Front Page

65 Years after Hiroshima Bomb, Churches Call for Elimination of Nuclear Arms

August 5, 2010 – Government and society must find "new resolve to protect the sanctity of life," Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), said in a statement recognizing the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "The Bible urges us to ‘choose life' so that all may live" Tveit said in the statement. Even 65 years after the first nuclear weapons were used, "nuclear bombs still threaten humanity and deny a lasting peace" he said. "There is also a legacy that since 1945 the world is divided into two camps, a handful of states that assert the right to have weapons of mass annihilation and the majority of states that do not."

UCC-wide Prayers for Gulf of Mexico Encouraged on August 22, 2010

August 3, 2010 – Members of Florida's 100 UCC churches will gather for beach-side worship Sunday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. to celebrate and reflect how individuals can play – and are playing – a role in protecting the Gulf of Mexico devastated by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Florida churches also are asking UCC congregations across the country to join in prayerful solidarity on the same day. Throughout the United States, congregations are asked to lift up "Disaster Relief Recognition Day" as a sign of support for those affected by the Gulf disaster.

Ruling Intensifies Debate on Homosexuality

August 6, 2010 – A federal court's rejection of California's same-sex marriage ban is receiving condemnation and praise from United Methodists. One thing both sides agree on: The ruling only adds to the longtime debate on how the church ministers to gays and lesbians. "It certainly won't mitigate the tension," said the Rev. Norman Carter, a retired Arkansas pastor and member of the Confessing Movement, an unofficial United Methodist group that views homosexual acts as contrary to Scripture and Christian tradition. "I think it will just perpetuate the battle."

UMC Pastor Officiates Clinton Wedding

August 2, 2010, NEW YORK – A United Methodist pastor and Jewish rabbi officiated at the July 31 wedding ceremony of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky in Rhinebeck, N.Y. The Rev. Bill Shillady, executive director of the New York City Society and a clergy member of the New York Annual (regional) Conference, performed the ceremony with Rabbi James Ponet, the Jewish chaplain of Yale University. "It was a wonderful honor to be part of this special day in Chelsea and Marc's life," Shillady told United Methodist News Service.

General News

UCC Lends Momentum to First Lady's ‘Let's Move!' Effort

August 3, 2010 – The United Church of Christ has announced its support of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign to engage parents, families, schools and communities in eradicating childhood obesity and ensuring access to affordable and healthy food. "The faith community was specifically invited to the table as key players in this effort because they are in a unique position to initiate and/or coordinate activities in their communities," says Barbara T. Baylor, UCC's minister for health care justice. "The COREM (Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries) Health Table is taking a coordinating role in this effort because of the disproportionately high number of children of color who are affected by obesity. COREM invites the entire denomination to join them in tackling this issue."

PENNSYLVANIA: Standing Committee Plans Worship, ‘Open Conversation' in Wake of Bishop Ruling

August 6, 2010 – The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania's Standing Committee plans a "time of open conversation and an opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings" about the reinstatement of Bishop Charles E. Bennison as diocesan bishop. Evening Prayer will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and conclude after Compline at 6 p.m. In between, Assisting Bishop Rodney Michel will guide the conversation, the Standing Committee said in a letter. The Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop announced Aug. 4 that it had overturned a previous finding that Bennison had committed serious disciplinary offenses warranting his removal ("deposition") from the ordained ministry.

‘God's Call' Camp Explores Ministry

August 5, 2010 – The direction of Mindi Ferguson's life was changed at a United Methodist Church camp when she was 14. One week at camp with counselors who cared gave Ferguson – now 21 – the time and encouragement she needed to explore her call into ministry. She will graduate from Messiah College, Grantham, Pa., with a degree in youth ministry and start seminary to become an ordained elder. The Susquehanna Annual (regional) Conference hired her as a God's Call counselor, and this summer she is hoping to give that same experience to other young campers.

Should We Judge Art, or the Artist?

August 3, 2010 – How much should Christians take into account a celebrity's behavior when deciding whether to spend their time – and their money – on that celebrity's creative work? It's a question Christian bloggers and ethicists have been pondering since last month's release of a profanity-laden recording in which Mel Gibson appears to threaten and to admit to hitting his ex-girlfriend. Gibson's troubles coincide with Swiss authorities' recent decision to reject the U.S. request to extradite Roman Polanski, convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in 1977. Now, Gibson is the focus of a domestic violence investigation while Polanski remains a fugitive from justice. Does that mean Christians ought to shun the work of both filmmakers?

