Front Page

Concern over the Deteriorating Situation in Zimbabwe:
Message from the Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe

July 17, 2008 – As the shepherds of the people, we, Church leaders of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference (ZCBC) and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), express our deep concern over the deteriorating political, security, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe following the March 29, 2008 national elections. Before the elections, we issued statements urging Zimbabweans to conduct themselves peacefully and with tolerance towards those who held different views and political affiliation from one's own.

WCC to Attend Madrid Interfaith Conference

July 15, 2008 – World Council of Churches (WCC) representatives will participate at the 16-18 July international interfaith conference convened in Madrid by the Muslim World League following an initiative by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. The WCC will be represented by one of its presidents, Patriarch Abune Paulos, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and by Metropolitan Emmanuel(Adamakis) of France, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Also attending the conference will be Lebanese Minister of Culture Dr Tarek Mitri, a former WCC staff and a member of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East, as well as the WCC's Director of Inter-religious dialogue and cooperation, Rev. Dr Shanta Premawardhana.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams Opens the Lambeth Conference

July 16, 2008 – The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams opened the Lambeth Conference to the sounds of South African Alleluias and prayers for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He spoke to the gathering of Anglican Bishops from around the world addressing the first plenary session of the Lambeth Conference yesterday (July 16) He stressed that the Conference had a very strong emphasis on drawing together round the Bible and had been designed as a place "in which every voice can be heard and in which we build Christian relationship."

Kinnamon: NY Times, CBS Poll on Race Stresses Need for "Sacred Conversations"

July 16, 2008, NEW YORK – A recent New York Times/CBS News poll revealing deep national divisions along racial lines is an urgent reminder of the need for "sacred conversations on race," the head of the National Council of Churches said today. The poll indicated that a large majority of African Americans – nearly 60 percent – believe race relations in the United States are "generally bad," the Times reported today. Forty percent of blacks said racial discrimination is as bad as ever, while one out of four whites said there is too much emphasis on discrimination. Seventy percent of blacks and half of Latinos said they have been targets of racial discrimination.

General News

Bockelman Emphasizes Baptism at Women of the ELCA Gathering

July 12, 2008, SALT LAKE CITY – In a two-part Bible study based on the power of Baptism, the Rev. Karen Bockelman, assistant to the bishop, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Duluth, told of the importance of "walking wet." Women of the ELCA's Seventh Triennial Gathering is being held through July 13 here at the Salt Palace Convention Center. More than 2,000 women are in attendance. The event theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, community service and worship.

Women of the ELCA Donates Blankets, Assembles Health Kits

July 12, 2008, SALT LAKE CITY – Volunteers at the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathering here worked to assemble and distribute "in-kind gifts" to congregations and non-profit agencies in the area. These gifts include gift cards and pre-paid phone cards; materials for school and health kits; quilts, heart pillows and fleece for blankets; and yarn for knitting hats and preemie caps.

Distance Learning Makes Education More Available Worldwide

July 18, 2008 – Online classes for local pastors in the United States, theology classes in Europe, and a master's in business program in Mozambique are under way or will be by September. Partnerships formed by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry with other agencies, annual conferences, seminaries and Methodist educational institutions around the world are now bearing fruit, said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, staff executive in the board's Division of Ordained Ministry in Nashville. "All these efforts mean more educational opportunities in Europe, Africa and even in the United States," Moman said.

New Bishop Brings Language of the Deaf to United Methodists

July 18, 2008, HARRISBURG, Pa. – When the Rev. Peggy Johnson of Baltimore was brought to the stage after being elected a United Methodist bishop, she made sure she spoke in two languages. "I would like to sign this," she told delegates in both English and American Sign Language at the denomination's Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, "because there are two young people here who are deaf, and I would like them to think that a bishop can talk to them in their language." Johnson – who was elected July 17 and takes office Sept. 1 – has dedicated much of her nearly 30 years of ministry to work with the deaf.

