Front Page

Church Agencies Voice Dismay at Ruling on Gun Control

July 2, 2008 – Two United Methodist agencies, disappointed with a U.S. Supreme Court decision on handgun ownership, are urging church members to advocate for legislation that would tighten federal laws on gun control. In a joint statement July 1, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and the Commission on Religion and Race said they were "deeply disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strip local municipalities of the right to enact sensible and necessary gun restriction laws." A week earlier, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 that a Washington, D.C., ban on handgun ownership was unconstitutional. "The Supreme Court's decision stands in direct contrast to the stance of our denomination," the church agencies said.

WCC Salutes Ingrid Betancourt's Liberation, Calls for Other Hostages to Be Released

July 3, 2008 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia expressed "joy" at the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in Colombia today. Welcoming the liberation "as an important step in a yet uncompleted process," Kobia called upon the FARC "to release hostages on a humanitarian basis." Commenting on Betancourt's liberation, Kobia stated that the detention of hundreds of people who are still hostages of the FARC is "an unacceptable situation which should be reverted immediately."

Peace Witness Is Scheduled at Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

July 3, 2008, ELGIN, IL – The Brethren Witness/Washington Office will lead a public rally for nonviolence at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., on the afternoon of July 15. In partnership with the Richmond Peace Education Center and other peace groups in the area, the Tuesday afternoon event will call for an end to the violence of current wars and focus on the need for direct conversation and mediation with Iran.

Archbishop of Canterbury Calls Conservative Anglicans' Proposals ‘Problematic'
Presiding Bishop Says ‘Anglicanism Has Always Been Broader than Some Find Comfortable'

June 30, 2008 – Describing their proposals as "problematic in all sorts of ways," Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams responded June 30 to a statement released by a group of conservative Anglicans that announced a new movement to uphold traditional Anglicanism within the Communion's structures rather than to break away from it.

General News

Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Science and Technology
to Present Panel on Global Climate Change at Clergy-Laity Congress

July 2, 2008, NEW YORK, NY – The Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Science and Technology (AACST) will coordinate a workshop and panel discussion at the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress in Washington, DC, on the issue of global climate change. The session, entitled "Ethical Issues in Global Climate Change," will be held on Tuesday morning of the Congress from 9 am to 1 pm in the Taylor room of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The panel, which will include a distinguished group of scientist, advisors, and theologians, will examine the ethical issues related to the consequences of climate change in light of the evangelical command that human beings be "stewards" of nature.

Pittsburgh Church Helps Amputees in Sierra Leone

July 2, 2008, PITTSBURGH – For four years, Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church has sent money to a little-known prosthetics clinic in Sierra Leone to help amputees of the West African nation's civil war. But it wasn't until a Sunday morning in June when the Pittsburgh congregation began to realize how their gifts have brought new life to people ravaged by violence and abuse. Bishop George Bashore thanked the church for sending more than $100,000 to the limb outfitting center in the seaside town of Bo. Mount Lebanon is the clinic's only full-time supporter and, without the money, the clinic almost certainly would have closed, he said.

Death Row Support Project Marks 30 Years

July 3, 2008 ELGIN, IL – The Death Row Support Project was birthed from the criminal justice program of the Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren 30 years ago. Since its beginning in 1978, it has followed the path of many other Church of the Brethren-initiated efforts: it now has participants from all over the world and from many different denominations. The project began at a time when the death penalty returned to the forefront of political debate in the United States, after a five-year period in which the constitutionality of the death penalty was under scrutiny. There had been no executions for 10 years.

Couple Make Food Deliveries for People – and Pets – in Need

June 30, 2008, CONCORD, Mich. – The old van needed a jump-start this afternoon. Dead battery. Now it plows along an old country road, with 400 pounds of groceries and pet food providing ballast in the back. "We'll be fine," Dick Buettgenvach assures his wife, Gail. "Just remind me not to shut off the engine when we stop." Then he jokes about how neither will remember that precaution, since they're both 76.

Winning Essays on Prospects for Ecumenism: "Gifts of Inspiration and Leadership"

June 27, 2008 – Ideas for "bringing unity down to earth," "communicative action" and a "theology of the wilderness" were among the winning entries submitted for an essay contest on Prospects for Ecumenism in the 21st Century. The winners, two women and four men, come from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The essay contest is part of the programme to commemorate the World Council of Churches' (WCC) 60th anniversary.