Ecumenical News

"The WCC Has Opened My Heart" – an Interview with María Arantzazu Aguado

August 5, 2010 – Her call to work in the World Council of Churches (WCC) as Catholic consultant for mission and evangelism came, she says, as "one of those surprises given us by God." During the last five years her day-to-day encounter with people of other Christian confessions has been the occasion, she says, for "spiritual renewal" in her life. Alongside that, her appointment has been one of the various ways in which the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC permanently strengthen their ties of mutual cooperation. A few weeks before leaving her position María Arantzazu Aguado is convinced that "the WCC is good news for the world."

Editorial Page

Editorial: Working Toward a Multi-Cultural, Flourishing Society

August 1, 2010 – On October 12 of every year, a time when people living in the American continent celebrate Columbus Day, Aborigines on that same continent critical of Columbus' exploits have chosen instead to remember that day as "Indian Resistance Day." Similarly, as Aussies celebrate "Australia Day" every January 26, Aborigines in Australia have chosen instead to coin that day "Invasion Day." It wasn't until 2008 that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a formal apology in parliament to Aborigines for the injustices perpetrated against them by European colonialists over the past century.

Spanish News

Antropólogo Afirma Expansión Actual De La Santería a Partir De La Experiencia Cubana

3 agosto 2010, LA HABANA, Cuba – "Considero hoy día para el caso cubano, que sería una lamentable ingenuidad pensar en el fenómeno de la Santería cubana o Regla de Ocha como si fuera sólo de origen yoruba, esto es una torpeza intelectiva, porque muchos saben que se ha enriquecido con múltiples formas de sabiduría popular y diversos elementos concurrentes en la actualidad," expresó al sitio digital Cubadebate, el reconocido antropólogo Jesús Guanche Pérez, en entrevista concedida.

Afirman Que La Ley Arizona Dividirá a Las Familias

6 agosto 2010, ESTADOS UNIDOS – Con una clara impronta xenófoba, la posibilidad de aplicación de la ley Arizona en ese estado pone en vilo a la gran cantidad de inmigrantes que viven en el lugar, dividiendo además la opinión de los estadounidenses, según refirió Pablo, uno de los integrantes del Movimiento Puente, en Phoenix, la capital, desde donde han decidido resistir en base a cortes de rutas, cabildeo político y acciones directas no violentas.

Preocupado Por La Ley Arizona, Evo Morales Escribió a Obama

6 agosto 2010, LA PAZ, Bolivia – En una conferencia de prensa, el Jefe de Estado de Bolivia manifestó que la vigencia de la denominada Ley Arizona abre el riesgo de que Estados Unidos establezca otra vez en su territorio "un apartheid de discriminación contra los inmigrantes, entre ellos millones de latinoamericanos que contribuyen a su desarrollo a lo largo de los años." Morales informó que envió una carta el jueves a Obama en la que le manifiesta su preocupación por esos hechos y le recuerda su origen, al ser el primer presidente afroamericano que asume el mando de su país, además del discurso que emitió al manifestar la importancia social y multicultural de respeto que debe darse a la relación entre los pueblos del mundo.

"El CMI Me Ha Ensanchado El Corazón" – Entrevista Con María Arantzazu Aguado

3 agosto 2010 – Su llamado a trabajar en el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) como consultora católica para la misión y la evangelización le llegó como "una de esas sorpresas que nos da Dios," dice. Y durante los últimos cinco años su encuentro cotidiano con personas de otras confesiones cristianas fue ocasión, afirma, para una "renovación espiritual" en su vida. Mientras tanto, su trabajo constituyó una de las varias maneras en que la Iglesia Católica Romana y el CMI afianzan permanentemente sus lazos de colaboración mutua.

Compañía De Jesús Edita Libros Relativos Al Tema Del Bicentenario

4 agosto 2010, ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Un conjunto de libros referidos a la historia, la arquitectura, la lengua, los pueblos de las misiones, los conflictos y los frutos de intercambio entre jesuitas y guaraníes, fueron presentados la última semana de julio en el Centro Cultural El Cabildo, de esta capital, como parte de la conmemoración que tiene lugar por el Bicentenario de la Independencia. Las obras reflejan el mundo jesuita-guarní en su interrelación, con un gran peso de los elementos lingüísticos y arquitectónicos que condimentaron el encuentro de dos culturas diferentes.

