Front Page

Landmarks Commission Threatens Presbyterian Church Ministry

July 14, 2009, NEW YORK – The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission summoned the West Park Presbyterian Church to a hearing today as a first step toward seizing control of the Church's building as a municipal landmark. The Commission had declined to include the Church in the Upper West Side Central Park West Historic District which it created in 1990. The Rev. Robert Brashear, pastor of West Park Presbyterian Church, spoke against the action. He noted that, as a result of the Commission's desire to impose a landmark designation, the Church lost a development opportunity which would have covered the $25-million cost of restoring and renovating the church building at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street in Manhattan.

New Interfaith Coalition Launches to Promote Media Justice

July 15, 2009, CLEVELAND, Ohio – Leading off its "Bring Betty Broadband" campaign to promote equal high-speed-internet access for all, a diverse gathering of religious groups has launched So We Might See, a national interfaith coalition for media justice. "So We Might See is an ecumenical, interfaith coalition that has come together to educate and advocate for media justice, both within our faith communities and beyond," says the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, executive director of the United Church of Christ's Office of Communication, Inc. "We will work across religious lines to address the social, structural and economic barriers that prevent equal access to the media and telecommunications."

Bishops Affirm Openness of Ordination Process

July 13, 2009, ANAHEIM, California – After more than two hours of discussion and with a standing-room-only crowd watching, the House of Bishops on July 13 adopted an amended version of Resolution D025, which affirms the openness of "any ordained ministry" to gay and lesbian people. Bishops voted 99-45, with two abstentions, for the revised resolution, which goes to the House of Deputies world mission legislative committee. The committee must make a recommendation to the full house about whether to concur in the amended resolution, amend it further, or defeat it, according to Deputy Sally Johnson (Minnesota).

Episcopal Convention Calls for Collection of ‘Resources' for Same-Gender Blessing

July 17, 2009, ANAHEIM, California – On the final day of General Convention, the House of Deputies concurred July 17 with an earlier vote by the House of Bishops "to acknowledge changing circumstances" that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings. Resolution C056 authorizes the House of Bishops, in conjunction with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM), to devise an open process that will invite church-wide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies.

Change the World Conference Addresses Poverty

July 17, 2009 – More than 3 billion people, half of the world's population, live on less than $2.50 a day. Crises such as the civil war in the Sudan terrorize populations with acts of murder, rape and devastation, leaving millions without food, water or homes. Yet if the poor are always with us, so must the church always be among the poor, seeking an end to suffering, say organizers of the fourth Change the World conference Oct. 22-23 at Ginghamsburg Church, a United Methodist congregation in Tipp City, Ohio.

Episcopal General Convention

Bishops Reject Resolution on Israel/Palestine, Call for More Balanced Approach

July 17, 2009, ANAHEIM, California – The House of Bishops on July 17 rejected a resolution that called for dismantling the wall between Israel and Palestine and for creation of a "sovereign Palestinian state." Several bishops who opposed the measure said they favored a more balanced approach toward Israel and Palestine. The bishops voted 53 to 43 against Resolution B027, which would also have called for "an end to the ongoing confiscation of Palestinian land, demolition of housing and the displacement of people" and for a just resolution for Palestinian refugees. However, bishops adopted Resolution A037, urging that every Episcopalian "pray, especially in Advent and during the Christmas season, for the wall around Bethlehem and all other barriers to come down." The Episcopal Church's official policy has been in support of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, based on resolutions previously passed by General Conventions and the Executive Council.

Deputies Address Economic Crisis, Bishop Elections

July 17, 2009 – The House of Deputies dispatched a large volume of resolutions on General Convention's final day July 17, including a response to the global economic crisis and the first steps in removing convention's role in approving some bishop elections. Resolution D018 urges bishops to develop a pastoral teaching resource on God's mission and the global economic crisis and invites dioceses and congregations to use Lent 2010 as a time of "penitential reflection on the brokenness of the global economic order and its reformation in light of the gospel." Resolution B029, approved on first reading, will amend the church's constitution to remove the provision that bishop elections within 120 days of General Convention receive approval at convention.

Presiding Officers' Letter to Canterbury Presents Context for Convention Actions
Jefferts Schori, Anderson Underscore ‘Deep Commitment' to Anglican Communion

July 17, 2009, ANAHEIM, California – The two presiding officers of General Convention have written to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams providing an explanation and clarification of Resolution D025 pertaining to human sexuality issues and the Episcopal Church's commitment to the Anglican Communion. The letter was also sent to the communion's 38 primates. "We understand Resolution D025 to be more descriptive than prescriptive in nature – a statement that reaffirms commitments already made by the Episcopal Church and that acknowledges certain realities of our common life. Nothing in the resolution goes beyond what has already been provided under our Constitution and Canons for many years," wrote Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson.

