every four years, gathered April 23-May 2 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Church Volunteer Teaches Sign Language to Babies May 14, 2008, WHITESBORO, N.Y. – When Nancy Jayne happened across a book at the local library, she had no idea it would lead to a new way of understanding her grandson. The book was about teaching sign language to babies. "It just opened a world of communication between the two of us, and we have a great time signing," Jayne says. May 12, 2008 – Archbishop of Uganda Henry Orombi's actions to visit a Savannah congregation on May 14 without the invitation of Episcopal Bishop of Georgia Henry Louttit "violate the spirit and letter of the work of the Windsor Report, and only lead to heightened tensions," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori wrote in a May 12 letter to Orombi. "We are more than willing to receive you for conversation, dialogue, and reconciliation, yet you continue to act without speaking with us," Jefferts Schori wrote in her letter sent by email. Uganda Archbishop Responds to Presiding Bishop's Objection to His ‘Incursion' into Georgia May 15, 2008 – Archbishop of Uganda Henry Orombi has responded to a May 12 letter to him from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, saying that he is visiting a congregation in Savannah, Georgia, because it is now "part of the Church of Uganda." Jefferts Schori criticized Orombi's planned May 14 visit to the historic Christ Church because he had not sought the invitation of Episcopal Bishop of Georgia Henry Louttit. These actions, she said in her letter, "violate the spirit and letter of the work of the Windsor Report, and only lead to heightened tensions." Lambeth Conference Will Focus on Equipping Bishops for Mission May 16, 2008 – When the bishops of the Anglican Communion convene in Canterbury this summer for the 2008 Lambeth Conference, they will find a gathering differing in many ways from its predecessors and one that is intended to strengthen their sense of a shared Anglican identity and help to equip them for their roles as leaders in mission. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has invited more than 800 bishops to attend the July 16-August 3 conference on the campus of the University of Kent in southeast England. The Anglican Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council – Communique May 15, 2008 – The Anglican – Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council (AOCICC) met in Schloss Beuggen, Germany, from 14 to 18 April 2008. The Council welcomed the new Old Catholic Co-chair, the Rt Revd Joachim Vobbe (who also served as the Co-chair from 1998 to 2003), and the new Old Catholic member, the Revd Henriette Crüwell, both appointed by the Old Catholic International Bishops' Conference (IBC). The Council awaits the appointment of a representative of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. Denuncian a Una Publicación Para Hombres Por Promover La Violencia De Género 15 mayo 2008, CÓRDOBA, Argentina – El Movimiento de Mujeres de Córdoba hizo pública una denuncia presentada esta semana ante el Instituto Nacional Antidiscriminación (INADI) contra la Editorial Perfil y su revista On-line Hombre. La publicación poen en linea una encuesta con el título "Madura el K.O.?," donde preguntan sobre en que forma cada hombre golpea a su mujer, que métodos usa, que días, que marcas le quedan, cada cuanto tiempo lo hace, y más. La Creciente Comunidad Cristiana De Nepal Necesita Educación Teológica Fortalecida 13 mayo 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – Informes de primera mano acerca del extraordinario avance del cristianismo en Nepal y la necesidad cada vez mayor de mejoras en la educación teológica y participación en el movimiento ecuménico formaron parte de una consulta reciente sobre el futuro de la educación teológica en Asia Meridional. La consulta tuvo lugar del 28 de abril al 1 de mayo en Katmandú, Nepal, organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), la Conferencia Cristiana de Asia (CCA) y el Consejo Nacional de Iglesias deNepal (NCCN, por sus siglas en inglés). La Creciente Comunidad Cristiana De Nepal Necesita Educación Teológica Fortalecida 13 mayo 2008 – Informes de primera mano acerca del extraordinario avance del cristianismo en Nepal y la necesidad cada vez mayor de mejoras en la educación teológica y participación en el movimiento ecuménico formaron parte de una consulta reciente sobre el futuro de la educación teológica en Asia Meridional. La consulta tuvo lugar del 28 de abril al 1 de mayo en Katmandú, Nepal, organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), la Conferencia Cristiana de Asia (CCA) y el Consejo Nacional de Iglesias de Nepal (NCCN, por sus siglas en inglés). Campaña Nacional Contra La Homofobia Busca Educar Para La No Discriminación 12 mayo 2008, LA HABANA, Cuba – A propósito del 17 de mayo, "Día Mundial Contra la Homofobia," que en Cuba no se celebra oficialmente, se realizará por primera vez una Campaña Nacional Contra la Homofobia, del 10 al 17 de mayo, propiciada por el Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX), con el apoyo de diferentes instancias gubernamentales, políticas, culturales y educativas cubanas. Las Iglesias Responden Al Conflicto En Medio Oriente Con Una Semana De Acciones De Paz 15 mayo 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – Se han preparado una oración común y un mensaje en favor de la paz en Palestina e Israel para su utilización en unos 100 países. Iglesias de 17 países, más dos organizaciones ecuménicas internacionales, proyectan celebrar varias actividades de formación y sensibilización. Tales actividades y otras más forman parte de la semana mundial de acción organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias del 4 al 10 de junio de 2008. Este año se cumplen 60 años de la repartición de Palestina y 41 años de la ocupación. 15 mayo 2008 – Se han preparado una oración común y un mensaje en favor de la paz en Palestina e Israel para su utilización en unos 100 países. Iglesias de 17 países, más dos organizaciones ecuménicas internacionales, proyectan celebrar varias actividades de formación y sensibilización. Tales actividades y otras más forman parte de la semana mundial de acción organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias del 4 al 10 de junio de 2008. Este año se cumplen 60 años de la repartición de Palestina y 41 años de la ocupación. Virginia Diocese Gains Support from Other Religious Organizations in Property Lawsuit May 15, 2008 – Eight more religious denominations and judicatories, as well as the two other Episcopal dioceses in the state of Virginia, have asked the Fairfax County Court to let them join a friend-of-the-court brief recently filed by the United Methodist Church and several others that supports the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church in contending that the state's "division statute" is unconstitutional. Lutherans Evaluate Damage from Another Series of Storms in the South