Front Page

England: Archbishop of Canterbury Reflects on ‘Terrible and Grueling' Decade

January 4, 2010 – In his annual British Broadcasting Corp. New Years message, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams called on the world to realize that "risk and suffering are everybody's problem, the needs of our neighbors are the needs of the whole human family." In his four-minute video message, shot in part on the banks of the River Thames in London and inside and outside of Lambeth Palace, Williams said, "It's true that it has been a terrible and grueling ten years in all kinds of ways, with terrorism and war and natural disaster and the financial collapse of the last 15 months."

Bishop Says Time Is Critical for Peace in Middle East

January 5, 2010, NASHVILLE – Time may be running out to reach a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestinians, said a United Methodist leader who was part of a delegation of Christians, Jews and Muslims visiting the Middle East. "People of faith must always look for paths that lead to peace, even when they are overgrown from disuse or blocked by security checkpoints," said United Methodist Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, Denver Area, who joined a delegation of 15 U.S. religious leaders in the Holy Land, Dec. 17-23. "We heard again and again that the window of hope for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is closing." Stanovsky said continued Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory fragment the Palestinian homeland and threaten to render it ungovernable.

General News

Religion Communicators Congress to Address Changes
in Technology, Society and the Place of Religion in Society

January 7, 2010 – More than 1,000 communications professionals from different from different faiths, different countries, and different areas of faith communication will gather under the theme "Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today's World" April 7-10, 2010 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. The congress will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, roundtables, performances, exhibitions and skills-building workshops focusing on the changes in technology, society and the place of religion in society.

CTCR Adopts Man-Woman Relationship Report

January 7, 2010 – "The Creator's Tapestry: Scriptural Perspectives on Man-Woman Relationships in Marriage and the Church" is the title of a 76-page report adopted by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations at its Dec. 10-12 meeting. It is the commission's latest and most comprehensive response to a series of questions about "the Scriptural relationship of man and woman" assigned to it by the Synod's 1995 Convention (Res. 3-10). Following publication in early 2010, the report will be sent out to all Synod congregations and church workers and posted on the CTCR's Web site.

Shiloh Church of the Brethren in West Virginia Loses Building to Fire

January 5, 2010 – Shiloh Church of the Brethren near Kasson, W. Va., lost its building to a fire on Jan. 3. Fire broke out during the Sunday morning worship service at the church, which is in a rural area of the Church of the Brethren's West Marva District. The building was evacuated safely and no one was hurt. Pastor Garry Clem described the Sunday morning events in a telephone interview. "It was a blistery cold, snowy, wintery day," he reported. "About 30 people showed up and we had Sunday school." When a few people began to complain of irritation and watery eyes, the group looked around the building and did not find anything unusual.

Recycled-Glass Art Enlivens Classrooms

January 8, 2010 – They say one person's trash is another's treasure. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky, exhibits evidence that one person's trash is everyone's treasure. The folk art adorning the school classrooms is painted on discarded windows and recycled cardboard. The artist, Lauren Becker, is the director of the parish's new community preschool. While her profession is education and mathematics, her passion has been art since she was young. "My room was always full of art supplies," she said. "All I wanted for my birthday and Christmas were art supplies."

ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Questions Congregational Vote

January 8, 2010, CHICAGO – The Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has declared that a Clear Lake, Iowa, congregation's initial vote to leave the denomination did not achieve the required two-thirds vote, even though congregational leaders believed the widely reported vote was successful. On Dec. 13, 2009, Zion United Lutheran Church held a specially called meeting of members and took a vote to terminate its relationship with the ELCA.

United Methodist Initiatives Boost Clergy Health

January 6, 2010 – God had to break his heart before United Methodist Bishop James Swanson started taking better care of himself. Serious soul searching and prayer have resulted in Swanson losing 30 pounds, turning him into a man who walks three times a week, eats more leafy vegetables, drinks more water and consumes three servings of dairy products a day. Swanson is one of many spiritual leaders leading healthier lives because of new United Methodist clergy health initiatives ranging from in-depth studies to a reward program for physical activity.

U.S. Methodists Set Course with Nation 225 Years Ago

January 8, 2010 – They rode from Baltimore in the first few days of 1785, around 60 mostly young preachers infused with missionary zeal and moving confidently into the lifeblood of a new nation. Over the previous nine days, they had organized the first national Protestant denomination, the Methodist Episcopal Church, in what was becoming the United States of America. Sixty-four of 84 Methodist preachers in the former British colonies attended the "Christmas Conference" at the Lovely Lane Chapel, a small church long since relocated. By the meeting's adjournment on either Jan. 2 or 3, 1785, they had set an independent course for American Methodism.

