Front Page

ELCA Presiding Bishop Welcomes President's Remarks on U.S.-Muslim Relations

June 4, 2009, CHICAGO – U.S. President Barack Obama "extended an invitation to a different way of living together in the world," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in response to the president's long-awaited speech June 4 in Cairo, Egypt on U.S.-Muslim relations. Obama said he came to Cairo to "seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," based on mutual interest and respect. In an interview with the ELCA News Service, Hanson said the speech may be "historic, not for its words but for how those words become foundational for us to live together in a world that has too often turned differences into grounds for domination rather than reason for reconciliation."

CWS Responds to Obama Call to Work for Holy Land Peace

June 4, 2009, NEW YORK – Church World Service today joined diverse group of national American Christian leaders in sending a letter to President Obama following his historic speech in Cairo. The message of support expressed gratitude for President Obama's efforts at reaching out to the Muslim world and for making Israeli-Palestinian peace a top priority of his Administration. But it also expressed grave concern over the "deteriorating situation in the Holy Land" and urged the Obama Administration to make real and concrete progress in achieving a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Reverend John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, said, "President Obama's remarks contained a message of hope that we haven't heard in quite some time. His effort to open a dialogue that could bring Israelis and Palestinians together in the search for a just peace in the Holy Land deserves the full support of those of us who have always been committed to ending the polarity that has resulted in so much pain and suffering."

Korean Church Leader Suggests "Ecumenical Tithing"

June 3, 2009 – The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) has told members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) that he believes churches should be motivated to engage in a movement for "ecumenical tithing." Referring to the Christian tradition of church members giving ten percent of their earnings to the church, Sam Hwan Kim says, "It's a matter of putting one's money where one's faith is." Kim issued his call for member churches to express a "spirit of ecumenical tithing" in their giving during an address delivered in Geneva on 30 May at a WARC-sponsored seminar on the impact today of the early Reformation leader, John Calvin. "Churches should be encouraged not to merely give what is left over after having cared for their own priority first, but to respect the significance and meaning of the ecumenism and first commit their resources to the ecumenical movement."

General News

Bethel Ministries Aids Men Leaving Incarceration in Idaho

June 4, 2009 ELGIN, IL – Bethel Ministries, a nonprofit organization and faith-based program located in Boise, Idaho, was established to help men leaving incarceration to change their lives to become law-abiding, productive members of society. The ministry is connected with Mountain View Church of the Brethren in Boise, and pastor David McKellip serves as director of ministry for the program. Others involved in administering the program include a volunteer Board of Directors, and staff consisting of executive director Rob Lee, and assistant executive director Chris Roberts. Bethel provides transitional homes where the men reside in a family-type setting.

Andover Newton Theological School Opens Talks with CRCDS

June 4, 2009 – Andover Newton Theological School announced this week that its Board of Trustees has approved initiating discussions with the leadership of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) located in Rochester, N.Y. The discussions will explore the feasibility of combining the resources of these two historic institutions in a manner which will maximize efficiency, sustain their legacies and advance a common educational mission. Nick Carter, president of Andover Newton and a graduate of CRCDS, acknowledged that although the process to bring these two institutions together will require discussion and negotiations.

Christian Citizenship Seminar Studies Modern-Day Slavery

June 4, 2009, ELGIN, IL – This year's Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar, held April 25-30 in New York and Washington, D.C., drew 94 senior high youth and advisors from 10 states to study the eye-opening realities of modern-day slavery. The issue came before the full church last summer, when delegates to the 2008 Annual Conference overwhelmingly approved a statement to "reaffirm our denomination's historic opposition to slavery." Anna Speicher, a Church of the Brethren member who has written a dissertation on the abolition movement, reviewed that history for the seminar participants – and said all that good work is only a beginning.

Broadcast of Calvin Celebration Service Draws Two Million Viewers

May 31, 2009 – A South African and a Scot are the English voices for the Eurovision telecast of a worship service broadcast live in French from Geneva's Cathedral Saint-Pierre on Pentecost Sunday in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Puleng LenkaBula, a South African academic who specializes in bioethics, economics and faith and Ian Alexander of the Church of Scotland report feeling "quite elated" by being part of a live television production.

