Front Page

National Council of Churches Leader Proclaims Importance of Working for Peace

June 29, 2009, SAN DIEGO, CA – Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC), was the featured speaker at the annual Ecumenical Luncheon hosted by the Church of the Brethren's Committee of Interchurch Relations (CIR). Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger and Kinnamon both celebrated the active relationship between the two bodies. Kinnamon thanked the denomination for its active role in ecumenism, and lauded Jordan Blevins, a member of the Church of the Brethren, for his role on the staff of the Eco-Justice Program of the NCC.

LWF Concerned about Situation in Honduras in Wake of Military Coup
General Secretary Noko Calls for Restoration of Democratically-Elected Government

July 2, 2009 GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has expressed great concern about the situation in Honduras following the military coup d'etat on Sunday, 28 June. LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko said in a statement on 2 July that the communion of 140 member churches feared the "instability and polarization of society provoked by these events" would undermine "hard-won development gains, fostering widespread social upheaval and worsening conflict in the country." The LWF joined all those around the world who have called for the restitution of the democratically-elected government of Honduras, and the resumption of the constitutional and political process in Honduras, Noko declared.

Single Payer Health Care Gets Nod from UCC Assembly

June 30, 2009 – Citing both specificity and urgency, General Synod 27 passed without amendment Tuesday a resolution "Calling for the Support of H.R. 676 – Single Payer National Health Care Reform to Advance Health Equity for All and to Eliminate Health Disparities." Mary Beth Cross, a delegate from the Nebraska Conference, said after a unanimous vote out of committee Monday that the time to rally is now. "This is a Gospel-mandated mission of faith for everyone to make sure that universal health care becomes a reality." Several delegates expressed an urgency for action within the next four months, before another election cycle begins. They concurred that it was crucial for the resolution to support a specific action – H.R. 676, in this case – rather than a general endorsement of universal health care.

Lutherans Study Genetics in Preparation for Social Statement

June 29, 2009, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is studying genetics in preparation for a social statement. The church has developed nine social statements in its 21-year history. Genetics is a broad and new topic that can be very intimidating, according to Dr. Per Anderson, professor of religion, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. He said the task force wants to develop a social statement that is committed to and in service of moral deliberation. "We're moving towards a statement that may not make lots of prescriptive statements, but a statement that will help the church understand the significance of issues raised by genetics and engage in these issues as a community," he said.

Jim Wallis Calls for New Model of Prophecy

June 27, 2009 – Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, blogger and writer, lecturer, prominent theologian, told an enthusiastic audience at the 27th General Synod, that the election of Barak Obama has put mainline American Protestants in a new place. "We now have space," he said, to tell people what we are for and not what we are against." And with an allusion to the economic issues facing the nation and its non-profit institutions, Wallis quoted Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's chief of staff: "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste." Speaking on the subject of the church's ministry in the public arena, Wallis insisted that we must do more than provide chaplains in places of power. "More than ever before we need to seize the new moment; we are in a new day, and we need to respond with a new choreography. We need a new kind of prophet. Our new model is not Amos or Isaiah, who spoke the difficult truth to power. Our model needs to be Nehemiah, who spoke to kings in a new way."

Synod Approves Human Trafficking Resolution

June 29, 2009 – Awareness of trafficking in persons as a crime against humanity will become a priority of the local churches, the denomination and, specifically, the Justice and Witness Ministry after General Synod 27 approved a resolution of witness Monday evening. "Whether we realize it or not, human trafficking is in our neighborhoods," said Lois Powell, a team leader on the staff of JWM, in presenting the resolution at its committee hearing. She described people who enter the United States under debt bondage or are pressed into prostitution or pornography, international brides and, in the wider world, child soldiering.

Flunder Reports Obama Will End ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

June 30, 2009 – "Brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to report to you the intent of the Obama Administration toward same-gender people in loving partnerships." The Rev. Yvette Flunder of City of Refuge UCC in San Francisco took the floor of the plenary session at the UCC's General Synod Tuesday afternoon to report that the President has expressed his resolve to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy of the United States military, to end the Defense of Marriage Act and to refuse to sign a non-discrimination act that doesn't extend civil rights protection to transgendered people.