Women of the ELCA Gathering Emphasizes Healthy Women and Girls

July 12, 2008, SALT LAKE CITY – Nearly 400 women and a few men participated in a 4K Run, Walk and Roll July 12, one of many activities that emphasized good health for women and girls during the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Seventh Triennial Gathering here July 10-13. The gathering theme, "Come to the Waters," focuses on the celebration of Baptism through Bible study, speakers, workshops, community service and worship. Approximately 2,000 women are attending the gathering being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The 4K event is part of the women's organization initiative, "Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls." Participants gathered pledges to benefit the initiative.

NE Jurisdiction Affirms California Clergy on Same-Gender Marriages

July 18, 2008, HARRISBURG, Pa. – In sharp contrast to the action taken at the United Methodist General Conference last spring, delegates to the denomination's Northeastern Jurisdiction Conference voted July 17 to support clergy in California who choose to perform same-gender marriages. The delegates approved a resolution expressing respect for pastors in the California-Pacific and California-Nevada annual (regional) conferences "who as a matter of Christian conscience, spiritual discernment and prophetic witnessing" opt to participate in the celebration of same-gender marriages that are not approved by the church. The resolution also asks for lenient disciplinary action against clergy who disobey church law on the issue.

Bishop Rules Cal-Nevada Statement on Same-Sex Unions ‘Void'
Revised to Include Additional Comments

July 18, 2008, PORTLAND, Ore. – Retired United Methodist clergy in northern California and Nevada could face disciplinary charges if they perform same-gender marriage ceremonies in the wake of a California court ruling that allows gay couples to marry, their bishop says. While the church's California-Nevada legislative assembly approved a resolution in June commending retired clergy who have offered to perform such ceremonies, Bishop Beverly J. Shamana has issued a ruling declaring the statement "void and of no effect."

Young, Diverse Disciples a Priority at Annual Conferences

July 14, 2008 – The need to reach out to a broader demographic was a central theme for the shrinking United Methodist Church in the United States as 63 U.S. annual (regional) conferences met this May and June. In the words of the Rev. Lovett Weems, a denominational researcher and speaker who addressed the Mississippi Annual Conference, "Can the church change to reach more people, younger people and more diverse people?" The church answered affirmatively as conferences celebrated new churches, planned future church plants and worked to improve existing faith communities.

Church Need Not Be Afraid, New Hampshire Bishop Tells Putney Gathering

July 13, 2008 – Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, whose same-gender partnership has caused debate in the Anglican Communion, on July 13 said the church should not be fearful since "it is not ours to win or lose; it is God's gift to us, even ours to take some risks with." It was one of several public events that included Robinson in the days before the July 16 opening of the Lambeth Conference, the decennial meeting of the world's Anglican bishops. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, concerned about Anglican unity, did not invite Robinson to attend the conference, but the Rev. Giles Fraser, rector of St. Mary's Church, Putney, in the south London-based Diocese of Southwark, was allowed to invite Robinson to preach at the regular Sunday evening eucharist.

Ecumenical News

Churches' Feedback Greatly Needed, Committee Says

July 18, 2008 – A key committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling ecumenical partners, including its 349 member churches, for more feedback on two crucial matters of concern facing the church and the WCC. Meeting in Germany at the beginning of July, the WCC Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration is calling on member churches to provide more feedback on the proposal for an "expanded assembly" (or "expanded space") and the theological understanding of the church (or "ecclesiology"), one of the most contentious points in any ecumenical dialogue.

Spanish News

Teólogos Debaten Sustentabilidad De La Vida

12 julio 2008, BELO HORIZONTE, Brasil – Teólogos y teólogas cristianos brasileños y latinoamericanos debatieron el tema Sustentabilidad de la Vida y Espiritualidad, en el 21º Congreso de la Sociedad de Teología y Ciencias de la Religión, realizado del 7 al 10 de julio en esta capital. Participaron del encuentro más de 20 teólogos y cientistas de la religión, la mayoría católicos, oriundos de diversas religiones del país.

Celebrar a Calvino Cambiando Al Mundo, Dice La ARM

17 julio 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – La Alianza Reformada Mundial (ARM) cuyas raíces se remontan hasta la reforma religiosa del siglo XVI dirigida por Juan Calvino, está llamando a sus miembros para que celebren en 2009 el 500º aniversario del natalicio del reformador mediante el trabajo por la unidad de la Iglesia, la promoción de la justicia social, el respeto por la creación y la lucha contra la guerra y la violencia. Por Stephen Brown para ENI Trad. de L. Cervantes-Ortiz para ALC El líder protestante conocido como Juan Calvino nació el 10 de julio de 1509 en Noyon, al norte de Francia.

