Front Page

Case Shows Nominee's View on Religious Freedom

May 28, 2009, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – President Obama's Supreme Court nominee could find her way to the position paved by a 2006 ruling upholding United Methodist policy in a church-state case. As politicians and advocates begin to comb every inch of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's judicial record, commentators say her opinion that the United Methodist New York Annual Conference has the right to set mandatory retirement ages for clergy is an indicator of her support for religious freedom. Obama held up the ruling in a background report to the press. Some observers say the decision could help mute conservative criticism that she would be an activist judge.

A Common Date for Easter Is Possible

May 28, 2009 – The hope that all Christians will be able to celebrate Easter on the same day in the future was reaffirmed by an international ecumenical seminar organized by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, 15 May. The problem is just about as old as the church itself: As Christianity started to spread around the world, Christians came to differing results on when to commemorate Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, due to the different reports in the four gospels on these events. Attempts to establish a common date for Easter began with the Council of Nicaea in the year 325. It established that the date of Easter would be the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. However, it did not fix the methods to be used to calculate the timing of the full moon or the vernal equinox.

North Korea Nuclear Test Highlights Need to Abolish All Nuclear Weapons

May 25, 2009 – At a time when the international community is re-kindling the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, the North Korean nuclear test is a source of profound concern, stated the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. "The World Council of Churches is deeply troubled by North Korea's nuclear test and profoundly concerned for the people of North Korea and surrounding countries," Kobia said in a public comment on 25 May.

A "World Week" Has Churches Working for Peace Where There Is No Peace

May 27, 2009 – Australia is focusing on Gaza, Austria has town pilgrimages. Brazil has seminary students debating conflict over "holy" land. Canadians, Scots, Norwegians, British and French are making contact with lawmakers. Directors of church-related aid agencies are visiting Israeli and Palestinian partner organizations. And on the high Wall that hems in Bethlehem, Palestinians are "showing" prayers at night. The events are part of World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 4-10 June 2009.

ELCA Bishops Urge Congress to Sponsor Foreign Aid Reform Bill

May 28, 2009, WASHINGTON – Urging support for robust funding for foreign aid programs, 59 of the 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) signed a letter calling on members of the U.S. Congress to co-sponsor the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 2139). The bipartisan bill is intended to refocus the U.S. government's global development policies and programs to make them more effective at addressing poverty and security.

California Supreme Court Outlaws Gay Marriage Except for 18,000 Already-Wed Couples

May 26, 2009 – Reactions to the California Supreme Court's 6-1 ruling to ban same-gender marriage but uphold the existing unions of 18,000 gay couples ran the gamut May 26, from anger and sadness to "profound disappointment" and support across the state's Episcopal community. The court's decision reportedly sparked protest rallies across the nation as well as some parts of Canada from marriage equality supporters. They vowed to overturn the contentious Proposition 8, an amendment to the state constitution that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." It was approved by 52 percent of those voting last November.

Religious Leaders Take Stand Against Gun Violence

May 28, 2009, PHILADELPHIA – The Revs. David Tatgenhorst and James McIntire have too much in common. They have seen too many lives shattered by handgun violence. In protest, the two United Methodist pastors joined 10 other religious leaders and blocked the entrance to Colosimo's Gun Center in January. They were arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct, and put on trial. Then their cries of justice were heard.

General News

Brethren Benefit Trust Makes Changes to Retiree Annuity Payments

May 26, 2009 ELGIN, IL – In order to preserve the solvency and long-term integrity of the Church of the Brethren Pension Plan's Retirement Benefits Fund, which funds the monthly benefit payments for annuitants, the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Board in April took action that will reduce annuity payments for retirees. The board met on the weekend of April 24-26 and wrestled with this difficult issue that will affect the lives of the Pension Plan's annuitants. According to an actuarial study conducted by Hewitt and Associates, as of Dec. 31, 2008, the Retirement Benefits Fund had enough assets to meet only 68 percent of its longterm obligations.

