Sudan’s churches promote peace as date for independence nears
NAIROBI, Kenya (ENI) As independence for South Sudan approaches
on July 9, churches there are coordinating efforts to bring lasting peace to
a region exhausted by a long civil war.
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Europe/Middle East forum seeks ‘practical ways to improve society’
WARSAW, Poland (ENI) Interfaith initiatives should focus on the practical, non-political task of building grassroots relationships, according to participants at a religious
symposium which ended May 15 in Poland.
Muslim-Christian meeting in Lebanon warns against internal divisions
JERUSALEM (ENI) Lebanese religious leaders have warned against
growing internal divisions in their country and urged national leaders to
work towards unity and tolerance, following a joint Christian-Muslim meeting
convened May 12 in Bkirki by newly appointed Maronite Patriarch Beshara
Rai.
Reformed church group approves strategic plan
Geneva (ENI) The largest global grouping of Reformed churches has approved a strategic plan for 2011- 2017 that focuses on youth leadership development, increased collaboration with regional church groups and a call to make visible the connection between Reformed theology and justice concerns.
nFOG heads down to the wire, Belhar struggles for breath: An update on amendment voting
UPDATED MAY 17, 2011 – Now that Amendment 10-A has accumulated a majority of affirmative votes to assure adoption, attention focuses upon the ratification votes for the New Form of Government (nFOG) and the Belhar Confession. Both hold a lead at present, but the final outcomes are too close to call.
Free indeed
Former President George W. Bush seldom carried crowds with the force of his oratory. He was known for mangling the language, for twisting up his words, for blurting countless “Bushisms,” as they were dubbed, and then following with an ah-shucks, self-deprecating grin and shrug.
Conference centers try to make ends meet
LOUISVILLE, KY. Both the Ghost Ranch and Stony Point conference centers continue to lose money.
GAMC: Another year, another new name?
LOUISVILLE, KY. The GAMC is considering changing its name from “General Assembly Mission Council” to “Presbyterian Mission.”
2011 Walton Award winners announced
LOUISVILLE, KY. (GAMC) Five new church developments have been named winners of the 2011 Sam and Helen R. Walton Awards. Each recipient church ministry will receive $40,000. The winning churches are
Justice consultation features visit to tomato pickers
FT. MYERS, FLA. (WCRC, CRC) The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) held its first ever justice consultation in early April, hopeful that it had advanced its mission to seek fair treatment for workers and others who are marginalized in the world.
European churches wrestle with anti- Christian violence
WARSAW, POLAND (ENI) When Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's only Christian cabinet minister, was assassinated on March 2 after criticizing his country’s laws against blaspheming the name of the Prophet Muhammad, it was only the latest act against Christians to provoke outrage worldwide.
Protestant churches gear up to deal with clergy sex abuse
Sexual misconduct in the church has been much in the news in recent years — with many of the headlines involving stories of Catholic priests molesting boys in parishes and schools. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), two major investigations have substantiated reports of abuse at boarding schools involving the children of Presbyterian missionaries serving in Africa and Asia.
Eyes wide open on our collective moral vision
c. 2011 USA Today (RNS) In its relatively short history, the United States has stood as the world's beacon of freedom, defender of democracy and pillar of principled power. An exceptional country, one blessed by the very hand of God. Right? Well, sort of.
Torture here at home cannot be tolerated
Newark Star Ledger
Organizations and individuals from across the globe took to the streets a couple of weekends ago to protest the U.S. government’s treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning (of WikiLeaks fame), who has been held in solitary confinement for more than nine months. As founder of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, I agree that solitary confinement is not the answer.
God Is Not A Christian: Speaking the Truth in Times of Crisis
God Is Not A Christian: Speaking the Truth in Times of Crisis
by Desmond Tutu
HarperCollins Publishers. 2011. 223 pages.
reviewed by Sterling Morse
This book by Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu is a defining statement of his ministry and life. It is a treatise on interfaith tolerance.
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction
by John Fea
Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. 320 pages.
reviewed by HENRY G. BRINTON
Political commentator Glenn Beck has devoted a great deal of television time to his exploration of America’s Christian heritage.
Film in review: “Last Night”
Reviewed by Ronald P. Salfen
“Last Night” spends a lot of time building up the tension….is it gonna happen or not…..finally offers some incomplete resolution, then invites the viewer to finish the story.
We lost. What now?
I have a confession to make. About once a year, for about a week or so at a time, I consider becoming..
Interfaith Broadcasting Commission announces series of TV specials
LOUISVILLE (PNS) The Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC) ― whose
partners include the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ― has announced the four
television specials that will comprise NBC-Television’s “Horizons of the Spirit”
series this year.
Film in review: “The Beaver”
Most of us men are socially incomplete. We have certain insecurities, some of which
we can name and compensate for, and of course, some days are better than others.
Film in review: “Thor”
“Thor” is a fun movie. It doesn’t make any pretense of being “believable.” So then
it gets to breeze blithely past all the plot contradictions.
Film in review: “Jumping the Broom”
Several things jump out about “Jumping the Broom”:
1) The entire cast consists of beautiful people, as if the casting director could only
choose models. Most of them can even act.
Film in Review: “Something Borrowed”
You’d expect a movie with the title “Something Borrowed” to be about a wedding.
Colombian Presbyterian women seek to change culture of violence
WASHINGTON (PNS) Last month’s Ecumenical Advocacy Days brought many Christians to Washington to learn about and advocate for gender justice and women’s issues.
Letter to the church from 25 former moderators of the General Assembly
May, 2011
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord!
We write to you as former Moderators of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and as disciples of Jesus Christ who love the church.
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