Obama’s April 15 directive to Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius, requires hospitals receiving public funds in the form of Medicaid or Medicare health insurance payments not to deny patient visits “on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.” Nearly all U.S. hospitals receive Medicaid or Medicare health insurance payments for the treatment of patients.This is a move that will be “affirmed by most Americans”, said the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, the president of the National Council of Churches.— … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2010
Conference explores U.S.-Mexico issues
The most fundamental question participants faced: As people of faith, what does it mean to love our neighbors who might be undocumented and who are often stigmatized, marginalized, or at best invisible?Speakers included Bernabe V. Bautista Reyes, vice-moderator of the General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico; Mark Adams, director of Frontera de Cristo, a PC(USA) border ministry; Frank Alton, pastor of Immanuel Church in Los Angeles, Calif.; Judy Fletcher, Synod of the Sun executive and one of the conference organizers; Ramon Garcia, president of Presbyterian Border Ministries, one of the conference’s participating organizations; and Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, professor of world Christianity at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.— Erin Dunigan … [Read more...]
NCAA bans eye black messages
The NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a policy April 14 that players cannot place symbols or messages on the black strips under their eyes, which are used to reduce glare from the sun.The association denied that the rule was influenced by Tebow’s Biblical messages.Cameron Schuh, a spokesman for the NCAA, said the panel’s decision confirmed an existing rule “that players are not allowed to have any symbols or messages on their eye black, starting with this coming season.”Other players have used the anti-glare paint for other messages. Reggie Bush, another Heisman winner, put 619, the area code of his native San Diego, on his eye black. … [Read more...]
Buddhists, Christians work together to help quake victims
Rescuers searched for survivors buried under collapsed buildings and nearly 20 Tibetan monks, dressed in their maroon robes, had joined them next to a razed marketplace, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.Many people remained trapped under rubble as rescuers sought to provide relief to thousands left homeless following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on April 14.China’s Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, who is heading disaster relief, epidemic prevention, seismic monitoring, and public security, lauded their efforts.“Your participation in the rescue operation demonstrates the love of our monks and believers for the nation, religion, and hometown,” Hui said. … [Read more...]
PRE GA: OVERTURES TO THE 219TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Continued from MAY 17 (p. 7)
Ovt 088 » Pby of Yukon: Remove the Confusing and Theologically Incompatible Call for Presbyterians to Engage Other Faiths.Ovt 089 » Pby of Shenandoah: Amend Standing Rule E.2.e.-g. to clarify rules regarding who can speak to GA committees.Ovt 090 » Pby of Shenandoah: Reinstate ordination standards’ authoritative Interpretations that were repealed in 2008.Ovt 091 » Pby of San Joaquin: Show restraint when speaking out for Middle East peace.Ovt 092 » Pby of S. Louisiana: Make Resources Available Regarding Destruction and Loss of Coastal Wetland.Ovt 093 » Pby of C. Washington: Declare that constitutional behavioral standards for ordinands are binding.Ovt 094 » Pby of C. Washington: Declare that God designed marriage exclusively to be between a man and a woman.Ovt 095 » Pby of C. Washington: Dismiss New FOG committee; take no action on recommendations.Ovt 096 » Pby of Salem: Limit role of Young Adult Advisory Delegates in plenary session of the GA.Ovt 097 » Pby of Salem: Urge Congress to … [Read more...]
Four more years? 20 minutes with Linda Valentine
JH: Linda, four years ago, you called me, introduced yourself, told me you were a candidate to be GAC executive director, and asked for my thoughts. I blurted, “Only a crazy person would want that job.” Are you a crazy person?LV: I must be. I have a huge amount of energy for this job. It has been such a privilege to be able to see church … in so many places and its wide array of ministries and – in the process – to see hopeful signs where God is working. All over the church. You weren’t the only one to say I was crazy. So I guess I am.JH: Has it made you crazier?LV: There are times when I think it IS crazy. It’s very, very complex. That’s part of who we are as a church: many voices, many passions, many constituents, many directions. We’re in a time of huge change and turmoil in the world, in the country, and certainly in the church. Keeping centered on why we’re here, why God has called us to this place, trying to discern and follow the will of God, and keeping our eye on Jesus Christ … [Read more...]