Front Page

Building "Right Relations" Between People and with the Earth

April 21, 2011 – Jim Hodgson is a journalist with extensive experience in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2000, Hodgson has worked with the United Church of Canada's Caribbean and Latin America desk, most recently as programme coordinator for South America and the Caribbean. During the past 25 years he has written for a variety of church-based media and worked for extended periods in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico. He recently spoke at a seminar on Theology and Ecology held in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the end of March 2011. He was interviewed there by Marcelo Schneider. .

New Report Examines Impact of Recession on Congregational Vitality

April 21, 2011 – The 2008 recession extended a decade-long erosion of the financial health of American congregations, with just 14 percent of the 11,077 randomly sampled congregations saying in 2010 that their financial health is excellent. Of those who characterize their financial health as declining between 2005 and 2010, a full 80 percent reported a negative impact from the recession. And the recession affected just about every kind of congregation equally. These are among the conclusions drawn from the new Faith Communities Today 2010 survey of American congregations.

Resurrection and Recognition: World Council of Churches Urges Participation In
National Day of Prayer in Honor of Easter, Memory of Armenian Genocide

April 21, 2011, LOS ANGELES – As we approach the holiest of days on the Christian calendar, a growing number of world religious leaders have called on people of good conscience throughout the United States to hold a National Day of Prayer on Sunday, April 24 in honor of Easter and in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. In an April 14 statement, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Conference of European Churches (CEC) called on its member churches to join with Armenians on April 24 in a National Day of Prayer. "When Christians all over the world celebrate Easter on the same date this year, it will be an historic opportunity for all of us to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide," said the WCC and CEC.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Joins Interfaith Call for Middle East Peace

April 19, 2011, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and 32 Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders, said a new peace initiative by former Israeli government, intelligence and security officials offers a useful sign for Middle East peace. The initiative, along with previous Middle East peace initiatives, offers "key principles and ideas for negotiations to achieve comprehensive Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace," the religious leaders said in a letter to President Barack Obama. The leaders, writing as the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, sent their letter to the president April 14.

General News

Did Jesus Descend into Hell or to the Dead?

April 22, 2011 – "He descended into hell." That's one possible explanation of what Jesus did between Good Friday and Easter. For more than a millennium, Christians have uttered some version of that phrase as part of the Apostles' Creed. And for nearly just as long, theologians have wrestled with what the phrase means or whether it should be included in the creed at all.

The Archbishop of Canterbury on the Royal Wedding

April 21, 2011 – Speaking in a short film produced by Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury talks about the sense of hopefulness and generosity which lie at the heart of marriage, and what this also tells us about the ‘mystery' and ‘delight' which can be found in this life-time commitment. Dr Williams, who will be conducting the marriage ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29th, also describes the sense of privilege he feels about his own role in the royal wedding: "Any priest or minister conducting a wedding is bound to feel a huge sense of privilege. You're invited into some intimate places in people's lives. You're invited to take part in a very significant moment, a moment of hope; a moment of affirmation about people's present and future.”

New Study: Social Media Has Made Teens More Aware of the Needs of Others

April 20, 2011 SEATTLE, WA – According to a new 30 Hour Famine study, almost half (44 percent) of American teens say they've become more aware of the needs of others thanks to their social media usage. The survey commissioned by World Vision, a relief and development group, revealed that four out of five teens (80 percent) use social media and that two out of three (66 percent) agree that the benefits of social media outweigh the risks. 30 Hour Famine is the world's largest teen hunger awareness campaign involving more than six million teens since 1992. More than 150,000 teens will take part in 30 Hour Famine later this month to address the Global Food Crisis and fight global hunger.

ELCA Church Council Proposes Review Process for Social Statements

April 18, 2011, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asked the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to authorize it to establish a review process "of current procedures for the development and adoption of ELCA social statements." The proposal requests that the process be established after the assembly considers the recommended social statement, "Genetics, Faith and Responsibility." The proposal calls for the council to consult with the ELCA Conference of Bishops and the Communal Discernment Task Force to establish the review process.

ELCA Church Council Recommends Social Statement, Malaria Campaign

April 18, 2011, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended the 2011 Churchwide Assembly adopt a new ELCA social statement and launch a churchwide malaria campaign. It also affirmed a mission statement with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and elected a new council member. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and interim legislative authority between assemblies. It met here April 9-10. The council asked the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which meets in August in Orlando, to adopt "Genetics, Faith and Responsibility" as an ELCA social statement.

ELCA Serves People Homeless in Philadelphia Through the Welcome Church

April 19, 2011, CHICAGO – This Maundy Thursday, people who live on the streets of Philadelphia will gather outside in the city's Logan Circle area for worship and Holy Communion. Some will also participate in the ritual of foot washing, a sign of humility and hospitality, joined by a group of podiatrists and others who happen by. They will all be part of The Welcome Church that day, a 2-year-old Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ministry that serves people living with homelessness in downtown Philadelphia. The Welcome Church is led by the Rev. Violet C. Little, an ELCA pastor, psychotherapist, community organizer and writer. Together with Episcopal, United Methodist and Presbyterian clergy colleagues plus volunteers who serve the ministry, this unusual street church is a place where people find hope and hospitality.