Churches Reaffirm 40-Year Struggle Against Racism

June 4, 2009 – The Dutch queen will be the guest of honour at a conference seeking to take on the legacy of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) historic anti-racism efforts. The 14-17 June conference "Churches Against Racism" in Doorn near Utrecht in the Netherlands marks the 40th anniversary of the Notting Hill conference which laid the ground for the WCC Programme to Combat Racism (PCR). The PCR contributed to the struggles to end apartheid in South Africa and has inspired and supported indigenous people in different parts of the world, oppressed groups in Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, as well as the Dalit communities in India.

Lutheran Leaders Respond to Slaying in Wichita Church

June 1, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), issued a statement in response to the May 31 murder of Dr. George Tiller at Reformation Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Wichita, Kan. Tiller was serving as an usher for Sunday morning worship when he was shot and killed. A suspect was arrested later in connection with the killing. "Dr. George Tiller and his wife, Jeanne, were gathering with the people of Reformation Lutheran Church to worship and to celebrate Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit to God's people," Hanson said. "In the wake of his death we pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort his family and all who mourn."

Urgent Need: To Help Struggling Church-Work Veterans

June 4, 2009 – At age 64, Rev. Edward Watson suffered a stroke that affected his speech and forced him to leave the pulpit. But this humble, soft-spoken pastor still manages to express his feelings about the small financial payments that help him make ends meet. "I don't know what I would have done without Veterans of the Cross," said Watson, of St. Louis, referring to the LCMS program that provides assistance for impoverished church workers. "They stepped in when I needed them most." Watson served 23 years in the ministry before his stroke. Today, he works part time as a chaplain with an inner-city Lutheran social ministry agency.

Old-Time Religion Needs an Upgrade

June 5, 2009 – The 21st Century will see an unexpected resurgence in religion, the dying of fundamentalism, and the move away from creeds, beliefs, and unresponsive institutions. In their place and leading the way into the new century will be more emphasis placed on the movement of the Holy Spirit, greater intimacy among church members and their leaders, and creative approaches to worship. That was the message that Diana Butler Bass, a senior fellow at the Cathedral College of the Washington National Cathedral, told a group that met recently at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

New Reformed Movement Will Open Local Congregations to Global Connections

June 4, 2009 – Representatives of member churches from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) have agreed to recommend merging as a global "communion" – a move they believe will have a direct and positive impact on local congregations worldwide. During meetings in Geneva last week the joint executive committees of the two organizations approved the draft constitution of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). "For churches in Switzerland, a country which is so encased that it is not even a member of the European Union, being in communion offers the chance to make the worldwide Reformed family visible in parishes through liturgy, perhaps by creating intercessional prayers for the concerns of member churches," says WARC's vice-president for Europe, Gottfried Locher of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches.

ELCA Task Force Continues Study on Criminal Justice Issues

June 4, 2009 – The Criminal Justice Task Force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met May 29-30 in Chicago to receive input from specialists and plan its work. The task force is developing a social statement on criminal justice that will address social concerns and provide a biblical and theological framework for discussion among Lutherans. A study guide, to be made available to the church in winter 2010-2011, will help lay the groundwork for a draft statement. The 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is expected to consider the proposed social statement. Cynthia Osborne said task force members represent "a remarkable diversity of expertise and perspective in criminal justice – prosecutors, defenders and judges, theologians and other academic scholars, service providers, victim and human rights advocates, and system reform experts."

‘Faithful Telling' Conference Seeks Racial Reconciliation

June 1, 2009, ATLANTA – The Diocese of Atlanta explored paths to racial reconciliation May 30, in a special conference at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Participants shared stories about segregation, discrimination, and slavery; speakers such as human rights advocate Ruby Sales offered inspiration, and some 100 participants searched for ways to breach the alienation that continues among races. Ideas generated by the conference, which was called "Toward a Full and Faithful Telling," will be shared at the Episcopal Church's 2009 General Convention, scheduled to take place July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. "We are too quick to tout the progress we've made toward racial reconciliation as though the work is finished," explained Bishop Neil Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta.

