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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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Ramzi Zananiri to Discuss Climate Change and Palestinian Issues at DC Advocacy Conference February 17, 2009, NEW YORK – The head of a Church World Service partner agency providing emergency and development assistance to the Palestinian community will discuss Palestinian issues at Ecumenical Advocacy Days, the nation's largest annual gathering of Christian peace and justice activists, set for Mar. 13-16 outside Washington, D.C. Ramzi Zananiri, executive director of the International Christian Committee-Jerusalem, is scheduled to lead a workshop exploring how environmental changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories contribute to poverty and food insecurity. He also will discuss the Israel-Palestine water conflict and the importance of fair and just water policies to peace building. No Matter the Crisis, the World Cannot Afford Cuts in Health Expenditure February 19, 2009 – How economies will fare after the current financial seism has passed will depend very much on how governments and civil society are able to care for the welfare and health of their people during the crisis. An ongoing concern for the World Health Organization (WHO) – the issue of how the financial crisis impacts health expenditure across the world – also interests civil society and faith-based organizations. It is a good sign that two major meetings will soon bring the matter into the public spotlight. United Methodists Commit to Action on Immigration February 19, 2009, DALLAS – United Methodists are responding with compassion to the "aliens" in their midst with prayer vigils and letters to the president, members of Congress, and other officials calling for immigration reform. Many of the faith groups are using Leviticus 19:33-34 as their call to justice: "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Anglican Communion Consultation on Evangelism and Church Growth February 18, 2009 – As a follow up on the aspirations and desire of the Bishops at the 2008 Lambeth Conference "to develop a worldwide vision and strategy of church planting, growth and mission,"[1] taken forward by the Joint Standing Committee of the ACC and the Primates,[2] the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, The Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon, invited a small but diverse group of people involved in evangelistic and church growth ministry, from around the Communion to a consultation to take forward the recommendation of setting up an Evangelism and Church Growth Network. ELCA Task Force Releases ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust' February 19, 2009, CHICAGO – The 15-member Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality released Feb. 19 "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" – a proposed social statement on human sexuality. The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly – the chief legislative body of the church – is expected to consider the social statement for adoption as an official statement Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis. The proposed statement addresses a spectrum of concerns relevant to human sexuality from a Lutheran perspective. It responds to the question: "How do we understand human sexuality within the context of Jesus' invitation to love God and love our neighbor?" February 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – Tricia Fischer is no stranger to the global marketplace. As a supervisor for the United Parcel Service with responsibility for its international gateways, she thinks and acts globally every day. Thus already more attuned than most to the world's intimately interconnected nature, Fischer turned both a personal and an advocate's eye to world hunger issues, questioning how her own actions involving food were affecting her neighbors, locally and globally. Fischer, who was raised as a Baptist and later joined the United Methodist Church, attends Covenant Community Church, a new church development of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. Life at the Cross Roads February 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – Letting go of the past is sometimes needed in order to make way for a new thing, and that's exactly what the members of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church did as it reorganized for ministry. The Leechburg, PA, congregation is the result of the 2005 merger of former Calvary Presbyterian Church and Gray Stone Presbyterian Church. Since that joining together a completely different approach to ministry and mission has emerged that is helping grow Cross Roads – and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – deep and wide. Opposition, Support for ELCA Task Force Recommendation, Social Statement February 20, 2009, CHICAGO – The Feb. 19 release of two documents from the Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality generated support and opposition from such organizations as Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA), Lutheran CORE, WordAlone and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). The task force released a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies," which primarily focuses on changing the policy that "ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships" – as stated in the ELCA's Vision and Expectations" for ordained ministries. Ecumenical Water Network Suggests Ideas for Prayer and Action During Lent February 19, 2009 – As the season of Lent draws near, the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) invites Christians to mark the occasion with reflection and action on water justice. During the Seven Weeks for Water initiative, theologians and church activists from Africa, Europe, North and South America will share short biblical meditations for each week along with some campaigning ideas and resources. The first set of materials will be available on the EWN website from 25 February – Ash Wednesday according to Western Christian tradition. EWN also provides an RSS stream for the seven weeks, which allows groups and congregations to give visibility to their participation on their own websites. February 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – In just one hour, Presbyterians can help bring water to communities in the Dominican Republic, rally against government corruption in Cameroon and provide support to those still struggling to rebuild on the Gulf Coast. Through the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) – now in its 60th year – the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) joins with eight other Christian denominations across the country to raise money for refugee assistance, disaster relief and development aid. The offering is usually collected at worship services on Palm Sunday or Easter or throughout Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. February 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – The World Council of Churches (WCC) is accepting applications now for its 2009 Stewards Program, Aug. 19- Sept. 4 in Geneva, Switzerland in conjunction with the meeting of the WCC's Central Committee. English-speaking young adults aged 18-30 from WCC member churches are eligible to apply. Deadline for applications is March 31. Twenty-five young adults will be accepted. The 150-member WCC Central Committee meets every 18 months to monitor and set directions for the council's work. SAN FRANCISCO – I was privileged last month to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus inaugural interfaith prayer service as a representative of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). And while the historic nature of the presidential inauguration was certainly important, I was most struck by the constant remembrance of the Rev. Martin Luther King's commitment to non-violence in response to the shackles of oppression. As I sat there, I could not help but wonder what it is that shackles us today. Where are our acts of civil disobedience called for in the world, our communities, and the church? Bautistas Trabajando Por La Justicia Y La Paz 19 febrero 2009, ROMA, Italia – La Cuarta Conferencia Global Bautista por la Paz se realizó del 9 al 14 de febrero en Castelgandolfo, en las afueras de Roma. Más de 350 personas representando a 59 países se dieron cita en el bello paisaje romano para compartir, reflexionar y planificar estrategias de acciones por la justicia y la paz. Este evento global inauguró la celebración del 400 Aniversario de la herencia bautista, siendo reconocido en diversos lugares alrededor del mundo.Al igual que las anteriores conferencias en Suecia (1988), Nicaragua (1992) y Australia (2000, la reunión atrajo a bautistas activos en luchas no violentas por la justicia. Critica La Iglesia Católica La Falta De Debates Durante Campaña Electoral 18 febrero 2009, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – La ausencia o rechazo de un candidato presidencial a un debate, es un claro ejemplo del comportamiento futuro de esta persona al llegar a la Presidencia de la República de Panamá, formuló la iglesia panameña en su periódico oficial. Este es el punto de vista de la Iglesia Católica reflejado en editorial del semanario Panorama Católico. "Cuando un candidato decide ausentarse o rechazar una oportunidad de debate, especialmente cuando organismos serios y confiables lo convocan, como es el caso de la Iglesia, es un claro síntoma de cuál será su comportamiento en el ejercicio del poder," señaló. Luteranos: Faltó Diálogo Con Las Religiones Y La Sociedad En Acuerdo Brasil-Vaticano 16 febrero 2009, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – El pastor Walter Altmann, presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana en Brasil (IECLB) y moderador del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), con sede en Ginebra, Suiza, lamentó que el Acuerdo firmado el 13 de noviembre 2008 por el Estado brasileño y el Vaticano "se ha preparado, negociado y firmado en última instancia, sin que se había producido un intercambio de ideas y diálogo con otras