 |
 |
 |
 |
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
|
Climate Change: ‘Shrug Culture' Challenged by Ash Wednesday Declaration February 22, 2012 – Leaders representing the UK's mainstream churches will today call for repentance over the prevailing ‘shrug-culture' towards climate change. Rt Hon Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; Rt Rev Richard Chartres, Bishop of London; Most Rev Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales; Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh and leaders of the Methodist, Baptist and URC churches are among those signing Operation Noahs Ash Wednesday Declaration. A short public service of prayer and dedication to launch the Declaration will be held at St Mary-Le-Bow, Cheapside, London (5pm), and at numerous churches around the country. WCC Issues Statement on Human Trafficking in Sinai Desert February 24, 2012 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee issued a statement expressing concern over the disappearance of asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa and northern Africa, falling prey to human traffickers in the Sinai desert while crossing borders between Egypt and Israel. The WCC Executive Committee issued this statement in a recent meeting which took place from 14-17 February in Bossey, Switzerland. The statement quoted a report from Agenzia Habeshia, an organization monitoring the situation of asylum seekers, mentioning that 190 refugees are currently held captive in the Sinai faced with life-threatening situations. The report also points out the plight of asylum seekers kept in jails by the Egyptian government, facing inhuman treatment and forced deportation. Lent Madness: A Lighthearted Approach to Saintly Education February 21, 2012 – Anyone who considers Lent boring or deadly serious never met the Rev. Tim Schenck. While other Episcopalians may be contemplating whether to give up chocolate or alcohol, or which spiritual discipline to take on for a solemn 40 days, Schenck is busy pondering whether Augustine or Lancelot Andrewes would match up better with Joan of Arc in a saintly sparring match. In 2010, Schenck started Lent Madness, a saint-vs-saint online competition on his blog modeled after college basketball's March Madness tournament. The idea caught on, and the madness has spread to include celebrity bloggers and, this year, its own website and Facebook fan page and a partnership with Forward Movement. Privileged Background Gave Woman Power to Change the System February 20, 2012 – During Black History Month, ENS is publishing interviews with Episcopalians involved in the civil rights movement and the church's work of reconciliation. Happy Jones "I like making trouble," says Happy Jones, who recounts her past with passion and laughter. "It's just fun." Church Launches Pray One for Me Website February 22, 2012 – Prayer is in the news; banned from council agendas and, according to one opinion poll, ignored by many of those calling themselves "Christian." Yet in time of trouble, crisis, and thanksgiving many of us do ‘say a prayer.' Research conducted for the charity Tearfund in 2007 concluded that as many as 20 million adults in the UK (42% of the population) pray. But for those who find it difficult, the Church of England launches a new website, prayoneforme.org, where anyone can post their prayer requests and know that they will be prayed. "You can pray about anything," says the Revd Alison Roche, vicar of St Christopher's parish in Leicester. Feeding Advocacy: Singer/Songwriter Offers a Musical Potluck to Help End Hunger February 24, 2012, GREENSBORO, NC – As a singer/songwriter and Hunger Action Advocate with the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Rev. Bryan Field McFarland sought a way to merge the two facets of his life. In the process, he stumbled into something that can best be described as an advocacy-oriented musical potluck. Calling it Jacob's Join, after a British phrase for a potluck, McFarland has woven a recipe that is part music, part food and part advocacy, all for the benefit of hunger relief. McFarland had released "Until All Are Fed," a CD about hunger-related issues, in December 2010. Seminarian Followed an Unplanned Path into Civil Rights Activism February 24, 2012 – During Black History Month, ENS is publishing interviews with Episcopalians involved in the civil rights movement and the church's work of reconciliation. The Rev. Judy Upham didn't intend to go to Selma, Alabama. She was studying at the Episcopal Theological School (now Episcopal Divinity School) in Cambridge, Massachusetts – unusual in itself for a woman in those days – when she saw television coverage of police attacks on civil rights marchers attempting to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge en route to the state capitol of Montgomery on what some called "Bloody Sunday," March 7, 1965. Southwest Florida Diocese Offers Rebate to Congregations February 20, 2012 – The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida has decided to refund $175,000 to its 76 congregations. The decision, Bishop Dabney Smith said in a recent letter to vestries and bishop's committees, was prompted by nearly 100 percent parish giving to the diocese in 2011. "We have attained a new culminating point in this ongoing labor towards maintaining a healthy, well-functioning diocese," Smith said. "In 2011 alone, our congregations prioritized their participation by contributing apportionment on a monthly basis, with all but 2 percent paid by year's end." The diocese normally bases its annual budget in part on up to 10 percent in uncollectable apportionments. Briefing Previews United Methodist General Conference Issues January 25, 2012, TAMPA, Fla. – Diverse issues presented at a recent three-day briefing signaled the workload ahead for the lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church, which meets this spring. More than 300 delegates, communicators and others who will be part of the 2012 General Conference met Jan. 19-21 at the Tampa Convention Center, site of the legislative assembly, for a preview of some of the issues they will face April 24-May 4. United Methodist