Front Page

TV Journalist Walter Cronkite Memorialized
Friends Wish Him 'Good Sailing'

July 23, 2009 – Andy Rooney, Barbara Walters, Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, Brian Williams and other television journalists gathered at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York July 23 to say goodbye to one of their own: television news legend Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. "I feel so terrible about Walter's deSath that I can hardly say anything," said Andy Rooney, the 90-year-old CBS "60 Minutes" commentator. "He was such a good friend over the years."

Hillary's Excellent Adventure

July 22, 2009 – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has made a point of connecting with people in other countries, especially women, during her diplomatic missions abroad, sometimes exposing her United Methodist roots along the way. In India this week, she met with top business leaders and government leaders, but one of her early stops was at a Mumbai shop called Hansiba run by the Self Employed Women's Association, a 37-year-old trade organization of poor women who earn a living through their own labor or small businesses. "To the casual passersby, this may look like any other shop, but it is so much more than that," she told those assembled.

Presiding Officers Write Canterbury Explaining Same-Gender Unions Resolution

July 21, 2009 – The two presiding officers of General Convention have again written to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, this time with an explanation of Resolution C056 that calls for the collection and development of theological resources for the blessing of same-gender blessings and allows bishops to provide "a generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church." The letter was also sent to the Anglican Communion's 38 primates.

Episcopal Church Official Voices Support for Abortion-Prevention Bill
Maureen Shea of Office of Government Relations Endorses Ryan-Delauro Bill

July 24, 2009 – A representative of the Episcopal Church has joined some 50 other religious leaders and groups in supporting the House of Representatives' Ryan-DeLauro Bill, which, if passed, would aim to reduce the need for abortion by preventing unintended pregnancies and supporting pregnant women and families. "On behalf of the Episcopal Church, I am pleased to endorse the ‘Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act' sponsored by Representatives Tim Ryan [Ohio] and Rosa DeLauro [Connecticut]," wrote Maureen Shea, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, in a statement released on July 24.

General News

Calvin's War on the Catholic Church

July 20, 2009 – Almost 500 years ago John Calvin led the most cataclysmic revolution in the history of Christendom. Could it be that the organisation which today most closely reflects Calvin's vision is the church he sought to destroy? If so, who would be more shocked? Sixteenth century Roman Catholics or Calvin himself? John Calvin was born in July 1509, 500 years ago this month. He abandoned the Catholic Church in his teens and fought it for the rest of his 54 years. He provided most of the theological fuel for the fires of the Protestant Reformation sparked earlier by Martin Luther.

Archives Deemed a ‘Treasure' in Book on Conscientious Objection

July 22, 2009, ELGIN, IL – The Brethren Historical Library and Archives has been called a "national treasure" by Steven J. Taylor, author of the new book "Acts of Conscience: World War II, Mental Institutions, and Religious Objectors" (Syracuse University Press, 2009). The archives are located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. In the book's acknowledgments, Taylor praises the Brethren Historical Library and Archives along with the Mennonite Church Archives in Goshen, Ind., and the Swarthmore (Pa.) College Peace Collection. The author did extensive research at each location, and says, "There are endless books to be written based on the rich historical documents maintained at these archives."

Swine Flu: Archbishops' Advice on Sharing of Communion

July 24, 2009 – The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to Bishops in the Church of England recommending the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion. The Archbishops' letter follows advice from the Department of Health not to share "common vessels" for food or drink. For those who wish still to offer both bread and wine, the Archbishops have recommended use of "personal intinction by the presiding minister" allowing the priest to dip communion wafers in the chalice before handing them out to communicants. The full text of the letter follows.

ELCA Youth of Color Discuss Racism, Celebrate Diversity at MYLE

July 23, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Members of Ascension Lutheran Church, Dorado, Puerto Rico, swayed gently to the beat as the music started to play. Once the drums started, they were up on their feet. Tambourines, maracas and drums in hand, the youth and their parents pounded out a festive beat, smiling, laughing and dancing as the music played. The song, "Salaam Alaikum," means "May peace be with you" in Arabic. The Lutherans from Puerto Rico make sure to add some Caribbean flair to it. Members of Ascension were among 89 congregations from across the United States, Caribbean and Virgin Islands attending the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) with the theme, "God is Key: Open Your Heart and Step to God's Beat" here at the Sheraton Hotel.

