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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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Brethren Response to Flu Outbreak April 30, 2009 "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Church of the Brethren staff are readying a denominational response in the event of a flu pandemic in the United States and Puerto Rico. The denominational staff have been alert to the eventuality of a flu pandemic since initial warnings about avian flu were issued several years ago. Brethren Disaster Ministries is monitoring the progress of the current flu outbreak and is forwarding information pertinent to Brethren congregations and members. Palestinian Christian Family Counters Harassment with Openness April 29, 2009 – "A land is nothing without people, and people are nothing without a land." That's the maxim followed by Palestinian farmer Daoud Nassar. And when he speaks of the intimate connection between people and their land, he is talking from hard-won experience. Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, lives with his family on 42 hectares (100 acres) of fertile land west of Bethlehem. His grandfather bought the land in 1916, and the Nassar family has farmed there ever since, growing olives, almonds, grapes, pears and figs. Lutherans, Others to Mark May 12 Anniversary of Iowa Immigration Raid April 27, 2009, CHICAGO – As the one-year anniversary of a massive raid at a meatpacking plant nears, spiritual leaders in the northeastern Iowa town of Postville are urging Americans to press for comprehensive immigration reform. They're also calling on individuals and communities to wear or display red ribbons across the country on May 12, the anniversary of the raid in Postville at Agriprocessors, once the nation's largest producer of kosher meat. "Immigration raids are foolish. They traumatize families and children. They break families apart. We need a policy that treats people with dignity and justice," said the Rev. Steven P. Brackett, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville. Anglican Indigenous Network Discusses Climate Change, Full Partnership April 30, 2009 – With the active Kilauea volcano spewing steam nearby, the Anglican Indigenous Network (AIN) met April 24-26 on the island of Hawaii and called upon Anglican Communion member churches "to recognize and honor the wisdom of the elders by ensuring they are an integral part of all official climate change planning and development processes." "This is a good place to be talking about global climate change … indigenous people are feeling the first effects of global warming, whether Anglican or not," said Malcolm Chun, Secretary General of the network, in a telephone interview from the Kilauea Military Camp Recreation Center, the location of the conference. Bishops Reflect on ‘Just War' Concept May 1, 2009 – The House of Bishops' theology committee has published a reflection on the concept of a "just war" at a time when warfare includes biological and nuclear weapons. "Just War is ... about the ancient wrestling with what to do in a violent world where people do violent things. It's really about the Christian community trying to influence government to avoid war and, when war seems inevitable, to pursue it in as moral and just a way as possible," said Bishop Henry Parsley of Alabama, committee chair, in an April 28 telephone interview. The document, titled "Some Observations on Just War" was filed as a committee report for the 76th General Convention, which will take place July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. United Methodists Respond to Hate Group Report April 28, 2009, WASHINGTON – An African-American U.S. president is bringing out the best and the worst in the nation, say United Methodists who advocate against racism. A recent report published by the Southern Poverty Law Center states there are more suspected hate groups in the United States now than ever in recorded history. The annual survey revealed 926 active hate groups in 2008, a 4 percent increase from the year before and a 54 percent increase since 2000, when there were 602 such groups. Caribbean Consultation on "Living out the Accra Confession" – Message from Delegates April 22-25, 2009, OCHO RIOS, Jamaica – The delegates of Caribbean churches of the Caribbean and North American Area Council, (CANAAC), gathered in the lush and beautiful life sustaining environment of Ocho Rios from April 22 to 25 to consider the issue of "Living out the Accra Confession in the Caribbean" and to develop a regional strategy. Participating countries included Cayman Islands, Cuba, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Participants also included partner network representatives from Tanzania and the USA. ELCA Issues Statement, Resources about Worship and Influenza April 30, 2009, CHICAGO – In response to public concerns about the swine flu, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued a guide for congregations – "Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns." The church also provided resources to help individuals and families safeguard against influenza. The April 30 statement advises members and leaders of the ELCA's 10,448 congregations to use "common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace." May 1, 2009 – Trained as a trial lawyer, then a stand up comedian, and finally as an ordained minister and preacher, Susan is a unique motivational speaker specializing in the healing power of humor. Her unique message draws from a range of experiences. Susan has