General News

LWML Adopts Record Mission Goal of $1.825 Million

July 14, 2009 PORTLAND, Ore. – Delegates to the 33rd Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, held here June 25-28, adopted a new mission goal of $1.825 million for the 2009-11 biennium. It is the largest in the organization's 67-year history – $125,000 more than the previous mission goal – and will fund a record 19 mission grants. More than 3,300 people attended the convention, held in this "City of Roses" under the theme "Look to the Hills ... God Reigns," based on Psalm 121:1-2 and Isaiah 52:7.

ELCA Deaconess Community Celebrates 125 Years

July 16, 2009, CHICAGO – What started as seven German deaconesses serving a Philadelphia hospital has grown to a flourishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA Deaconess Community will mark 125 years of service to the church with a celebration July 18-19 in Atlanta. The celebration will feature the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, national bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The ELCA Deaconess Community serves both the ELCA and ELCIC. Deaconesses are consecrated church leaders who have earned master's degrees in theology, religion or related courses.

Fortune-Teller Turned Pastor Shares on Bridging the Gap
Between Taiwanese Folklore and the Gospel

July 12, 2009 – How should Christians in Taiwan view folklore and folk religion? When people become Christians, must they abandon their cultural traditions? Must churches in Taiwan always fight against traditional culture? These questions and more were asked and answered during a forum on how to use folklore to share the gospel on July 35 at Taichung Presbytery's Pan-Ding Church. The forum's guest speaker was Rev. Yeh Ming-han from Austin Taiwanese Presbyterian Church and Christians from different church denominations in Taichung area attended the event.

Iowa Lutheran Changes Lives Two Wheels at a Time

July 17, 2009, CHICAGO – Lucy Thomas is a bike peddler. The 64-year-old Iowan collects and repairs old bicycles and helmets. Then she donates them to refugee families being resettled in the state. The bikes provide a way for them to get around other than by bus or their own two feet. Adults use them to get to work, school and supermarkets. For many children it's the first bike they've owned.

ELCA Pastor Returns to Work after Liver Transplant

July 15, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Charles A. Axness doesn't know who his new liver came from, but he's grateful. "I don't know if that person was male or female; black, white or bronze," he wrote in a recent newsletter to his congregation, First Lutheran Church, Fremont, Neb. "Someone made a conscious decision to give life to another human being." Axness was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder in 2007. The deficiency attacks either the lungs or liver. In Axness' case, his liver was damaged to the point that he needed a transplant to survive. "They were more or less keeping me alive on medications," Axness said.

UCC Synod Calls for Comprehensive HIV Prevention in Church and Community

July 14, 2009, CLEVELAND, Ohio – The 27th General Synod of the United Church of Christ calls for comprehensive HIV prevention in church and community The 27th General Synod of the United Church of Christ called the whole denomination to significant engagement in HIV prevention when it overwhelmingly approved the resolution, "Calling for Comprehensive HIV Prevention in Church and Community" at their meetings last week in Grand Rapids, Mich. The resolution grounds the action in the call to follow the teachings and example of Jesus' life and ministry, and urges both church and community to a new and higher level of HIV awareness, competency and service.

Ecumenical News

Pact Opens Door for United Methodists, Lutherans

July 14, 2009, CLYDE, Kan. – The Rev. Anita Strommen is a Lutheran pastor. Her congregation is United Methodist. The pairing reflects a growing effort by some Christian denominations to share ministry resources as never before, including clergy.

Spanish News

"Día De La Esperanza" Para La Conferencia De Iglesias Europeas

17 julio 2009, FRANCIA – "Día de la Esperanza." Este fue el lema alrededor del cual se desarrollaron las sesiones del 2° día de la 13 Asamblea de la Conferencia de Iglesias Europeas (KEK), convocada en Lyon del 15 al 21 de julio de 2009. Julio Murray presidente del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias, participa de la Asamblea. Los delegados procedentes de más de 160 iglesias y organismos protestantes y ortodoxos de Europa reflexionaron ayer sobre el trabajo de las siguientes comisiones.

Ciento Cuarenta Y Cinco Mil Biblias Para Cuba

13 julio 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – De gran impacto para las iglesias de la Isla resulta la llegada de 145 mil ejemplares de la Biblia, dentro de las cuales una cifra significativa corresponden a la versión Reina Valera, de letra grande, cuando se conoce que Cuba está considerada como uno de los países con mayor nivel de envejecimiento del Planeta. El significativo material, donado por la Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas (SBU) será distribuido entre las 62 denominaciones cristianas que existen en la nación, miembros o no del Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), a través de su Comisión Bíblica, a tono con las conmemoraciones que han comenzado a realizarse en el país con motivo del aniversario 10 de la Celebración Evangélica Cubana.