Children's Disaster Services Offers Workshops to Train Volunteers

July 22, 2009 ELGIN, IL – Children's Disaster Services is offering several workshops to train volunteers to work with the program. Children's Disaster Services has been meeting the needs of children since 1980, and is a Church of the Brethren ministry working cooperatively with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide care for children and families following disasters. The Level I Volunteer Workshops are scheduled for August 10-11 in Milwaukee, Wis.; September 25-26 in Virden, Ill.; October 9-10 in McPherson, Kan.; and November 6-7 in Sykesville, Md. Cost for participants is $45 for early registration, or $55 for registrations made less than three weeks before the workshop begins.

Archbishop Demetrios Hosts President of the American Bible Society

July 23, 2009, NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America welcomed Dr. R. Lamar Vest, President of the American Bible Society, yesterday at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in New York. Archbishop Demetrios had invited Dr. Vest along with key American Bible Society staff involved in the recent publication of the first-ever military edition New Testament and Psalms for Orthodox Christians. On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Archbishop Demetrios presented Dr. Vest with a check in the amount of $30,000 in gratitude for this new Orthodox Military Bible edition and the other Orthodox-related projects.

Lutherans Begin ‘Dirty Work' in New Orleans

July 23, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Lutherans hope to help resurrect the city in three days by doing a lot of dirty work. They'll work on mudflats to help stop coastal erosion and foster wetlands recovery. They'll pull weeds and clean up a historic African American cemetery. They'll paint schools, clear brush from parks and help rebuild homes. The list of projects, nearly 200 in all, goes on and on. The massive effort is expected to involve 37,000 youth and adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They're meeting here July 22-26 for the 2009 Youth Gathering.

Lutheran Youth Receive Power and Grace in the Superdome

July 24, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Bursts of dancing spotlights and bass notes that drove deep through the crowd resembled more a rock concert than a church meeting at the Louisiana Superdome. The audience of 37,000 Lutherans, mostly teenagers, heard gospel messages and music July 23 they may not have experienced back home across the United States and Caribbean. Lutheran youth, adult leaders and other volunteers are here July 22- 26 for the 2009 Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Jesus Justice Jazz" is the theme of activities at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome.

ELCA Youth Walk Through Scripture, Service at the Krewes Learning Center

July 24, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Deborah was one tough cookie, according to Mitzi McLean. "Women can be strong figures," she said. McLean, a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., led a Bible study on Deborah, a biblical heroine, Thursday afternoon at the Krewes Learning Center, part of the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Youth Gathering. Some 37,000 Lutheran teenagers, adult leaders and other volunteers are here July 22-26. "Jesus Justice Jazz" is the theme of activities at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome. and they're fanning out across the area to work beside the people of New Orleans in nearly 200 community service projects.

ELCA Teens Told to Make Community Service a Way of Life

July 23, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – A conga line snaked up and down the aisles on the main floor of the Louisiana Superdome. Carefree teenagers swayed from side to side in rhythm to the electric guitar music. Kaitlin Smith remained in her seat but watched intently. The 14-year-old is from Whitewood, S.D., a town of 850, where Lutheran worship is more traditional. "I thought they were going to make us sing hymns," she said in a tone of genuine surprise. "This is great." Smith is among the 37,000 youth and adults in town for the 2009 Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The July 22-26 event kicked off at the Superdome.

Episcopalians, Lutherans Taking Action on Sexuality Topics

July 21, 2009, CHICAGO – The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church took a series of actions on the topic of human sexuality July 8-17 in Anaheim, Calif. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will also make decisions on matters concerning the topic at its 2009 Churchwide Assembly Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis. The ELCA and Episcopal Church have been "full communion" partners since 2000. The relationship is based on a common confessing of the Christian faith. The denominations collaborate on various ministry initiatives, may provide for the interchangeability of ordained clergy and engage in worship together.

