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Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Publisher & Editor
Rev. Pedro Bravo-Guzman, Editor-in-Chief
An Ecumenical Report of Local and Global News
in God's Household
Published by the Queens Federation of Churches
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Anglican Communion Environment Network: August 16, 2011 – Report by the Revd Ken Gray, ACEN Secretary The effects of climate change and human-induced environmental degradation continue to accelerate in all regions of the Anglican Communion. This became starkly clear as participants in the Anglican Communion Environmental Network's meeting in Chaclacayo (Lima), Peru, shared reports from their Provinces and met with Anglicans in the Diocese of Peru and other Peruvians engaged locally with severe environmental challenges and community initiatives. "What emerged were stories of widespread exploitation of resources with little regard to the needs of existing communities and of generations to come," said ACEN convener Bishop George Browning of the Anglican Church of Australia. Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Calls for Reflection on Tenth Anniversary of September 11 Attacks August 18, 2011 – "The greatest memorial to those who died ten years ago will be a world more inclined toward peace," the Presiding Bishop notes in a statement on the anniversary. (presented below) On Sunday, September 11, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will be in New York City, preaching at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City at 7:30 am Eastern. At 11 am Eastern, she will preach at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. The following is the Presiding Bishop's statement on the September 11 anniversary. Ramadan: a Month-Long Spiritual Gym August 18, 2011 – Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is the month in which the Holy Qur'an started to be revealed to prophet Muhammad. So Ramadan marks the historical birth of Islam as the youngest sibling of the Abrahamic family. Ramadan has been primarily a joyful celebration of this birth in prayerful and devotional ways for the last fourteen hundred years by Muslims of all different backgrounds. All religions carve out specific periods of time to be more intentional and deliberate about their core teachings and ideals. ELCA Assembly Adopts Genetics Social Statement, Plan for the Church August 19, 2011, ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Aug. 18 adopted a social statement on genetics and a series of resolutions from an ELCA task force charged with recommending options for the future of the ELCA. The assembly adopted the "Genetics, Faith and Responsibility," the ELCA's 11th social statement, on a 942-34 vote. It is one of the first by a North American church that develops a comprehensive ethical framework for addressing advancements in medical and agricultural research. "Social statements are important documents for us as a church," ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson told the Churchwide Assembly, which met in Orlando, Aug. 15-19. Social statements "guide us as we ‘step forward as a public church' because they form the basis for both this church's public policy and my public speech as presiding bishop," he said. CRWRC Joins "Live 58:" Faith Alliance to End Poverty August 18, 2011 – The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.org/) is working with an unprecedented, action-based alliance of Christians, churches, and world-class poverty-fighting organizations to reduce the number of people who live on US$1.25 a day to less than one percent of the world's population by 2035. CRWRC, a mainline Protestant organization based in Michigan and Ontario, brings to the 58: alliance fifty years of experience in international community development. In 2010, CRWRC worked in 26 of the world's poorest countries, assisting national organizations through sustainable programs in agriculture, adult literacy, primary health, income generation, and leadership development that are improving the lives of more than a million people. LivingLutheran.com Video Contest Winners Announced at ELCA Assembly August 18, 2011, ORLANDO, Fla. – The winners of the 2011 "What does it mean to live Lutheran?" video contest were announced Aug. 18 at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The video contest was featured on LivingLutheran.com, a multi-author blog site that "serves up a daily blend of culture, conversation and community" for ELCA members and friends. There were two categories for entries: congregation and individual. Communiqué – International Anglican Liturgical Consultation August 15, 2011, CANTERBURY, England – Fully 56 Anglicans from six continents and from 19 provinces of the Anglican Communion assembled within the Cathedral Precincts for the biennial meeting of the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation, 1 – 6 August 2011. The Consultation gathers liturgists and liturgical theologians as well as persons sent by and working on behalf of their churches in the area of liturgy. All Provinces of the Communion are invited to send representatives. Participants were treated to the very warm hospitality provided by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral, and enjoyed the splendid accommodation, conference space, and excellent cuisine provided by the modern Cathedral Lodge International Study Centre. Representantes Del CMI En La Jornada Mundial De La Juventud En Madrid 15 agosto 2011 – Como parte de su compromiso de reforzar las inveteradas relaciones con la Iglesia Católica Romana y de promover la participación de la juventud en el movimiento ecuménico uno, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias participará en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud (JMJ) que se celebrará en Madrid (España) del 16 al 21 de agosto, y contará con la presencia de Benedicto XVI. El tema de la JMJ es "Arraigados y edificados en Cristo, firmes en la fe" (Col 2:7). Tres miembros de Echos – Comisión de los jóvenes en el movimiento ecuménico, órgano de la juventud del CMI, fueron cortésmente invitados por la Juventud Estudiantil Católica Internacional (JECI) a sumarse a su delegación oficial. Jóvenes De Iglesias Históricas Reciben Talleres De Cultura De Paz 17 agosto 2011, SAN SALVADOR – Una serie