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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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Church Leaders Share in Sorrow Following Shootings, Call for Action on Gun Violence August 10, 2012 ELGIN, IL – Church of the Brethren leaders have joined others in the Christian community in expressing sorrow and calling for prayer following shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin this past Sunday. Statements have been made by Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger, along with Belita Mitchell who is a Brethren leader in Heeding God's Call, and Doris Abdullah, the denomination's representative to the United Nations. Noffsinger shared in the grief of the families affected in this act of violence. The Anglican Communion Meets in London for the Olympics August 6, 2012 – St John's Church in Stratford is working in partnership with local and international churches and groups to host a series of Olympics-related events to celebrate of the London 2012 sporting tournament. Anglicans from around the world have been attending a series of events across churches in London's district of Stratford (also the location for the Olympic Park) since 27th July to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games. The initiative, called ‘Ultimate Gold,' is a joint venture designed to encourage churches to mobilise their members and use their buildings to welcome the many thousands of visitors to Stratford, and to help the local people celebrate the Games. August 9, 2012 – The world's 80 million Anglicans are much more aware today than they were 10 years ago that they belong to a global communion, a realization that has led to a flourishing of international relationships between the Episcopal Church and other provinces, dioceses and individuals. The Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said that although he did not attend the 77th General Convention in Indianapolis, he is "more than heartened" by the passage of Resolution D008 that reaffirms the Episcopal Church's commitment to building Anglican Communion partnerships. United Methodist Execs Seek Creative Change August 9, 2012 – Cut back, hang tough, shift priorities. The United Methodist Church's general agencies will employ those strategies over the next four years to deal with reduced budgets, smaller boards and new directions in mission. As the largest program agency, the Board of Global Ministries cut back by reducing its board of directors by nearly two-thirds, from 92 to 32, with an additional five at-large members. The number of bishops on the board has dropped from 10 to three. Claremont Multifaith Plan Praised by Africans August 8, 2012 – Claremont Lincoln University, the multireligious school founded last year by Claremont School of Theology, met a lot of opposition by United Methodists in the United States, but received a thumbs-up by a group of African General Conference delegates. The new university offers three separate degree programs by partnering Claremont School of Theology with the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, and the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles. Each division oversees its own curriculum and trains spiritual leaders while collaborating in other areas. Claremont Lincoln University came to be after David and Joan Lincoln donated $50 million over two years for Claremont School of Theology to open the new institution. Evangelism or Denominational Self-preservation? August 7, 2012 – We Episcopalians don't seem to have evangelism in our denominational DNA. General Convention evangelism resolutions have never quite gained traction. Still, the 77th General Convention resolution, A073 (Establish Diocesan Mission Enterprise Zones), may be the best opportunity for success in this domain. A073 calls for "mission enterprise zones" and offers dioceses a matching grant of up to $40,000 to redevelop congregations with a special emphasis on groups traditionally underserved by the Episcopal Church. This evangelism plan is different because it focuses on congregations – the only place where evangelism can truly be effective. Iglesias Luteranas Dialogan Sobre Desafíos Teológicos 9 agosto 2012, COLOMBIA – La Iglesia Luterana de América (ELCA) reúne sus pares de América Latina y el Caribe en Bogotá del 7 al 10 de Agosto, para dialogar con las instituciones de formación teológica de la región acerca de las nuevas necesidades y desafíos pastorales. La pastora Raquel Rodriguez, Directora de Programa Directora del Programa para América Latina y Caribe de Desarrollo de Liderazgo ELCA/Misión Global, dice que en conversaciones con el liderazgo de las iglesias compañeras de la ELCA en la región de América Latina y el Caribe han escuchado "la urgencia de creación de nuevos modelos de formación teológica para el tipo de liderato necesario en las iglesias hoy." En El Aeropuerto Internacional De Miami Se Ofrecerá Misa a Las Personas Que Viajan 6 agosto 2012, MIAMI – Ubicada en el cuarto nivel de la Terminal D, del Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami (MIA), una capilla inter fe que no responde a denominación alguna ofrecerá misas a los y las viajeras a partir del próximo 18 de agosto cuando, a partir de las 7:00 de la noche y todos los sábados, la arquidiócesis de Miami ofrezca sus servicios religiosos. 