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Statement of Humanitarian Agency Church World Service On
Temporary Injunction Against Parts of Arizona's New Immigration Law:

July 28, 2010, NEW YORK CITY – Church World Service welcomed U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's temporary injunction against the implementation of parts of Arizona's controversial new immigration law SB 1070, scheduled to take effect Thursday (July 29), and reiterated its call for a federal fix of America's broken immigration system. "While temporary and partial, Judge Bolton's injunction feels like a small victory," said Joe Roberson, CWS Associate for Operations. "Most importantly, it's an opportunity to re-emphasize that only fair, humane, comprehensive federal immigration reform will fix America's broken immigration system.”

Young Muslims, Jews and Christians Become Peace Facilitators

July 29, 2010 – While peace is a commonly held value within Judaism, Islam and Christianity, other religious values can often become sources of conflict. In order to build community beyond faith boundaries a group of young adults from each of the three faith groups spent a week focusing on the common value of peace recently. The result? Each of them will return to their homes as qualified peace facilitators. Participating in the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland month-long summer course called "Building an Interfaith Community" the 32 participants from 20 countries forged a sense of community out of their religious diversity. A new dimension to the July course for 2010 included exploring "how to overcome conflict and restore good relations."

Arizona Immigration Law Ignites Prayer, Protest, Arrests
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Hosts Interfaith Service

July 30, 2010 – Tensions escalated July 29 as Arizona's contentious immigration law went into effect, with both opponents and supporters vowing, "we will not comply." Protestors wore it on T-shirts and chanted it as a rallying cry during demonstrations outside the office of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in downtown Phoenix, where they marched after attending a 6 a.m. interfaith service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Dozens were arrested after a standoff between demonstrators and police wearing riot gear. Arpaio, running for re-election, launched "Operation 1070," the 17th crime sweep since 2007 to identify, detain and deport undocumented persons, despite a July 28 federal court ruling barring police officers from checking immigration status during traffic stops, detentions and arrests.

UGANDA: Churches Step up Security after World Cup Bombings

July 23, 2010, NAIROBI – Church leaders in Uganda are asking Christians to produce an identity card and agree to security searches before entering some church buildings for worship, after two bomb attacks in the capital in mid-July in which more than 70 people died. "We are taking these new measures to ensure that the worshippers are safe. We do not want the wrong people to enter into our churches," Anglican Bishop Stanley Ntagali of the Masindi-Kitara diocese told ENInews on July 19 in a telephone interview. The security measures follow bomb attacks on July 11 in Kampala at a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant, where people were watching the final match of the soccer World Cup being played in Johannesburg, South Africa. Al-Shabaab, a radical Somali Islamic group, claimed responsibility for the blasts and said there would be more attacks.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Immigration Reform in Letter to Obama

July 28, 2010, CHICAGO – If Congress does not pass comprehensive immigration reform soon, state legislators and local governments will continue to take immigration policy into their own hands, wrote the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in a July 27 letter to U.S. President Barack Obama. "This would create an untenable patchwork of differing local laws and produce confusion for law enforcement officials and lawfully present people, as well as increased suffering for the undocumented," wrote Hanson. Responding to Obama's June speech on the need for immigration reform, Hanson thanked the president for his speech and wrote that, as presiding bishop of the ELCA, he sees firsthand the "direct consequences of inaction on this issue for immigrant families, for congregations, and for communities across the United States."

General News

AIDS: "Do We Have the Courage to Step out and Take the Lead?"

July 26, 2010 – The experience of African women theologians has been a crucial element in helping faith communities respond to the challenge of HIV and AIDS in Africa, says the coordinator of an ecumenical network on the pandemic on the continent. "Many of the issues we are addressing today, the key drivers of HIV such as violence, the cultural aspects, the misinterpretation of scriptures have all been part of the discussions of African women theologians," said the Rev. Dr Nyambura Njoroge, coordinator of the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA).