Lambuth Students ‘Torn Apart' by School Closing

April 20, 2011 – Nick Nelson's dreams were coming true when he won a bishop's scholarship last year from The United Methodist Church's Memphis Annual (regional) Conference for full tuition at Lambuth University. The small, welcoming western Tennessee campus was near his home and family; he was forming close bonds with his professors and the 18-year-old was really learning how to live out his call to ministry in The United Methodist Church. Then came some shocking news: Lambuth was closing its doors.

Ecumenical News

More International Collaboration in Theological Education

April 20, 2011 – Participants at a recent consultation on theological education in the United Kingdom have called for comprehensive Christian leadership development of both lay and ordained men and women in the church. Theological education is an organic part of Christian mission and thus presents a common challenge to all churches, according to the group of 25 representatives from international and local institutions involved in theological education, mission and scholarship agencies and regional ecumenical organizations.

Editorial Page

Editorial: Easter Is Much More Important than Christmas

April 24, 2011 – The term "Christmas and Easter Christian" has been widely used to refer to Christians who go to church only for Christmas and Easter – the two most important holidays of the Christian calendar. Because Christmas is often celebrated with more creativity and publicity than Easter, American novelist John Irving once pointed out that even the dumbest fool feels like a Christian during Christmas. However, Easter is really much more important because one cannot be a real Christian unless one believes in Easter. Yes, Easter is far more important than Christmas because everything a Christian believes in would be for naught if Christ had not ultimately risen from the dead – including the significance of Christmas.

Spanish News

Se Espera Que Asistan Unos 400 Mil Peregrinos Latinos a Acto De Beatificación De Juan Pablo II

18 abril 2010, CIUDAD DEL VATICANO – La Santa Misa de Beatificación de Juan Pablo II, a celebrarse el próximo primero de mayo desde la Plaza de San Pedro, contará, posiblemente, con unos 400 mil peregrinos de Latinoameríca presentes en la ceremonia, según cifras que ha manejado, esta semana aquí, la oficina de la Santa Sede. También el pueblo católico de América Latina vive la expectativa de ese acontecimiento, cuando precisamente el acto será presidido por el papa Benedicto XVI, ese domingo a las 10 de la mañana hora local, quien estará presente en la Santa Misa, la cual se espera sea retransmitida por la televisión, simultáneamente, a los cinco continentes.

Obispo De La ILCO Afirma Los Derechos De La Diversidad Sexual En Congreso De Psiquiatría

18 abril 2010, SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – En el marco del XXV Congreso Centroamericano de Psiquiatría 2011 realizado en esta capital, el Obispo Melvin Jiménez de la Iglesia Luterana Costarricense participó como expositor en pro de los derechos humanos de la comunidad GLBTT. Jiménez presentó una perspectiva desde la fe cristiana y la teologia luterana. Habló del fundamento biblico teológico asi como la experiencia de la Iglesia Luterana Costarricense en su lucha contra la discriminación promovida por grupos religiosos en contra de las personas que tienen una opción sexual diferente a la hetererosexual para vivir su vida. Además enfatizó que la misma Biblia ha sido utilizada para emitir juicios de valores tajantes y discriminativos.

Se Incita a Continuar Trabajando En Base a Una Fecha Común Para La Pascua

18 abril 2010 – El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, el Rvdo. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, ha exhortado a los cristianos a darle un perfil ecuménico claro a la celebración de la Semana Santa de este año y a trabajar en base a una fecha común para el Domingo de Resurrección en el futuro, teniendo en cuenta que este año cae el mismo día, 24 de abril, tanto para las tradiciones orientales como para las occidentales. "En un mundo dividido por la pobreza y la violencia, es importante que seamos uno en nuestro testimonio del Cristo crucificado y resucitado en acciones, así como también en palabras," dice Tveit.

Religious Liberty News

VIRGINIA: Diocese Reaches Another Property-Dispute Settlement

April 20, 2011 – The Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church April 19 announced a settlement with Church of the Word, Gainesville. This is the second settlement with one of the congregations that left the Episcopal Church in 2006 and then sought to retain Episcopal Church property. The diocese and Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands, reached a settlement on Feb. 20. "We are pleased to have reached another settlement, an important step toward enabling all involved to focus our shared energies on our important ministries," Virginia Bishop Shannon S. Johnston said in the Gainesville announcement. The latest settlement began with "a set of unique circumstances" that led the diocese to allow the congregation to retain Episcopal property, Diocesan Secretary Henry D.W. Burt said in the release.