Declaration by German Churches in 1934 Inspires Reformed Churches Today

May 28, 2009 – The actions of a group of German church members in 1934 to resist the Nazi regime still serve as a powerful model for churches today according to the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). Sunday, 31 May marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of a statement by the group that has come to be known as the "Barmen Declaration." Clergy, theologians and church members who disagreed with the leadership of the German church which was willing to follow the orders of the Reich government, gathered in the city of Barmen to prepare a declaration that said only the scriptures have authority over the church.

District Issues Open Letter Regarding Church
That Has Left the Church of the Brethren Denomination

May 26, 2009, ELGIN, IL – The Church of the Brethren's Illinois and Wisconsin District has issued an open letter regarding Grace Bible Church of Astoria, Ill. (formerly Astoria Church of the Brethren) and its decision to leave the denomination. The letter was signed by district executive Kevin Kessler along with Wilbur Bowman, chair of the district Leadership Team, and Gil Crosby, district moderator. "While we are saddened by the process and the outcome we wish to remain brothers and sisters committed to Christ's message," the letter said, in part. Astoria Church of the Brethren "unilaterally decided to disaffiliate from the Church of the Brethren in 2006," said Kessler.

Korean Students Prepare for Ministry via "Travelling Theology"

May 27, 2009 – A Korean professor who has taken theology students to live with nomadic herders in Mongoliaand with the urban poor in Viet Nam believes he may be creating a new branch of theology, one which he has dubbed « Travelling Theology ». Gyoung Ho Jeong who teaches Christian social ethics at YoungnamTheological College and Seminary in Kyungsanis in Geneva for meetings of the executive committee of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (21-31 May). Jeong described his novel approach to teaching theology in a review of initiatives by Reformed church institutions in response to economic and environmental concerns. In Mongolia, Jeong's students learned from herders about living a lifestyle that respects the local ecology.

Former Episcopal Priest Indicted on 20 Felony Charges
Armstrong Allegedly Siphoned $392,000 from Church Funds

May 26, 2009, COLORADO – A former Episcopal priest surrendered to authorities May 22 after a grand jury issued a 20-count felony indictment alleging he stole $392,000 from Grace and St. Stephen's Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado before breaking from it and joining the Convocation of Anglican Churches in North America. If convicted, the Rev. Donald Armstrong, 60, now rector of St. George's Anglican Church in Colorado Springs, could spend the rest of his life in prison. Each charge carries a four-to-12 year possible prison sentence, with potential fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Among Military Chaplains, Fundamentalism Is Taking Hold

May 27, 2009 – As an Episcopal priest who is also a retired member of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, I am prompted to write after reading a very disturbing article in the May edition of Harper's magazine: "Jesus Killed Mohammed: The Crusade for a Christian Military." In the story, author Jeff Sharlet writes that a voluntary association called the Officer's Christian Fellowship (OCF) is aggressive and coordinated in furthering its evangelical agenda. The story states that several high ranking officers have inappropriately used Pentagon facilities and other national symbols for their Christian propaganda in the media and that they have been challenged legally and successfully.

Final Depositions for 61 Disaffiliated Clergy
Bishop: "A Sad Day" for Central California Diocese

May 27, 2009, SAN JOAQUIN – Bishop Jerry Lamb of San Joaquin has sent final deposition notices to 61 priests and deacons who disaffiliated from the Central California Valley diocese and The Episcopal Church. Lamb described the actions as "heartbreaking," on May 26, after finishing the last of the letters, which were to be mailed out to clergy who, along with former Bishop John-David Schofield, realigned themselves with the Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. "I have known a few of these clergy personally and others by the stories I have heard about their ministry," Lamb said in a prepared statement.