Communications sponsored the event, with involvement and support from other agencies and ministries of the church. This is a brief look at the issues explored. Could You Go Alcohol-Free for Lent? February 21, 2012 – A glass of wine with dinner, a beer while watching the big game, a sip of bourbon before going to bed – all pretty harmless activities if you watch television, go to movies, browse the Internet or talk to most folks. You might be shocked to know that the world's worst killer – more than AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis – is alcohol, according to LiveScience.com. Here is another sobering fact: Alcohol is the top health risk factor for middle-income people. Riskier than obesity, inactivity and even tobacco. Mixed Blessings in New U.S. Church Numbers February 21, 2012, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – United Methodist churches in the United States are weathering a declining membership trend and a difficult economy, which have combined to cause local church spending to decline. But recently released statistics for 2010 and 2011 also show: Giving in 2010 to the Advance, which includes contributions to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, increased a whopping 146 percent from 2009 to more than $44.9 million, in large part because of contributions for Haiti and direct giving to United Methodist-related causes increased by more than 29 percent. Archbishop Rowan Williams to Speak at Ecumenical Centre, Geneva February 20, 2012 – Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be delivering a lecture on "Faith, human rights and human dignity" on Tuesday, 28 February from 18.30-20.00 in the Visser't Hooft Plenary Hall of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva at the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Rowan Williams became the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2003. He is the senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a first among equals amongst fellow bishops. A renowned theologian, he has been involved in several theological, ecumenical and educational commissions and has authored a number of books. His visit follows a meeting with the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in January 2011 in London. ELCA and Missouri Synod Leaders Continue Conversations Together February 20, 2012, CHICAGO – Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod met Feb. 8 as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation to discuss church-to-church cooperation and to share denominational updates. Although leaders of both church bodies have agreed to continue communication and information sharing as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation, leaders from the Missouri Synod said they have ended their participation in cooperative work, particularly in areas of support for chaplaincy, response to HIV and AIDS and national coordination of recovery after disaster. ELCA, Catholic Leaders Celebrate Their Christian Unity, Continue Dialogue February 22, 2012, CHICAGO – In gratitude for the "unity in Christ" between the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson shared with Pope Benedict XVI a sense of urgency between Lutherans and Catholics in responding to the "great needs of poverty and human care" in the world. Hanson led a delegation of ELCA leaders to meet with Pope Benedict and other Catholic Church leaders Feb. 14-16 at the Vatican. The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have been in active dialogue with the Catholic Church since the 1960s. En Cuaresma: Orar, Reflexionar Y Actuar En Favor De Una Economía Justa Del Agua 22 febrero 2012, GINEBRA, Suiza – Durante las siete semanas de Cuaresma, la Red Ecuménica del Agua (REDA) se centra en el tema de la "economía del agua" en el marco de su campaña Siete Semanas para el Agua con objeto de alentar a las iglesias a orar, reflexionar y actuar juntos en favor de la justicia del agua en el plano local y mundial. Las Siete El Cmi Envía Un Mensaje a Las Iglesias Sirias 22 febrero 2012 – Los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) han enviado un mensaje pastoral a las iglesias de Siria expresando su solidaridad ante las enormes dificultades a las que deben hacer frente a consecuencia de la violencia actual en el país. El mensaje se produce en un momento en el que la situación en Siria sigue deteriorándose. La difícil situación que se vive en el país ya fue abordada durante una reunión que tuvo lugar en la sede del CMI en Ginebra a finales de diciembre de 2011, en la que participaron unos veinte dirigentes de iglesias sirias de varias tradiciones cristianas. Medio Siglo De Testimonio De La Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana De Maracaibo 23 febrero 2012, MARACAIBO, Venezuela – Del 20 al 26 de febrero la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana de Maracaibo, adscrita al Presbiterio Occidental de la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela, celebra sus 50 años de fundada en el Barrio San Jose esta ciudad, lugar donde ha sembrado la palabra de Dios recibiendo buenos y gratos frutos. Han organizado diferentes actividades para celebrar, haciendo llegar invitaciones a la comunidad, iglesias hermanas y gobierno local. Medio Siglo De Testimonio De La Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana De Maracaibo 23 febrero 2012, MARACAIBO, Venezuela – Del 20 al 26 de febrero la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana de Maracaibo, adscrita al Presbiterio Occidental de la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela, celebra sus 50 años de fundada en el Barrio San Jose esta ciudad, lugar donde ha sembrado la palabra de Dios recibiendo buenos y gratos frutos. Han organizado diferentes actividades para celebrar, haciendo llegar invitaciones a la comunidad, iglesias hermanas y gobierno local. 