Front Page

Church Leaders Release Statement on Climate Change

June 12, 2008 – Today, it is widely agreed by the scientific community that climate change is a reality. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that human activities are altering our climate system and will continue to do so, and climate change will increase frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms as we are already experiencing. The effects of a surge in hurricanes, floods, higher temperatures and water shortages are expected to fall disproportionately on the poor because they are less able to adapt.

Pray for Zimbabwe, WCC Invites Churches Worldwide

June 17, 2008 – Churches worldwide are being invited to celebrate a day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday, 22 June, as the beginning of a season of prayer for the people and government of the African country, which is facing a critical time. The day of prayer for Zimbabwe, which is an initiative of Christians in the country, will take place shortly before the runoff election for the presidency scheduled for Friday, 27 June. "It is impossible to overstate the importance of this election, its fairness, its outcome and its aftermath," affirms the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a letter to the WCC member churches.

Gospels to Be Specially Printed for the Olympics 2008 in Beijing

June 20, 2008, BEIJING, China – Bibles and Scripture booklets will be available to athletes in the Olympic village in Beijing and five other cities hosting events this summer, despite rumours that Bibles would be banned at the games. In a major breakthrough, Chinese authorities have given the go-ahead for the printing and distribution of 50,000 booklets with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in Chinese and English, 10,000 Chinese-English Bibles and 30,000 Chinese-English New Testaments. The Beijing Olympic organising committee has even, for the first time, allowed its logo to be used free of charge on the Gospel portions.

Presbyterian General Assembly on Israel-Palestine:
Investment-Monitoring Panel Recommends Continued Engagement;
Some Presbyteries Propose Stronger Action

June 21, 2008, LOUISVILLE — Sixty years after the partition of Palestine to create the modern state of Israel, peace in the Middle East remains elusive, as does consensus on how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can contribute to just peace between Palestinians and Israelis. The Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) — which coordinates the PC(USA)’s engagement with companies doing business in Israel-Palestine — is recommending continuation of a policy approved by the 2006 Assembly “that financial investments of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank be invested only in peaceful pursuits.”

Young Adults Address Slavery, Human Trafficking

June 20, 2008, WASHINGTON – Early on a typical summer morning, migrant farm workers are awakened by the grinding sound of a truck door sliding open. Loaded into pickup trucks and driven to lush, green tomato fields, the workers toil from dawn to dusk in temperatures soaring into the 90s, filling and emptying 32-pound buckets of tomatoes. If they pick two tons, they will make $50.

Iraqi Bishop: Americans Need to Know There Is a Christian Presence in Iraq

June 17, 2008, NEW YORK – A prominent Christian leader in Iraq has lamented that few Americans are aware of the Christian presence in Iraq. "It is important for the Christian world to take this factor into account," said Archbishop Avak Asadourian, Ph.D., Primate of the Armenian Church of Iraq, during a June 12 meeting with ecumenical leaders here in The Interchurch Center. The meeting was hosted by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, President of the National Council of Churches USA, and by the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary.

Conservative Anglicans, Former Episcopalians Arrive in Jerusalem for GAFCON
Organizers release document 'defining authentic Anglicanism'

June 19, 2008 – Conservative Anglicans and former Episcopalians started to arrive in Jerusalem June 19 in anticipation of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a controversial summit regarded by some critics as a rival to the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The GAFCON event, set for June 22-29, is expected to draw 1,000 participants, including former Episcopal priests, some of whom are currently engaged in litigation concerning Episcopal Church property.

General News

Ailing Children Navigate with Wheels of Love

June 18, 2008, CONROE, Texas – With just a few modifications, a simple red wagon is transformed into "Lizzie's Limo," enabling 4-year-old leukemia patient Elizabeth Long to navigate her hospital with the help of her family. "She waves at everybody like she's in a parade," says mom Renee Moore. "She feels like she's the princess. So it helps her." Elizabeth received one of the first wagons produced by the Wheels of Love ministry launched in 2007 at First United Methodist Church in Conroe near Houston. The wagons are customized with IV poles, holders for oxygen bottles, car seats and a trailer.

Bonhoeffer Achieves Martyr Status with United Methodists

June 17, 2008 – Although Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been dead for more than 60 years, the well-known German theologian has been a role model of faith for many Christians, including the Rev. Charles Sigman. That's why Sigman, the 42-year-old pastor of First United Methodist Church of Newport, Ark., about an hour and a half north of Little Rock, has helped make Bonhoeffer the first martyr officially recognized by The United Methodist Church. A Lutheran pastor, Bonhoeffer was a member of the resistance against dictator Adolph Hitler and was executed by the Nazis in 1945, during the final months of World War II.

