Front Page

Congregations Plan for the International Day of Prayer for Peace

September 7, 2009 – Brethren congregations are invited to take part in the On Earth Peace campaign to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21 – and so far more than 100 congregations and groups have registered to take part through On Earth Peace. The International Day of Prayer for Peace is an initiative of the World Council of Churches. Following are just a few of the stories from congregations and groups that are planning events, provided by the On Earth Peace campaign organizers Michael Colvin and Mimi Copp.

African Nuclear Treaty Is a Step Toward a Safer World, with Church Support

September 9, 2009 – With recent action by Africa a majority of the world's countries have now banned nuclear weapons from their national territory for the first time. The change happened when an all-Africa treaty entered into force in July. International civil society organizations including the World Council of Churches (WCC) played a catalytic role. Taking a shared approach to a safer world, Africa became a nuclear-weapon-free zone when Burundi recently became the 28th state to ratify the Treaty of Pelindaba.

Strong Emphasis on Need for Action by Christians Against Economic and Ecological Injustice

September 11, 2009 – Strong emphasis was laid on action by Christians to fight the injustices of the global economy and to seize the opportunity presented by the near-collapse of its financial system to change world institutions, in a message of an ecumenical conference at Willow Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. "We are faced with a crisis that is far more than an economic or financial crisis. It is a spiritual crisis of a civilizational model that is economically unjust; ecologically unsustainable, structurally violent and socially degrading of human dignity," said the message from the Global Dialogue on the Accra Confession: Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth.

WCC Central Committee: Significant Decisions Shape the Future

September 3, 2009 – The election of a new general secretary for the organization and the selection of the venue for its next assembly were highlights of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meeting that ended yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland. The Central Committee, the main governing body of the WCC between assemblies, issued a series of statements and minutes on wide-ranging religious, political and social matters important to the Council's member churches. Issues of governance and finances were also discussed. The WCC is a fellowship of 349 churches in more than 110 countries.

Manhattan's St. Paul's Chapel a Shrine to 9/11

September 11, 2009 – Rain, at times heavy, and winds gusting strong enough to turn an umbrella inside out didn't stop crowds of visitors and mourners from standing vigil at Ground Zero on September 11 while the names of the dead were read out loud during the now-traditional ceremony remembering those killed in the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. Across the street at St. Paul's Chapel the Bell of Hope rang at 8:46 a.m. – the time eight years ago when the first of two hijacked planes struck the towers.

General News

Intentional Family Ministry Can ‘Transform' Congregations

September 10, 2009 – Family ministry leaders in the Synod are convinced that intentional family ministry is not another "congregational program" that serves a specific age group. Rather, it is an all-encompassing viewpoint that provides for and encourages the shaping of faith among family members from birth until death. "It is when congregations and families partner together in specific and measured ways to focus on involving faith-filled people in the support of parents and one another in nurturing homes where faith is built and shared in genuine ways and the next generation is equipped to live out their baptism, passing the faith on to their children," said Dr. Steven Christopher, interim associate director of Children's and Family Ministry, LCMS District and Congregational Services.

Lutheran CORE Plans next Steps, Intends to Be ‘Free-Standing' Synod

September 10, 2009, CHICAGO – Saying the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has "fallen into heresy," because of actions taken at last month's churchwide assembly, the chair of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Reform) said the organization intends to be a "free-standing synod" which will carry out ministries apart from the ELCA. In addition CORE is expected to consider initiating conversations with member Lutheran congregations and reform movements in the United States and Canada toward a possible reconfiguration "of North American Lutheranism," said the Rev. Paull E. Spring, State College, Pa., Lutheran CORE chair.

In Pennsylvania, Iraqi Refugee Chef Headlines New "Recipes with Refugees" Series

September 11, 2009 – Zina Alkubaisy, a refugee from Iraq, has been in the United States only since May, but she already is getting to be known as "Chef Zina." She is the premiere chef in the new "Recipes with Refugees" cooking class series launched by her sponsor, the Church World Service Refugee Resettlement Program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. CWS employee Catherine Haynes developed the "Recipes with Refugees" idea after visiting several refugee clients' kitchens awash with wonderful fragrances from diverse countries' cuisines.

Resettled Refugees Featured in Million Minutes for Peace Campaign Video

September 10, 2009 – Somali refugees resettled to Pennsylvania by Church World Service are featured in a four and a half-minute "webisode" as part of the Odyssey Networks' Million Minutes for Peace Campaign. The campaign is working to collect pledges from a million people to join in one minute of prayer for peace at noon September 21 in observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace. CWS is a campaign partner.