National News

UCC General Minister and President Attends Obama's Easter Prayer Breakfast

April 20, 2011 – The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, UCC general minister and president, attended president Obama's annual Easter prayer breakfast at the White House on Tuesday (April 19.) This is the second year of the prayer breakfast and Black has attended both years. Obama said Jesus' death and resurrection on Easter "puts everything else in perspective," at the event that showcased his increasing comfort with discussing his faith. Using the kind of personal religious language that he had once shied away from in public, Obama spoke of "the pain and the scorn and the shame of the cross" in an Easter prayer breakfast for about 150 guests and staff.

Shallow Well UCC Damaged by N.C. Tornado

April 19, 2011 – Associate Pastor Stephen Owen and his family escaped injury April 16 when one of the deadly tornadoes that ravaged North Carolina damaged the church building and parsonage of Shadow Well UCC in Sanford. The Owen family was in the parsonage when the tornado hit. The twister overturned a church activity bus, ripped shingles from the church roof and downed large tree limbs. No injuries were reported. The church's former pastor, the Rev. Jim Humphrey and his wife, Faye, traveled to the church from Charlotte on April 17 to attend a reunion, not realizing the church had been hit by the tornado, according to "The Charlotte Observer."

Obama Prayer Breakfast ‘Powerful,' Says ELCA Presiding Bishop

April 20, 2011, CHICAGO – President Barack Obama spoke movingly of his Christian faith at a White House prayer breakfast April 19, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), who was in attendance. Hanson was grateful for how clearly the president highlighted the centrality of God's "magnificent, expansive, ‘Amazing Grace'" in his life, and the gift of salvation through Christ's death and resurrection. Obama spoke to 150 religious leaders, including Hanson, at the Easter Prayer Breakfast. The ELCA presiding bishop was recently appointed to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Presiding Bishop Visits East Carolina Diocese, Calls Church to Action after Deadly Tornadoes

April 19, 2011 – Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori concluded a three-day visit to the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina on Palm Sunday, preaching in Spanish and celebrating the Eucharist at La Iglesia de la Sagrada Familia in Newton Grove, North Carolina. More than 200 parishioners and visitors attended the outdoor service at the Hispanic mission church, an outgrowth of the Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry. The Rev. Jesus Antonio Rojas, executive director of EFM, presided during he service. He was joined by East Carolina Bishop Clifton Daniel and Bishop Assisting Santosh Marray. Rojas said that attendance at the service had been cut in half because a high number of parishioners had been affected by the string of tornadoes that swept through eastern North Carolina the night before. More than 20 people died as a result of the storms, which raked the eastern half of the state around dusk.

International News

‘Still Humanitarian Gaps in Japan Relief,' Says Church World Service
Cws, Local Partners Providing Supplies, Health Services to Struggling Cities

April 21, 2011, TOKYO, Japan – In Japan's Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, where more than 5,500 of its 163,000 citizens were lost, shops are opening and road repairs are beginning in a city that three weeks ago was covered in water. But, reports humanitarian agency Church World Service, there are still "humanitarian gaps." Although overall relief efforts now are moving ahead as planned along the country's quake and tsunami-decimated northeast coast, Church World Service and its Japanese partners are working to fill those gaps, providing food, water, health and medical services, hygiene items, clothing and fuel. Coordinating Church World Service efforts from Tokyo, Takeshi Komino, head of emergency response for CWS's Asia Pacific Region, said the agency and its local Japanese partner organizations Peace Boat, Civic Force and Japan Lutheran Emergency Relief (JLER) are distributing supplies to at least 10,000 people in Ishinomaki and Kesunnuma Cities in Miyagi.

‘Abdu'l-Baha's Legacy to Egypt Recalled, 100 Years Later

April 20, 2011, COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – As the open letter from the Baha'is of Egypt, calling for a national conversation about the future of their country, begins to generate widespread interest, similar discussions among Egyptians 100 years ago have been vividly brought to life in a new book. In ‘Abbas Effendi' – recently released by Al-Kamel publishers in Beirut – University of Maryland Professor Suheil Bushrui explores in particular the contribution made by ‘Abdu'l-Baha Abbas Effendi, eldest son of Baha'u'llah. The book is available in a printed edition and also for download from the ‘Baha'i Faith in Egypt' blog. It is the first time that ‘Abdu'l-Baha's story has been told for a modern Arabic-speaking readership, largely unaware of His legacy to their society.

In Haiti, Holy Week ‘Is a Symbol of Going from Bad to Good'

April 21, 2011, PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – It's Holy Week in Haiti – a time for prayer, reflection, taking stock and looking ahead. The quiet and calm of the week are welcome. Following the commemoration of the first anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake three months ago and the recent presidential elections, a respite is probably needed. But Easter is a reminder of the continued work needed to rebuild Haiti – work that still requires a commitment to the Haitian people by U.S. churches and their members, say Church World Service Haitian partners and beneficiaries. Easter, said Polycarpe Joseph, head of the Ecumenical Center for Peace and Justice, is a reminder of the need for "Christians to come together."