Front Page

Statement by the Right Rev'd Suheil S. Dawani,
Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, on Gaza

December 30, 2008, JERUSALEM – During recent weeks, the three Abrahamic Faiths have observed their Holy Seasons with a sense of peace and goodwill. Therefore, we are greatly grieved by the severity of the ongoing military operations in Gaza that are occurring in heavily populated areas and impacting the civilian population. As a Diocese with well over a century of an unbroken commitment to the well being and peace of the community in Gaza City through our Al Ahli Arab Hospital, we are both stunned and saddened by the events unfolding in Gaza.

Amid the Violence in the Middle East and Elsewhere,
A Prayer of Contrition and Messages to the President

December 30, 2008, NEW YORK – As the death toll in Gaza exceeded 350 in the fourth day of Israeli attacks, and as violence continued in other world hot spots, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA has offered a prayer of contrition and a plea to God to "make war cease." In addition, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon also joined ecumenical and interfaith leaders in signing separate letters to President Bush to press for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Also today, patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem issued a statement expressing "deep concern, regret and shock" over the war now raging.

Lutheran Bishop Joins Jerusalem Church Leaders in Calling for Peace

December 31, 2008, CHICAGO – Prominent Christian leaders around the world are calling for an end to the violence that erupted in Gaza during the Christmas season. Patriarchs, bishops and the heads of Christian church bodies in Jerusalem issued a statement Dec. 30 urging an end to the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in hundreds of deaths. "We call upon all officials of both parties to return to their senses and refrain from all violent acts ... and urge them instead work to resolve their differences through peaceful and nonviolent means," the statement said. The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, signed the statement along with 12 others. They included bishops from Syrian, Greek and Armenian Catholic traditions as well as Orthodox patriarchs from Ethiopian, Syrian, Coptic, Latin and Greek communities.

New Year’s Message

Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message –
The Treasure That Is Our Fellow Human Beings

January 1, 2009 On January 1st 2009 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, delivers his New Year Message on BBC One at 1.30pm and again on BBC Two at 6.55pm. In the message, Dr Williams asks us to consider the importance placed on material wealth, to ‘turn outwards' and appreciate the treasure that is our ‘fellow human beings' during this time of financial crisis. The Archbishop recognises that people are entering the New Year with "anxiety and insecurity" and "fears about disappearing savings, lost jobs, house repossessions and worse" but sees recent months as having provided an opportunity to "think about wealth and security and about where our ‘treasure' is."

General News

Director of Disaster Response Ministry Says Lutherans Persevere

December 29, 2008 – According to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, Lutherans have shown courage, strength and perseverance in responding to the needs of their neighbors in 2008. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response, commented on the record-breaking year for U.S. disasters in a Dec. 19 letter he wrote to members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). At least 500 more tornadoes swept across the country in 2008 than in 2007, Massey said. Widespread flooding affected the Midwest and, in some places, communities experienced 100-year and 500-year record flood levels. In Iowa more than 40,000 households registered for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dates for Study Tour to Georgia and Armenia Are Announced

December 31, 2008, ELGIN, IL – The Church of the Brethren and Heifer International are jointly sponsoring a Study Tour to Georgia and Armenia on Sept. 17-Oct. 1, 2009. Tour leaders will be Jan Schrock, senior advisor for Heifer International, and Kathleen Campanella, partner and public relations director of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The tour will begin with several days in Georgia visiting Heifer dairy and rehabilitation projects, with the remaining time spent in Armenia focusing on agricultural developments, youth peace programs, and cultural landmarks. The tour may visit a site of Brethren mission work in Armenia in the early 1900s and commemorate relief work done by the Brethren following the genocide in Armenia.

Lutherans to Observe National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Jan. 11

December 29, 2008 – On Sunday, Jan. 11, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will observe National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day committed to raising awareness and fostering action against commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor or slavery. Some congregations are observing the day by studying the ELCA Message on Commercial Sexual Exploitation and participating in the efforts of Cherish Our Children, a ministry of the ELCA dedicated to preventing the sexual exploitation of children through prayer and action. The ELCA Justice for Women program offers resources on commercial sexual exploitation, violence against women and more. "Human trafficking grosses almost as much revenue as the illegal drug industry, and it occurs in obvious places, such as brothels that skirt major sporting events worldwide, and in not-so-obvious places, such as local malls in the United States.

Lutheran Teens Say God's Justice Goes Beyond ‘Just Us'

December 30, 2008, CHICAGO – Amanda Kurtz is a ninth grader who loves math, dreams of being an architect and participates on tennis and dance teams at her high school in Aitkin, Minn., a one-stoplight town of 2,000 best known for its annual parade of decorated ice fishing houses. She also volunteers at a soup kitchen 30 miles away and at a weekly community meal served by her Aitkin congregation, First Lutheran Church. Her plans for 2009 include several days of volunteer work in Illinois, Louisiana and Tennessee. "I've never had the experience of traveling somewhere to help people for a while," said 15-year-old Amanda. "It's important to do this and understand why God wants me to."