Lutheran Pastor Sees People Returning to Church Following Assembly Actions

September 9, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling has been receiving letters and stories of Lutherans returning to church after many years away, given actions taken at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in August. "Even my own partner's sister's family intends to return to an ELCA congregation after many years of worship in other denominations," Schmeling said. "People write to me about their experiences with church issues. (They) know my name because of the trial a couple of years ago." In 2007 Schmeling was removed from the ELCA clergy roster for being in a committed, same-gender relationship while serving as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Atlanta.

Seven Episcopal Bishops Urge Covenant Endorsement at All Church Levels

September 8, 2009 – Seven Episcopal Church bishops who met September 1 with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams say that dioceses and congregations ought to endorse the proposed Anglican covenant, either in its current partial draft form or when a text becomes final. The call came in a September 7 statement which also urged the church's General Convention to adopt an Anglican covenant when it next meets in 2012.

Mission Partnership to Serve 500 Young People

September 8, 2009, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 500 young people are expected to converge on the city next summer to perform mission work, learn leadership skills and discover more about what it means to be United Methodists. And they will be doing it all with the help of a multidenominational mission planning group looking to expand into Music City.

Ecumenical News

ENGLAND: London's St. Paul's Cathedral Admits Roman Catholic Abbot as Honorary Canon

September 10, 2009 – Abbot Edmund Power, a Roman Catholic Benedictine monk, was admitted as an honorary canon of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, on September 9. Power is an abbot at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the five major basilicas in Rome, "where his work in revitalizing the monastic life through teaching ecumenism and the mission has been recognized by Pope Benedict XVI," according to a press release from St. Paul's Cathedral.

Editorial Page

Commentary: Think like Christians in Health Care Debate

September 9, 2009 – Brother Rowe Wren recently wrote to say, "I would like your thoughts on … the present health-care bill." In my travels around the conference, I have heard much discussion on this pressing issue before our nation. I personally find the bill being debated and proposed to be fearfully complicated. But it is an attempt to solve a complicated and expensive problem. We must not be deterred by the complexity. Above all, we are enjoined to think about this issue and any others like Christians. (If you are interested in a thoughtful response to health care by some of the leaders of our church, then log into health care.)

Commentary: Promote Civil Debate on Health Care

September 9, 2009 – "Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught ... and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd." – Matthew 9:35-37. I wonder if that's how Jesus sees us Americans these days as we contemplate and discuss health care reform: diseased and in need of health care, bruising and hurting each other even as we discuss health care, confused as we try to figure out what the proposed health care bills really say, and potentially aimless as we move forward unless we have greater clarity and civility. Jesus healed people; that was what he did when he saw people in need.

Spanish News

Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana Entre Las Entidades Menos Corruptas, Según Encuesta De Gallup

11 septiembre 2009, SANTO DOMINGO – Una amplia encuesta social de Gallup, considera que la Iglesias Evangélica de aquí, junto a la Católica, está considerada como unas de las entidades menos corruptas y la más comprometida en la lucha contra la corrupción, según trascendió en el resultado de ese estudio. Este tipo de sondeo de opinión masiva que lleva el nombre de su inventor, el matemático estadístico George Gallup, y existe desde el año 1930, se aplica como muestreo aleatorio simple para mantener, al mínimo, los niveles de parcialidad.

Comité Central Del CMI: Importantes Decisiones Configuran El Futuro

7 septiembre 2009 – La elección de un nuevo secretario general y la decisión de dónde celebrar la próxima Asamblea de la organización fueron aspectos destacados de la reunión del comité central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) que concluyó la semana pasada en Ginebra, Suiza. El comité central, principal órgano rector del CMI entre asambleas, aprobó una serie de declaraciones y notas sobre varios asuntos religiosos, políticos y sociales importantes para las iglesias miembros del Consejo.

Astronauta Mexicano Confirma Su Fe En Dios Desde El Trasbordador Discovery

7 septiembre 2009, ESTADOS UNIDOS – Uno de los dos mexicanos que, por primera vez en la historia, viajan integrando la actual misión espacial del trasbordador Discovery, ratificó su fe en Dios y dijo que estar en el espacio, rodeado de pura tecnología, no lo hace dudar de su existencia. José Hernández, de origen mexicano, quien creció en el seno de una familia de inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos, ratificó su fe católica durante una entrevista que diera a la televisión, el pasado miércoles, desde la nave espacial. Ante la pregunta de si todo el aparataje tecnológico y los conocimientos científicos de los que estaba rodeado no disminuían sus creencias, manifestó que ocurría todo lo contrario.

Cooperación Ecuménica Por Paz Y Justicia En América Latina

7 septiembre 2009 – "La cooperación entre el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y el Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) es fundamental para el trabajo por la paz y la justicia en América Latina," afirmó el secretario general del CLAI, Nilton Giese, durante su primera visita a la sede del CMI. La instalación de bases militares estadounidenses en Colombia es uno de los temas que requieren un enfoque común.