Jarrett ‘Shares His Story' at Int'l LLL Convention

July 23, 2009 – In his keynote at the 92nd International Convention of the International Lutheran Laymen's League, Ned Jarrett advised convention-goers to "build respect in your fellow man" – a motto he lived by, first as a racecar driver, and later as a broadcaster. Jarrett, whose father let him drive the family car to church on Sunday when the youngster was just 9 years old, recalled how he was the first to wear a tie to a local "champions banquet" and made an effort to answer interviewers' questions fully and politely, earning him the nickname "Gentleman Ned Jarrett."

ELCA Youth Participate in ‘Definitely Abled' Leadership Event

July 23, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Thirty-one high school youth and young adults, plus parents, staff and volunteers spent four days in worship, song, learning activities and discussion in the Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE), a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Nearly three years in the making, DAYLE was designed to inspire and give hope to young Lutherans living with physical and cognitive disabilities. It preceded the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering here. Most participants will stay for the gathering, July 22-26, which includes some 37,000 Lutheran teenagers, adult leaders and other volunteers.

Presiding Bishop's Letter to the Church on General Convention

July 22, 2009 – Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued a letter to the church about General Convention, which was held July 8-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. "Above all else, this Convention claimed God's mission as the heartbeat of The Episcopal Church," Jefferts Schori says. The full text of the Presiding Bishop's letter follows. My brothers and sisters in Christ: The 76th General Convention is now history, though it will likely take some time before we are all reasonably clear about what the results are.

Ecumenical News

Convention Takes Steps Forward in Ecumenism

July 21, 2009 – The 76th General Convention took steps, big and small, to reunite Christians in opening, reaffirming and expanding ecumenical dialogues through legislation passed July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. "The biggest step forward is the full communion step with the Moravian church," said Bishop C. Christopher Epting, deputy to the presiding bishop for ecumenical and interreligious relations, adding that it's not official until the Northern and Southern provinces of the Moravian Church vote to accept the proposed agreement when they meet in 2010.

Spanish News

El Gobierno Se Asocia Con Iglesias En La Prevención Del Consumo De Drogas

20 julio 2009, BRASILIA, Brasil – El curso "Fe en la prevención" permitirá que 5 mil religiosos, de diferentes credos religiosos, se capaciten en la prevención de alcohol y otras drogas que generan comportamiento de riesgo. Hasta 2011, el curso tiene por objetivo capacitar a 20 mil personas. La iniciativa es de la Secretaría Nacional de Políticas sobre Drogas (Senad), vinculada a la Presidencia de la República, en colaboración con el Programa Nacional de Seguridad Pública con Ciudadanía y la Universidad Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).

Iglesia Católica Hace Pública Declaración Sobre Asesinato De Sacerdote En La Habana

23 julio 2009, HABANA, Cuba – Una declaración publicada hoy por el diario cubano Juventud Rebelde da el punto de vista de la jerarquía católica de la Isla acerca del oprobioso asesinato del sacerdote español Mariano Arroyo Merino, quien fuera encontrado muerto, en su parroquia del poblado de Regla, el pasado lunes 13 de julio. "Las investigaciones realizadas por los peritos policiales han permitido la localización y captura del presunto responsable de este execrable crimen y sus posibles cómplices. Además de las pruebas vinculantes, las autoridades policiales cuentan ya con la confesión del mencionado responsable," reza en el texto.

El Gobierno Y Las Iglesias Suspenden Actividades En Perú Por Avance De Gripe AH1N1

23 julio 2009, LIMA, Perú – El rápido avance de la gripe AH1N1 en el Perú, que registra el contagio de 2.796 personas y la muerte de 14, ha generado que se suspendan varias actividades, tanto oficiales, deportivas, y en el mismo seno de las iglesias evangélicas. En primer término, las clases de los colegios fueron suspendidas desde el 15 de julio hasta fines de mes, adelantando de esta manera las vacaciones, que tradicionalmente se realizan entre la última semana de julio, con ocasión de las Fiestas Patrias, hasta la primera semana de agosto. Esta medida fue coordinada entre los Ministerios de Educación y Salud, pues consideraron que los niños y adolescentes son los más propensos a contraer el virus.