Ecumenical News

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

January 7, 2010 – During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010, Christians throughout the world will be listening together to the promise and commission that are part of Christ's final words before his ascension: "You are witnesses of these things." Traditionally celebrated between 18 and 25 January (in the northern hemisphere) or at Pentecost (in the southern hemisphere), the Week of Prayer enters into congregations and parishes all over the world. Preachers are exchanged, and special ecumenical worship services are arranged.

Editorial Page

Letter to King: Battle to End Racism Continues

January 7, 2010 – Editor's note: Each year, Bishop Woodie White writes a "birthday letter" to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about the progress of racial equality in the United States. White was the first chief executive of the General Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church. The United States will officially observe King's birthday on Jan. 19. Dear Martin: What a difference a year makes! Last year, I wrote with great exuberance about the election of the first African American to the presidency of the United States. Today, I am no less excited, because it demonstrated a significant step forward in our nation's history.

Spanish News

IECLB Tendrá Un Árbol Representativo En El Jardín De Lutero

5 enero 2010, BRASIL – Un árbol representando a la Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana en el Brasil (IECLB) será plantado en el "Luther Garden" – Jardín de Lutero – en Wittenberg, ciudad clave de la Reforma protestante en Alemania. El Jardín de Lutero será un monumento vivo e interactivo que está siendo erigido para los festejos de los 500 años del aporte de las 95 tesis elaboradas por el monje agustiniano y fijadas en el templo del castillo de Wittenberg, que ocurrirá en 2017. El otro árbol que el Jardín recibirá representará a la pequeña Iglesia Luterana de Zambia.

ENFOQUE EN MIGRACIONES-DDHH De Migrantes Y Deportados

8 enero 2010, GUATEMALA – La realidad de los flujos migratorios de centroamericanos y centroamericanas que cruzan la frontera sur de México (1.149 kilómetros de frontera con Guatemala y Belice) en su intento por llegar a "El Dorado" norteamericano se hace cada vez más preocupante. Los Misioneros de San Carlos Scalabrinianos trabajan, como otras comunidades religiosas, atendiendo a migrantes. Empezaron en 1985 el ministerio de la acogida y de la hospitalidad hacia todo tipo de migrante, deportado y refugiados abriendo la primera Casa del Migrante en Tijuana, siguió Ciudad Juárez, luego Tecún Umán en Guatemala, Tapachula, Ciudad de Guatemala y Agua Prieta.

Decepción Del CMI Ante Resultado De Cumbre Climática

5 enero 2010 – Pasada la agitación de las conversaciones de Copenhague sobre el cambio climático, ha llegado el momento del balance. Desde la perspectiva del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), el resultado de las negociaciones desgraciadamente no se ajusta a las expectativas. "Con falta de transparencia, el acuerdo alcanzado por algunos países al término de la cumbre de Copenhague fue negociado sin consenso y más bien en secreto entre las naciones poderosas del mundo," dijo Guillermo Kerber, encargado del Programa del CMI sobre el Cambio Climático. Así, agregó, el acuerdo "ha resultado ser un duro golpe contra el multilateralismo y los principios democráticos en el sistema de las Naciones Unidas."

Panamá Busca Nuevo Arzobispo

7 enero 2010, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – El 23 de julio de 2008, el arzobispo de Panamá, José Dimas Cedeño, cumplió 75 años de edad. Para esa fecha decidió presentar la renuncia a su investidura eclesiástica. Esto es consecuente con lo que establece el Código de Derecho Canónico, aprobado en 1983, de que "todo obispo debe presentar su renuncia al cumplir 75 años." "El Papa decidió rogarle que continuara algún tiempo, pues su salud es óptima," expresó a ALC el nuevo nuncio apostólico en Panamá, Andrés Carrascosa Coso, nombrado por Benedicto XVI, hace casi un año, el 12 de enero de 2009.

Mujeres Indígenas Crean La Primera Comunidad De Teólogas De Abya Yala

4 enero 2010, BERLÍN, El Salvador – Dos días antes del VI Encuentro Continental de Teología India realizado en El Salvador (del que ALC informó oportunamente) se llevó a cabo el primer encuentro de Teólogas Indígenas de Abya Yala con el lema "Unidas para apoyar a la comunidad." En el encuentro se resolvió crear la Comunidad de Teólogas Indígenas de Abya Yala, así como se emitió un mensaje final. Mujeres de los pueblos Aymara, Quechua, Kichua, Náhuatl, Maya Quichè, Maya Kakchiquel, Qom, Kaigang, junto a hermanas que se solidarizan con el proceso de reflexión y acción, se convocaron los días 29 y 30 de noviembre de 2009 en el municipio de Berlín, El Salvador.