Visita Solidaria Del CMI Fortalecerá Esfuerzos De Cristianos Indonesios Por Superar La Violencia

16 julio 2008 – Las iglesias que trabajan por la paz en Indonesia – un país que en las últimas décadas ha tenido que hacer frente al estallido constante de conflictos étnicos y religiosos, y a la integración de desplazados internos, así como de refugiados de fuera de sus fronteras – recibirán la visita solidaria de una delegación ecuménica internacional enviada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) del 17 al 24 de julio. Los miembros de la delegación (véase la lista más abajo) conocerán los proyectos de los cristianos indonesios en pro de la paz y compartirán con ellos las experiencias de sus propias iglesias en Alemania, Australia, Corea, Estados Unidos y Sudán.

Manifiesto Contra Nuevo Libro De Gobierno De La Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana De México

16 julio 2008, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – Un importante grupo de miembros de la Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México (INPM) redactó un manifiesto expresando su inconformidad con la nueva Constitución general (Libro de Gobierno), que ya entraría en vigencia. El mismo excluye a las mujeres de los ministerios eclesiales y no menciona a las minorías, entre otros items. Este grupo de hombres y mujeres se han estado reuniendo preocupados "por la manera en que actúa el liderazgo responsable de desarrollar la visión y los planes para el desarrollo de la iglesia."

La Pastora Inés Simeoni Fue Electa Nueva Presidenta De La Iglesia Metodista En El Uruguay

18 julio 2008, MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – La Iglesia Evangélica Metodista en el Uruguay (IMU) realiza del 17 al 20 de julio su Asamblea General en las instalaciones del Instituto Crandon en Montevideo. Convocados bajo el lema "Fieles a Jesucristo en un Estado laico" la Asamblea reflexionó sobre "La Iglesia en el orden jurídico y social del país" para lo cual participaron destacadas figuras como la Obispa argentina Nelly Ritchie, el Licenciado Gerardo Caetano, el pastor Hugo Malán de la Iglesia Evangélica Valdense y Felipe Michelini en representación del Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. La Asamblea se realiza cada dos años con la participación de delegados de todas las congregaciones metodistas.

National News

Lease of Property Issue Heads to United Methodist ‘Supreme Court'

July 18, 2008, DALLAS – A faculty member of Southern Methodist University wants The United Methodist Church's highest court to rule on whether the leasing of property to The President George W. Bush Foundation violates the university's articles of incorporation and subsidizes a political view point. The Rev. Jeannie Trevino-Teddlie, director of the Mexican-American program at Perkins School of Theology at United Methodist-related SMU and a delegate to the South Central Jurisdictional Conference from the Central Texas Annual (regional) Conference, asked for a decision of law that will go to the United Methodist Judicial Council this fall.

International News

Lutheran Theologians Reflect on Pentecostal Influences in Africa
Churches Urged to Relate to People's Actual Needs

July 17, 2008, SOWETO, South Africa/GENEVA – There is much diversity among Lutheran churches in Africa with regard to healing, exorcism, testifying, speaking in tongues and other practices associated with Pentecostal churches, yet there are Lutheran theological convictions, such as the priority of God's grace, that are key for assessing such practices. This became evident at a 6-11 July theological seminar of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) of 30 theologians from different parts of Africa and beyond, deliberating on the theme, "Critical Lutheran Beliefs and Practices in Relation to Neo-Pentecostalism."

WCC Solidarity Team Visit to Strengthen Indonesian Christian Efforts in Overcoming Violence

July 16, 2008 – Churches working for peace in Indonesia – a country which over the last decades had to cope with repeated outbreaks of ethnic and religious conflicts, the integration of internally displaced people as well as refugees from outside its borders – will receive a solidarity visit of an international ecumenical delegation sent by the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 17 to 24 July. The delegation members (see list below) will learn about peace-building projects by Indonesian Christians and share experiences made in their own churches in Australia, USA, Germany, Korea and Sudan.