Northern Michigan Diocese, Bishop-elect Will ‘Respect' Consent Process
Thew Forrester Says He Is Steeped in Orthodoxy

June 5, 2009 – While some unofficial tallies show that Kevin Thew Forrester will not receive the canonically required consents to his ordination as bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, he said June 5 that he and the diocese will "respect" the entire 120-day consent period. "I continue to respect that 120 days," Thew Forrester told ENS. "The process has a wisdom and integrity of its own. The diocese and I have respected that all the way through and will continue to do that. When the process concludes, I will have something more to say."

Youth Build Box City to Learn about Homelessness

June 3, 2009, OMAHA, Neb. – More than 70 teenagers had some soup before going to bed in cardboard boxes on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church. The teens gave up their comfortable bedrooms for one night to experience the hardships faced by those who live on the streets. Youth from several United Methodist churches and high schools built the cardboard shantytown. "You got a perspective of what people go through every night. It would definitely be very difficult," said Andy Anderson, 17.

Ecumenical News

Major Anglican Ecumenical Report ‘The Vision Before Us' Is Now Published

June 5, 2009 – A comprehensive account of the Anglican Communion's ecumenical work has been published by the Anglican Communion Office. The Vision Before Us, subtitled ‘The Kyoto Report of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations 2000-2008,' records the Commission's work of maintaining an overview of the Anglican Communion's engagement with Christians of other traditions, and of giving encouragement and advice to the ecumenical activities of the Communion and the Provinces.

Reformed Church Christians Propose Sacramental Union

June 2, 2009 – Representatives of Reformed, United and Presbyterian churches from diverse traditions have voted to form a union which is unprecedented in its inclusiveness and overcomes longstanding divisions among some churches. The executive committees of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), meeting jointly for the first time last week in Geneva, approved a draft constitution for a new organization to be called the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). Use of the word "communion" implies that member denominations of the new organization will accept the ordination of each others' clergy and respect the rites of each tradition.

Full Communion with Moravians Proposed
General Convention Set to Address Key Ecumenical Issues

June 2, 2009 – Deepening relationships between the Episcopal Church and its ecumenical partners, including a proposal for full communion with the Moravian Church, will be the focus of draft legislation presented to General Convention when it meets July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. General Convention also will welcome ecumenical and interfaith guests to participate, observe and learn about the Episcopal Church and its governance. The Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations spent the last triennium working on recommendations concerning interchurch cooperation and interreligious dialogue and action.

Editorial Page

Ecumenism Is a Way of Life

June 3, 2009 – Sister Pina Sandu says that in her Orthodox monastery, in the mountains of Romania, they practise "touristic spirituality." With a resort built up around the monastery, "like it or not" the tourists "hear the bells, hear the services three times a day ... They hear, they feel, they know that something is happening." As a result, their curiosity leads them into the yard and into the church – "small, sure steps towards something beautiful." Sister Pina and five other sisters – two each from Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant orders – are providing a similar subtle but radical witness at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey outside of Geneva, Switzerland, for students and visitors alike.

Pentecost and the Spirit of Martyrdom

May 30, 2009 – This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, also known as "the Church's birthday." When Taiwanese churches discuss being filled with the Holy Spirit, what they mean most of the time has been gleaned from accounts of those who have had such an experience, as well as outward manifestations of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Charismatic movements among churches have been confined to three stages. The first stage emphasizes on speaking in tongues, healing diseases, and other spiritual gifts. The second stage emphasizes on renewing churches mainly through praise and worship. The third stage centers on miracles, prophesying, "Power Evangelism," and "Spiritual Encounter." Rarely, if ever, do we look at being filled with the Holy Spirit from the perspective of martyrdom. Acts 7:54-60 records a powerful and challenging speech by Stephen before the Sanhedrin – the highest Jewish court at the time.

Spanish News

La Nueva Alianza De Las Iglesias Reformadas Reivindica
La Idea De "Comunión," En Compromiso Con La Unidad

2 junio 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – Representantes de la Iglesia Reformada, Presbiteriana Unida e iglesias de diversas tradiciones han votado a favor de formar una asociación que no tiene precedentes en su inclusión y que supera las divisiones de larga data entre algunas comunidades. Los comités ejecutivos de la Alianza Mundial de Iglesias Reformadas (ARM) y el Consejo Ecuménico Reformado (CER), reunidos por primera vez la semana pasada en Ginebra, aprobó un proyecto de constitución para una nueva organización que se llamará "Comunión Mundial de Iglesias Reformadas."