Mujer Salvadoreña Será Ordenada Por La Iglesia Anglicana

6 enero 2010, SAN SALVADOR – En el contexto de la Epifanía o tiempo de manifestaciones de Jesús, la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de El Salvador ordenará a tres jóvenes varones al diaconado y a una mujer al sacerdocio. Las Sagradas Órdenes en la Iglesia Episcopal son el diaconado, que significa la consagración al servicio del prójimo, el presbiterado, que es el sacerdocio, y el obispado. Las personas anglicanas que serán consagradas al servicio de Dios y de sus semejantes son: al diaconado, José Roberto Castro, Juan Pablo Alvarado, Manuel Osorio y como sacerdote Irma de Alvarado, convirtiéndose em la primera mujer episcopal que es ordenada en este ministerio.

Movimiento Social, Iglesias Y Familiares Convocan a Vigilia Por Víctimas En Tema De Minerías

7 enero 2010, SAN SALVADOR – Luego del asesinato de Gustavo Marcelo Rivera, Ramiro Rivera y Dora Sorto Rodríguez, ocurridos en los últimos meses y días del 2009 por su lucha contra los proyectos mineros, diversas redes, organizaciones, iglesias y familiares realizarán este viernes 8 de enero la Gran Vigilia Ecuménica Popular, denominada Justicia y Dignidad para las Víctimas y Población del Cantón Trinidad. La actividad se realizará a partir de las 02:30 PM, hasta la mañana del sábado 9, en la Iglesia Católica del Cantón Trinidad, Municipio de Sensuntepeque, Departamento de Cabañas, ubicado a 150 kilómetros al noreste de la capital salvadoreña.

Semana De Oración Por La Unidad De Los Cristianos 2010

7 enero 2010 – Durante la Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos de 2010, los cristianos de todo el mundo escucharán juntos la promesa y el encargo que forman parte de las palabras finales de Cristo antes de su ascensión: "Vosotros sois testigos de todas estas cosas." Celebrada tradicionalmente del 18 al 25 de enero (en el hemisferio norte) o en torno a Pentecostés (en el hemisferio sur), la semana de oración moviliza a innumerables congregaciones y parroquias de todo el mundo. Durante ella, los Cristianos de diferentes familias confesionales se reúnen y – al menos en esa ocasión – oran juntos en celebraciones ecuménicas especiales.

National News

Wichita ELCA Congregation Prepares for High-profile Murder Trial

January 8, 2010, CHICAGO – The congregation of Reformation Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kan., is preparing for next week's start of jury selection in the murder trial of a man accused of fatally shooting one its members, Dr. George Tiller. Tiller was serving as an usher when he was killed inside the church building on May 31, 2009, just as worship services were to begin. Tiller, a controversial figure, was one of a few physicians in the United States who performed late-term abortions. He was often targeted by anti-abortion protests. Scott Roeder, 51, Kansas City, Mo., is charged with first-degree murder. Roeder told the Associated Press in November that he shot Tiller to protect unborn children, according to reports from the news organization.

International News

Six Died in an Attack on Coptic Christians Last Wednesday in Egypt
Violence Against the Minority Is Common, but Shrouded by a Veil of Silence

January 8, 2010 – Katreen cheerfully opened the door. She receives few visitors at her shelter in Cairo, where she lives with her two children. Father Mathias greeted her warmly. Katreen kissed the priest's hand. Back inside, Katreen fell apart. Since she converted to Christianity, she had felt alone and abandoned. The Coptic priest quietly listened to her plight. Muslims who convert to Christianity are outcasts in Egypt, a country with a Muslim majority. Their ID-cards still read ‘Muslim,' in spite of their conversion, since apostasy is strictly forbidden in Islam. The children of converts are obliged to follow the Islamic curriculum in school.

B'nai B'rith Urges More Active U.S. Role in Darfur

January 8, 2010, WASHINGTON – On the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between north and south Sudan, B'nai B'rith International is urging the United States to play a more active role in ensuring implementation of the accord and in facilitating free and fair Sudanese elections in April. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, B'nai B'rith International President Dennis W. Glick and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: "Last year B'nai B'rith welcomed the U.S. administration's commitment to enforcing sanctions against the Sudanese government, combined with incentives for compliance with international demands, as a positive step toward ending the human rights crisis."