2010 Gathering: ‘One Big Servant Event' to New Orleans

July 29, 2010, NEW ORLEANS – The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering (NYG) here July 17-21 no doubt left countless impressions on its 24,000 participants. A number of those youth and adults shared what it meant to them. "It's one big Servant Event for the city of New Orleans," said Michael Edgecomb of Adelaide, South Australia, who works in school ministry for a district office of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Edgecomb made that observation sitting in Hall G of the mile-long Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – a hall transformed into the "LIVE: Saved to Serve" room where on-site Servant Events included painting picture frames for new mothers served by local crisis-pregnancy centers, making 125 baptismal banners for local churches, donating 1,000 units of blood for area hospitals and locks of hair for cancer patients, making 500 fleece blankets for new residents of homes who lost their old ones to Hurricane Katrina almost five years ago, a scavenger hunt for personal care items to be donated to local shelters, and hearing about human-care and other ministries of Synod-related agencies with exhibits in the hall.

New Web Site for Film Enthusiasts Launched

July 27, 2010 – Interfilm North America has launched its new website. The site had been created to build and strengthen a network of communicators who have an interest in contemporary films that explore social justice, human values, and how religion and spirituality are reflected in cinema. Interfilm is an international network which brings together interested individuals and institutions concerned with film and theology, church and cinema. Interfilm was founded at the initiative of representatives of German, French, Dutch and Swiss Protestant film work in 1955. It is affiliated to the World Council of Churches (WCC), Geneva. Today, it includes Anglican, Orthodox and Jewish experts as well as other Protestant church denominations.

MARYLAND: Bishop Sets Policy for Same-Gender Blessings

July 30, 2010 – Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Bishop Eugene Sutton has issued guidelines for clergy who wish to conduct same-gender blessings. Sutton also recommended for trial use a rite developed by a committee of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, along with a document that the Southern Ohio committee wrote, in Bishop Thomas Breidenthal's words, "stating the theological convictions that underlie the policy" to allow same-gender blessings in that diocese. The original Southern Ohio documents are online. No priest of the Diocese of Maryland will be required to perform same-gender blessings, Sutton said, adding that he respects "the pastoral judgment and decisions of the clergy under my pastoral oversight."

ELCA Members, Bishops Moved to Ensure Children Don't Go Hungry

July 26, 2010 WASHINGTON – Nearly one in four American children are hungry, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Bishops and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are working together to fight hunger among children. "Our job as the domestic caucus of the Conference of Bishops is to do our best to advocate for the hungry in America," said the Rev. James F. Mauney, bishop, ELCA Virginia Synod, Salem, and chair of the domestic caucus. In cooperation with the ELCA Washington Office, more than 34 of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops are participating in a nationwide movement to provide reliable and nutritious meals for hungry children, he said. Mauney reported that his colleagues also urged other clergy and professional church workers and lay leaders to act.

Spanish News

Destruyen Templo Evangélico Y Encarcelan a Pastor
Por Negarse a Renunciar a Su Fe

27 julio 2010, MÉXICO – Pobladores de San Andrés Yaá destruyeron el templo evangélico "Monte Sinaí," por instrucciones del presidente Municipal Macedonio Ramírez Ventura y del síndico Ezequiel Alejo Lucas, quienes encarcelaron al pastor Imeldo Amaya Gabriel y lo obligaron a firmar un documento donde se compromete a renunciar a su fe y a pagar una multa de 10 mil pesos. Las autoridades locales encarcelaron, además, a dos ciudadanos, miembros de una comunidad cristiana: Inocencio Angelino Bonifacio y Noé Alonso Mariano, quienes aceptaron firmar un documento en el cual se comprometieron a renunciar al culto evangélico, por lo que no les cobraron multa.

CUBA: Iglesia Católica Pide Ahora «Liberalizaciones»

30 julio 2010, GINEBRA, Suiza – Después de mediar para la liberación de presos políticos y de alcanzar un nuevo reconocimiento como interlocutora por excelencia de la sociedad civil, la Iglesia Católica plantea ahora la necesidad de modificar mentalidades, controles y leyes que limitan "el ejercicio de la libertad humana" en la Isla. En un editorial publicado por ‘Palabra Nueva,' revista de la Arzobispado de La Habana, su director, Orlando Márquez Hidalgo, afirma que los cubanos enfrentan un desafío "en la puesta en claro de las diferencias, sean de tipo económico, ético, filosófico o político" y que "nuestra riqueza está en la nueva esencia que podamos obtener de esas diferencias compartidas."