Declaran Oficial Día De Acción De Gracias

3 agosto 2010, LIMA, Perú – Tras el quinto año consecutivo de la celebración del Día de Acción de Gracias por el Perú, impulsada por algunas iglesias cristianas evangélicas de Lima, el gobierno peruano ha decidido darle la categoría de acto oficial del Estado, tal como lo es la misa católica del Te Deum, en la que participan autoridades de los tres poderes.

Violencia Preocupa Al Episcopado

6 agosto 2010, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – La búsqueda de la paz, la tranquilidad y la convivencia pacífica es una tarea tanto del Gobierno como de la sociedad civil, por lo que delegar esa responsabilidad solo en las autoridades coloca al país en riesgo de convertirse en un "Estado cárcel." Así lo advirtió el presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal de Panamá, José Luis Lacunza, tras hacer pública la carta pastoral número 19 de la Curia Metropolitana, que precisamente aborda el tema de la violencia que se vive en el país e insta a "gobernantes y gobernados" a buscar soluciones juntos.

Político Evangélico Será El Próximo Ministro De Defensa De Colombia

2 agosto 2010, COLOMBIA – Rodrigo Rivera, ex jefe de debate de la campaña de Juan Manuel Santos, presidente electo de Colombia, fue designado el 28 de este mes luego de la cumbre de Acuerdo de Unidad Nacional que se desarrolló en esta ciudad como Ministro de Defensa; "Santos lo llamó a su campaña justamente porque es evangélico," afirman. Rivera, quien fuese precandidato presidencial por el partido Liberal, llamó a los evangélicos del país con la estrategia ´Cristianos con Rodrigo Rivera`, la cual pretendía "convocar al pueblo cristiano de Colombia en torno a la visión de Reino.

New York Metro News

Trinity Wall Street Awards $1.4 Million in Grants

August 3, 2010, NEW YORK – Trinity Wall Street awarded $1.4 million in second quarter grants to programs aimed at supporting micro-lending, job development and telecommunications in Africa; young adult leadership programs in America; education advocacy efforts in New York; and strengthening the bonds of the Anglican Communion, according to an Aug. 3 press release. "These grants represent the people of a parish in lower Manhattan working in mutual partnership with people near and far, for a world of good," said the Rev. James H. Cooper, Trinity's rector, in the release. "The world is a better place when the presence of the church is felt in deep and lasting ways."

International News

Detention Extended for Seven Iranian Baha'i Leaders

August 5, 2010, GENEVA – The imprisonment of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran has been extended for a further two months, the Baha'i International Community has learned. The trial of the seven concluded on 14 June. No verdict has yet been given. "These innocent Baha'is have now been held for more than two years under a series of successive orders for their ‘temporary' detention, which by law must not exceed two months," said Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.

Pakistan Flood: Church World Service Delivers Aid amid Massive Obstacles
Agency's Mobile Health Unit Providing Medicines, Emergency Health Care

August 3, 2010 ISLAMABAD – With more than 3.2 million displaced or affected by monsoon rains and the worst flooding in north Pakistan in nearly a century, global humanitarian agency Church World Service has announced a U.S. and international fundraising appeal. The agency reports that its aid workers in the region are continuing their initial response, providing food packages, shelter materials and non-food supplies. In addition, one mobile health unit has been dispatched so far, delivering emergency health services in Balakot. CWS Pakistan team members report an increasing need for assistance, and say blocked roadways and communications continue to hamper aid workers from reaching cut-off survivors with vital food and supplies."

ELCA Commits $100,000 for Pakistan Flood Response

August 5, 2010, CHICAGO – International Disaster Response (IDR) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has committed $100,000 in response to widespread flooding in Pakistan. The organization will work through a U.S.-based ecumenical partner disaster response agency, Church World Service (CWS), New York. "It is through the ELCA's commitment to strong ecumenical partnerships that we are pre-positioned to respond with CWS to those affected in Pakistan," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission.

Episcopal Relief & Development Head Finds Cause for Hope During Recent Trip to Haiti
Agency Supports Efforts for New Houses and Cash-for-Work Programs

August 3, 2010 – Despite the enormous challenges still facing Haiti nearly seven months after the magnitude-7 earthquake of Jan. 12, the president of Episcopal Relief & Development says he returned from a recent visit there with "tempered hope" for the country's future. "I went to Haiti prepared to be horrified and depressed and heartbroken, and I came away from Haiti feeling hopeful," Robert Radtke told ENS July 29. "That is not to minimize the plight of hundreds of thousands of people who are living in woefully inadequate shelter or struggling in other ways, but I came away feeling convinced the Haitians are determined to help themselves. We owe the Haitians – and anyone else for that matter who wants to help themselves – our support."