La Llegada Del Padre Alberto a La Comunión
Anglicana Despierta Simpatías Y Reacciones En Cadena

1 junio 2009 – "Que un hombre ame genuinamente a una mujer no es un pecado, el amor es de Dios," dijo el obispo Martín Barahona, de la Iglesia Episcopal de El Salvador al celebrar la llegada del padre Alberto Cutié a la Comunión Anglicana en la Diócesis del Sureste de la Florida. El sacerdote Alberto Cutié, católico romano, y mediáticamente muy reconocido, fue sorprendido en los últimos días acariciando a su novia, lo que desató un escándalo.

WACC Pide Más Acciones Y Menos Palabras En Los Temas Ambientales

5 junio 2009, TORONTO, Canadá – En el Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente, 5 de junio 2009, la Asociación Mundial para la Comunicación Cristiana (WACC, por sus siglas en inglés), apela a la acción más que a las palabras para resolver o prevenir los problemas medioambientales. ‘Las emisiones globales que provocan el efecto invernadero deben reducirse dramáticamente, en tanto que al mismo tiempo debe elevarse la calidad de vida de la mayoría de la población mundial." Es tiempo de ir más allá del mero intercambio de información. Es tiempo de avanzar hacia una visión compartida de un futuro sostenible.

El Legado De Calvino Está Presente

1 junio 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – "Damos gracias a Dios por las múltiples y maravillosas formas en que el legado de Calvino está presente hoy en tantas comunidades alrededor del mundo," dijo el pastor Clifton Kirkparick, presidente de la Alianza Mundial Reformada, al inicio del culto de Pentecostés dedicado al jubileo de Juan Calvino. La celebración, que tuvo como escenario la histórica Catedral de San Pedro, congregó a más de mil fieles locales y representantes de iglesias de tradición reformada venidos de todos los rincones del planeta.

Obama Nombra a Teólogo Cubano Como Embajador Ante El Vaticano

1 junio 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – El presidente Barack Obama nombró al teólogo cubanoamericano, Miguel H. Díaz, como nuevo embajador de Estados Unidos en El Vaticano. Con este nombramiento, el teólogo Díaz se convierte en el primer estadounidense de origen hispano en representar a Estados Unidos en los 25 años de relaciones diplomáticas con el Estado Vaticano. Miguel Díaz, nacido en La Habana en 1963, contrajo matrimonio con la teóloga Miriam Díaz hace 16 años y tienen cuatro hijos.

El Ecumenismo Es Un Modo De Vida

3 junio 2009 – La hermana Pina Sandu dice que, en su monasterio ortodoxo de las montañas de Rumania, practican una "espiritualidad turística." Por medio de un instrumento instalado en todo el monasterio, "quieran o no," los turistas "oyen las campanas, escuchan los servicios tres veces al día ... oyen, sienten, saben que algo está ocurriendo." Como consecuencia de ello, la curiosidad les lleva al patio y a la iglesia – "pasos pequeños, pero seguros, hacia algo hermoso."

Pablo Dreyfus Fue Un Hombre Justo Y Bueno. No Hacen Faltas Más Palabras

5 junio 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Pablo Dreyfus tenía 38 años y viajaba en el avión de Air France desaparecido en situaciones aún no esclarecidas el pasado fin de semana. Iba junto a sui esposa, Ana Carolina Rodrigues, a pasar una semana de vacaciones en París. Dreyfus era muy conocido en el ambito académico, pero más fuera de Argentina, su país. Muchas personas le conocimos y continuamos impactados aún por la súbita pérdida, pero no podemos dejar de decir el impacto que la vida de Pablo hacía todos los días a través de su compromiso, ética y verdad.

Iglesias Reafirman 40 Años De Lucha Contra El Racismo

4 junio 2009 – La Reina de Holanda será invitada de honor en una conferencia que busca revitalizar el legado de los históricos esfuerzos del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) contra el racismo. La conferencia, "Iglesias contra el racismo," que tendrá lugar del 14 al 17 de julio en Doorn, cerca de Utrecht, en los Países Bajos, celebra el 40º aniversario de la conferencia de Notting Hill, en la que se establecieron los fundamentos del Programa de Lucha contra el Racismo (PLR) del CMI.