7 agosto 2012 – «Una profunda aceptación de los demás, y una voluntad de abrirse a la unidad en la diversidad afirmarán los valores de reconciliación, paz y seguridad en cualquier sociedad y comunidad», dijo la premio Nobel de la Paz Aung San Suu Kyi a los participantes de la conferencia internacional sobre Paz, Seguridad y Reconciliación en Myanmar organizada por la Comisión de las Iglesias para Asuntos Internacionales (CIAI) del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). "Bullyng" Religioso En Universidades Presiona a Que Los Jóvenes Abandonen Su Fe 9 agosto 2012, MÉXICO – Muchos jóvenes terminan alejándose de la Iglesia y de la fe, debido a que existe un "bullyng" religioso entre jóvenes y adolescentes, pero principalmente en las universidades, según expresó esta semana a los medios de prensa, el vocero de la diócesis católica de Aguascalientes, preocupado por la situación. Iglesia Presbiteriana Responde Con Ayuda a Daños En La Agricultura Por Severa Sequía 10 agosto 2012, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – El subdirector del Consejo de Iglesias Evangélicas Pro-Alianza Denominacional (CEPAD), profesor Evenor Jerez, declaró, esta semana aquí, que con una donación de la Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada de Doleys-Town, Estados Unidos, se compraron equipos de riego que se usarán en forma rotativa entre los agricultores que viven en zonas secas y perdieron sus cosechas durante la presente etapa. The Baha'is of Semnan: a Community under Fire July 16, 2012, NEW YORK – A dramatic intensification of persecution of Baha'is in the Iranian city of Semnan has been described as "distinctive and alarming" by the Baha'i International Community. Dozens of attacks since 2009 against a large number of Semnan's Baha'is have been carried out by officials, semi-official groups, and plainclothes agents. At least 30 Baha'is have been arrested, with several now serving long prison sentences; homes and shops have been targeted by arsonists; and numerous Baha'i-owned businesses have been shut down by authorities. Children's Disaster Services Works in Oklahoma August 10, 2012 ELGIN, IL – Children's Disaster Services (CDS) on Tuesday, Aug. 7, opened a child care center in Glencoe, Okla., to aid families affected by fires. The center is located at one of the American Red Cross Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARC). CDS volunteers will care for children while their parents apply for aid to help them put their lives back together. CDS is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren and a program of Brethren Disaster Ministries. It places trained and certified volunteer teams in disaster areas to help care for children and families, in partnership with FEMA and the American Red Cross. ELCA Presiding Bishop Expresses Sympathy to the U.S. Sikh Community August 6, 2012, CHICAGO – On behalf of the 4.2 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, expressed sympathy, love, solidarity and prayers in an Aug. 6 letter to the American region of the World Sikh Council in response to the Aug. 5 shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis. The tragedy there "has touched our lives deeply with sadness and concern," Hanson wrote. "Violence has entered into our lives and world in too many places. The actions of individuals in recent weeks have brought a dark cloud over our nation and lives." Milwaukee Bishop Urges Episcopalians to Support Sikh Community August 8, 2012 – The Diocese of Milwaukee is encouraging Episcopalians to participate in the Aug. 12 Day of Prayer for the Sikh Community following the Aug. 5 shooting rampage at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The diocese offered information here about the prayer day organized by the Wisconsin Council of Churches, including a bulletin insert. Bishop Steven Miller also noted additional prayer vigils planned in both near-by Milwaukee and 80 miles to the east in Madison. The e-mailed information also includes a link for Episcopalians to learn more about the Sikh religion and a list of places to support the community with financial donations. World Friendship Center (Hiroshima) Directors Reflect on ‘World Without Borders' August 10, 2012, ELGIN, IL – The following reflection was written by JoAnn and Larry Sims, volunteer directors of the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan. The Sims are working in Hiroshima through Brethren Volunteer Service. They reflect on the meaning of the Peace Bell in Hiroshima's Peace Park, in advance of the annual Aug. 15 ceremony at the Peace Bell to remind the world that on that day peace began after World War II: "Borders are everywhere. There are borders separating countries/nations, borders drawn between states or municipalities, and even borders that define factory areas or commerce areas within cities." Their Courage Has Changed Entire Villages August 10, 2012, NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – Thanks to the courage of six local women, life has improved drastically for the people of three small villages, a