religiones, así como la sociedad en general," señalando que la libertad religiosa y la igualdad de las religiones "son una disposición constitucional que no puede ser herida. Para Terminar Con La Leyenda De Calvino "El Coco" 20 febrero 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – Regresó a Ginebra en 1541 reclamado por sus seguidores, y en un breve lapso transformó la ciudad en una suerte de "Roma Protestante." Las costumbres fueron modificadas y dictadas por "Ordenanzas Eclesiásticas," y se atacó tanto la superstición —léase catolicismo— como el comportamiento escandaloso. Porque para Juan Calvino, era perfectamente legítimo que la Iglesia regulara la vida privada y la moralidad pública. Los ginebrinos y ginebrinas de nuestros días no se sienten particularmente orgullosos de su herencia calvinista. Los Cristianos Tienen Un Papel En La Reconstrucción De Irak, Dicen Líderes Eclesiales 19 febrero 2009 – Representantes de iglesias de Irak confirmaron su compromiso de trabajar con todos los ciudadanos iraquíes por la reconciliación y la construcción de la paz en el país. "La solución a las actuales condiciones no reside en vaciar Irak de sus recursos humanos," dijeron los participantes en una reunión celebrada los días 10 y 11 de febrero en Dar Sayedat Al Jabal, Fatka, Líbano, organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). Asistieron a la reunión 12 líderes de iglesias iraquíes, los cuales examinaron los desafíos con que se enfrentan hoy los cristianos de Irak, especialmente las cuestiones de seguridad y emigración forzada. Los Cristianos Tienen Un Papel En La Reconstrucción De Irak, Dicen Líderes Eclesiales 19 febrero 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – Representantes de iglesias de Irak confirmaron su compromiso de trabajar con todos los ciudadanos iraquíes por la reconciliación y la construcción de la paz en el país. "La solución a las actuales condiciones no reside en vaciar Irak de sus recursos humanos," dijeron los participantes en una reunión celebrada los días 10 y 11 de febrero en Dar Sayedat Al Jabal, Fatka, Líbano, organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). Asistieron a la reunión 12 líderes de iglesias iraquíes, los cuales examinaron los desafíos con que se enfrentan hoy los cristianos de Irak, especialmente las cuestiones de seguridad y emigración forzada. February 18, 2009, NEW YORK – The President of Fordham University, Fr. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. announced Tuesday Feb. 17, a Jaharis Family Foundation gift establishing the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture as part of the Orthodox Christian Studies Program of this renowned Roman-Catholic Jesuit University. The announcement came at the conclusion of the Sixth Annual Orthodoxy in America Lecture given this year by Fr. Stanley Harakas, ThD, who is the Archbishop Iakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology Emeritus at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Fr. Harakas' topic The Future of Orthodox Christianity in America: A Normative Approach captivated his diverse audience of academics, clergymen, students and laymen. Churches, World Relief Respond after Ice Storm Hits Three States February 17, 2009 – Although crews have been working for two weeks to restore power after a late January ice storm hit areas of Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky, some residents may wait another month before their lights come on. Meanwhile, LCMS congregations and LCMS World Relief and Human Care are extending help to their neighbors after a storm that some call the worst in memory. Some members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Sikeston, Mo., may wait a month for electricity, while in Clay County, Ark., home of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Corning, 45 percent of residents are without power as electric crews repair 2,677 miles of downed lines. Lutheran Pastors, Rescue Workers Respond to Buffalo Plane Crash February 14, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Stephen C. Biegner heard the Feb. 12 crash that claimed 50 lives when a commuter airplane plunged into a nearby home in suburban Buffalo, N.Y. "I got over there as fast as possible and started praying," said Biegner, a pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Clarence Center, only a few doors down from the fiery site. Many of the firefighters and other rescue workers also rushing to the scene attend Zion, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "I saw a lot first responders being the hands of God," Biegner said. "They put themselves in harm's way. They focused on how to help and how to get people out." CWS Opens Two New Refugee Resettlement Offices in North Carolina February 17, 2009, NEW YORK – Support for refugees living in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and Greensboro, North Carolina, is being strengthened with the opening of two new Church World Service (CWS) resettlement offices. The new offices will work closely with CWS's national resettlement program and with North Carolina