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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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Racial Profiling in Society Broadens March 17, 2009 – Elmira Nazombe, an African American and executive for racial justice of the United Methodist Women's Division, defines racial profiling with life experiences. When driving around the Morningside Park area of New York City, police stopped her and her son several times to question their intentions. On another occasion, police pulled over and searched her teenage son and friend. Each time, they were simply looking for a parking space in their own neighborhood. Being pulled over for being a person of color is a fact of life that Nazombe and a South Asian neighbor in their new community, Highland Park, N.J., have discussed often. Both have sons now in their 20s. "The police regularly stop young men of color at 10 or 11 o'clock at night," she said, and what you do is "worry and pray." What Is the Parliament of the World's Religions 2009? March 19, 2009 – First held in 1893 and every 5 years since 1993 the PWR 2009 will be a gathering of over 10,000 people of faith and other interested people of goodwill meeting in Melbourne to learn about each other, to consider issues of global significance and to promote interreligious understanding and cooperation. Historic Ecumenical Conference Seeks to Affirm Solidarity and Global Justice for Dalits March 19, 2009 – "The suffering and injustice experienced by millions of Dalit people and communities is a challenge to the credibility of the churches' affirmations of faith in India and worldwide," according to Rev. Deenabandhu Manchala who heads the World Council of Churches (WCC) Just and Inclusive Communities Programme. Manchala was speaking on the eve of the "Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits" which will take place from 21 to 24 March 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand, at the joint initiative of the WCC and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Jerusalem Bishop Visits Gaza Five Weeks after Being Denied Entry by Israeli Authorities March 19, 2009 – Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani, Greek Catholic Archbishop Elias Chacour and Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan were granted permission to enter Gaza March 10 to make a pastoral visit to the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Dawani and Younan had both been denied entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities on February 4 despite having been informed that their request for permits had been granted. While Israel withdrew its military and settlers from Gaza in 2005, it continues to maintain control over entry into the Palestinian territory via land, air, and sea. Five CUS Schools Will Offer Free Tuition to Veterans March 19, 2009 – Beginning this fall, eligible veterans of the U.S. armed forces receiving full Chapter 33 benefits can earn a graduate or undergraduate degree tuition-free from at least five of the Synod's 10 Concordia University System (CUS) schools nationwide. Housing and other fees still apply, however. Under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, veterans and other qualified military personnel are eligible to receive a subsidy for tuition that is equivalent to the highest tuition of any public institution in the state. Under the national program, half of the difference between a CUS school's tuition and the veteran's subsidy is covered by the university, and the other half will come from the federal government through the Yellow Ribbon Program. March 16, 2009 – This year's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was focused on the priority theme: the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS. The Anglican Delegates at CSW 53 worked hard to ensure that they took part in all aspects of the two week programme. They were delegates representing the Anglican Communion and supported by Anglican Women's Empowerment (AWE) and by a worship framework which in itself was challenging and sustaining. The delegates in reporting to their provinces recognize the progress which has occurred in many countries. Renowned Theologians Discuss ‘New Ways of Being Church' March 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – Today's church is in the midst of a "hurricane of change," popular speaker and author the Rev. Brian D. McLaren told a sellout crowd at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on the opening night of a four-day theological symposium. But there are signs of hope, he said, for out of this stormy period is emerging a new and more authentic kind of Christianity. McLaren, a leader in the "emergent church" movement, joined influential scholars Marcus J. Borg and Diana Butler Bass in discussing the theme "New Ways of Being Church" at the seminary's annual Festival of Theology, March 15-18. ELCA Bishops Participate in HIV Screening March 17, 2009, CHICAGO – Hoping to encourage other church leaders and lessen the stigma and discrimination that often surrounds HIV and AIDS, most members of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) participated in HIV screening March 5 here at the Lutheran Center. The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church, consisting of bishops who lead the 65 synods of the ELCA, plus the ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA secretary. The conference met March 5-10 here and in Itasca, Ill. At least 56 members of the conference were screened, said the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop. Lutheran Theologians Respond to ELCA Task Force Documents March 20, 2009, CHICAGO – Three theologians