Mainline Clergy Divided on Gay, Lesbian Issues

June 29, 2009, WASHINGTON – A quarter of United Methodist clergy support same-sex marriages and less than a third back gay and lesbian clergy, a study has found. In a survey of clergy from seven mainline denominations, senior United Methodist clergy were among the strongest advocates of traditional church policies on marriage and ordination, ranking below only their colleagues from American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. The 2008 Mainline Protestant Clergy Voices Survey, conducted by Washington-based Public Religion Research, found substantial support for same-sex marriages and homosexual clergy in the Episcopal Church and United Church of Christ, while the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are divided on gay and lesbian issues.

United Church of Christ General Synod

Chaplains Emphasize Care for Returning Service Personnel

June 29, 2009 – After 24 years of serving around the globe service as a military chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Pamela June Anderson is now specializing in three areas. The UCC minister is increasingly focused on helping service personnel reenter society and reunite with their communities, churches, and families. She is also involved in the prevention of suicides and domestic violence involving former service personnel. Lt. Com. Anderson is at the 27th General Synod of the United Church of Christ.

Synod Gives Boost to ‘Global Mission Church' Initiative

June 30, 2009 – The 27th General Synod underscored the importance of Global Ministries' "Be a Global Mission Church" initiative Tuesday morning, voting to adopt a resolution asking all settings of the UCC to pursue the Global Mission Church designation. The Global Mission Church initiative connects local congregations and other settings of the church to overseas mission. Global Ministries asks those entities that adopt the Global Mission designation to enter into a specific process to become a Global Mission Church. Churches adopting the designation are asked to embrace certain practices: praying for partners and missionaries, educating members about overseas mission, seeking justice for the international community, receiving the gifts of the global church, and financially supporting global mission.

Possibilities Abound: Let Us Face the Future with Hope

June 27, 2009 – I've been energized today by the many familiar faces I saw as I wandered the plenary hall and exhibit area of DeVos Place. Embraces and reminiscing abounded as I reconnected with long-time friends and more recent acquaintances. As we shared stories of times past and caught up on family happenings, it was evident that our hearts were united by far more than the distance or time that had separated us. Even clearer was the sense that we had shared a spiritual intimacy through learning, service or worship that remained strong. And so, what I was feeling through these encounters was verbalized best when the Rev. Geoffrey Black, nominee for UCC General Minister and President said last night, "Together we are adequately and incredibly gifted to serve the world."

The Comma Crosses the Pond

June 29, 2009 – By Christmas 2010, Americans visiting London probably will see another familiar logo, besides the Nike swoosh, the Golden Arches and Coke: the God is Still Speaking comma. That's the word from the Rev. Dale Rominger, secretary for World Church Relations of the United Reformed Church (URC) in Great Britain. Rominger, a UCC minister who once served a church in Sunol, Calif., visited Synod to discuss the use of the comma and other GISS materials. "The URC has covenanted with the UCC and promised to maintain the integrity of the brand, for example, the red and black colors, the integrity of the message," he said.

Courage and Caution: Boldly Going Where Discretion Leads

June 28, 2009 – Listening to the pre-recorded video interviewCourage and caution: Boldly going where discretion leadss with the Rev. John Thomas during his Saturday evening tribute, my brain got stuck on his comments about courage and caution. Within the context of the church, he said, we must be courageous to speak truth to power – while cautiously preserving the bonds of unity that make us the church. I'm sure it's never happened to you, but there have been some less than stellar moments in my life where I thought I was acting courageously. In reality, I was either misinformed, foolish or simply too stubborn to use caution.

Historians Seek Afro Christian Roots

June 29, 2009 – As part of a rapidly developing "Christian Preservation Project," a group of UCC historians is searching for documentation and personal reflections on the church's Afro-Christian roots. During a luncheon sponsored by the Historical Council during the 27th General Synod, the Rev. Yvonne Delk shared her surprise that the African American congregations in which she grew up were somehow related to a predominantly Caucasian denomination. "I grew up thinking that the Afro-Christian Conference was independent," she said. Delk went on to become the first African American woman ordained in the UCC.