Ecumenical News

Anglican – Lutheran International Commission: Communiqué

May 27, 2009, LILLESKOG, Sweden – The third Anglican – Lutheran International Commission (ALIC) held its fourth meeting in Lilleskog, Sweden, between 20 and 27 May 2009, under the leadership of the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of Canada, and of Reverend Dr. Cameron Harder, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, Canada, acting as Lutheran co-chair in the absence of Bishop Dr. Thomas Nyiwé, Cameroon, who was unable to attend. Commission members sent congratulations and best wishes to their colleague Professor Dr. Kirsten Busch Nielsen, who was ordained in Copenhagen during the meeting.

Spanish News

Conferencia Ecuménica Internacional Sobre Transferencia De Armas

29 mayo 2009, COLOMBIA – En Bogotá se desarrolla la Conferencia Ecuménica Internacional sobre Transferencia de Armas, en el contexto del Proceso de Gotemburgo. El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias -CLAI está siendo representado en tan importante reunión en el vicepresidente pastor Felipe Adolff, el Secretario Regional Rvdo. Jorge Zijlstra y representantes de la Mesa Nacional Clai Colombia: obispo Juan Alberto Cardona, Rvda. Gloria Ulloa y la Hna. Miriam Pinto.

A Calvino Lo Que Es De Calvino

29 mayo 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – De una figura de dimensión universal, cuya obra y pensamiento continúan influyendo en la vida del mundo hasta nuestros días, era previsible que sus seguidores aprovecharan la fecha señera del medio siglo de su nacimiento para ofrecerle homenajes rayanos en la adulación. Pero una exposición que está atrayendo a mucho público en esta ciudad, muestra un Calvino diferente del que muchas veces nos presentan sus partidarios y detractores, y posibilita dejar atrás las caricaturas y el mito y acercarse al hombre real en su circunstancia.

Cristianos Palestinos Quieren Una "Lámpara De Paz" En Cada Iglesia

25 mayo 2009 – Aunque su población está decreciendo, la aldea palestina de Taybeh lucha por mantener la normalidad en medio del conflicto, y la esperanza en medio de la opresión. Taybeh, situada a 14 kilómetros al nordeste de Ramallah, es una de las pocas aldeas predominantemente cristianas de Palestina. Como todas las aldeas de Cisjordania, Taybeh padece el problema de que los habitantes que pueden emigrar lo hacen, ya que no ven otra posibilidad, dadas las dificultades económicas y físicas que padecen bajo la ocupación israelí.

Unificar La Fecha De La Pascua Es Posible

28 mayo 2009 – La esperanza de que, en el futuro, todos los cristianos puedan celebrar la Pascua el mismo día fue reafirmada por un seminario ecuménico internacional organizado por el Instituto de Estudios Ecuménicos en la Universidad Católica Ucraniana de Lviv, el 15 de mayo. El problema es tan antiguo como la misma iglesia: al comenzar a difundirse el cristianismo en todo el mundo, los cristianos llegaron a resultados diferentes sobre cuándo conmemorar la muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo, debido a las diferencias en los relatos de los cuatro evangelios sobre estos acontecimientos.

La Globalización En Debate. "Exige De Las Iglesias Nuevas
Formas De Solidaridad Y Respeto," Dice Obispo Murray

28 mayo 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Delegados del Comité Europeo de Iglesias (CEC) y del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) se reunieron en Buenos Aires, Argentina, durante la semana del 25 al 28 de mayo para analizar la globalización desde la perspectiva de América Latina y el Caribe. El encuentro finalizó resaltando la constitución del diálogo entre norte y sur, y, aunque no hubo consenso para una declaración común, se subrayó que este es el inicio de un proceso a largo plazo para profundizar desde ambas perspectivas en las preguntas que interesan a las partes.

Ensayo Norcoreano Subraya Necesidad De Eliminar Armamentos Nucleares

26 mayo 2009 – Cuando la comunidad internacional está reavivando el ideal de un mundo libre de armas nucleares, el ensayo nuclear de Corea del Norte es fuente de profunda preocupación, afirmó el secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia. "El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias está profundamente preocupado por el ensayo nuclear de Corea del Norte y por la población de ese país y los países vecinos," dijo Kobia en un comentario público el 25 de mayo.