de talleres sobre construcción de cultura de paz se han iniciado en El Salvador, recientemente, con la participación de jóvenes de las iglesias históricas y la coordinación de la Iglesia Reformada. Carmen Martínez, de la Iglesia Reformada y facilitadora de estos talleres, ha dicho que esta formación tiene como objeto proveer de herramientas necesarias a jóvenes líderes de las iglesias para que sean agentes de paz. Equipo De Solidaridad Ecuménica Ayuda a Preparar Las Elecciones En Liberia 18 agosto 2011 – Observadores ecuménicos designados por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y la Conferencia de Iglesias de toda África (AACC) acaban de publicar un informe sobre su visita a Liberia que tuvo lugar antes de las elecciones previstas para el 11 de octubre de 2011. Encabezó la delegación integrada por siete miembros el obispo Robert Aboagye-Mensah, uno de los vicepresidentes de la AACC, miembro del Comité Central del CMI y hasta hace poco tiempo obispo presidente de la Iglesia Metodista de Ghana. El Secretario General Del CMI Pide Una Acción Urgente En El Cuerno De África 19 agosto 2011 – En conversaciones que mantuvo con el personal, el secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), el Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, manifestó su preocupación por "el bloqueo y la obstaculización del suministro de alimentos en la situación de hambre que padece Somalia, provocando la muerte de más y más personas. Impedir el paso de la ayuda humanitaria es inhumano y debe ser condenado con firmeza." Continuó diciendo: "Informes recientes señalan que 400.000 niños corren el riesgo de morir si no se toman inmediatamente las medidas necesarias. Reflexiones Sobre La Tragedia De Noruega 19 agosto 2011 – En momentos en los que la atención del mundo se vuelve hacia el décimo aniversario del 11 de septiembre de 2001, el secretario general del CMI, Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, se pregunta acerca de lo que podemos aprender de los actos de terror que se acaban de producir en su país natal. Durante la segunda mitad de julio fui a pasar mis vacaciones de verano a mi Noruega natal para visitar a mi familia, a ex colegas y a otros amigos. Por casualidad, mis viajes me llevaron a Oslo el 22 de julio. Cuando salía de la ciudad, escuché la terrible noticia de las muertes en la capital y en el campamento de jóvenes en la isla de Utøya. Mujeres Se Capacitan Sobre Fe, Género Y Participación Ciudadana 19 agosto 2011, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Fruto de una coordinación entre la Pastoral de Mujeres y Justicia de Género del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) y el Concejo Ecuménico Cristiano de Guatemala, arrancó este miércoles 17 el diplomado sobre Fe, Género y Participación Ciudadana, en la Parroquia San Cristóbal de Jutiapa, una de las zonas guatemaltecas catalogadas como de las más violentas y donde el machismo todavía está bastante arraigado. Is America the Home of Religious Freedom? August 12, 2011 – According to a new survey from the First Amendment Center, roughly one-third of Americans believe that religious liberty should not apply to all religions. The survey, which polled 1,006 Americans on a variety of questions about their take on the role of religion and government, also revealed that more than a quarter of Americans believe there should be no separation between church and state. Long Island UCC Pastor to Put Feet to Pavement as Part of ‘Mission:1' August 16, 2011– As pastor of a Long Island church long known for its advocacy work in fighting hunger, the Rev. Ron Garner feels he "has his feet on the ground" in preparing for Mission:1 Don't look for any grass to be growing underneath them. Come November, Garner – pastor of Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church in Nassau County – will add his personal exclamation point to Mission:1 by walking 111 miles all over Long Island. "This comes at a great time for us to put a special emphasis on what we've always done and begin to change the focus of hunger issues," said Garner, planning to walk each day from Nov. 7-11. As Eviction of Anglican Priests Begins, Harare Bishop Prays "God Help Us" August 16, 2011 – The Revd Dzikamai Mudenda at Mabvuku, his wife and their extended family, were forced to leave St James Mabvuku in Harare in the wake of a High Court judgement that Dr Kunonga had interim custody of church properties. Other priests living in parish rectories have received stamped copies of the High Court judgment from supporters of Dr Kunonga who, in one case, were accompanied by the police. The priests, including Friar Joshua from Bishop Gaul College, have all been told to move out. The Rt Revd Chad Gandiya, Bishop of Harare, said yesterday that alternative accommodation has been found for Revd Mudenda and are preparing for the eviction of their other priests. Reflections on the Tragedy in Norway August 16, 2011 – As the world's attention turns toward the tenth anniversary of 11 September 2001, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit ponders what we may learn from more recent acts of terror in his homeland. I was on summer holiday during the second half of July, spending time with family, former colleagues and other friends in my native Norway. As it happens, my travels took me into Oslo on 22 July. As I was leaving the city, I heard the terrible news of the many murders in the capital and at the Utøya Island youth camp. Like many Norwegians, I was acquainted with some of the victims and their distraught families. One of those killed on Utøya was the son of a Norwegian official who had visited me only months before in the Geneva offices of the World Council of Churches. Ecumenical Solidarity Team Aids in Preparation for Liberian Elections August 17, 2011 – Ecumenical observers appointed by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) have released a report on their visit to Liberia in advance of elections scheduled to take place on 11 October 2011. The seven-member delegation was led by Bishop Robert Aboagye-Mensah, a vice-president of the AACC, member of the WCC Central Committee and until recently presiding bishop of the Methodist Church in Ghana. The report details historical conditions that have led to the upcoming elections and describes the findings of the Ecumenical Solidarity Mission following their travels through Liberia from 7 through 12 August. Norwegian Church Leaders Give Thanks for Mutual Support August 17, 2011 – Fifteen leaders of dioceses and national church bodies in , among them all 12 bishops of the Church of Norway, joined in common prayer on Wednesday morning 17 August at the Ecumenical Centre chapel in Geneva, Switzerland. They were joined in this act of worship by members of the Norwegian congregation in Geneva and staff of many church-related agencies including the ACT Alliance, Conference of European Churches, Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and World Council of Churches (WCC). Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, a pastor in the Church of Norway who currently serves as general secretary of the WCC, welcomed those who had come to "join us in honouring the victims" of last month's violence in Norway. Human Rights Groups Call for Judicial Reforms in Face of Unfair Trials August 23, 2011 – The "Hsichih Trio," a case involving 3 suspects charged with the robbery and murder of Wu Min-han and his wife Yeh Ying-lan, has dragged on for 20 years. Though authorities claimed they had apprehended the suspects and resolved the case on August 14, 1991, much about this case remains mysterious and controversial because of claims that the defendants' confessions were extracted through torture. In April of 2011, the Supreme Court turned down again the High Court's verdict that the suspects were not guilty due to lack of credible evidence. It had previously turned down the High Court's verdict on November 12, 2010. This latest decision meant the case would need to be retried from the beginning again and the 3 defendants' fate will continue to be in limbo. CRWRC Expands Food Aid in Somalia Famine August 18, 2011 – With major drought response projects already underway in Kenya and Ethiopia, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is now reaching into Somalia to provide urgently needed food for an initial ten weeks. The project expands CRWRC's famine relief efforts to a total of 145,000 drought-affected people in the eastern Africa region, and equals US$9 million in emergency food distributions by the end of 2011. CRWRC is working within Somalia among 10,800 people affected by crisis in partnership with World Concern, a Global Relief Alliance partner organization, which is also working to address wider needs such as water and sanitation, non-food items, and medical support. WCC General Secretary Calls for Urgent Action in the Horn of Africa August 18, 2011 – In comments to staff of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 18 August, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed alarm at the "blocking and hindering of the food supply in famine-struck Somalia, with the effect that more and more people are dying. This interference with humanitarian aid is inhumane and must be strongly condemned." The WCC general secretary went on to say, "Recent reports indicate that 400,000 children are at risk of death if action is not taken now. People of all ages are dying, hour by hour. Governments must find workable solutions to the political circumstances that hinder the delivery of water, food and other supplies." He continued, "The famine is a human tragedy that should be addressed immediately, regardless of political struggles in a given nation. , an alliance of 111 churches and agencies working in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development. Ecumenical Team Pays Solidarity Visit to Myanmar and to Refugees August 18, 2011 – Myanmar was visited by an ecumenical solidarity team representing the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 4 to 9 August 2011 as part of the council's commitment to accompany churches in conflict situations. This was a follow-up to a WCC Living Letters team visit to Myanmar in late 2010. The five participants in the international ecumenical solidarity team included WCC Central Committee members, Asian church representatives from neighbouring countries and WCC staff. The members of the solidarity team were given opportunities to understand the social and economic realities of the people under the new political dispensation in the country. ELCA Assembly Officially Launches the ELCA Malaria Campaign August 15, 2011, ORLANDO, Fla. – Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. Now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will join with Lutheran churches in Africa, to work toward a malaria-free future. This effort is part of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, officially launched by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 15 by a 968-19 vote. A goal of the campaign is to raise $15 million over a four-year period. "Throughout our life as the ELCA, we have focused our work with our global partners around the concept of accompaniment, our relationships with companion churches all over the world," said the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl as she introduced the campaign to voting members. DeGroot-Nesdahl is the campaign's coordinator. Former Primate, Archbishop of New Zealand and Governor General Dies August 14, 2011 – Anglican Taonga Bishop Sir Paul Reeves died in Auckland this morning. He was 78. The Reeves whanau wish to acknowledge the support they have received since Sir Paul announced he was stepping back from public life following his recent diagnosis of cancer. The immediate whanau will now spend some private time with Sir Paul before the public tangi begins tomorrow at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Auckland. The whanau acknowledge and are aware of the immense grief and loss felt by Maori, the Church and the wider community, and there will be time and opportunity for people to pay their respects in the days to come. Born in Wellington, Sir Paul has Te Atiawa whakapapa. Ann Hallisey Named Dean of Students at CDSP August 16, 2011 – The Rev. L. Ann Hallisey has been named the new dean of students at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, the Episcopal Church-affiliated seminary in Berkeley, California. CDSP's president and dean, the Very Rev. Dr. W. Mark Richardson, announced Hallisey's appointment Aug. 15, the day she began work. Hallisey returns to serve the seminary where she earned a Doctor of Ministry degree.
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