UCC Churches Are Multiplying like ‘Rabbits'

June 27, 2009 – The UCC comma has a partner: the multiplication sign. "Vital churches multiply," announced the Rev. David Schoen as the UCC welcomed 70 new congregations to the denomination. Schoen is Minister and Team Leader for the Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team. Accompanied by a dancing rabbit and dozens of rabbit-ear clad new church advocates, he invited delegates and visitors to General Synod 27 to "immerse yourselves in the celebration of new churches."

Synod Approves Multiple Paths to Ministry

June 30, 2009 – The issue of changing the UCC Constitution and Bylaws to include multiple paths to ministry, first voted on by General Synod 25 four years ago, came to a vote again on Monday afternoon. After an extended discussion, it passed by a simple show of hands. The Rev. Holly MillerShank of the Ministry Issues Implementation Committee introduced the necessary amendments by explaining the four themes that run through the Ministries Issues project and are reflected in the proposed amendments.

General News

Accra Confession Affirmed by Synod Delegates

June 30, 2009 – General Synod delegates on Monday adopted a resolution affirming the Accra Confession, an ecumenical document calling for more equitable and just global economic systems. The 24th General Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in 2004 adopted The Accra Confession: Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth. The UCC is one of 214 members of WARC, which has a combined membership of 75 million Christians in 107 countries worldwide.

37,000 Lutherans Heading to ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans

June 29, 2009, CHICAGO – Tens of thousands of teenagers will converge on New Orleans for the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a triennial event for the high school-age members of the 4.7 million-member church, and to work alongside those who build, teach and live in the area still recovering nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina. As many as 26,725 teenagers are registered to attend the gathering July 22-26.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Emphasizes Unity in Message to Church Leaders

July 2, 2009, CHICAGO – The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed "heartfelt commitment" to the unity of the ELCA and "deep confidence" that unity will not be lost because of decisions that will be made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson commented on church unity in light of a proposed social statement on human sexuality, and a report and recommendation on ELCA ministry policies to be considered by the assembly.

Worship, Bible Study Leaders for ELCA Churchwide Assembly Named

July 2, 2009, CHICAGO – Preachers, presiding ministers and Bible study leaders chosen for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ECLA) Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis this August come from diverse backgrounds. The preachers, presiders and Bible study leaders were chosen by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. The Rev. Jennifer P. Ollikainen, associate for worship resources, said the goal with this group was to have "broad representation" of the church body.

ECW Members Hope to ‘Grow in Grace' at 46th Triennial Gathering

July 2, 2009 – Episcopal Church Women (ECW) members hope to "Grow in Grace" at their 46th triennial meeting, which runs July 8-17, concurrently with the 76th General Convention, in Anaheim, California. The meeting will include worship, special music, workshops and plenary speakers. An ECW-led Prayer Walk throughout the convention center on July 7 will serve as a prelude to the opening ceremony featuring Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on July 8. Special guests include Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams; Bishop Steven Charleston, former seminary dean and bishop of Alaska; and authors Phyllis Tickle, former religion editor for Publishers Weekly, and Katerina Katsarka Whitley, who has written a play about the ECW and its history to be presented at the July 8 Welcome Dinner.

Executive Council Asks for Comment on Current Anglican Covenant Draft

July 2, 2009 – The Episcopal Church's Executive Council has asked General Convention deputations and their bishops to study and comment on the latest draft of a proposed Anglican covenant. In May, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) postponed an expected request that the Anglican Communion's 38 provinces consider adopting the Ridley Cambridge draft. The council said instead that it wanted the draft's Section 4, which contains a dispute-resolution process, to get more scrutiny and possibly be revised. The Archbishop of Canterbury appointed a small working group to do that work. The members, all of whom served on the original Covenant Design Group, have solicited provincial responses by November 13, 2009.

Church Camp Offers Comfort to Wounded Veterans

July 1, 2009, BUCKHEAD, Ga. – "Next time, I want to ride on that thing with my kids," shouts retired Col. Bob Quinn as a sleek boat pulls six grinning children on an inflatable toy across the green surface of Lake Oconee. The summertime living is easy along this lake about an hour east of Atlanta. And that is a good thing for wounded military veterans and their families enjoying a weekend of fun at the United Methodist camp Collinswood of Aldersgate Homes. The retreat was the result of a partnership between veterans and officials at Collinswood searching for ways to assist soldiers returning home from service, particularly those among the more than 30,000 wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ecumenical News

Inter-Anglican Standing Commission for Unity, Faith and Order – IASCUFO

July 1, 2009 – The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion have announced the membership of an important new commission, following extensive consultation with the Provinces of the Communion around the world. The Chair is the Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi, Primate of the Anglican Church of Burundi. IASCUFO will oversee the ecumenical life of the Anglican Communion.