Communion Belonging Is Crucial for Small Churches, Says Argentine Church Leader
Emphasis on Regional and Global Cooperation

June 19, 2008, GENEVA – "If the worldwide Lutheran communion is doing well the local congregations flourish," stated Rev. Alan Eldrid, president of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELU) in Argentina and Uruguay, during a 28 May visit to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Geneva secretariat. In an interview with Lutheran World Information (LWI) Eldrid said belonging to the worldwide communion of LWF members, was particularly important for small churches like the IELU.

‘Back to God' Name Goes International

June 17, 2008 After nearly 70 years as The Back to God Hour, the electronic media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America has changed its name to reflect the growing diversity in the ways it brings the gospel message to people around the world. Synod 2008, the CRC's annual general assembly, this week approved changing the name to Back to God Ministries International, a name that "communicates more clearly the international and multi-media scope of the ministry." Rev. Robert Heerspink, director of the Back to God media ministry, says that the Web site, logo, letterhead, signs and other public aspects of the organization have been or will be changing soon.

Children's Disaster Services Helps Staff CJ's Bus

June 19, 2008, ELGIN, IL – A certified team of care givers from Children's Disaster Services on June 16 relieved the exhausted volunteers who have staffed CJ's Bus since the recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding began in Indiana. CJ's Bus volunteers had been working to care for children of families affected by the disasters since June 6 in Indianapolis, and then in Martinsville after flooding there. Kathryn Martin, founder of CJ's Bus, knew of Children's Disaster Services' expertise and volunteer base because the program provides training for CJ's Bus volunteers.

Hispanic Ministry Gets New Boost in California

June 17, 2008, LOS ANGELES – United Methodists in the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference are determined to boost their Hispanic ministry. This year, the conference named the Rev. Emilio Müller director for Latino Ministries. Müller has 30 years of pastoral experience and has been with the denomination's National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry since its beginning. Müller launched his ministry by organizing a consultation May 30-31 at Maywood (Calif.) United Methodist Church in the Los Angeles area.

Internet Visibility of World Lutheran Communion Addressed at LWF Roundtable
‘Spider Webs,' Networks and a Blooming Garden Proposals for a New LWF Web Site

June 20, 2008, GENEVA – "The African spider builds webs and is always in the center of the web. But the African spider depends only on itself. Human beings can never stand alone. They need to build bridges between one another against isolation," said Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at a mid-May communication conference in Geneva. The LWF Office for Communication Services (OCS) hosted the 19 – 22 May round table that focused on the creation of a new LWF Internet site.

Tomato Picker Shares Personal Story at Forum

June 20, 2008, WASHINGTON – The Coalition of Immokalee Workers was organized in Florida after a young migrant farm worker was brutally beaten when he stopped to get a drink of water while picking tomatoes. Outraged, other farm workers marched to the tomato grower's home, carrying the young man's bloody shirt as a flag. "We told him by beating one of us, he was beating all of us," said Romeo Ramirez, a farm worker who is now a member of the coalition.

Executive Council Calls Episcopal Church to Prayer for Bishops Headed to Lambeth
Members Propose Five Mission Priorities to Guide next Triennium's Budget Development

June 15, 2008 – The Executive Council, echoing an earlier call from the Presiding Bishop, asked the entire church to pray for the Episcopal Church's bishops as they head to the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Also during the final session of Council's three-day meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico (in the Diocese of the Rio Grande), members proposed mission priorities for the 2010-2012 triennium to guide the deliberations of the General Convention's Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F) in developing the 2010-2012 budget.

Archbishops of Canterbury, York Respond to Blessing of Gay Priests' Civil Partnership

June 17, 2008 – The archbishops of Canterbury and York have expressed their concern about recent reports that two gay clergymen have had their civil partnership blessed in a London church. The full text of the archbishops' statement follows. An ENS report about the blessing ceremony is available online.