La Gente De La RDC Ansía La Paz, Dijeron a Un Equipo De Cartas Vivas

23 julio 2009 – Desde la aldea más pequeña hasta la ciudad más grande en la zona oriental de la República Democrática del Congo (RDC) la gente ansía la paz. Los líderes eclesiales incitan al desarme a los combatientes rebeldes. Desde hace varios años, la gente vive aquí atrapada en medio de un complejo conflicto que, a juicio de la mayoría, gira en torno a la extracción de los recursos minerales. Según dirigentes eclesiales congoleses han sido asesinados casi 5 millones de personas. "Necesitamos la paz. Nuestro país ha sufrido grandes penalidades. Necesitamos el apoyo de ustedes," dijo el Rev. Muhasanya Lubunga, moderador de la Iglesia de Cristo en el Congo, Kivu del Sur, a una delegación de Cartas Vivas del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI).

Concluye Visita De Reverside Church a La Isla

20 julio 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – Una amplia delegación de la histórica iglesia neoyorkina de Riverside, donde han hecho uso de la palabra importantes líderes políticos, acaba de concluir una visita de intercambio a Cuba, como parte de un proyecto entre esa congregación y la representación cubana de la Conferencia Cristiana por la Paz de América Latina y el Caribe. La visita, integrada por más de una veintena de personas de esa comunidad cristiana que se autoproclama interdenominacional, interracial e internacional, cumplió un amplio plan de actividades religiosas y sociales durante unas dos semanas, en las cuales recorrieron importantes regiones, desde el occidente hasta el oriente, del país.

Estados Unidos No Permite La Entrada De Hermana Diaconisa

23 julio 2009, SAN LEOPOLDO, Brasil – La directora de la Casa Matriz de Diaconisas de São Leopoldo, hermana Gisela Beulke, no pudo viajar a los Estados Unidos porque le fue negada la visa por la Embajada norteamericana. Gisela participaría de la 20ª Asamblea Mundial de la Federación Mundial de Diaconía, reunida de 20 a 27 de julo en Atlanta, Georgia. "Me siento profundamente humillada," declaró la hermana brasileña. Se trata de una decisión "absolutamente arbitraria," afirmó el pastor presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana en el Brasil (IECLB) y moderador del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Walter Altmann, ante la negativa de la Embajada.

Equipo De Cartas Vivas Visita Angola Y Mozambique

20 julio 2009 – Un equipo de representantes de iglesias de Portugal, Suiza y Brasil va a realizar, del 18 al 28 de julio, una visita de solidaridad a iglesias, organizaciones ecuménicas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil de Angola y Mozambique. El grupo, que viaja como un equipo de "Cartas Vivas" en nombre del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), pasará cinco días en cada uno de los dos países, que comparten algunas características históricas comunes del dominio colonial, la liberación, la guerra civil y la reconstrucción. En ambos países las iglesias están comprometidas en esfuerzos encaminados a la reconciliación y la superación de la violencia.

National News

Webcast to Focus on Health Care Legislation, Abortion

July 22, 2009 – Lutherans For Life and LCMS World Relief and Human Care are encouraging Lutherans to join a free webcast discussion about the health care reform legislation under consideration by Congress, as it pertains to abortion. During the 70-minute program, broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST July 23, congressmen and nationally-known leaders including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, and Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life will discuss mandated access to abortion services, even if a community doesn't want a clinic, and clauses that would require medical professionals to perform abortions, which circumvent the "conscience clause."