traveled from the Arctic Circle to the Cape of Good Hope, run a dog sled team, sung country music in Nashville, worked with Mother Teresa's mission in Calcutta, trained as both a wilderness guide and a fly fisherwoman and ridden across the country on a Harley. She is also a recent cancer survivor. UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries Seeks Washington, DC, Intern April 24, 2009 – The UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries has announced the opening of a two-year program team intern position based in Washington, D.C. The intern will follow and advocate for a just domestic policy at the federal level through the coalition work of faith-based advocacy offices. They will assist with major UCC advocacy campaigns and serve as part of the editorial board for the Justice and Peace Action Network, which sets long-term and short-term strategy for communicating with and mobilizing the UCC electronic network of activists. May 1, 2009 – Heidi Campbell is Assistant Professor of Communication at Texas A&M University where she teaches in the areas of New Media, Popular Culture and Religion. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in Computer-Mediated Communication and Practical Theology. Since 1997 she has studied religion online and the influence of new media on religious communities and has written on a variety of topics from new media ethics to religion and cell phones. WACC Statement on World Press Freedom Day, May 3 April 30, 2009, TORONTO – To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2009 , the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) recognizes – along with many others – that freedom of the press underlies democracy and enhances freedom of expression. The capacity of the "fourth estate" to hold governments and public institutions accountable, to inform and alert the world's people is indispensable. Communion Partners Push Covenant Actions April 29, 2009 – The spokesman for a group of Episcopal Church bishops and clergy who released an April 22 statement challenging the polity of the church pledged the group's commitment to remaining in the Episcopal Church, but said that his diocese would consider signing onto a proposed Anglican Covenant if General Convention did not agree to do so. Meanwhile, an expert on Episcopal Church polity labeled as "bizarre" the idea that individual bishops or dioceses could take that step, and questioned what meaning it would have in the wider Episcopal Church or Anglican Communion. CANADA: Anglican Network to Be Diocese in the Anglican Church in North America April 29, 2009 – The Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) has been approved as one of 28 dioceses and dioceses-in-formation in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), which is comprised of 12 church organizations that have broken with the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church over theological differences on issues such as human sexuality. The ACNA will hold its first provincial assembly from June 22 to 25 in St. Vincent's Cathedral, Bedford, Texas. Teen Promotes African Jewelry as Prom Wear May 1, 2009, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – High school senior Francie Fisher is hoping to convince students around the country to start a new tradition at their senior prom. Instead of flower corsages, Fisher wants them to buy heart-shaped beads made out of glass by Ethiopian teens. Memories of their big night would not only last in the form of beautiful jewelry, but include the knowledge they helped provide food and education for needy children. "How awesome," she says, "You're paying $25, which is probably cheaper than a flower anyway and you keep it. You don't lose it by the end of the night or press it and keep it for what, 30 days. It's more special," Fisher said. Global Mission Board Looks to Future Direction April 30, 2009, NEW YORK – As the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries considers the future of mission for the denomination, the way the agency staffs and operates its programs will change. On April 29, directors of the mission board approved a series of recommendations aimed at developing a restructuring plan "for more effective ministry." The plan – to be finalized in October – will almost certainly include a re-grouping of staff and program areas and possible staff reductions and changes in governance. Ante La Crisis Sanitaria Por La "Gripe Porcina," Llaman a Ayunar El 1 De Mayo 20 abril 2009, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – En un comunicado emitido el martes 28 de abril la Iglesia Metodista de México hace un llamado a ayunar este viernes 1 de mayo. El motivo del ayuno es pedir a Dios que bendiga a México y de la fortaleza necesaria a los creyentes en este momento de contingencia sanitaria. También se invita a orar por las autoridades civiles, dirigentes eclesiásticos, todos los habitantes de la Nación y otros que están siendo afectados por la influenza- gripe porcina. FUMEC Busca Secretario/a Para La Región América Latina Y El Caribe 29 abril 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Federación Universal de Movimientos Estudiantiles Cristianos (FUMEC) recibe hasta el 20 de mayo las candidaturas de personas interesadas en la posición de Secretario de la región América Latina y el Caribe de ese organismo ecuménico. Las principales tareas a desarrollar incluyen. Cuba Suspendió Los Viajes De Y Hacia México 28 abril 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – En una tercera nota del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba, emitida