Spanish News

Bautistas Británicos Piden Disculpas Por La Esclavitud

14 junio 2008, LONDRES, Gran Bretaña – Un equipo británico visitó Jamaica del 22 al 29 de mayo para brindar una disculpa por la esclavitud a la Unión Bautista de Jamaica. El Consejo de la Unión Bautista de Gran Bretaña (BUGB en inglés) se reunió en Swanwick, Inglaterra, del 12 al 14 de noviembre de 2007 y aprobó una resolución de disculpas "a Dios y a nuestros hermanos y hermanas" por "el daño que hemos causado, las divisiones que hemos creado, nuestra renuencia a enfrentar los pecados del pasado, nuestra falta de voluntad para escuchar el dolor de nuestras hermanas y hermanos negros, y nuestro silencio en la cara del racismo y la injusticia de hoy."

En Decenas De Países, Las Iglesias Abogan Por La Paz En Medio Oriente

19 junio 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – En Australia, diferentes líderes eclesiales se reunieron para dirigirse a los creadores de la opinión pública del país en relación con el conflicto de Israel-Palestina y dar publicidad a un conjunto de materiales para la toma de conciencia de las parroquias. En Escocia, un grupo integrado por varios partidos del Parlamento se reunió con representantes cristianos, judíos y musulmanes. En Budapest, la segunda mayor iglesia de Hungría envió cartas sobre la paz para los israelíes y palestinos al Gobierno nacional y a gobiernos extranjeros.

ACIERA Convoca Al Pueblo a Orar Y Ayunar Por La Argentina

17 junio 2008, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – En varios comunicados la Federación Alianza Cristiana de Iglesias Evangélicas de la República Argentina, ACIERA, ha venido llamando a las iglesias a tener momentos de oración por el conflicto suscitado entre el campo y el gobierno nacional Un comunicado emitido hoy, explica: "En estos momentos este conflicto está llegando a su punto más álgido, la situación es grave, por lo cual, desde nuestra Federación de Iglesias, convocamos de forma urgente a la oración y ayuno. Que en todo lugar de nuestra patria clamemos a Jesucristo Nuestro Señor ininterrumpidamente pidiendo su asistencia."

Conferencia Pastoral Luterana Lamenta Que La Democracia Pierda Capacidad De Negociación

19 junio 2008, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La conferencia de pastores y pastoras de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida IELU), reunida en Buenos Aires, hizo pública una nota donde comparten la preocupación "por el dolor que sigue causando divisiones dentro del ya sufrido pueblo argentino." Vemos, dicen los ministros, que la situación hoy reconocida como ‘tensión entre el campo y el gobierno' es un síntoma de una problemática más profunda.

En La Clonación, Los Humanos Juegan a Ser Dios, Dicen Obispos Metodistas

18 junio 2008, SAO PAULO, Brasil – Enfatizando que la vida es don de Dios, el colegio de obispos de la Iglesia Metodista declaró, en un documento, que la legalización del aborto es una aberración, una especie de infanticidio, y que usar células para reproducir vida y salvar otra, lo que la clonación posibilita, "es algo que se asemeja a jugar a ser Dios." El Colegio Episcopal se posicionó contra la investigación con células-madres embrionarias, aprobada a final de mayo por el Supremo Tribunal Federal, por "desconfiar que la ambición humana no tiene fin y puede usar tal pesquisa para fines oscuros."

La Educación Teológica Ecuménica Es De Importancia Estratégica, Afirma La WOCATI

14 junio 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – La educación teológica ecuménica es de importancia estratégica para el cristianismo en el siglo 21. Este ha sido el mensaje del IV Congreso de la Conferencia Mundial de Asociaciones de Instituciones Teológicas, (WOCATI, por su sigla en inglés), celebrado en Neapolis, Tesalónica y Volos (Grecia), del 31 de mayo al 7 de junio de 2008. El Congreso afirmó que las iglesias, los organismos donantes y las universidades deben prestar mayor atención a la promoción y financiación de la educación teológica ecuménica, incluyendo programas de intercambio de profesores y alumnos de las diferentes regiones e iglesias.

CMI Invita a Iglesias a Orar Por Zimbabwe

17 junio 2008 – Las iglesias de todo el mundo están invitadas a celebrar un día de oración por Zimbabwe el domingo 22 de junio como comienzo de una campaña de oración por el pueblo y el gobierno de ese país africano, que está atravesando momentos muy difíciles. El día de oración por Zimbabwe, que responde a un pedido de los cristianos de ese país, se celebrará poco antes de la segunda votación para la elección presidencial, programada para el viernes 27 de junio.