faith communities to welcome refugee newcomers – who, by definition, have fled persecution in their home countries – and help them achieve self-sufficiency even in these difficult economic times. CWS is one of nine national voluntary agencies that work with the federal government and a nationwide network of local agencies to resettle refugees across the United States. Episcopal Church Petitions to Join Property Case, Wants Duncan to Vacate Offices February 17, 2009, PITTSBURGH – Saying that all property held by or for a diocese can only be used for the mission of that diocese and the Episcopal Church, the church has asked a Pennsylvania court to allow it to join an ongoing case concerning the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. Institute Condemns Imposition of Shariah Law as Concession to Extremists in Pakistan February 19, 2009, WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy condemns the decision of the Pakistan government to impose Shariah law on entire regions of Pakistan in concessions aimed at pacifying a spreading Taliban insurgency. The announcement came after talks with local Islamists, including one closely linked to the Taliban. Amir Haider Khan Hoti, the chief minister for the North West Frontier Province, said authorities would impose Islamic law in Malakand region, which includes the Swat Valley. European Union Expresses "Deep Concern" over Seven Baha'i Prisoners February 18, 2009, GENEVA – The European Union yesterday issued a statement expressing its "deep concern" over Iran's plans to bring seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders to trial for espionage and other charges. The Baha'i International Community has called for their immediate release, maintaining their innocence and characterizing the regime's claims as an "escalation of its systematic crackdown on the Baha'is." The EU statement coincided with increasingly sharp anti-Baha'i rhetoric from Iranian officials, who said a trial for the seven might come within a week. Institute Deplores 20-year Sentences for Afghans Who Translated Quran February 19, 2009, WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy condemns the life sentences of 20 years in prison handed down Feb. 15 by an Afghan court to two men for distributing a translation of the Quran in 2007. The Kabul men, Ahmad Ghaws Zalmai (pictured at left) and cleric Qari Mushtaq Ahmad (at right), helped print 1,000 copies of an Afghan language translation of the Quran. Because the translation did not have the original Arabic verses of the Quran, Islamic clerics accused the men of breaking Shariah law by modifying the holy book. Ray of Hope Promotes "True Love Waits" and Adoption in Taiwan February 16, 2009 – Ray of Hope chose Valentine's Day, an occasion celebrating love and life, to stage a "Walk-for-Life" event in Tainan city. With the partnership of Tainan city government, local churches, and other social organizations, over 700 participants took the streets to urge Taiwanese society to cherish unborn babies and stop abortions. Participants convened in downtown Tainan on the afternoon of February 14th for the march and held up banners and flags they had made at home. The crowd also held pink or red balloons with the words "Cherish unborn babies. Please don't choose abortion." Christians Protest Against Turning Taiwan into a "Republic of Casino" February 16, 2009 – In preparation for the anti-gambling rally to be held on March 15th, Taiwan Anti-Gambling Alliance staged a mock ceremony on February 14th, 2009 to mark the birth of "Republic of Casino." The event was meant to poke fun of the Ma administration for passing the Offshore Islands Development Act, which would make gambling and casinos legal in Taiwan's off-shore islands. "Republic of Casino" shares the same initials as Taiwan's formal name – Republic of China – and casino opponents are worried that the legislation will sooner or later transform Taiwan into a "Republic of Casino." Swift International Reaction to Pending Trial for Iranian Baha'is February 15, 2009, NEW YORK – International reaction to news that Iran may soon put on trial seven Baha'i leaders for espionage and other charges came swiftly last week as governments, parliamentary leaders and human rights organizations expressed strong criticism of any such trial. Many called for the immediate release of the Baha'is. The group of seven has been imprisoned in Tehran since last spring. Since then, no formal charges had been announced, but the Iranian news agency ISNA reported last Wednesday that the Baha'is would be accused of "espionage for Israel, insulting [Islamic] religious sanctities, and propaganda against the Islamic republic." The Baha'is have had no access to their attorney, Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. WACC Statement on International Mother Language Day February 21, 2009, TORONTO – A mother tongue is the language a mother teaches her child. It is the umbilical cord linking that child to the community in which she or he grows up. As such, it is a verbal skin of identity, shaping the sounds used to express feelings, meanings, and relationships. While mother tongue education and multilingualism are increasingly promoted around the world, languages are disappearing. UNESCO's Atlas on Endangered Languages points out that "the past three hundred years have seen a dramatic increase in the death and disappearance of languages leading to the situation today in which 3,000 or more languages that are still spoken are endangered, seriously endangered, or dying." Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners Gather Advice for Their Successors February 19, 2009 – Truth and Reconciliation commissioners Jane Brewin Morley and Claudette Dumont-Smith came to the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod office in Toronto on Feb. 13 to consult with an ecumenical group that helps the churches engage in the Truth and Reconciliation process. The outgoing commissioners are preparing information and advice for the yet-to-be-appointed new commissioners and chair. Christians Have a Role to Play in Rebuilding Iraq, Church Leaders Say February 17, 2009 – Representatives of churches in Iraq confirmed their commitment to work together with all Iraqi citizens for reconciliation and rebuilding peace in the country. "The solution to current conditions lies not in emptying Iraq of its human resources," said the participants at a 10-11 February meeting in Dar Sayedat Al Jabal, Fatka, Lebanon. The meeting was organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC). Some 12 representatives of Iraqi churches attended the gathering, which addressed the challenges facing Christians in Iraq today, particularly issues of safety and security as well as forced migration. U.S. Congress Members Meet with Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem February 20, 2009, JERUSALEM – U.S. House of Representatives members Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) and Brian Baird (D-Washington) met February 18 with Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil S. Dawani prior to their visit to Gaza. Ellison and Baird met Dawani in Doha, Qatar, during the 2009 U.S. Islamic World Forum. Dawani, a participant at the forum, had invited them to visit him at St. George's Anglican Cathedral when in Jerusalem. Ellison is the only Muslim in the U.S. Congress During the 70 minute meeting, Dawani briefed the two men on the work and mission of the diocese and its involvement in ecumenical and interfaith endeavors in the five countries served by the Diocese of Jerusalem since the inception of an Anglican presence in Jerusalem in 1841. Southern Virginia: New Bishop Proclaims Diocese Has ‘Come a Very Long Way' February 17, 2009 – A day after his consecration on February 13 as tenth bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, Bishop Herman "Holly" Hollerith IV, 53, addressed the diocesan Annual Council. "We have come a very long way in Southern Virginia. Not all wounds are healed. Not all of our brokenness is mended. Not all of our fears have been relieved. But, by the grace of God, we are blessed with some light at the end of this tunnel," he said. Hollerith succeeded Bishop David Bane, who retired in 2006. Reported problems during Bane's tenure, including questions of management style, culminated at the 2005 Annual Council with the adoption of a resolution calling on Bane to request the Presiding Bishop to appoint three bishops to evaluate diocesan programs and relationships and recommend steps to move the ministry of the diocese forward. ‘The Indispensable Guide to the Old Testament': Reading Hebrew Scripture Demystified February 18, 2009 – A new release from Pilgrim Press, "The Indispensable Guide to the Old Testament," 2009, is the publisher's third title in the "Indispensible Guide" series. Intended for lay leaders and those pursuing theological education outside of Masters of Divinity coursework, "The Indispensable Guide to the Old Testament" is a thorough, yet readable, guide to understanding and interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures. The author, Angela Bauer-Levesque, is associate professor of Bible, Culture and Interpretation and acting Academic Dean at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass. Her approach to the Old Testament texts is not so much an exhaustive overview as it is a roadmap for further study. ‘Two Minutes for God' Offers Sips of Inspiration February 20, 2009 – First Radio Parish Church of America minister, the Rev. Peter B. Panagore, has released a collection of his televised daily devotions in "Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit." Shown during the morning news on two NBC affiliates in Maine, the show, called "Daily Devotions," is the televised ministry of First Radio Parish Church of America. Broadcast on radio since 1926, and television since 1954, "Daily Devotions" has now broadened its reach through the Internet and its website. Panagore, an ordained UCC minister, took the post at First Radio Parish of America in 2003 after serving churches in Connecticut and Maine for 18 years.
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