Violence Within the Family: Churches Need to Keep Their Ears Open to Calls for Help

July 3, 2008 – German churches' experience with the issue of "domestic violence" will play an important role in a Peace Declaration of the World Council of Churches planned for 2011. "The churches have denied the existence of this issue for a long time," said Georges Lemopoulos, deputy general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), speaking on Saturday 28 June in Frankfurt. Frankfurt was the first stop for a WCC team of six people led by Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi from Burundi.

Green Churches Honored by NCC

July 2, 2008 WASHINGTON – The Manassas Church of the Brethren is passing along the values of Creation Care to the next generation of people of faith, while St. Marks Presbyterian Church was named the Audubon Society's "Greenest in the Nation." These are just two examples of winners of the Great Green Congregations contest sponsored by the Eco-Justice Program of the National Council of Churches. In May, the call went out for stories to be submitted of what local congregations were doing across the country to protect God's Creation.

Flood Disaster Includes ‘Serendipity Moments'

July 1, 2008, CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – In flooded-out Cedar Rapids, United Methodists are talking about "serendipity moments" – those times when God offers small encouragements and assurances to people in unexpected ways. The encouragements take many forms. A church team from Ohio had planned a mission trip to Virginia but, when housing arrangements fell through at the last minute, ended up going to Iowa instead. A United Methodist pastor, whose Cedar Rapids church was flooded, discovered that the waters stopped rising right at the foot of the sanctuary cross hanging on the wall, so he "took up his cross" and carried it to safety.

Former NCC President and Civil Rights Leader Says
Racism Persists in U.S. and ‘Cannot Be Glossed Over'

July 1, 2008, NEW YORK – The Rev. Dr. Sterling Cary, a retired United Church of Christ minister who was president of the National Council of Churches (NCC) from 1972 to 1975, recently looked back on his years as an ecumenical and civil rights leader, and ahead to the future of ecumenism and American society. He expressed a fear that the rhetoric of the current presidential campaign may obscure the racism that continues in the United States. And he called for a recommitment of the churches to their denominations and their ecumenical involvements.

Pacific Southwest Brethren Engage in Aggressive Grant Program for Growth

July 3, 2008 ELGIN, IL – The Church of the Brethren's Pacific Southwest District has begun a program of "Grants for Growth." The district board, chaired by Bill Johnson, completed its first review of grants in Nov. 2007. Recent sales of district property have added new resources to increase grant amounts and loans to local congregations. Over the last two years 2006-07, the district invested approximately $1.25 million dollars into ministry grants. "In 2008 we are committed to do that in one year alone," reported Johnson. The district board's report on the grant program noted that the process actually has been in effect for many years, beginning with very small pastoral support and church development grants. Expansion began in 2001, and now grants are being given in a wide variety of categories.

Nuevo Amanecer Represents ‘A New Dawn' for Hispanic and Latino Ministries

July 2, 2008 – An Episcopal Church conference on Hispanic and Latino ministry underway this week near Atlanta has gathered more than 200 people from diverse Spanish-speaking communities in eight countries to share in the challenges and blessings of their ministries and chart a course for continued growth. "A New Dawn – Nuevo Amanecer – Together We Grow and Are Strengthened," represents the first time in six years that Episcopalians engaged in Hispanic and Latino ministries have come together. The entire program is offered in Spanish, with English translation available throughout.

Ecumenical News

Archbishop Demetrios Leads Faith Endowment Pilgrimage to Rome
Joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Vatican

June 30, 2008, ROME – Archbishop Demetrios of America led a pilgrimage, under the aegis of FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, accompanying the official visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Rome for the Feast of the Chiefs of the Apostle, Peter and Paul. On Friday evening, June 27th, Archbishop Demetrios hosted a dinner in honor of His All Holiness at the renowned Palazzo Colonni.

St. Paul: Dedication to Christ, Openness to Humanity

July 2, 2008, VATICAN CITY – At this morning's general audience, Benedict XVI began a new cycle of catecheses, turning his attention to St. Paul the Apostle to whom the current Pauline Year is dedicated. The Year began on 28 June 2008 and is due to conclude on 29 June 2009. The audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, was attended by 8,000 people. Paul, said the Pope, is "an example of complete dedication to the Lord and to His Church, as well as of great openness to humanity and its cultures."

