Front Page

Trends Continue in Church Membership Growth or Decline,
Reports 2011 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches

February 14, 2011, NEW YORK – Growing churches continue to grow and declining churches continue to decline, according to the National Council of Churches' 2011 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. "The direction of membership (growth or decline) remains very stable," writes the Yearbook's editor, the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner, in the newest edition released this week. "That is, churches which have been increasing in membership in recent years continue to grow and likewise, those churches which have been declining in recent years continue to decline." However, Lindner points out, "the rates of both growth and decline have generally slowed in comparison to recent years." Copies of the 2011 Yearbook may be ordered for $55 each at. The 79th annual edition of the Yearbook reports a continuing decline in membership of virtually all mainline denominations.

Unity and Just Peace Suggested as Assembly Themes

February 16, 2011 – Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, argued forcefully today that unity as well as justice and peace should be included in the theme for the next assembly of the world's largest ecumenical body. The planning committee for the WCC's 10th Assembly in October 2013 in Busan, South Korea, is proposing to the Central Committee that they choose one of two suggested themes – "God of life, lead us to justice and peace," or "In God's world, called to be one." Altmann feels both themes reflect a common vision. "The proposed themes should not be seen as basically alternatives," Altmann said in his opening address to the 150-member Central Committee, meeting here from 16 to 22 February.

We Are Called to Be One in Faith and Action, Reports WCC General Secretary

February 16, 2011 – "There is no theological reflection that does not take place in God's vulnerable world and in the midst of the joy and suffering of ordinary people," said the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in his report to the first meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee that he has addressed as general secretary. He was elected by the Central Committee at its previous gathering in the summer of 2009 and began his term of service at the start of 2010. In the past year, he continued, experience has reinforced his conviction that the churches are "called to be one" in their faith but also in their action on behalf of a just peace with dignity for all. "We are called to address those in power," he said, and to challenge world leaders "to listen to the cry for justice and for a better common future."

Episcopal Mission Partner Returns to Egypt with Hopes for a Balanced Democracy

February 16, 2011 – Five days after the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and with Egypt entering a period of political transition, the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler is returning to his home and faith community in the Maadi district of Cairo after a brief time away from the country at the Episcopal Church's request. "We have lived through one of the most amazing events in modern Middle Eastern history, and of course the story continues to be written. And we believe we are in an exciting new phase of Egypt's destiny," Chandler, an Episcopal Church mission partner, said in a Feb. 15 e-mail update. During 18 days of anti-government protests, Chandler and his family had initially resisted evacuation so that they could continue to serve the needs of the local Christian and Muslim community, but as the security risks for Westerners increased the U.S.-based Episcopal Church asked them to leave temporarily.

General News

Central Committee Discusses World Christianity's Changing Context

February 17, 2011 – As the World Council of Churches (WCC) take new steps to promote Christian unity and inter-religious harmony, will the challenges of organizational governance and re-structuring drain "the life out of the ecumenical movement"? These were among the key questions raised on Thursday 17 February in morning plenary sessions of the WCC Central Committee in Geneva. The discussions were devoted to "the changing ecclesial and ecumenical landscape" and to "inter-religious relations and cooperation: the search for just peace." The historical and cultural "landscape" surrounding churches is always changing, observed the Rev. Dr David Thompson of the United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom, adding, "The question is: how will we respond?"

World's Largest Catholic Media Network Acquires 83-year-old Newspaper

February 16, 2011 – EWTN Global Catholic Network has signed a letter of intent to acquire the National Catholic Register, the nation's leading Catholic newspaper. "I am very pleased and excited that the Register will now be a part of the EWTN family," said Michael P. Warsaw, the Network's president and chief executive officer. "All of us at EWTN have great respect for the Register and the role it has played throughout its history. It's a tremendous legacy that deserves to not only be preserved, but also to grow and to flourish." "I believe that EWTN will be able to provide the stability that the Register needs at this time as well as to give it a platform for its growth in the years ahead. We're proud to be able to step in and carry on both the Register's name and its tradition of faithful Catholic reporting on the issues of the day," noted Warsaw.

Study Guide of the Anglican Communion Covenant Published

February 17, 2011 – A study guide and a Questions & Answers document was published today to assist people exploring the Anglican Communion Covenant. The study guide (available as a pdf document) from the Anglican Communion website is intended for parishes, deaneries, dioceses or groups of individuals wishing to explore the Covenant and the way it describes Anglican identity. It contains the text of the Anglican Communion Covenant interspersed with summaries of the material. Communion members are invited to download the guide and to adapt it for their own context. There is also a set of Questions & Answers about the Covenant that seeks to address some commonly asked questions.