Pastor Evangélico Secuestra Avión Para Llamar La Atención Y Comunicar Profecías Recibidas

10 septiembre 2009, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – Un pastor evangélico de origen boliviano secuestra un avión en México y exige hablar con el presidente de la República Felipe Calderón, para comunicarle una "revelación divina." Con 17 años viviendo en México, el pastor José Mar Flores amenazó a la tripulación de un avión de AeroMéxico en el que viajaba en un vuelo interno, asegurando poseer una bomba y que la haría explotar a menos que se le permitiera hablar, personalmente, con el presidente de la República para darle un mensaje divino recibido en una revelación.

Tratado Nuclear Africano, Un Paso Hacia Un Mundo Más Seguro

9 septiembre 2009 – Gracias al Tratado de Zona Libre de Armas Nucleares de África que entró en vigor el pasado mes de julio, la mayoría de los países del mundo han quedado, por primera vez, libres de armas nucleares en sus territorios. Organizaciones de la sociedad civil internacional, incluido el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), desempeñaron un papel catalizador. Adoptando un enfoque común con miras a crear un mundo más seguro, África pasó a ser una zona libre de armas nucleares cuando recientemente Burundi se convirtió en el 28 estado que ratificó el Tratado de Pelindaba.

Religious Liberty News

FORT WORTH: Judge to Hear Arguments September 16
Episcopal Church, Reorganized Diocese Ask for Return of Assets Held by Breakaway Group

September 10, 2009 – A Texas judge continued until next week a September 9 hearing regarding an aspect in ongoing litigation between the Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and a breakaway group seeking to challenge the authority of the attorneys and leaders of the reorganized diocese to institute the litigation. The Hon. John P. Chupp set 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 16 as a new hearing date in Tarrant County's 141st District Court. Attorneys for the Fort Worth diocese and the breakaway group are expected to argue their group is the legitimate authority for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.

National News

Bishops Working for a Just World to Lobby for Health-Care Reform

September 9, 2009 – A group of Episcopal bishops plan to travel to Washington, D.C., the week of September 14 to lobby on Capitol Hill in support of health-care reform. The group, "Bishops Working for a Just World," seeks universal heath-care coverage and solutions to domestic and global poverty and the environmental crisis. Bishops make annual trips to the nation's capital to advocate for specific legislation or changes to legislation. "The issues that we lobby are the issues voted on by General Convention," said Diocese of Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith.

International News

The Time Is Right for a Movement for Economic Justice South African Tells Church Network

September 12, 2009 – The global financial crisis is a golden opportunity for a movement for economic justice according to a South African businesswoman and political economist. Mohau Pheko, Coordinator of the African Gender and Trade Network (GENTA), told a gathering of theologians, advocates, economists and senior church officials in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday that the current crisis is "spectacular failure" of the current system and calls for a radical reconstruction of the global economy.

Brethren to Be Represented at G-20 Faith Leaders' Summit

September 7, 2009 – The Church of the Brethren will be represented at a "G-20 Faith Leaders' Summit" in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sept. 22-23, on the eve of a meeting of world leaders called the Group of 20. Vernne Greiner, a physician and member of the Church of the Brethren's Mission and Ministry Board, will attend to represent the denomination. The summit is sponsored by Bread for the World along with the Alliance to End Hunger and partner organizations.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Bishops Acknowledge ‘Deep Desire' for Unity, Commitment to Covenant

September 11, 2009 – The bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa issued a statement saying that "there is still a deep desire among the bishops throughout the world to maintain the bonds of unity" and expressing their commitment to the Anglican Communion's exploration of a covenant. The bishops' statement was released at the conclusion of their September 7-9 meeting.

‘War on Terror' Affects Christians in Pakistan, Bishop Tells Church Center Staff

September 9, 2009 – Persecution of Christians has been documented as far back as New Testament times and has continued throughout human history, including today in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan where recent attacks have evoked international attention and concern. Bishop Alexander John Malik of Pakistan's Diocese of Lahore, who is visiting New York September 8-10 and meeting with officials of the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the National Council of Churches, has spoken out against the attacks at home, pressing the government for a judicial inquiry into recent mob violence that killed at least seven people and burned more than 100 homes in a village near Gojra in Central Punjab.

Middle East News

On Earth Peace Sponsors Middle East Delegation

September 12, 2009 – On Earth Peace is sponsoring a Middle East Delegation to Israel/Palestine on Jan. 6-18, 2010. The delegation leader will be On Earth Peace executive director Bob Gross. The delegation is co-sponsored with CPT, a violence-reduction project of Brethren and Mennonite congregations and Friends meetings. CPT has maintained a team of trained peacemakers in the West Bank since June 1996. The delegation will meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights workers, will join the CPT team in Palestine for some accompaniment and documentation work, and will join in a public witness to nonviolently confront injustice and violence in the area.