Spanish News

El Clamor De Los Indocumentados Nos Interpela, Dice Pastoral De Migrantes

4 julio 2008, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – El clamor de los indocumentados interpela nuestros oídos, ojos y corazón, dice la Pastoral de Movilidad Humana de la Conferencia Episcopal de Guatemala en un documento dado a conocer ayer. "Compartimos con ellos sus esperanzas, dramas y lágrimas, penas y sufrimientos, el dolor del fracaso y de la exclusión, el sueño por una patria que les dé pan y libertad, estamos siendo interpelados por el Cristo Migrante encarcelado, maltratado por las leyes antimigrantes," afirman.

Denuncian Que Niños Metodistas Son Amenazados Por Concurrir Al Templo

30 junio 2008, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – Según informes de la organización norteamericana "La Voz de los Mártires," niños metodistas de la comunidad de Zopilotepec, Municipio de Atlixtac, Guerrero, reciben amenazas del director de la escuela donde concurren de que si persisten en acudir al templo de la localidad los quemará con velas o focos encendidos.

CMI Saluda La Liberación De Ingrid Betancourt,
Pide Que Otros Rehenes Sean Dejados En Libertad

3 julio 2008 – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) pastor Dr. Samuel Kobia expresó "alegría" a causa de la liberación de Ingrid Betancourt y otros rehenes en Colombia hoy. Manifestando beneplácito por una liberación que es "un paso importante en un proceso aún incompleto," Kobia pidió a las FARC que "dejen en libertad a los rehenes por razones humanitarias."

Estudiantes Reclaman "Desnombramiento" De ex Jerarca De La Dictadura Del Cargo De Rector

30 junio 2008, ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Federico Tatter, especial para ALC Estudiantes organizados de la Facultad de Filosofía de la Universidad Católica de Asunción, han asumido a través de la toma pacífica del Aula Magna de la cede central de la UCA, el papel de llevar a los demás estudiantes y la ciudadanía en general, una postura política y ética de gran relevancia, cual es la de solicitar a Conferencia Episcopal Paraguaya, CEP, y a los representantes del Estado Vaticano, el "desnombramiento" de un ex jerarca de la dictadura paraguaya, como rector de la Universidad, nombramiento que según fuentes fue efectivizada por la CEP, el 17 de junio de 2008.

Violencia Familiar: Iglesias Deben Prestar Oídos a Llamadas De Socorro

3 julio 2008 – Las experiencias de las iglesias en Alemania con el tema "violencia doméstica" jugarán un papel importante en la Declaración ecuménica sobre una paz justa planeada para el año 2011 por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). Para el secretario general adjunto del CMI Georges Lempoulos éste es un cambio positivo, luego de que por mucho tiempo las iglesias evitaran tratar el tema.

Ensayos Ganadores Sobre Futuro Del Ecumenismo: "Dones De Inspiración Y Liderazgo"

1 julio 2008 – Ideas sobre una "unidad con los pies en la tierra," la "acción comunicativa" y una "teología del desierto" fueron algunas de las contribuciones ganadoras de un concurso de ensayos sobre Perspectivas para el ecumenismo en el siglo XXI. Los ganadores, dos mujeres y cuatro hombres, son originarios de África, Asia, Europa y América del Norte.

La UE Lanza Medidas Para Reforzar La ‘Europa Social' Y Evitar Discriminaciones

2 julio 2008, BRUSELAS, Bélgica – A pocos días de la polémica norma sobre inmigración, la Unión Europea (UE) ha adoptado una propuesta de Directiva que contempla la protección contra la discriminación por motivos de edad, discapacidad, orientación sexual y religión o convicciones fuera del lugar del trabajo, con la que se pretende garantizar la igualdad de trato en los ámbitos de la protección social, incluidas la seguridad social y la asistencia sanitaria, la educación y el acceso y suministro de bienes y servicios comercialmente disponibles al público, incluida la vivienda.