24 febrero 2012, SAN SALVADOR – El Sínodo Luterano Salvadoreño expresó su solidaridad y oraciones con las las familias de las víctimas del incendio en el Penal de Camayagua, en Honduras, ocurrido el 15 de febrero. Piden que se realice una investigación exhaustiva urgente del caso que aclare y haga justicia integral. El CMI Se Solidariza Con Las Iglesias Miembros 22 febrero 2012, GINEBRA, Suiza – Los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) han enviado un mensaje pastoral a las iglesias de Siria expresando su solidaridad ante las enormes dificultades a las que deben hacer frente a consecuencia de la violencia actual en el país. El mensaje se produce en un momento en el que la situación en Siria sigue deteriorándose. La difícil situación que se vive en el país ya fue abordada durante una reunión que tuvo lugar en la sede del CMI en Ginebra a finales de diciembre de 2011, en la que participaron unos veinte dirigentes de iglesias sirias de varias tradiciones cristianas. Iran's Human Rights Abuses Condemned at National Events February 21, 2012, WASHINGTON – Recent national-level events held in the United States, Bulgaria and Canada reflect the ongoing global outcry at the Iranian authorities' crackdown on Baha'is. A hearing in the U.S. Capitol building on 15 February brought together some 100 Congressional staff, US agency officials, and representatives of human rights and religious NGOs. The hearing sought to promote the passage of House Resolution 134 and Senate resolution 80, which condemns the 20-year imprisonment of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders. WCC Expresses Concern over Human Right Violations in Tanah Papua February 24, 2012 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee recently issued a statement expressing concern over the escalation of violence in Tanah Papua, Indonesia. They urged the Indonesian authorities to stop the killings of civilians at the hands of armed forces and protect the rights of Papuan people. The statement was released in a WCC Executive Committee meeting in Bossey, Switzerland, which took place from 14 to 17 February. The statement was issued in the context of Tanah Papua experiencing increasing conflict during the past months. Rhode Island Cathedral to Suspend Services on Financial Grounds February 22, 2012 – The Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John in Providence, Rhode Island, announced Feb. 21 that, due to dwindling financial resources, its worship and pastoral services will be suspended after April 22. The St. John's building at 271 North Main will retain its status as the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. A cathedral serves as the seat of the bishop, the central place of pastoral and teaching ministries for all Episcopal churches in that diocese. "The cathedral congregation has experienced serious financial difficulty, and a decision was made to suspend services for now," said the Rt. Rev. David Joslin, the cathedral's acting dean. Building of House of Worship in Chile Reaches Important Milestone February 24, 2012, SANTIAGO, Chile – A significant milestone has been reached in the building of the Baha'i House of Worship here with the signing of contracts essential to the construction. The innovative design for the Temple consists of nine translucent elements that rise from the ground – giving the impression of floating over a reflecting pool – and meet at a central oculus, 30 meters above. The building's skeletal framework will support 500 tons of exterior and interior cladding. The outer surface will consist of 3000 square meters of panels made with an entirely new method of casting glass. 2000 square meters of robotically cut and carved translucent marble will create a luminous interior ceiling. WCC Executive Committee Sends Message to Syrian Churches February 20, 2012 – The members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee have sent a pastoral message to the churches in Syria extending solidarity as they face enormous challenges due to the ongoing violence in the country. The message comes at a time when the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate. The situation was discussed in a meeting at the WCC headquarters in Geneva in late December 2011, in which some twenty Syrian church leaders from various Christian traditions in Syria participated. The message was crafted by the Executive Committee during their meetings last week from 14 to 18 February in Bossey, Switzerland. Exiled Tibetans Remember Fallen Heroes February 19, 2012 – According to reports from Tibet, 1 person died from self-immolation in 2009 in Tibet as Tibetans fought for their human rights but the number surged to 13 in 2011. Now, barely two months into the year 2012, there are reports that 7 Tibetans have already set themselves on fire and died in their attempt to fight for freedom in Tibet. For exiled Tibetans around the world, February 8 is a day set aside to commemorate Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and Tibetans around the world either held a vigil or a rally to raise awareness about martial law and oppression in Tibet under the hands of China's People Liberation Army. Harare Bishop Clarifies Status of Zimbabwe's Loyal Anglicans February 22, 2012 – Bishop Chad Gandiya of Harare Feb. 22 issued an open letter to stress the difference between the Church of the Province of Central Africa dioceses in Zimbabwe and the churches run by an excommunicated former bishop. Gandiya said in the letter that there appeared to be "still a lot of confusion" about the status of the two groups and so he wanted to clarify things, "so that our members can continue to congregate and worship God freely as members of the Diocese of Harare (CPCA)." "The Diocese of Harare, Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion with over 70 million members," he said. WCC Congratulates Mitri Raheb for German Media Prize February 24, 2012 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) congratulates Palestinian Lutheran pastor Rev. Dr Mitri Raheb on receiving the 2011 "Deutscher Medienpreis" (German Media Prize). The award recognizes his individual work and Palestinian churches' efforts for peace. "Dr Raheb is a person with immense integrity. His understanding of Christian witness with clear words and profound actions makes him a deserving recipient of this honour," said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC. Raheb is pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). |