May 13, 2008, CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is evaluating damage left behind by another round of severe storms and tornadoes May 10-11 that swept through Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma. LDR reported that 22 people died and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed in the most recent storms. "The late winter and spring have been a busy period for emergency managers and disaster response groups, and the headlines of destruction and injuries from strong storms have become far too frequent. Lutherans Responding to People Affected by Iowa Immigration Raid May 15, 2008, CHICAGO – Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa, are responding to the needs of people who have been affected by a May 12 federal immigration raid at a Postville meat processing plant. Hundreds of family members of those arrested have taken refuge inside St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville, said the Rev. Stephen P. Brackett, St. Paul Lutheran Church. On May 12 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 390 people, and are seeking an additional 300 people who were not at the kosher meatpacking plant, Agriprocessors Inc. May 15, 2008 – Integrity, an organization of Episcopalians committed to full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] persons, heralded a May 15 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-gender marriage as "a giant step closer to ‘liberty and justice for all.'" "The California Supreme Court today ruled in favor of marriage and against bigotry," said the Rev. Susan Russell, Integrity president and an assisting priest at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. "Integrity is proud to have signed the interfaith amicus brief that helped influence this decision which we celebrate as a giant step closer to "liberty and justice for all." May 16, 2008 – The California State Supreme Court May 15 decision to legalize same gender marriages continued to spark mixed reaction a day after announcement of the landmark decision. Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles called the decision an important one "because it reflects our baptismal vow to ‘strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being' and our commitment to justice and mercy for all people. "The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has been a leader in working for the rights of all people in the State of California, and that work is honored in today's ruling. The canons of our church, under "Rights of the Laity" (Canon 1:17.5), forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities or age. We affirm equal rights for all. United Church of Christ Leaders Affirm California Ruling on Marriage May 15, 2008 In 2005, 1.2-million-member UCC became first, largest mainline denomination to support same-gender marriage equality Cleveland, OH- United Church of Christ leaders are affirming today's decision by the California Supreme Court to overturn the state's same-gender marriage ban. The Rev. John H. Thomas, the United Church of Christ's general minister and president, based in Cleveland, said he is pleased by the court's decision. May 15, 2008 BERKELEY, CA – Pacific School of Religion (PSR) applauds today's ruling by the California Supreme Court that affirms the full equality of same-sex couples under the California state constitution. PSR encourages all faith communities to follow the court's lead in affirming the civil rights of all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. United Methodists Respond to China Earthquake May 15, 2008 – United Methodists are working with a longtime partner in China to provide immediate relief to those affected by the massive earthquake in Sichuan Province. On May 15, China's state-run media announced that the death toll from the May 12 earthquake, which registered 7.9 on the Richter scale, could reach as high as 50,000. The earthquake's epicenter was in Wenchuan county, about 60 miles from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Both the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and Church World Service are responding to the earthquake through the Amity Foundation. CWS Appeals for Help for China Earthquake Survivors May 13, 2008, BANGKOK – Humanitarian agency Church World Service has issued an appeal in the amount of $200,000 to provide aid to survivors of the earthquake in southwest China that has killed nearly 12,000 people. With its Asia Pacific Region team already in Bangkok coordinating response to the Myanmar cyclone, the China earthquake is the second major disaster the agency is responding to in less than two weeks. In the China earthquake's aftermath, officials with the Amity Foundation, a long-time Church World Service partner in China, report that many buildings, including government facilities, have collapsed or are severely damaged, and that the demand on local emergency responders is great. Pay up at the Tap: Pre-Paid Water Meters Put the Poor at Risk May 15, 2008 – In Lesotho, South Africa and many other African countries, devices that restrict consumers to only use water that they have paid for in advance are being promoted as a way to fund better water infrastructure. A problematic approach, church water experts warn, as it endangers the poorest of the poor's access to this indispensable necessity of life. Pre-paid water meters work very much like pre-paid cell phones: People buy a card with a credit corresponding to a certain amount of water. May 15, 2008 – The Episcopal chaplain aboard one of four U.S. Navy ships waiting off the coast of Myanmar to deliver aid to the cyclone-ravaged country says "it is so gut wrenching seeing a government turn down help at the expense of people who have so little anyway." "I have been praying that our powerful ships be instruments of that faithful promise of God that we proclaim in the presence of death and in such desolate moments. The Church in Egypt Working for Change May 12, 2008 – The predominance of Islam in North Africa in no way hinders the Church from fulfilling its significant role of transforming lives – both spiritually and socially. The Christian faith is very much alive! The active participation of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the social welfare of the people will make you envy the Church. Operating under the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS), the Church is doing wonders in transforming the lives of many in Egypt. GAFCON Announces More than 1,000 to Join Jerusalem Pilgrimage May 16, 2008 – The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), largely viewed as a rival to the 2008 Lambeth Conference, has announced that more than 1,000 conservative Church leaders from 17 Anglican provinces have registered for the Jerusalem pilgrimage. While GAFCON reports that participants at the June 22-29 pilgrimage include 280 bishops, "final attendance figures will depend on smooth processing of requested visas, and other factors," a recent news release said. |