Members of the Primates' Standing Committee Announced

February 16, 2011 – The following Primates were elected as members of the Primates' Standing Committee at the recent Primates' Meeting in Dublin, Ireland and have agreed to serve: Africa – Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul Yak (Sudan); Alternate: Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi (Burundi). Central, North, South Americas and the Caribbean – Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (The Episcopal Church); Alternate: Archbishop John Holder (West Indies). Europe – Archbishop David Chillingworth (Scotland); Alternate: Archbishop Alan Harper (Ireland).

Supercomputer's Win Not Trivial to Christians

February 18, 2011 – Competing against two occasionally frustrated humans, Watson made winning "Jeopardy!" look elementary. The final tally for the IBM supercomputer was $77,147, compared to $24,000 for Ken Jennings and $21,600 for Brad Rutter. Ace human player Jennings, famed for winning 74 games in a row on the TV quiz show, perhaps summed up the situation best.

Ecumenical News

IEPC Course for Seminarians

February 15, 2011 – Graduate study in peacemaking will be available for academic credit at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), held 17-23 May in Kingston, Jamaica and sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC). A course for seminarians and other graduate students will be offered on "Overcoming Violence: An Engagement with the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation." The course is accredited through the United Theological College of the West Indies in association with Boston University School of Theology, the WCC and the Boston Theological Institute.

Communique from the Anglican-Methodist International Commission for Unity in Mission
Third Annual Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa

February 18, 2011 – Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, the members of the Anglican-Methodist International Commission for Unity in Mission (AMICUM) could not forget the courage, conviction and determination of those who had fought against the sin of apartheid and had then set about a process of truth and reconciliation. On a visit to Robben Island where the members heard a commentary by a former political prisoner, the Commission was left in no doubt of the need to be honest with each other if the painful divisions that deny the Gospel call to unity are to be overcome. At this third meeting there was a much clearer awareness of the need for the Commission to identify and begin to tackle some of the issues that are at the heart of our present denominational divisions.

Spanish News

Nuevo Acuerdo De Acreditación Para El Instituto Ecuménico De Bossey

17 febrero 2010 – La conclusión del nuevo acuerdo, que permitirá a todos los estudiantes del Instituto Ecuménico de Bossey del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias recibir un certificado de acreditación de la Universidad de Ginebra, fue anunciada el miércoles. Desde el año 2000, la Universidad y el Instituto han trabajado juntos para encontrar una solución a fin de que el creciente número de estudiantes, sobre todo de los países del Sur, que vienen a Bossey de escuelas que no están acreditadas a nivel internacional, puedan regresar a sus países con un certificado académico reconocido que acredite los estudios cursados en el Instituto Ecuménico.

Pastoral De Capellanía Carcelaria Del Consejo De Iglesias Edita Boletín

14 febrero 2011, LA HABANA, Cuba – Cartas desde la prisión, es el título de un boletín que, como parte de la labor de la Pastoral de Capellanía Carcelaria del Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), comienza a circular entre las personas que se dedican a esta tarea y desde el cual los reos cuentan su experiencia de conversión a la fe cristiana. El boletín, aún modesto y limitado en su circulación, pretende ser reflejo de la importante labor evangelizadora que está ocurriendo en las cárceles cubanas, a partir de que el Gobierno permitiera la celebración de cultos, una vez al mes, en los distintos centros penitenciarios del país, incluidos aquellos de alta seguridad.

La Unidad Y La Paz Justa Deberían Ser Dos Temas De La Asamblea, Afirma El Moderador Del Cmi

17 febrero 2010 – El pastor Dr. Walter Altmann, moderador del Comité Central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, argumentó hoy de manera convincente que tanto la unidad como la justicia y la paz deberían ser incluidas en el tema de la próxima Asamblea del mayor organismo ecuménico del mundo. El Comité de Planificación de la 10ª Asamblea del CMI que se celebrará en octubre de 2013 en Busan, Corea del Sur, propone al Comité Central que elija uno de los dos temas sugeridos: "Dios de vida, condúcenos a la justicia y la paz" o "En el mundo de Dios, llamados a ser uno."

Estamos Llamados a Ser Uno En La Fe Y La Acción, Dice El Secretario General Del CMI

17 febrero 2010 – "No existe reflexión teológica alguna que no tenga lugar en el mundo vulnerable de Dios y en medio de las alegrías y el sufrimiento de la gente," dijo el Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit en su primer informe como Secretario General ante una reunión del Comité Central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). Tras su elección por el Comité Central en su reunión anterior, celebrada en septiembre de 2009, el Dr. Tveit comenzó a ejercer su mandato a principios de 2010.

National News

Ample Harvest.org Channels Garden Surplus to Local Food Pantries in All Fifty States

February 16, 2011 WASHINGTON – One out of six Americans goes to bed hungry. And it doesn't have to be that way. That's the credo of a new but thriving nationwide program called AmpleHarvest.org, which has enabled gardeners to share their excess produce with local food pantries. Inspired by members of the Sustainable West Milford (NJ) Community Garden, who organized themselves in 2008 to share their left-over bounty with several local food pantries, AmpleHarvest.org was launched in May 2009 to connect garden enthusiasts with churches and organizations that distribute food to persons who can't afford to buy groceries..