Catholics and Orthodox, Called to a Shared Hope

June 27, 2009, VATICAN CITY – This morning the Holy Father welcomed a delegation sent to Rome for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul by His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. An ecumenical delegation traditionally visits Rome for the 29 June feast, while a delegation from Rome attends celebrations in Istanbul for the 30 November Feast of St. Andrew, patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Editorial Page

Commentary: Remember Blessings on Fourth of July

July 1, 2009, ATLANTA – This morning, preparing to walk my dog, I was joined by two grandsons, both 7 years old. They noted I had placed two American flags at our front door. I explained to them on the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birthday of our nation. They were excited and wanted to know if there would be a party! I responded that we would indeed have a lot of parties. I told them about the many parades that will take place across the nation and the special programs in towns and cities, and the big party that will take place in our nation's capital. I told them about the fireworks we would have in our community, so close we would only have to place chairs in front of our house. Immediately, they remembered we did that last year. All of this is because America will be 233 years old, I explained.

Spanish News

Aprueban Ley De Igualdad Y Libertad Religiosa En Perú Víctor Liza Jaramillo

2 julio 2009, LIMA, Perú – La Comisión de Constitución del Congreso de la República aprobó el miércoles 1, por unanimidad, el proyecto de Ley de Igualdad y Libertad Religiosa, con lo cual cambia el panorama respecto de las relaciones de las minorías religiosas con el Estado. La iniciativa legislativa, de autoría de la congresista Alda Lazo (Restauración Nacional, RN), contempla las exoneraciones tributarias y la opción de exonerarse o no de los cursos de religión católica, en los centros educativos estatales. También permite a los líderes de las minorías religiosas poder dar atención espiritual en centros médicos, penitenciarios, judicial y policial.

Cuba Se Suma Al Boicot Contra El Golpe En Honduras

2 julio 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – El Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), se suma a la amplia condena mundial de organismos y organizaciones, en contra del oprobioso golpe militar en Honduras, en tanto constituye un acto deliberadamente ilegal que atenta contra la democracia en la región y la buena relación entre sus naciones. "Expresamos nuestro apoyo al señor Manuel Zelaya Rosales, presidente constitucional de Honduras y oramos para que el orden y la institucionalidad sean restablecidos en ese país," afirma un breve texto firmado por el presidente de ese organismo, el reverendo Marcial Miguel Hernández.

Condena Del Consejo Latinoamericano De Iglesias Al Golpe En Honduras

30 junio 2009, QUITO, Ecuador – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias a través de su Secretaría General emitió una carta dirigida a las iglesias y organismos ecuménicos Miembros del CLAI en Honduras. En ella, expresan que "la acción de un grupo de militares en la Casa Presidencial en Tegucigalpa el domingo 28 de Junio y luego la violenta represión militar, viola el espíritu de unidad en la lucha y defensa de la democracia en nuestro continente." El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias que reúne más de 170 iglesias y organismos ecuménicos en 20 países de América Latina y Caribe, tiene como uno de sus objetivos promover la unidad del pueblo de Dios en América Latina como expresión y como signo de contribución de la unidad del pueblo latinoamericano.

National News

New Organization Helps Churches Tackle Poverty in Their Neighborhoods

July 1, 2009 – The Communities First Association (CFA) is a fast-growing ecumenical movement based in the U.S. that formally launches today, July 1, 2009, from its new offices on Ottawa Beach Road in Holland, Mich. CFA is an exciting new way for Christian congregations and organizations of all denominations to address poverty in their own neighborhoods—and work toward community life that is better for everyone for the long-term. CFA director Jay Van Groningen, who is based in Holland, Mich., describes the new organization as "an association of independent professionals who help faith communities meet neighborhood needs across America.