CMI Pide a La Onu Poner Fin a La Violencia En Zimbabwe Y Garantizar Elecciones Libres Y Justas

20 junio 2008 – En una carta al secretario general de las Naciones Unidas, Ban Ki-moon, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha expresado su continua preocupación por la situación en Zimbabwe y ha pedido a la organización mundial que utilice sus recursos para asegurar que se ponga fin a la violencia preelectoral en ese país sudafricano y que la elección del 27 de junio sea libre y justa. La carta, enviada por el secretario general del CMI, pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia, expresa la consternación del consejo y sus iglesias miembros "por las noticias sobre la brutalidad ejercida por la policía y otras fuerzas gubernamentales en Zimbabwe."

Human Rights News

Rights-Based Perspective Crucial to Relief Work
LWF Consultation on Peace and Human Rights in a Multifaith Context

June 20, 2008, JERUSALEM/GENEVA – Participants in a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service (DWS) regional consultation for Asia, Europe and the Middle East singled out human rights' promotion and protection, greater interfaith understanding, and tolerance as crucial components of the LWF's relief and development work. Raising awareness among staff, primary focus groups and duty bearers about the need to integrate a rights-based approach into all relief and development plans and work was identified as an important task.

Religious Liberty News

Institute Report to UN Details Systematic Religious Discrimination in Belgium

June 17, 2008, WASHINGTON, DC – As part of a United Nations process to combat the defamation of religions, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy has submitted a report to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights chronicling religious freedom abuses in Belgium. According to the report, over the last decade Belgium has drawn criticism from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and others for its state policy of improperly distinguishing between religions and "harmful sects."

National News

UUA Proposes Gender Identity Protections at Walmart Meeting

June 5, 2008 – Tomorrow the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) will take their proposal for gender identity non-discrimination to the annual Walmart shareholder meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Proposal #4 calls for Walmart to add gender identity protections to their employment non-discrimination policy, which already includes sexual orientation. Speaking on behalf of the UUA will be Rev. Jonalu Johnstone. In addition to serving as Program Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, Johnstone is also president of Interweave Continental, the UUA's network of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members and allies.

Historic Midwest Floods Hit Denomination's Heartland

June 20, 2008 GRAND RAPIDS, MI – With the Mississippi River expected to crest today at 7 feet above flood stage, CRWRC Disaster Response Services (DRS) is meeting the needs of denomination members and flood survivors across Iowa and the Midwestern U.S. President Bush planned to visit flooded areas swamped by a week of rain yesterday, according to the White House Press Office, and on Wednesday Congress approved $2 billion in disaster aid for Midwest flood relief. Some reports indicate that when rebuilding begins, repairs to infrastructure alone could total $1 billion.

ELCA Bishop Calls for Prayer, Action Concerning Domestic Disasters

June 20, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), asked the 4.8 million-member church to join him in "prayer and action" for people facing adversity this spring after tornadoes and floods struck the central United States and the humanitarian crisis following an immigration raid in Postville, Iowa. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested about 390 workers May 12 at a meat processing plant in Postville, making the raid the largest at a single location in U.S. history.

Episcopal Relief and Development Continues Response to Flooding in the Midwest

June 19, 2008 – Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to communities devastated by ongoing flooding across the Midwest. So far, the flood waters are responsible for killing 24 people, injuring 148 and displacing tens of thousands of others. The damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector is severe. In some areas, entire towns are completely inundated, their past existence confirmed only by a lone church steeple poking above the water line. Hundreds of thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed.

Iowa Flooding Devastates Communities, Displaces Thousands; ERD Responds

June 17, 2008 – Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to communities devastated by ongoing flooding in Iowa. So far the flood waters are responsible for the deaths of five people, the displacement of 38,000 others and have inflicted up to $1 billion in damage to Iowa's agricultural sector. The damage to infrastructure is severe. Across eastern Iowa, the flooding rivers have washed out railroad lines, halted barge traffic on the Mississippi River and closed major roadways. Twenty-four counties have been declared disaster areas to date.

International News

First Adventist Business Meeting in North Korea since More than 50 Years

June 20, 2008, KUMGANGSAN, North Korea – Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in Northern Asia held their mid-year Executive Committee meeting in the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea last month, the first such meeting there since the country closed its borders in 1953. Meeting for one day in the city of Kumgangsan, church officers established Chinese theology education and examined implementation of the world church's extraordinary tithe for this region of the world. "We have no organized work in North Korea, so to have an official meeting is an historic occasion," said Glenn Mitchell, a spokesman for the Adventist Church in Northern Asia.