Miles De Cristianos Orarán Por Los Niños Y Niñas, Este Fin De Semana

5 junio 2009 – Por 14 años Viva de América Latina ha promovido el trabajo y la oración a favor de la niñez más vulnerable. Gracias a la participación de la iglesia tanto en esta región, como en el resto del mundo, se ha logrado la movilización de más de 3 millones de creyentes a orar por la causa de la niñez. El año pasado se registraron 200 mil cristianos y cristinas de más de 16 naciones latinas y caribeñas. Este año inició con una cadena de oración a principios de febrero, que concluirá el 5 y 6 de junio, momento en que se celebrará el Fin de Semana Mundial de oración por la niñez.

Seminario Teológico Prepara Pastores Y Pastoras Con Herramientas Para Enfrentar La Crisis

4 junio 2009, MANAGUA – El Seminario Teológico Bautista de Managua, una de las instituciones de más antigüedad en Nicaragua y la segunda en Centroamérica, superó este año la matricula promedio, registrando 340 alumnos en sus diversas modalidades. Sorprende el número en medio de la crisis global económica, social, política y religiosa. Muy contento con estas cifras, su Rector, el Rev.Walt Morgan, expresó: "esto es alentador porque todavia hay muchos jóvenes,varones y mujeres, dispuestos a prepararse para servir a la obra del Señor Jesucristo."

National News

Twelve Arrested for Civil Disobedience at Gun Store Are Acquitted

June 4, 2009, ELGIN, IL – The 12 people who were arrested for civil disobedience at a notorious gun store in Philadelphia during the "Heeding God's Call" peace church gathering in January have been acquitted. The trial took place in a Philadelphia court on May 26. Among those arrested were two members of the Church of the Brethren, Phil Jones and Mimi Copp. The Church of the Brethren's Mission and Ministry Board helped to support the legal defense for Jones, who at the time of the arrest was serving as director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. Heeding God's Call marked the beginning of a new faith-based initiative against gun violence and illegal weapons in America's cities.

ELCA Congregation Grieves after Member Shot in Church

June 4, 2009, CHICAGO – The funeral for Dr. George Tiller will be June 6 at College Hill United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kan. Tiller was shot and killed May 31 while serving as an usher for Sunday worship at nearby Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was a member. Tiller was 67. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Tiller's family requested College Hill because it offers more available seating than Reformation. "All the different stages and symptoms of grief are happening here," said the Rev. Lowell R. Michelson, senior pastor for Reformation, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

International News

Appeal for Crisis Aid for Sri Lankan Refugee Casualties

June 5, 2009 – Received via email from the Bishop of Kurungala... I have just returned to the island after the 14th Meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Kingston. Jamaica. I have had to return to a very disturbing situation, which we will try to explain below. I am sure that you have already heard about the worsening situation of the innocent casualties of the civilian population, due to the conflict in the North East of the Country. The situation in Northern Sri Lanka has reached crisis point. As fighting continued thousands of civilians were caught in the crossfire trying to escape to safety. Civilian casualties increased daily and hospitals have gone beyond their breaking point.

WCC Officers Voice Concern over Report on Candidates for General Secretary

June 4, 2009 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) officers who are meeting in Geneva this week have expressed concern and regret over the release of a short list of candidates reportedly being considered for WCC general secretary. The list was made public in a 28 May article released by Ecumenical News International (ENI), an independent ecumenical news agency based in Geneva and supported by the WCC and other ecumenical bodies. The article listed six candidates reportedly being considered by a WCC search committee for the highest staff position of the WCC. The current general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, will complete his term at the end of 2009.

Middle East News

Prayer Service, Advocacy Mark CWS Recognition of World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

June 5, 2008 NEW YORK – Australia is focusing on Gaza; Brazil has seminary students debating conflict over the term "holy" land. Canadians, Scots, Norwegians, British and French are contacting lawmakers; and on the high Wall that hems in Bethlehem, Palestinians are "showing" prayers at night. Here in the United States, humanitarian agency Church World Service is co-sponsoring a noon prayer service on June 8 at the Interchurch Center in New York City and continuing its advocacy in support of a just peace in the Holy Land. The events all are part of the June 4-10 celebration of World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, a week of advocacy, education and prayer led by the World Council of Churches in Geneva and recognized by countries throughout the world.