Mujeres Luteranas Identifican La Trata,
El Liderazgo Femenino Y La Pobreza Como Temas De Interés

27 julio 2010, STUTTGART, Alemania – La trata de seres humanos, el liderazgo de las mujeres en las iglesias y la sociedad, y la distribución desigual de alimentos son temas clave para las mujeres de todo el mundo, según la presentación realizada por las mujeres en la Undécima Asamblea de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM) que culmina en esta jornada en Alemania. La reunión de la Preasamblea de Mujeres y las reuniones regionales determinaron que la FLM debe tomar decisiones sobre estos asuntos.

Comunidades Menonitas Y Luteranas Miran Juntas Al Pasado – Y Al Futuro

26 julio 2010, STUTTGART, Alemania – El carácter histórico y ejemplar del acto de reconciliación entre las comuniones luterana y menonita que tuvo lugar en Stuttgart fue puesto de relieve por participantes provenientes de América Latina. Es un mensaje para el movimiento ecuménico, afirman. "Para mí personalmente hoy fue un día histórico," dijo Ernst Bergen, un menonita paraguayo que es Tesorero de la Conferencia Menonita Mundial. Bergen comentaba el solemne acto de reconciliación que tuvo lugar en la Undécima Asamblea de la Federación Luterana Mundial que se celebra en Stuttgart, Alemania, del 20 al 27 de julio.

Obispo De Tierra Santa Presidirá La Comunidad Luterana Mundial

26 julio 2010, STUTTGART, Alemania – El Obispo Munib A.Younan, de la Iglesia Luterana en Jordania y Tierra Santa, fue electo presidente de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM) en Stuttgart. La elección tuvo lugar el pasado viernes mediante voto secreto durante la Undécima Asamblea de la FLM, que reúne más de 750 participantes del 20 al 27 de julio en Stuttgart, Alemania. En el momento de la elección se encontraban presentes 360 delegados y delegadas de 140 iglesias miembro en 79 países.

Secuestros De Inmigrantes Destapan Una Crisis Humanitaria, Según Especialistas

30 julio 2010, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos de este país ha dado datos de que unos 10 mil inmigrantes, sobre todo centroamericanos, fueron secuestrados en el 2009, a fin de pedir rescate a sus familias, como una manera de extorsión que se ha puesto de moda dentro del llamado crimen organizado. Un artículo de la agencia AFP, plantea que "Los vejámenes a miles de centroamericanos que cruzan México rumbo a Estados Unidos, sumados al secuestro, constituyen una ‘crisis humanitaria' que amerita la protesta común de los países de la región," según opinión de dos periodistas que, durante meses, documentaron tal asunto.

La Niña Deja Alarmantes Saldos Con Sus Abundantes Lluvias

26 julio 2010, SANTO DOMINGO – Más de 27 mil ciudadanos fueron evacuados en el país, como resultado de las intensas lluvias, registradas en los últimos días, debido al fenómeno conocido como La Niña, el cual afecta, también, a toda Centroamérica. Unas 5 mil 459 viviendas resultaron destruidas o invadidas por las aguas de la tormenta Bonnie en diversas comunidades de la nación caribeña, trayendo mayor índice de pobreza, sobre todo en el distrito nacional y las provincias de Santo Domingo, María Trinidad Sánchez, Monte Plata y Duarte, donde fue decretada la llamada Alerta Roja el pasado fin de semana. Rafael Alburquerque, vice-presidente de la República, dijo a los medios que el Plan Social de la Presidencia distribuye raciones alimenticias y colchones en las zonas más desfavorecidas, desde el pasado jueves.

Mujeres Ecuménicas Reflexionan Sobre Violaciones a Los Derechos Sexuales

27 julio 2010, COLOMBIA – El colectivo Sororidad, Ecumenismo Y Democracia (SED) realizó un encuentro sobre violación de los derechos sexuales el 24 de julio en la sede de la iglesia bautista central. Asistieron 60 personas provenientes de las iglesias anglicana, católica, luterana, presbiteriana, menonita, metodista, hermandad en Cristo, evangélicas libres y pentecostales. Se dio inicio con un devocional que ubicó el tema.