CRWRC Helps Flooded Homeowners in Holland, Michigan

July 1, 2009 – Local Disaster Response volunteers with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee are helping Holland, Michigan, residents clean up and muck out their homes and businesses after major storms swept over the Michigan lakeshore about two weeks ago. CRWRC-DRS is partnering with Good Samaritan Ministries in downtown Holland to connect families to churches, organizations, and individuals who can help storm victims. The agencies are working with Maplewood Reformed Church and Holland City officials, among others, to coordinate services. Overall, the downpour on Friday, June 19, 2009, dropped 6.8 inches of rain in five hours, including local reports that 4.3 inches of rain fell in just one hour during that time.

International News

ELCA Provides Funds to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Pakistan

June 30, 2009, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 in humanitarian relief June 26 to help meet the needs of people in northern Pakistan. In the past few weeks military and insurgent actions have driven an estimated 3.5 million people away from their homes in the Swat region of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province. The ELCA sent the funds to Church World Service (CWS), which is working to respond to the needs of people there. The ELCA participates in the work of CWS, an international relief and development agency. A majority of people displaced from their homes are staying in outdoor camps, while others are living with host families and friends or in ad hoc shelters and rented accommodations.

UN Official: Use Malaria Approach on Economic Crisis

June 28, 2009 – The United Nations' chief policy officer told the board and friends of Wider Church Ministries that both he and the secretary general "saw fear in the eyes" of world leaders as they met recently on the economic crisis. Robert Orr spoke at the Wider Church Ministries dinner during the 27th General Synod. He is convinced that the crisis must be seen not only as a problem of banking institutions in New York, London and other financial capitals, but as one that is affecting millions of people in rural and isolated areas as well. Believing that the problem "screams out for global solidarity," he predicted that normal responses on a country-by-country basis will only exacerbate the problem.

Pray for Honduras, Stay Informed, Says Global Ministries Intern

June 29, 2009 – Since returning from Honduras after 18 months as a mission intern, Kevin Howe has been speaking to churches about the work of Global Ministries' partners there. But during General Synod on Monday, one day after the military removed the country's democratically elected president, Manuel "Mel" Zelaya, Howe's audience interrupted him with questions about the political situation. "It's tough to say where it's going from here," Howe told about 30 people gathered at the Global Ministries booth in the exhibit hall at the convention center. He recounted events leading up to Zelaya's removal, including the president's efforts to change the constitution, reportedly to remove the presidential term limit. The nation's Supreme Court and Congress ruled the referendum unconstitutional. The next election is scheduled for Nov. 29.

UCC Synod Reaches out to People of Iran

June 30, 2009 – With a unanimous vote, the 27th General Synod of the United Church of Christ expressed solidarity and friendship with the people of Iran. In its action the Synod supported the freedom movement in Iran in which demonstrators and others have sought self-government. The delegates affirmed basic human rights and adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and called for an end to the violence directed by the Iranian government against peaceful demonstrators and the media.

German Town Marks 700-year Anniversary with Programs at Baha'i Temple

June 29, 2009, LANGENHAIN, Germany – The European Baha'i House of Worship – the most prominent landmark in a wide area around Langenhain – was the site of events this month celebrating the 700-year anniversary of the village. The mayor of Hofheim, of which Langenhain is a part, and more than 300 townspeople gathered at the temple where a choir from Langenhain sang Christian psalms, alternating with works performed by the national Baha'i choir. The program culminated with the choirs joining together to sing words of Baha'u'llah set to music from Mozart. "From the very first sound, everyone could feel that it was something extraordinary," one of the Baha'is said of the finale.

People in the News

Kopka Named Diocean Bishop of the Western Diocese
of the Polish National Catholic Church in Chicago, Covering Eight States

June 26, 2009, STRATFORD, Conn. – Bishop Anthony Kopka and many of his parishioners at St. Joseph's Polish National Catholic Church still recall his first sermon on Father's Day in 1982, when the congregation was in Bridgeport and the 26-year-old priest came strolling into the church carrying his clergy shirt and collar on a hangar, with a few dozen people in attendance. It will be far different for Kopka when he delivers his final sermon Sunday at 4 p.m. in front of an expected crowd of 400 people at St. Joseph's parish, 1300 Stratford Road, before departing for his new job in Chicago on Tuesday.