United Church Calls for Prayer and Diplomatic Action for Zimbabwe

June 19, 2008, TORONTO – The United Church of Canada is inviting its congregations to join with churches worldwide in celebrating a day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday, June 22. The invitation was extended by the World Council of Churches in a letter this week to its member churches. The day of prayer for Zimbabwe, which is an initiative of Christians in the southern African country, is timed to take place shortly before the runoff election for the presidency scheduled for Friday, June 27. "It is impossible to overstate the importance of this election, its fairness, its outcome and its aftermath," writes World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia.

ELCA Plans for Relief Efforts in China Following May 12 Earthquake

June 16, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Peter K. Shen, consultant on China, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission, returned recently from a trip to Taiwan and southwest China, May 19 to June 1, in which church partners in both China and Taiwan discussed options for ELCA involvement in relief efforts in areas affected by a May 12 earthquake in the Sichuan province. The earthquake has left nearly 70,000 people dead, about 17,000 people missing and nearly 300,000 people injured. "Before I left for China, we at Global Mission had some conversation together and basically decided that we need to be there with our partners," Shen said.

Lutherans Support Relief Efforts in Colombia, Costa Rica

June 19, 2008, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is providing emergency disaster relief with its companion Lutheran churches in Colombia and Costa Rica after an earthquake and a tropical storm struck the two countries respectively. Members of the ELCA and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) (IELCO) are providing emergency support for 100 families affected by a May 24 earthquake that struck central Colombia. The ELCA and the Costa Rican Lutheran Church (Iglesia Luterana Costarricense) (ILCO) are assisting 300 families in Costa Rica after Tropical Storm Alma struck the Pacific coast of Costa Rica May 27.

WCC Calls on the UN to End Violence in Zimbabwe, Ensure Free and Fair Election

June 18, 2008 – In a letter to the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed continued concern about the situation in Zimbabwe and asked the world body to utilize its resources to assure an end to pre-election violence in the southern African country and a free and fair election on 27 June. The letter, which comes from the WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, states the dismay of the council and its member churches "at the news of the brutality meted out by police and other government forces in Zimbabwe."

Feature: "There Is a Tomorrow"
LWF World Service Provides Assistance in Post-Conflict Situations

June 20, 2008 GENEVA – Although the work of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service (DWS) includes specific challenges in "post-conflict areas" such as Liberia and Haiti, providing a framework within which people can secure their future after the scars of war or instability remains crucial. It is important for people not to lose sight of one thing: "There is a tomorrow!" said Ms Sylvia Raulo, LWF/DWS representative in the Caribbean and Haiti.

Synod Urges Action to Resolve Zimbabwe Crisis

June 19, 2008 – After hearing from fraternal delegate Dr. Kobus Gerber of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa about the growing crisis in Zimbabwe, Synod 2008 today passed a resolution urging the governments of Canada, of the United States and of South Africa, and church leaders across Africa and North America, to take emergency diplomatic action. The synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America "notes with growing alarm the rapidly deteriorating human security situation in Zimbabwe – particularly the sharp increase in officially sanctioned attacks on churches and the arrest of church leaders – and urges the governments of Canada and the United States to take emergency diplomatic action to resolve this crisis and avoid the violence and bloodshed that threatens to engulf Zimbabwe," the resolution said.

Middle East News

In Parish and Parliament, Churches of 40 Countries Give Witness for Mid-East Peace

June 18, 2008 – In Australia a broad spectrum of church leaders came together to address national public opinion makers on the Israel-Palestine conflict and launch a parish awareness kit. In Scotland a cross-party group in Parliament met with Christian, Jewish and Muslim representatives. In Budapest, Hungary's second largest church sent letters about peace for Israelis and Palestinians to the national and foreign governments. In Norway the foreign minister and a Palestinian bishop addressed a multi-religious peace service. In these and some 40 countries last week, there were peace vigils, seminars, concerts, festivals and public gatherings. The activities were part of a joint advocacy initiative, "International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, 4-10 June 2008," convened by the World Council of Churches. Many used a special prayer for the week from church leaders and a common message saying "It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace."

AJC Disappointed by Presbyterian Shift on Jews

June 13, 2008, NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee today expressed deep regret that the Presbyterian Church has reneged on an earlier positive statement regarding the Jewish people. The shift comes shortly after AJC and other Jewish organizations had praised the Presbyterian Church for its sharp critique last month of anti-Jewish teaching within the church. "The revised Presbyterian statement is a stunning setback to our energetic efforts to advance Presbyterian-Jewish understanding," said Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, AJC's U.S. Director of Interreligious Affairs.