Iglesias Luteranas Serán Convidadas a Adoptar Compensaciones De Las Emisiones De CO2

4 julio 2008, TANZANIA – Antes del próximo año, el Departamento de Proyectos de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM) deberá presentar un sistema de compensación para las emisiones de CO2 que los diferentes sectores y sus funcionarios producen, inclusive las resultantes de viajes aéreos. Las iglesias afiliadas al organismo ecuménico internacional serán convidadas a adoptar ese sistema de compensación. La resolución fue aprobada por el Consejo Central de la FLM, reunido en Arusha, en el norte de Tanzania, del 25 a 30 de Junio. Los consejeros pedirán a las 141 iglesias afiliadas al organismo para se inserten con más vigor, ética y teológicamente, en el análisis de las consecuencias de la acción humana en la naturaleza, con vistas al problema del calentamiento climático.

Nueva Propuesta De Formación Bíblica Para El Mundo Bautista

1 julio 2008, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Asociación Bautista Argentina, ABA, dio a conocer una nueva propuesta educativa bíblica y doctrinal; se trata del Instituto Bautista de Formación Bíblica que estará destinado- según sus organizadores- a integrar los contenidos teóricos a una experiencia cotidiana. La metodología será el dictado de clases magistrales, con discusión grupal, lectura de bibliografía especializada y preparación de trabajos prácticos.

Tragedia Enluta a Iglesia Evangélica En El Salvador

4 julio 2008, SAN SALVADOR – Treinta personas, miembros de una comunidad evangélica, murieron la noche de tormenta del pasado jueves, cuando el autobús en el que viajaban fue arrastrado por el río Acelhuate de San Salvador, afluente que atraviesa esta capital. "Dios tenía el propósito de que estuviéramos en esa hora y ese lugar"; dijo Fabricio Montoya, un joven de 16 años, único sobreviviente de la tragedia.

National News

Flood Buckets Help Towns Soak up Damage

July 3, 2008 – Teresa Daniels of Oakland, Ill., has a message for United Methodists who donate tools and cleaning supplies to fill five-gallon pails for storm relief. "I love flood buckets!" she exclaimed. Oakland is a rural community of about 1,000 people and is located miles from a major river. But after 12 inches of rain fell June 7, its storm drains backed up, and homes all over town flooded.

‘All Hands on Deck' Needed for Flood Recovery in Midwest

July 4, 2008, CHICAGO – Recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Midwest will require an "all hands on deck" approach, according to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). Every program and project Lutherans have will be needed given the extent of flood damage there, he said. LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Massey traveled June 25-27 to flood-affected areas of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Children's Disaster Services Winds down Response to Flooding

July 3, 2008, ELGIN, IL – Children's Disaster Services is winding down its response to the flooding in Iowa and Indiana. Children's Disaster Services is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren, in which trained and certified volunteers care for children of families affected by disasters. "We have one center left open in Iowa (there were five), the one in Indiana closed on Saturday," reported associate director Judy Bezon. "We determine the date of closing after numbers of children show a steady decline."

International News

World Refugee Day Observed

July 1, 2008 – In solidarity with the world refugees, and in partnership with UNHCR, MECC Diakonia & Social Justice Unit and partner humanitarian organizations, Caritas IMC, ArcEn Ciel, AMEL Association, Insan, NTC IECD, MDM AJEM RESTART, Al Majmouaa organized and celebrated the World Refugee Day with a series of activities during June 20-27, 2008. Official representatives of the Interior Security Forces, national authorities, International Humanitarian Organizations and Regional Director of OHCHR were present. This was an expression of solidarity to around 10.000 refugees officially recognized by UNHCR in Lebanon mostly Iraqi refugees.

WCC Team Challenges Germany, "The European Champion in Arms Sales,"
with Questions about the Purpose of War

July 4, 2008 – On a visit to the German Federal Defence Ministry in Berlin on Tuesday evening, members of a delegation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) asked questions about German arms sales and about whether wars, such as the Iraq war, can ever solve problems. The WCC delegation was received by Christian Schmidt, parliamentary state secretary. Germany is one of the countries to which the WCC, which comprises 349 churches worldwide, is sending Living Letters teams, to learn about experiences of non-violence.