Lutheran Services in Iowa Critical to Storm Victims' Recovery

January 2, 2009 CHICAGO – Many Iowa families are beginning 2009 still trying to recover from devastating tornadoes and floods of 2008. They're crediting Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) for making their hardships bearable. LSI is affiliated with Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. "I was ready to give up," said Joe Fodor of Washburn, a town of 1,400 residents in eastern Iowa affected by flooding. "LSI is just a godsend, and they are so helpful to me and my family." The worst Midwest flooding in 15 years barreled through Iowa and other states last summer and swamped businesses, homes and farms.

Church of the Brethren Funds Offer Replenishment Grants for Local Hunger Ministries

December 31, 2008, ELGIN, IL – The Church of the Brethren's Global Food Crisis Fund and Emergency Disaster Fund have begun a new program to encourage congregations to make a special effort this winter to respond to local food bank or soup kitchen financial needs. The "Domestic Hunger Matching Grant" program is a partnership with the Church of the Brethren's stewardship department. Congregations will be matched dollar for dollar – up to $500 – for a gift to one local food bank or soup kitchen. The program will be in place through March 15.

National News

ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges U.S. Involvement in Middle East

December 30, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined with other U.S. religious leaders in calling on President George W. Bush to do more to help end the escalation of violence between Hamas and Israel. "More than words are needed," said a Dec. 30 letter sent to Bush. "We urge you to send a high level personal representative to the region immediately to help negotiate a ceasefire." The letter was signed by prominent Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders who are members of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, an organization of more than 25 religious organizations.

International News

Gap Between Rich and Poor Reflected in Children's School Performance

December 28, 2008 – According to a report on students from low income families conducted by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, students from poorer families do not perform as well as students from average or rich families. This report revealed that 14.8% of students from poor families score less than other students in their report cards. Furthermore, once they reach ninth grade, 48.5% of regular students score in the upper tier compared to only 17% of students from poorer families. The data gathered by the report shows that school performance among students from poor families become progressively worse as they become older and the grade gap between them and other students widens progressively as well.

Church of the Brethren Plans Major Disaster Recovery Project in Haiti

December 31, 2008, ELGIN, IL – Church of the Brethren programs are planning a major longterm disaster recovery project in Haiti responding to the summer's hurricanes and tropical storms, following a visit from an assessment team this fall. The Haiti disaster response project is being coordinated by Brethren Disaster Ministries. Others that are part of the planning and implementation include the Church of the Brethren's Haiti Mission, Haiti Advisory Committee, Global Mission Partnerships, Global Food Crisis Fund, and Haiti disaster response coordinator Jeff Boshart.

Financial Aid Cases Reach New High as Unemployment Rate Soars

December 28, 2008 – According to information from the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's unemployment rate reached a new high recently. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) issued a report on November 24th revealing unemployment rate in Taiwan for the month of October 2008 reached 4.37%, which also translates into 476 thousands of unemployed people across the country. This figure is 0.1% higher than the previous month and marks the highest rate of unemployment for the month of October in the past five years. Compared to October 2007 figures, there are 55,000 more people unemployed in October 2008.

Restoration Work Begins on Shrine of the Bab

December 28, 2009 HAIFA, Israel – Work has begun on a four-year restoration project on the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, one of the holiest sites in the Baha'i world and Haifa's best-known landmark. The Shrine of the Bab stands at the center of the Baha'i gardens, on the side of Mount Carmel overlooking Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean Sea. The gardens and shrine are among the most visited sites in Israel. The domed structure was completed 55 years ago and now requires restoration and updating, including structural reinforcement against earthquakes, restoration of stonework, replacement of iron decorative elements with stainless steel, upgrading of the electrical system, and refurbishment of the dome with new tiles. There will be no change in the design, use or general appearance of the building.

Reformed Churches in Africa Intensify Commitment to Justice

December 28, 2008 – Reformed churches from across Africa have intensified their commitment to resist the evils of neoliberal economic globalization and empire, which continue to ravage the continent. At a meeting in Maputo, Mozambique, ending on 6 December, the Alliance of Reformed Churches in Africa (ARCA) urged its member churches to continue to promote and implement the Accra Confession for the sake of the weak, poor and marginalized of Africa. ARCA is an Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). The Accra Confession is the major statement of the 24th General Council of WARC, which critiques neoliberal economic globalization, stating that Christians cannot remain silent in the face of its destruction of people and the planet.

Middle East News

Presiding Bishop Joins Call for End to Gaza Attacks

December 29, 2008 – Following a recent upsurge in violence in the Palestinian Territory of Gaza, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and other religious leaders have called for an end to the repeated rocket attacks from Palestinian militants and the continuing Israeli air strikes that are contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis in the world's most densely populated region. "I urge a comprehensive response to these attacks," said Jefferts Schori, who visited Gaza in March to meet with religious and community leaders and tour the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, one of 37 institutions throughout the Middle East run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Churches Urge U.S. Action to Restore Cease Fire in Gaza

December 29, 2008 – UCC-supported Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of 22 national church bodies, is urging prompt action by the U.S. government to end the Gaza violence. In a letter to President Bush, CMEP urged the U.S. government to take action to restore the cease fire between Israel and Gaza. A copy of the letter also went to President-elect Barack Obama. "We at CMEP mourn the losses suffered," said CMEP Executive Director Warren Clark. "Looking forward, we call on the Bush Administration, along with international partners, to take a proactive role now to restore the cease fire, end the blockade and restore security to Gaza's borders."