Convención General De La Iglesia Episcopal:
Gran Representación Hispana Y Ambiente De Diálogo

17 julio 2009, ESTADOS UNIDOS – Toda la semana pasada continuaron las reuniones de la Convención General de la Iglesia Episcopal en Anaheim, California. Esta asamblea que tiene lugar cada tres años terminará hoy. Contrario a los que pensaban que abundarían la confrontación y la discordia, el cónclave se realizó en un ambiente de compañerismo y buena voluntad, pese a que todavía hay serias diferencias sobre todo en lo que se refiere a la sexualidad humana. Ejemplo de lo anterior fue la aprobación de una resolución que deroga la moratoria en la consagración de obispos homosexuales.

Mujeres De Iglesias Analizan La Importancia De Los Acuerdos Humanitarios

14 julio 2009, COLOMBIA – La realidad de Colombia es de guerra, aunque no se quiera reconocer por parte de las altas autoridades del Estado. Por eso, mujeres de las iglesias que configuran el colectivo Sororidad, Ecumenismo y Democracia realizaron un taller sobre lo que significan los acuerdos humanitarios y cual podría ser la responsabilidad como mujeres de fe frente a la actual situación. Participaron anglicanas, católicas, luteranas, metodistas, menonitas, hermandad en Cristo y evangélicas libres. Las invitadas a compartir sus conocimientos fueron Norma Enriquez y Jenny Neme.

Líderes Evangélicos Hondureños Rechazan
El Golpe De Estado Y Llaman a Manifestarse En Contra

16 julio 2009, TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Pastores y pastoras evangélicos de diferentes iglesias y denominaciones de Honduras, "sin ninguna coacción y solo con el interés que siga imperando la justicia, el orden institucional, que permitan a la hondureñidad, construir una paz sostenible y verdadera," hicieron pública una declaración donde rechazan el golpe de estado perpretado en pasado 28 de junio.

Kobia Exhorta a Trabajar Para Fortalecer La Paz En Centroamérica

17 julio 2009, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), reverendo Samuel Kobia, en un mensaje a la Conferencia Internacional de Educación por la Paz y la Reconciliación en Centroamérica, que se celebra desde ayer en esta capital, llamó a unir esfuerzos por fortalecer el trabajo de la paz en la región, amenazada seriamente después del golpe de Estado en Honduras.

Líderes Religiosos Viven En Incertidumbre
Por Secuestros Y Amenazas En Zonas "Calientes" Del País

14 julio 2009, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – El asesinato de dos miembros de la Iglesia de los Santos de los Últimos Días, luego de encabezar un movimiento comunitario para oponerse a pagar un rescate que exigían los secuestradores, ocurrido recientemente en la comunidad mormona de Chihuahua, deja una lección para las demás comunidades de fe. La Iglesia Mormona no ha sido la única que ha sufrido el secuestro de sus feligreses en México.

International News

British Baha'is Meet with Prime Minister Brown on Iran Concerns

July 16, 2009, LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met this week with members of the U.K. Baha'i community and underlined his government's concern over the seven Baha'i leaders being detained in Iran. Mr. Lembit Opik, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'is group, accompanied three Baha'i representatives to the meeting, held yesterday at the prime minister's office in the Houses of Parliament. One of the Baha'is, Mrs. Bahar Tahzib – originally from Iran but now living in England – shared with Mr. Brown her first-hand experience of religious persecution.

Haiti Today: Hope and Despair

July 10, 2009 – Bitoranne Guerda was teaching kindergarten in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, when an inner voice prompted her to return to her home village of Thomonde in Haiti's Central Plateau. "Why not teach there?" the voice asked. She answered that "call" and moved in with her 98-year-old grandmother into a rural house with three small rooms and dirt floors. Their home is neat and clean. Lace curtains separate the rooms; dishes are washed and stacked on shelves. Red flowers and scenic pictures decorate the walls. In a sunlit corner of the dining room, she sits at a desk and makes out report cards. Not too far from Bitoranne Guerda's home lives a mother with seven children.

Return Uncertain, Pakistan Families Remain in Need

July 14, 2009 NEW YORK – Even though a few families have chosen to rreturn to their homes in Pakistan's Swat valley, international aid agency Church World Service today urged continued support for the millions who remain displaced by fighting between army and Taliban forces, which began in early May. "We know no one is more eager to bring this emergency to a close than those who fled the violence," CWS Emergency Response Director Donna Derr said.