al mediodia de este martes ante el agravamiento de la epidemia de fiebre porcina, se decretó, entre otras medidas, "suspender temporalmente los vuelos hacia y desde Cuba a Mexico," salvo "casos excepcionales." Hasta el momento "en Cuba no se ha producido un solo caso de influenza (gripe) porcina, ni existen sospechosos de la enfermedad ingresados en centros asistenciales," declaró el Vice Ministro de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología, del Ministerio de Salud Pública, Dr. Luis Estruch Rancano. UN Pastor Torturado En Filipinas Declara Ante La ONU 30 abril 2009 – Las pretensiones del gobierno filipino en materia de protección de derechos humanos "son totalmente falsas," declaró el pastor Berlin Guerrero esta semana al Comité de las Naciones Unidas contra la Tortura. Guerrero, quien fue él mismo víctima de torturas, dijo que el gobierno de Gloria Arroyo es "negligente en el cumplimiento de su responsabilidad de impedir la tortura." Guerrero, ministro ordenado de la Iglesia de Cristo Unida de Filipinas, afirmó que "el personal eclesial no se ha librado de la tortura." Familia Cristiana Palestina Contrarresta Acoso Abriéndose a Los Demás 29 abril 2009 – "Una tierra no es nada sin un pueblo, y un pueblo no es nada sin una tierra." Esta es la máxima que guía al agricultor palestino Daoud Nassar. Y cuando él habla de la estrecha relación entre un pueblo y su tierra, está hablando desde una experiencia duramente adquirida. Nassar, un cristiano palestino, vive con su familia en 42 hectáreas de tierra fértil al oeste de Belén, en Cisjordania. Su abuelo compró la parcela en 1916, y desde entonces la familia Nassar ha cultivado allí olivos, almendros, vides, perales e higueras. En Discreta Celebración, La Iglesia Luterana Ordenó a Las Tres Primeras Pastoras 27 abril 2009, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – El pasado sábado 25, en un clima de discreta celebración, y en medio de un contexto de tensa calma en la Ciudad de México, D.F.- después de la recomendación oficial que el gobierno realizara para evitar reuniones masivas a causa de la epidemia de influenza porcina que atañe al área metropolitana-, la Iglesia Luterana Mexicana celebró la ceremonia litúrgica en la que dio inicio público formal el ministerio de sus tres primeras pastoras ordenadas. Nueva Junta Directiva De La Federación Argentina De Iglesias Evangélicas 29 abril 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – El viernes 24 de abril se realizó la Asamblea Anual Ordinaria de la Federación Argentina de Iglesias Evangélicas (FAIE). En la misma se renovó la mitad de su Junta Directiva. Varios miembros salientes, entre ellos su Presidente Nicolás Rosenthal, habían cumplido el máximo permitido de permanencia en la misma. Como nuevo Presidente fue elegido el pastor Julio César López, de la Iglesia Presbiteriana San Andrés. Suspenden Cultos Dominicales Para Evitar Contagios De La "Gripe Porcina" 27 abril 2009, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La mayoría de las iglesias cristianas evangélicas, de la Ciudad de México y sus alrededores, suspendieron actividades y cultos este domingo, a causa del grado que contagio que podría registrarse entre sus asistentes por la influenza porcina que afecta a varios Estados del país. Templos que albergan cada domingo a miles de cristianos debieron cerrar sus puertas ante el temor de infecciones colectivas en los distintos servicios que se ofrecen a lo largo del día. El Pbro. Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas Enfatiza La Alfabetización Para Leer La Biblia 30 abril 2009, NAIROBI, Kenia – Con presencia de 60 Sociedades Bíblicas de los cinco continentes las Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas desarrolló un Simposio de Alfabetización en la ciudad de Nairobi Kenya. Uno de cada cinco habitantes del planeta no sabe leer ni escribir. 799 millones de adultos son analfabetos. Hay más personas analfabetas que otro tiempo en la historia. Para el 2060 la población analfabeta será el tamaño de la población actual, manifestó Wagdy Matta, de nacionalidad egipcia, especialista en educación de Adultos. Departing Parishioners Not Entitled to Bequest April 28, 2009, CENTRAL NEW YORK – A New York state trial court justice has ruled that members of Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton who left the Episcopal Church over theological differences are not entitled to keep a 1986 bequest of jewels and money. Justice Ferris D. Lebous had ruled in January that Good Shepherd's property had been held in trust for the Diocese of Central New York and the entire Episcopal Church. CRC Asks Churches to Prepare for Flu April 30, 2009 – The Christian Reformed Church in North America is asking its congregations in the United States and Canada to draw up plans on how to respond to the growing threat of a swine flu pandemic. "Each congregation is different and, as a result, each church must develop a unique Pandemic Response Plan based on the needs of its congregation," says a letter sent to church councils by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. Flood-Weary Lutherans Receive Grants April 30, 2009 – North Dakota and Minnesota residents are no strangers to spring flooding, but record-high waters this year due to snow melt and rainfall are beginning to wear on LCMS pastors and members – particularly in small towns and rural areas. "For one month we have watched high water," said Rev. Tom Puffe, pastor of dual parishes, Trinity Lutheran Church in Adrian, N.D., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lamoure, N.D. "This