New Orleans Mayor Welcomes, Praises ELCA Youth Gathering Effort

July 24, 2009, NEW ORLEANS – Praising the "miracle" of the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the mayor of New Orleans, C. Ray Nagin, issued a proclamation declaring July 24 "A Special Day of Honor" on the ELCA and the gathering's volunteers for contributing to the city's recovery. Nagin hosted a news conference at Joseph Brown Park in New Orleans East, an area of the city devastated by severe flooding following the collapse of levees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

International News

Living Letters Team Visits Angola and Mozambique

July 20, 2009 – A team of church representatives from Portugal, Switzerland and Brazil is paying a solidarity visit to churches, ecumenical organizations and civil society organizations in Angola and Mozambique from 18 to 28 July. Travelling as a "Living Letters" team on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the group will spend five days in each of the two countries, which share some common historical traits of colonial rule, liberation, civil war and reconstruction. In both countries churches are engaged in reconciliation efforts and overcoming violence.

Smangus Aborigines Criticized after Opening Pay Stations to Absorb Cost of Tourism

July 19, 2009 – The Smangus community of the Atayal aboriginal tribe recently clashed with neighboring Hsinchu County and Chienshih Township over setting up pay stations at the entrance of aboriginal reserves because county and township leaders believed such a move might be illegal. The conflict toned down after both parties agreed to make some concessions, but according to one tribal assembly leader who is an elder from Smangus Presbyterian Church, setting up pay stations is in accordance with the spirit of aboriginal self-rule laws.

People in DRC Are Yearning for Peace, Living Letters Team Is Told

July 23, 2009 – From the smallest village to the biggest town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) people are yearning for peace. Church leaders encourage the rebel fighters to disarm. For several years, the people here have been caught in the midst of a complex conflict, widely seen to revolve around the extraction of mineral resources. Nearly 5 million people have been killed according to the Congolese church officials. "We need peace. Our country has gone through hardships. We need your support," Rev. Muhasanya Lubunga, moderator of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), South Kivu told a Living Letters delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Despite Uruguay's Peaceful Image, Churches Strive to Overcome Violence

July 20, 2009 – Dispelling the myth of "a little peaceful country," an international ecumenical Living Letters team visited Uruguay and discovered how violence manifests itself at the levels of family life, the state and youth, and how the churches in this South American country seek to overcome it. "Some of the members of the Living Letters team had the idyllic vision that they had brought with them changed when they met the actual situation here," said Pastor Oscar Bolioli, President of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Uruguay, who hosted the visit.

Taiwanese Shares the Gospel in Kyrgyzstan Through Music

July 19, 2009 – Gau Shi-an went to Kyrgyzstan in 2008 to share the gospel through music. He returned to Taiwan recently and was invited to Presbyterian Church in Taiwan headquarters on July 9th to perform and share his experiences during an employee morning devotional time. With his violin, Gau mesmerized his audience with beautiful Jewish folk music that allowed many to take a break from their hectic schedules and be refreshed by the Holy Spirit. The Republic of Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked and mountainous country in Central Asia that declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Church Pursues Radio to Reach Across Côte D'Ivoire

July 24, 2009, ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire – When United Methodists begin broadcasting by radio in December, they will be employing a powerful new channel for informing and educating people in this West African country. "Radio can help with many things," says Robert Beugré Mambé, a United Methodist and the official in charge of planning the country's national elections. "First of all, it can help people to live in peace, to love God. … People who love God will also love their neighbors." Those words are not said lightly in a country trying to emerge from a period of instability and civil war. Mambé sees radio's potential in helping the country move forward, teaching people about citizenship and abiding within social norms. It can also inform them during the voting process and encourage a fair, free and peaceful election, he says.

People in the News

Purdue Researcher, Lutheran Wins World Food Prize

July 20, 2009 – Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, a professor of agronomy at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., was named the recipient of the World Food Prize for his research on sorghum plants in his native Africa. Considered the Nobel Prize of Agriculture, the prize is given to people who have improved the "quality, quantity or availability or food in the world," according to the World Food Prize Foundation's Web site. Ejeta and his family are members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Lafayette, Ind., where they have worshipped since 1984. Our Saviour is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).