More than 700 Inmates in Taiwan Baptized During Christmas 2009

January 3, 2010 – Prisons across Taiwan held baptismal services on December 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. According to reports from Prison Fellowship Taiwan alone, more than 700 inmates were baptized on that day by local Prison Fellowship staff. Among those who were baptized, the most renowned inmate was Huang Ling-chi, who made headlines last year when he threw his daughter into a pot of boiling water after having a fight with his partner while intoxicated. His daughter later died at the hospital. Huang's baptism was also witnessed by former Premier Chang Chun-hsiung.

Trial of Seven Baha'i Leaders in Iran Looms

January 5, 2010, GENEVA – Recent developments in Iran have raised grave concern about the ultimate fate of the seven Baha'i leaders who are scheduled to go on trial next Tuesday. "The Baha'i community in Iran has all too often been subjected to campaigns of vilification and false charges devised to deflect the attention of a disquieted population onto the Baha'is and away from those in power," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva. "And now, in these days leading to the trial, there are signs that once again the Baha'is are being made scapegoats.

Presiding Bishop Urges Liberian Anglicans to ‘Help Each Child in this Nation'
Jefferts Schori's Visit Is First Official African Tour

January 4, 2010, MONROVIA, Liberia – Precious Johnson, 22, arrived at Trinity Cathedral here Jan. 3 expecting to see the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Johnson didn't expect to see a woman. "I was expecting a man," she said outside the cathedral following the Eucharist. "I was excited to see a woman." Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori preached and celebrated solemn high mass for more than 1,500 people on the second Sunday after Christmas at the cathedral in central Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, a nation of nearly 3.5 million people on Africa's west coast. At the invitation of the Episcopal Church of Liberia, Jefferts Schori arrived there Jan. 2 for a weeklong stay. The visit marks the first time Jefferts Schori has been the official guest of an African church.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Proposed Uganda Homosexuality Law

January 8, 2010, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is "gravely concerned" about a proposed anti-homosexuality bill under discussion in Uganda, wrote the Rev. Mark S. Hanson in a January 8 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, thanked Clinton for her recent statements and follow-up actions by the U.S. Department of State regarding the proposed law. In his letter, Hanson said the law was introduced in 2009 by David Bahati, member of the Ugandan parliament. The law "would, in certain cases, impose the death penalty for persons convicted of ‘aggravated homosexuality,'" Hanson wrote.

Middle East News

Jews Move to Halt Spitting at Christians in Jerusalem

January 5, 2010 – Globally speaking, the most serious new tension dividing Jews and Catholics is Pope Benedict XVI's decision just before Christmas to advance the sainthood cause of Pius XII, the wartime pontiff whose alleged "silence" on the Holocaust has long been a subject of polarizing historical debate. On the ground in Jerusalem, however, Jewish/Christian animus has a much more prosaic cause: Spitting. Recently, the Jerusalem Post carried a piece quoting Rabbi David Rosen, a veteran of Catholic/Jewish dialogue, acknowledging that incidents of ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting at priests, nuns and other Christian clergy is "a part of life" in Jerusalem.

By-Election Announced for Two Members of Universal House of Justice

January 6, 2010, HAIFA, Israel – The Universal House of Justice has announced that it has approved the requests of two of its members, Mr. Hooper Dunbar and Dr. Peter Khan, to relinquish their positions owing to their advanced age and the heavy burden of work involved in membership. The announcement came in a letter addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i Faith around the world. In the letter, the House of Justice said the two men would continue to serve until completion of a by-election to replace them. The nine members of each National Assembly serve as electors for the House of Justice, which is the head of the Baha'i Faith.

Peace Delegation Continues in Israel and Palestine Despite Deportation of Leaders

January 7, 2010 – "What's the purpose of your trip to Israel?" was the question asked by six different Israeli security officials of Sarah and On Earth Peace executive director Bob Gross this past weekend, in the course of more than 12 hours in the custody of Israeli airport security. Eventually, Bob and Sarah were denied entry, jailed, and then deported from Israel. They have been barred from re-entry for 10 years. On Tuesday, they arrived back in the United States instead of meeting with the 13 people who were arriving in Israel to take part in a peacemaking delegation co-sponsored by On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).

People in the News

Mary Daly Dies, ‘Post-Christian Theologian'

January 5, 2010 – Mary Daly, a self-described post-Christian, radical feminist theologian known for pioneering women's studies and persistently challenging administrators at Boston College, died Jan. 3 at age 81. The cause of death was not released, although Daly had been in poor health the past two years, according to Mary E. Hunt, director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual in the Journal of Feminist Studies of Religion. "Her contributions to feminist theology, philosophy, and theory were many, unique, and if I may say so, world-changing," Hunt said in a statement.