is troubling to people's hearts," Puffe said. Three ELCA Pastors Embark on Bamboo Bicycle Trek to Help End Hunger April 30, 2009, CHICAGO – Three 60-year-old best friends are on a "mission from God." They plan to stop at 65 cities, covering 13,000 miles in 100 days – all on a bamboo bicycle built for three. Their mission is to help bring an end to world hunger. The friends will begin their journey with a special blessing here May 13 at the Lutheran Center. "We are just three guys who like to ride bikes, being used by God for a wonderful purpose," said the Rev. Reinold "Ron" Schlak Jr., a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Lutherans Grapple with Response to Deadly Flu Virus April 30, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Rebecca Bourret was vacationing at a resort in Cancun, Mexico, when the deadly swine flu broke out some 800 miles away in Mexico City. She's back in Massachusetts now preparing for Sunday worship. "We weren't near Mexico City at the time we were there, so I wasn't concerned," said Bourret, Christ Lutheran Church, Natick. "Many people die of more common illnesses, even just the common flu." Across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), members are weighing how best to respond to the deadly flu. CRWRC Works on First-ever Ecumenical Rebuild in Post-Katrina New Orleans April 27, 2009 – Twelve homes in the historic Little Woods area of New Orleans are being rebuilt in coming weeks thanks to 500 volunteers from ten Christian denominations around the U.S., including dozens of volunteers from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. "Most of the disaster organizations that are still present along the Gulf Coast are faith-based," says CRWRC Disaster Response Services (DRS) area manager, Arnie Gustafson, who is helping to oversee construction on four homes this week. Bishop Bennison Wants New Trial or Charges Dismissed By Mary Frances Schjonberg, April 28, 2009, PENNSYLVANIA – Claiming to have "over 200 letters" that prove Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Charles Bennison "was deceived and duped," the convicted bishop's attorneys have asked that the charges against him be dismissed, or that he get a new trial. In February, the Court for the Trial of a Bishop issued its final judgment and sentence that Bennison should be deposed from the ordained ministry of the Episcopal Church for having engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. A Pastor Testifies He Was Tortured in the Philippines 29 abril 2009 – Claims made by the Philippines government to a good human rights track record "are utterly false," Rev. Berlin Guerrero told the United Nations Committee against Torture this week. A victim of torture himself, Guerrero said the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is "remiss in its responsibility to prevent torture." A pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Guerrero stated that "church people have not been spared from torture." "Most of the victims of torture among church people are from member churches of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and I am one of those who have been victimized," he said. Young Lutherans, Others Gather for Kenyan Peace Summit April 30, 2009, WASHINGTON – More than 200 interfaith youth from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States gathered April 13-18 at the Kenya Youth Peace Summit in Nairobi. Under the theme "Embrace Peace, Fulfill Dreams," the summit addressed issues facing young adults as well as the violence that erupted following the 2007 presidential election in Kenya. The event was organized by the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC) and was funded by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission. May 1, 2009, KINGSTON, Jamaica – Hopes for renewing relationships and recommitting to common mission ran high May 1 as members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) began gathering here for their twelve-day meeting. Diocese of Southern Malawi Bishop James Tengatenga, who represents the Province of Central Africa, told ENS May 1 that he hopes that this 14th meeting of the ACC will mean "a recommitment to each other as we meet again and, of course, welcome those that are coming for the first time. Fellowship is important. My hope is that we will truly have fellowship and therefore a helpful interaction." Bishop Eliud Wabukala Elected as the New Archbishop of Kenya April 28, 2009 – The Rt Revd Dr. Eliud W. Wabukala was elected the 5th Primate and Archbishop of Kenya in a very peaceful, joyous and orderly election process by a 158 member Electoral College of the Anglican Church of Kenya that was gathered at the All Saints Cathedral on 24th April, 2009. Among him were other three contesting bishops. Two ELCA Leaders Call for Immigration Reform in a New Book, ‘They Are Us' April 28, 2009 – Two leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are calling on Americans, Lutherans in particular, to "welcome the stranger," making a case for immigration reform in their new book, "They Are Us." The book is co-authored by the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, executive director for ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, and Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr, president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Based in Baltimore, LIRS is one of the nation's leading agencies in welcoming and advocating for refugees and other immigrants.
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