of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) responded unfavorably to content in two documents released by the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality. The task force released Feb. 19 a proposed social statement on human sexuality and a report recommending a process to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers. Recommendations for both documents will be considered at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the church's chief legislative body, Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis. March 19, 2009, LOUISVILLE – With nearly three-fourths of the votes in, a hotly-contested proposed amendment to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution is trailing. The amendment – officially dubbed "Amendment B" – would replace the current requirement that church officers live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" with a new G-6.0106b. As of March 18, the unofficial tally is 47 presbyteries in favor, with 79 opposed. The final tally will be certified and announced by the Office of the General Assembly. March 18, 2009 – Members of the House of Bishops concluded their six-day retreat at Kanuga Conference Center on March 18 by unanimously approving a pastoral letter about the hope the church offers despite "a culture of scarcity" and a deepening crisis "both economic and environmental." Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori described the meeting, framed in daily worship, bible study, and prayer, as a "wonderful" time with discussions ranging from economics to politics, from the Anglican Communion to full communion with the Moravian Church, and electing the Rev. Luis Fernando Ruiz of Colombia as bishop of Ecuador Central. Churches Focus on Christian Recovery Programs March 20, 2009 – Is something hurting you? Is something holding you back from living your life fully? Do you have a habit that is addictive or otherwise causes problems for your life and those around you? Does your church and community need greater awareness of the struggles of addiction for those dealing with it? United Methodist congregations are joining programs that address these hurts, habits and hang-ups. In turn, they are building more welcoming congregations and individuals who are leaders in those congregations and greater communities. Survey Looks at United Methodist Clergy Spouses March 19, 2009 – Today's clergy spouse, either male or female, often has a graduate degree and a full-time job outside the church. That is one of the findings of a survey on "Clergy Spouses and Families in The United Methodist Church 2009." The survey was prepared by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in collaboration with the denomination's Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Board of Discipleship and Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Church Leaders Suggest Ways to Overcome Profiling March 18, 2009 – When a young person of color is running down the street at dusk, what are your first thoughts about what just happened? It's a question that Erin Hawkins, chief executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, wants people to ask themselves. It is, she said, your "mental unspoken description of the activity that you see" that defines how racial stereotypes have shaped people and their views of others. Unspoken mental views of people who are visibly different from others can shape a person's actions—a woman pulling her purse closer when an African-American approaches, a man suspiciously watching a Native youth when he walks through the neighborhood, or airport security detaining a Middle Eastern woman because of her native attire. El Debate Sobre El Aborto Terapeútico Llega a La Iglesia Católica 18 marzo 2009, SANTIAGO, Chile – El candidato de la concertación a la presidencia de la nación Eduardo Frei, dijo la semana pasada que estaba de acuerdo con el aborto terapéutico. La declaración abrió el debate en todo los sectores de la ciudadanía. Esto llevó al obispo Alejandro Goic, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopa, a sacar el martes 17 una declaración publica. En ella recuerda que la Iglesia "tiene que hacerse atractiva, no porque relativiza la verdad, sino porque la presenta en diálogo con la pluralidad de pareceres de la sociedad de hoy." Se Reúne En Cuba La Comisión De Las Iglesias Para Asuntos Internacionales Del Cmi 20 marzo 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – La Comisión de las Iglesias para Asuntos Internacionales (CIAI) del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias se reunió en el Seminario Evangélico de Teología de Matanzas, Cuba, del 15 al 20 de marzo de 2009. La CIAI se creó en 1946 y sus tareas son: asesorar sobre políticas públicas y actividades de sensibilización; asesorar sobre orientaciones programáticas, incluyendo el análisis de problemas sistémicos subyacentes a la injusticia y la transformación social; afrontar los problemas haciendo especial hincapié en el objetivo de promover una función pacificadora y reconciliadora de la religión en los conflictos y en el diálogo interreligioso, como marco para construir comunidades, compartir la fe y comprenderse mutuamente. Periodistas Del Mundo Ecuménico Visitan Medio Oriente En Un Proyecto Del CMI 16 marzo 2009, JERUSALÉN – "Está cada vez más difícil alcanzar la paz en Oriente Medio por causa de la política extremista del gobierno israelí," lamentó el reverendo Dr. Naim Ateek, fundador y líder del Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, de Jerusalén. El sacerdote anglicano conversó con los periodistas extranjeros que visitan Israel y Palestina, del 14 al 20 de marzo, por invitación del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). El objetivo de ese programa de