couple of hours south of Mauritania's capital Nouakchott. Today, children can read and do their homework after sunset by solar light, women cook without having to worry about harmful fumes from an open fire, and families are enjoying better economic conditions. The six women had volunteered in 2008 to be sent off for six months of training in India to become solar panel engineers. Hardly any of them knew how to read or write; none had ever left their villages. Church of England Disinvests from News Corporation August 7, 2012 – The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board have today announced the sale of their shares in News Corporation on the advice of the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG). The total shareholding sold was worth £1.9 million. As a result, none of the three national investing bodies of the Church of England hold shares in the company. The Church of England first raised concerns with the Board of News Corporation in the aftermath of the phone hacking allegations that surfaced in July 2011. After a year of dialogue between the company and the EIAG, the Church of England was not satisfied that News Corporation had shown, or is likely in the immediate future to show, a commitment to implement necessary corporate governance reform. Disaster Grants Announced for Haiti, Angola, Summer Storms in US August 10, 2012 ELGIN, IL – Several grants have been given recently by the Church of the Brethren's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF). Heading the list is a grant continuing the post-earthquake work of Brethren Disaster Ministries in Haiti. The EDF grant of $48,000 continues funding for earthquake recovery work in Haiti by Brethren Disaster Ministries in cooperation with L'Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti). The response is nearing completion, with the current need in Haiti less related to the 2010 earthquake and more a problem of pervasive poverty and unemployment, said the grant request. Kenyan Anglican Youth to Mobilise a Million Voters August 9, 2012 – To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kenya Anglican Youth Organisation (KAYO), its members are launching an initiative aimed at mobilising one million young people in Kenya to vote in the upcoming General Elections. The youth movement of the Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK), started in 1962 by the late Bishop Obadiah Kariuki, is using its anniversary celebrations to launch the Wajibika Initiative. This youth-led programme aims to reach a million young people across Kenya through extensive diocesan structures and encourage them to register and vote. Archbishop of York on Zimbabwe: "Don't Give up Now" August 9, 2012, ZIMBABWE – The Archbishop of York today writes in The Times about the situation in Zimbabwe, and the British Government's decision to relax sanctions against the Mugabe regime. His article follows.... On Sunday 9th December 2007, I took off my clerical collar and cut it up during an interview on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1. I said I would not wear it again until Robert Mugabe had ceased to be in power in Zimbabwe. I made this prophetic statement as Robert Mugabe had slowly but surely cut up the identity of the Zimbabwean people into tiny pieces. New Attacks in Central Nigeria Worry Church Leaders August 9, 2012 – Tensions have heightened in central Nigeria following the killing on 8 August of four people near a mosque, a day after 20 worshippers in a church in the Okene area of Kogi state, were shot dead. In the mosque attack, news reports said the armed men came in a van chanting Islamic songs before they attacked some Muslims who were holding tafsir (a Ramadan lecture) at the Central Mosque in Okene. Two of the dead were soldiers who were on surveillance duty. Haiti Theological Training to Focus on Church's Foundation in Christ August 10, 2012, ELGIN, IL – The sixth annual theological training seminar of L'Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) will take place Aug. 13-16 and will conclude with a day of church business on Aug. 17. A final worship service will include the licensing of 19 new ministers. A key text from 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 will form the theme for the week, "The Church's Foundation Is Christ." Participants will focus on the pre-eminence of Christ as a person for the Church of the Brethren, particularly represented in the church's understanding of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Kenyan Anglican Youth to Mobilize a Million Voters August 9, 2012, ANGLICAN CHURCH OF KENYA – To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kenya Anglican Youth Organisation (KAYO), its members are launching an initiative aimed at mobilizing one million young people in Kenya to vote in the upcoming General Elections. The youth movement of the Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK), started in 1962 by the late Bishop Obadiah Kariuki, is using its anniversary celebrations to launch the Wajibika Initiative. This youth-led program aims to reach a million young people across Kenya through extensive diocesan structures and encourage them to register and vote. |