ELCA Presiding Bishop Says Appointment Affirms ELCA Members' Service

February 18, 2011, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said his appointment to a presidential advisory committee strongly affirms the involvement of ELCA members "in serving our neighbors." On Feb. 4, President Barack Obama announced his intention to appoint Hanson to the President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, which makes recommendations to government on how to improve partnerships. The council brings together religious and secular leaders, as well as scholars and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations.

International News

Capacity Building Crucial to Eradicating Poverty

February 17, 2011, UNITED NATIONS – Initiatives to address poverty should give attention to strengthening the moral, ethical and spiritual capacities of individuals and communities. That was among the messages delivered by the Baha'i International Community and other non-governmental organizations at this year's United Nations Commission on Social Development. "Efforts to eradicate poverty must be guided by a vision of human prosperity in the fullest sense of the term – a dynamic coherence between the material and spiritual dimensions of human life," said May Akale, a representative of the Baha'i International Community, in an oral statement to the Commission on Monday 14 February.

Madagascar, in Search of Peace

February 18, 2011 – The image of Madagascar was deeply tarnished by the political crisis of 2009. For their part, the churches there have a role in helping to maintain the peace. Two years ago the idyllic island of Madagascar, home to some of the most pristine land in the world, fell into a political crisis that split the nation and severely threatened the unity of the church. Approximately 45 percent of the population of Madagascar is Christian with Protestants and Catholics are almost equal in number. Church leaders say that nothing can be done without recognition of faults and the movement toward reconciliation and justice.

Grave Concern for Safety of Iran's Imprisoned Baha'i Leaders

February 15, 2011, NEW YORK – Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders have been transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex. In the case of the two Baha'i women, the circumstances of the move have raised concerns that it may have been orchestrated as a means of creating an insecure environment that threatens their lives. The Baha'i International Community has learned that one of them – Fariba Kamalabadi – has already been physically threatened by inmates since being sent to the notorious Section 200 of Gohardasht Prison.

CRC Travels to Honduras

February 9, 2011 – The mother of five children did not know where to go to get help after her husband left, married another women, and refused to pay to support the children he had left behind. A resident of Nueva Suyapa, a poor neighborhood in Honduras, the mother decided to turn for help to a Gideon Center, a legal/psychological clinic sponsored by the Association for a More Just Society, which runs this program out of a classroom in the building that houses the local congregation of the Christian Reformed Church of Honduras. Others help to support the Gideon project as well. For instance, Christian Reformed World Missions helps to support the at-risk youth portion of this ministry.

Episcopal Church, China to Explore Ways to Partner in Seminary Education

February 16, 2011 – One of the leaders of the post-denominational Protestant churches in China recently met with the presiding bishop and others in the Episcopal Church to explore the possibility of future seminary education partnerships and exchanges, and to ask for support for an upcoming Bible exhibition. "We came here to renew friendship with Episcopal Church and explore possibilities where we can cooperate in the future," said Elder Fu Xianwei, chairman of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, following a Feb. 9 meeting with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.

Ugandan Faith Leaders Welcome Pledges for Peaceful Election

February 15, 2011, NAIROBI – Religious leaders in Uganda have welcomed pledges from presidential candidates for a violence-free election, due to take place Feb. 18. The candidates made the commitment at national prayer rally held at the Kololo independence grounds in Kampala on Feb. 13. "It is good they have made the commitment. We shall use this as a performance tool and hold them accountable," Archbishop John Baptist Odama, chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, told ENInews.

Middle East News

Iraqi Church Leaders Call for Atmosphere of Security in Iraq

February 18, 2011 – Several key leaders of the Christian churches in Iraq met with international church leaders, including members of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, in Geneva this week about the ongoing situation in Iraq. The Iraqi group, which included a patriarch and four archbishops, spoke not just about recent violence against Christians, such as the October 2010 shootings and suicide bombings at the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation (Sayidat al-Nejat) in Baghdad, but the continuing violence against all people in Iraq. They also addressed the increasing absence of security within the country and immigration, which is causing a refugee problem.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Veto of Resolution on Israeli Settlements

February 18, 2011, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said he is "dismayed" the U.S. government today vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that called on Israel to stop illegal construction of settlements on Palestinian land. The U.S. veto stopped the resolution, which had the backing of 14 other members of the U.N. Security Council. "I now am concerned that this action will increase a despondent mood about the future of such talks and will possibly strengthen extremist voices in the region who call for a less peaceful resolution of these issues," Hanson said in a statement issued shortly after today's vote.