visitas, denominado "Las iglesias como pacificadoras en Oriente Medio," es el de denunciar la situación conflictiva en la región y así contribuir para la construcción de la paz. 18 marzo 2009, SAN SALVADOR – "No estamos viviendo simplemente una crisis local en Guatemala, local en Argentina, local en El Salvador, local en Brasil, se trata de una crisis que está cuestionando el tipo de civilización que hemos desarrollado" afirmó el obispo Federico Pagura, representante del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, en un conversatorio con iglesias protestantes históricas salvadoreñas, miembros de la Comunidad Cristiana Mesoamericana y del Foro Ecuménico del Consejo Latinoamericano de iglesias. Metodistas Festejan 120 Años De Formación Teológica 20 marzo 2009, SAO PAULO, Brasil – La Facultad de Teología (FaTeo) de la Universidad Metodista de São Paulo (Umesp) inauguró, el viernes 13, las nuevas dependencias del Edificio Ômega, en São Bernardo do Campo, en las cuales se destacan paneles del artista plástico Marcos Brescovici. La inauguración integra el calendario conmemorativo de los 120 años de enseñanza teológica metodista en Brasil. El predio abriga salas de aula, biblioteca, auditorio, administración académica y programática de la FaTeo. Protestantes Cuestionan Acuerdo Del Estado Con La Iglesia Católica 17 marzo 2009, BRASIL – El Colegio Episcopal de la Iglesia Metodista instó al Senado a no aprobar el acuerdo entre la Santa Sede y la República de Brasil, ya que ofende a los preceptos constitucionales, tales como la separación entre el Estado y la Iglesia. "Reafirmamos el derecho de la libertad religiosa como uno de los pilares esenciales de una sociedad democrática," dice el pronunciamiento de los obispos metodistas, que proclaman la importancia de la Constitución. 19 marzo 2009 – "El sufrimiento y la injusticia experimentados por millones de personas y comunidades Dalit suponen un desafío para la credibilidad de las afirmaciones de fe de las iglesias en la India y en todo el mundo," según el Rev. Deenabandhu Manchala, quien está al frente del programa de Comunidades justas e incluyentes del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). El Vaticano Critica La Excomunión Dada Por El Aborto a Una Niña Violada 17 marzo 2009, ARGENTINA – Un artículo de primera página de L'Osservatore Romano del pasado domingo, escrito por monseñor Rino Fisichella, presidente de la Pontificia Academia para la Vida, condenó fuertemente al arzobispo brasileño de Recife que hace diez días excomulgó a la madre y al equipo médico que practicaron un aborto a una niña de 9 años, embarazada de gemelos, producto de las violaciones reiteradas de su padrastro. "Son otros los que merecen la excomunión y nuestro perdón," expresó el arzobispo, dirigiéndose a la niña, a quien llamó ficticiamente "Carmen." Egyptian Court Removes Barriers to ID Documents for Baha'is March 16, 2009, GENEVA – A court in Egypt today removed any grounds for preventing Baha'is from receiving proper official identity documents, clearing the way for an end to years of deprivation for Egyptian Baha'is – and opening the door to a new level of respect for religious privacy in Egypt. The Supreme Administrative Court dismissed an appeal by two Muslim lawyers that sought to prevent implementation of a lower court ruling last year that said Baha'is can leave blank the religious classification field on official documents, including all-important identity cards and birth certificates. Florida Hurricane Survivors to Help in New Orleans at ELCA Youth Gathering March 18, 2009, CHICAGO – When Liz Kourtesis of Florida heard that 37,000 Lutherans – mostly teens – were heading to New Orleans this summer to help hurricane survivors, she raced to add her name to the volunteers. She's a hurricane survivor, too. Kourtesis, 19, lives in South Florida, also walloped by the series of hurricanes in 2005 that devastated the Gulf Coast. She attends Grace Lutheran Church, Miami Springs. "Hurricane season is always scary in Florida," said Kourtesis, a college student. "You never know if you'll lose everything. The worst happened in New Orleans. I want to show people there the world still cares." Presbyterian Community Outreach Rebuilds Homes, Restores Faith March 19, 2009, LACOMBE, LA – Rosena Johnson's home is set back from the road and is surrounded by plenty of land. The one-story house has been in her family for decades, built by her mother week by week. But when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, and hurricanes Gustav and Ike followed in 2008, the house that had been home was badly damaged. Johnson tried to get assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but got tied up in bureaucratic red tape. The necessary paperwork was incorrect and misplaced – the titles for her home and one owned by her father in another town had somehow been mixed up, and Johnson's name was misspelled on another document. Because she is on a fixed income, Johnson couldn't afford to hire a lawyer who would help her sort through the confusion. Brethren Disaster Project in Haiti Is Close to Completing Five Homes March 20, 2009, ELGIN, IL – A series of reports from the new Church of the Brethren disaster relief project in Haiti are showing swift progress, with five homes already nearing completion. The project was initiated earlier this year by Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Church of the Brethren Haiti Mission following the destruction caused by the four hurricanes and storms that hit Haiti last year. Jeff Boshart, who is serving as Haiti Disaster Response Mission Coordinator, has provided the progress reports. He is working with Klebert Exceus of Orlando, Fla., who serves as Haitian consultant for the project. The