LWF Calls for Peace, Justice, Prayer amid Zimbabwe Runoff Election

July 2, 2008, CHICAGO – In anticipation of the June 27 runoff election in which Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was re-elected, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council called for "urgent establishment of a peace building process in the country, incorporating all national actors, regional organizations and the international community." The council met June 25-30 in Arusha, Tanzania.

Medvedev Praises Efforts to Unite Church

June 30, 2008, MOSCOW – The President has attended a service on the 1020th anniversary of Christianity in Russia. It was held at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. Speaking at the service, Dmitry Medvedev praised recent attempts to unite the Russian Orthodox Church. "The Assembly for the first time has a major presence from the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. By being held on such an important date, the Assembly has proved the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and its dedication to preventing separation," he said. The president pointed out that representatives from Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova had taken part in a meeting of the Council of Bishops.

WCC Urges Seoul Not to Put Pre-Conditions to North Korea

July 1, 2008 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has urged South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to "take urgent measures to strengthen inter-Korean relationships without any pre-conditions." In a 1 July letter to Lee, Kobia referred to the "new South Korean government's policy towards North Korea" as a source of "concern and disappointment as it negates the spirit of the joint declarations made by the two Koreas in the recent past." The new policy, says Kobia, could be "potentially hindering the efforts for peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula."

U.S. Decision to Lift Sanctions, Remove North Korea from Terror Blacklist Disturbing

July 2, 2008, WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is deeply disappointed by the Bush administration's decision to lift sanctions on North Korea and remove the nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision came after North Korea handed over to China a 60-page declaration on its weapons-grade plutonium stockpile. "While welcome, the declaration does not meet the ‘correct and complete' standard for disarmament the Bush administration has demanded," said Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski.

Care for the People of Zimbabwe, WCC Tells the International Community

July 4, 2008 – After "what can be described as a façade election," the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called for the protection of the population "against increased and continued violence," an "intensified international monitoring of the situation" and the provision of humanitarian aid. The WCC also issued a warning concerning the possible consequences of economic sanctions. Despite "much debate" about the current situation in Zimbabwe, from a religious point of view some principles remain firm, says the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a statement dated 4 July.

Archbishop of York Delivers Zimbabwe Plea

June 30, 2008, ENGLAND – The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, has called for the British Government to close the British High Commission in Harare as part of tougher sanctions against the Zimbabwean government. Sentamu said that Zimbabwe's embassies across the world should be "downgraded" and only allowed to operate from another country's mission. Speaking on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, outside York Minster, the Archbishop of York issued a plea to the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, to intervene directly. Sentamu said South Africa should remember global pressure forced a change in the apartheid system which had previously governed their lives.

Middle East News

AJC Welcomes Presbyterian Move Toward Balance

July 1, 2008, NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee welcomes the important step forward taken by the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in which PCUSA charges its congregations, members, and associated bodies not to "over-identify" with either party in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but instead strive to serve as "nonpartisan advocates" for peace and compromise.

Ecumenical Delegation Visits Egypt

July 1, 2008 – At the invitation of MECC General Secretary, the WCC General Secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia and six members of a delegation visited Egypt (16-21 June) to express solidarity with WCC member churches and promote relations with Muslim leaders. During the successful encounters with Heads and Leaders of WCC member churches as well as other religious and secular figures in Cairo and Alexandria, Dr. Kobia and the delegation learned about the situation of the churches in Egypt and discuss WCC activities in the Middle East.

People in the News

Idaho Elects Brian Thom as 15th Bishop; Consecration Set for October 11

June 29, 2008 – The Rev. Brian Thom was elected the 15th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho at a special convention June 28 at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise. Thom, rector of the Church of the Ascension in Twin Falls, Idaho, was elected on the sixth ballot from a slate of four candidates. Thom was elected with 65 lay votes and 32 clergy votes. He needed 60 votes in the lay order and 27 in the clergy order to be elected, according to the Rev. Canon Karen Hunter, diocesan canon for Christian education and spiritual formation.

Eugene Sutton Consecrated as Maryland's First African American Bishop

June 30, 2008 – Thousands gathered at Washington National Cathedral on June 28 to be part of history as the Rev. Canon Eugene Taylor Sutton, 54, became the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. "The significance of this consecration goes beyond the Diocese of Maryland," said Joseph Overton, a member of St. James Church in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "It is a statement as to who we are beyond the color of our skin."