CONEP No Participará De Marcha Por La Igualdad Religiosa

29 mayo 2009, LIMA, Argentina – El Concilio Nacional Evangélico del Perú (CONEP) acordó por unanimidad no participar de la marcha por la igualdad religiosa, organizada por la Unión Nacional de Iglesias Cristianas Evangélicas del Perú (UNICEP) y programada para el próximo 11 de junio. Según un comunicado, el acuerdo se tomó el pasado 25 de mayo, en una reunión convocada por el Consejo Directivo, con carácter extraordinario, para consultar a los delegados de las iglesias y organizaciones integrantes del CONEP acerca de su participación en esta manifestación.

National News

ELCA Synod Bishop, U.S. Senator Focus on Reuniting Immigrant Families

May 26, 2009 – The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, is supporting the Reuniting Families Act, a bill being reintroduced to Congress by Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). Gordy said the bill is an "important piece of legislation (that) advances the common good by enabling family members to reunite with their loved ones more quickly and by reducing hardship faced by families at risk of being separated and those who are separated."

International News

CWS Deploys Mobile Health Clinic for Pakistan Displaced; More Health Facilities Needed Quickly

May 28, 2009 ISLAMABAD – Humanitarian agency Church World Service has begun taking medical care to people displaced by fighting between the Pakistan military and Taliban insurgents in the country's Northwest Frontier Province. The agency's basic services to people displaced in Mansehra and Abbottabad include treatment for common diseases, identification of pregnant women and providing free medicines. As of this week, the mobile health unit deployed by Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan has treated 350 people, mostly for diarrhea, skin diseases and respiratory tract infections.

Compendium of Holy Father's Letter to the Church in China

May 23, 2009, VATICAN CITY – The Holy See Press Office today released a note concerning the publication on the Holy See website, as of 24 May, of the Compendium of the Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Church in China. The note recalls how on 27 May 2007 the Pope sent a Letter to the bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China. Through that Letter, the Holy Father intended "to offer some guidelines concerning the life of the Church and the task of evangelisation in China, in order to help Chinese Catholics discover what the Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, ‘the key, the centre and the purpose of the whole of human history,' wants from them," the English-language note says.

Church People in Zambia Use Popular Media to Influence European Union Trade Negotiations

May 25, 2009 – In a groundbreaking initiative, the United Church of Zambia is using street theatre and broadcast media to encourage church members to get involved in efforts to influence negotiations between the European Union and their country on trade issues. At a time when the majority of countries in Africa are involved in bilateral talks with the European Union about the terms of Economic and Partnership Agreements, intended to open up African markets through deregulation, church people are learning from popular media about the importance of telling their government not to agree to policies which would affect health and education services.

Pre-Christian Values Can Help Shape Modern Christianity Says Indonesian Theologian

May 26, 2009 – Villagers in Indonesia are drawing on pre-Christian traditions to shape modern Christian responses to community problems. Through a project in a rural area of South Sulawesi, a Reformed church theologian is working with subsistence farmers to transform ancient traditions into solutions to modern day challenges. Zakaria Jusuf Ngelow believes that traditional ways of dealing with conflict can be merged with Christian beliefs to be used in contemporary ministry. To prove his point, Ngelow, an academic with a doctorate in Indonesian church history, has left a position with a theological faculty in South Sulawesi to launch a project working to develop theology with ordinary people in their own settings.

Middle East News

Palestinian Christians Want a Peace Lamp in Every Church

May 26, 2009 – Its population may be dwindling, but the Palestinian village of Taybeh is striving to maintain normality in the midst of conflict, and hope in the midst of oppression. Taybeh, 14 kilometres north east of Ramallah, is one of the few predominantly Christian villages in Palestine. Like villages all over the West Bank, it is suffering as many of its people decide to emigrate, seeing no other choice given the economic and physical hardship they suffer under Israeli occupation. In the 1960s the town had a population of 3,400.