project is funded by a grant of $100,000 from the Church of the Brethren's Emergency Disaster Fund. Church Organizations Appeal for Calm in Madagascar March 19, 2009 – The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM) are appealing for calm in Madagascar following a change of government after weeks of violence in the country. "Our concern at this time is for the peace and welfare of all the peoples of Madagascar," says WARC's general secretary, Setri Nyomi. "We call on all parties to consider the will of the people in seeking the best way to ensure good governance now and in the future." ELCA Mission Personnel Evacuate Madagascar March 16, 2009, CHICAGO – Mission personnel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) serving in the Republic of Madagascar have evacuated the island due to recent civil unrest. Madagascar is located off the southeastern coast of Africa. According to BBC News, Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina are locked in a fierce power struggle. The political unrest has erupted into violence. The U.S. ambassador to Madagascar advised some Americans to leave Madagascar for their safety. Church Leader Calls on Christians in Military Not to Kill March 17, 2009, MADAGASCAR – The leader of the largest Protestant church in Madagascar has issued an appeal to Christian soldiers in the military not to commit murder. In a message broadcast repeatedly this morning on the radio station of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Rev. Lala Rasendrahasina is calling on Christians in the military not to commit violence. Speaking by telephone from Antananarivo, Rasendrahasina reports, "I have asked Christians in the military to remember they are baptised and that they are not supposed to murder nor to accept orders from superiors to kill." Anti-Gambling Advocates March Backwards to Protest Against Slide in Morality March 16, 2009 – Anti-gambling advocates in Taiwan protested against the legalization of casinos by intentionally marching backwards during a protest rally held on March 15th near the Presidential Office. Protesters held a protest rally on Ketagalan Boulevard located just across from the Presidential Office and berated President Ma Ying-jeou for leading the country into a moral backslide by turning the "Republic of China" into a "Republic of Casino." Members of Taiwan Anti-Gambling Alliance said the Offshore Islands Development Act that would allow for casinos to be built in Taiwan's offshore islands was a contentious subject in the legislature for the past ten years. However, it was easily passed on January 12th by a KMT dominated Legislative Yuan despite fiery opposition and rising concern nationwide. Church Council Makes ‘New Elections' Demand March 19, 2009, NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Council of Churches of Kenya is calling for fresh elections in the east African country due to what it charges is a crisis of leadership and bad governance under President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. "The impression and expression of most Kenyans is that they have a moribund president and an ineffective prime minister," said the council's general secretary, the Rev. Peter Karanja, in Limuru near Nairobi on March 18. "We are convinced Kenyans should call for new elections now to replace the current parliament." Prime Minister Lambastes Churches for ‘New Elections' Call March 20, 2009, KENYA – Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed calls by the National Council of Churches of Kenya for fresh elections, charging that the churches were spreading populist politics that could ruin the country. "That is the height of hypocrisy," said Odinga on 19 March in the capital, Nairobi. "There are no conditions for free and fair elections." Lutheran Bishop Allowed to Enter Gaza Strip on Third Attempt March 20, 2009, CHICAGO – After three attempts in five weeks, three bishops from Jerusalem were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip March 10 to visit churches and humanitarian projects. The three were the Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, and Greek Catholic Archbishop Elias Chacour, according to an ELCJHL news release. On Feb. 4 Dawani and Younan – part of a delegation of five bishops – were denied entry at the Erez Crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Web Site Offers Visitor Information for Baha'i Gardens in Haifa, Acre March 19, 2009, HAIFA, Israel – A new Web site with information for visiting the Baha'i shrines and gardens in Haifa and Acre was introduced today by the Baha'i International Community. The Web site gives details about tours, hours, and the gardens themselves, as well as information about visiting the Shrine of Baha'u'llah in Acre and the Shrine of the Bab in Haifa. The shrines are the resting places of the founders of the Baha'i Faith. Letting people know what to expect when they visit the properties is a major aim of the Web site, said Albert Lincoln, secretary general of the Baha'i International Community. Long Island Diocese Elects Lawrence C. Provenzano as Bishop Coadjutor March 21, 2009 – The Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano was elected March 21 as bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. Provenzano, 54, rector of St. Andrew's Church, in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, was elected on the second ballot out of a field of seven nominees. He received 130 votes of 211 cast in the lay order and 103 of 146 cast in the clergy order. An election on that ballot required 106 in the lay order and 74 in the clergy order. The election was held at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, New York. 
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