Desmond Tutu Presentará Su Libro De Relatos Bíblicos Para La Niñez

29 julio 2010, ESTADOS UNIDOS – El ganador del Premio Nobel de la Paz – el arzobispo Desmond Tutu, presentará el primer libro ilustrado para niños en la Feria del Libro de Ciudad del Cabo, Sudáfrica, el 30 de julio. El libro ilustrado para niños Los hijos de Dios – Historias de la Biblia, escrito por Tutu, relata más de cincuenta de las historias favoritas del Antiguo y Nuevo Testamentos. Annette Bourland, vicepresidenta senior y editora en jefe de Zonderkidz, acompañará al arzobispo y a otros socios editoriales, para dar detalles acerca de la publicación en los Estados Unidos y el lanzamiento mundial del libro.

New York Metro News

Church Group Balances Ministries, Buildings

July 28, 2010 – The basement of the Brooklyn church was becoming hotter by the minute as the small group of United Methodist congregants gathered to say goodbye on a sultry Sunday afternoon in July. Behind them, a white and gold cross and a large painting of Jesus hung on the back wall, waiting to be removed. Having merged the week before with another congregation, the church members were not saying goodbye to each other. They were saying farewell to the dilapidated building. The building was being sold by its owner, the United Methodist City Society.

National News

Judge Partially Blocks Arizona's Controversial Immigration Law;
Prayer Vigils to Proceed as Planned

July 28, 2010, PHOENIX, Arizona – Activists hailed a federal judge's July 28 decision to partially block sections of Arizona's controversial immigration law and said they will proceed with prayer vigils and protests as planned for July 29, the day the law was to take effect. "I think in one sense this is a victory in our democratic process of checks and balances," said Bishop Kirk S. Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. "I think it's a victory that confirms our American sense of compassion and fairness. "I pray that this will open the way for a future more thoughtful and humane resolution of our immigration crisis," added Smith, a scheduled speaker at a 6 a.m. July 29 interfaith prayer vigil at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, part of a daylong series of anti-immigration law demonstrations and events in downtown Phoenix and elsewhere.

International News

Shelter, Local Procurement, Civil Society Involvement Head List for Haiti
Congressional Black Caucus Hearing on Haiti
Followed by Houseâ's Late Night Passage of Aid Funding

July 28, 2010, WASHINGTON, DC – Massive shelter issues, the need for local procurement, improved engagement with civil society, and additional funding head the list of requirements for successful reconstruction in Haiti, a group of Haitian and U.S. advocates told members of Congress and interfaith leaders in two Washington events yesterday. Speaking before a hearing of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington on Tuesday, and during a morning interfaith breakfast, Camille Chalmers, Executive Director of Plateforme Haitienne de Plaidoyer pour un Developpement Alternatif (PAPDA – Haitian Platform to Advocate for Alternative Development), stressed the need for greater involvement of civil society in the devastated country's recovery, saying, "despite this great wealth of national expertise … reconstruction planning has been quite exclusive" to date.

Church Camp Helps Teens Delve Deeper Through Helping Disabled Peers

July 25, 2010 – How are church summer camps for teens different from other summer camps? The answer is that teens will often gain a deeper understanding of God's love and what it means to love others through church camps. Tainan Presbytery's Fu-Chiang Church and Happy Christian Homes co-sponsored "Life Encounter Camp for Teens" from July 1315. High school youths got to help disabled children and learn about the joy of serving others. Children from Happy Christian Homes also benefited from this camp as they mingled with regular youths. Fu-Chiang Church's pastor, Rev. Tsai Cheng-tao, brought 36 youths to Happy Christian Homes to be trained by social workers and other instructors before each teen was assigned to help one child living in the home.

Middle East News

MIDDLE EAST: New Life for West Jerusalem Church
St. Paul's to Re-open after 62 Years

July 29, 2010 – In West Jerusalem, an Anglican church built in 1874 and shuttered for 62 years is finding new life as "a house of God for all, a center for bringing people together." "This is our hope and our vision," said Bishop Suheil Dawani, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, in a recent interview about the restoration and upcoming re-dedication of St. Paul's Church as "a place of reconciliation and love for all people." Speaking from his office adjoining St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, Dawani said "we as a diocese are keen for St. Paul's to be a continuation of what we do here," citing the unique blend of hospitality, prayer and education offered on the cathedral close, also home to St. George's College.