. . . from Partners of The Center

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
from Light of the World Christian Church (Indianapolis):
Can You Help A "Brotha" Out?
Luke 10:25-28 (The Message)

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?" He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?" He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence-and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself." "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."

For news from Light of the World Christian Church, PLEASE CLICK HERE.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
from Park Avenue Christian Church (New York):

"In short, I hope for an America where neither "fundamentalist" nor "humanist" will be a dirty word, but a fair description of the different ways in which people of good will look at life and into their own souls.

"I hope for an America where no president, no public official, no individual will ever be deemed a greater or lesser American because of religious doubt -- or religious belief.

"I hope for an America where the power of faith will always burn brightly, but where no modern inquisition of any kind will ever light the fires of fear, coercion, or angry division.

"I hope for an America where we can all contend freely and vigorously, but where we will treasure and guard those standards of civility which alone make this nation safe for both democracy and diversity."
-- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1932 - 2009

For news from Park Avenue Christian Church, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY - 1932-2009

A Few of the Many Statements on the Occasion of his Death:

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan: "I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight. Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend. I will miss him."

Senator Orrin Hatch: "Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend. Ted Kennedy was an iconic, larger than life United States senator whose influence cannot be overstated. Many have come before, and many will come after, but Ted Kennedy's name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber."

President Barack Obama: "For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. . . . An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time."

The Reverend Jim Wallis: "On the occasion of his death, I pray that God may now move us as a nation to address the greatest commitment of Senator Kennedy’s life–the need for a comprehensive reform of the health care system in America–as a deeply moral issue and one that calls forth the very best that is within us."

Disciples Join President Obama and 140,000 People of Faith on a Health Care Conference Call Hosted by Religious Organizations

An estimated 140,000 people of faith (including at least 1000 Disciples) gathered on a historic national conference call with President Barack Obama and the American faith community. Sponsored by Faithful Reform in Health Care, the Disciples Justice Action Network, the Disciples Center for Public Witness, and more than thirty other denominational, ecumenical, and interfaith organizations, the conference call included prayer and moments of silence, stories from people struggling with and suffering from the current health care system, suggestions from local religious leaders about ways to engage people in dialogue and action, answers to questions about health care reform from a White House domestic policy advisor, and comments by the President of the United States about the moral imperative for health insurance reform and the important role of people of faith in making it happen.

Among the speakers on the call were two prominent Disciples: Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, GA. Also on the call was Dr. Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland, A Church Disributed, in Northland, FL. (Joel attended seminary at a Disciples institution of higher learning, the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN).

This highly successful conference call was linked with two efforts that are currently underway: the "40 Days for Health Reform" campaign to mobilize people of faith to pressure Congress to pass health insurance reform; and the "Let Our Light Shine" campaign to organize health care reform prayer vigils, worship services and other events throughout the month of August. (The health care vigil and rally at the recent General Assembly, organized by Faithful Reform in Health Care and the Disciples Justice Action Network, was the kick-off event for this campaign).

Today's call lifted up the inspiring efforts of tens of thousands of people of faith across the United States to promote a civil dialogue and ensure that Congress passes legislation in 2009 that will make quality health care accessible and affordable for all Americans.

A recording of the call is available at www.blogtalkradio.com/40mins4health, which live-streamed the call.

More information about the call and about ongoing campaigns is available at www.faithfulreform.org and www.faithforhealth.org.

CONFERENCE CALL with PRESIDENT OBAMA

RSVP HERE to join a conference call with President Obama on health care: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 5 PM Eastern.

The conference is being hosted by religious organizations--including DJAN and the Disciples Center for Public Witness--and will include thousands of people of faith. Religious leaders speaking on the call include GMP Sharon Watkins and Ray of Hope Senior Pastor Cynthia Hale.

The organizers of the conference call invited the President of the United States to join the call. He accepted. Won't you? Please RSVP TODAY.

Call your members of Congress today and urge them to support health insurance reform: 1-888-797-8717 (toll-free). END TORTURE: SIGN a statement of conscience HERE. Call for a Commission of Inquiry by clicking HERE.

President Obama Speaks About Health Insurance Reform at a Town Hall Meeting in New Hampshire

President Obama hosted a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on health insurance reform, telling the crowd, "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That's the health care system I believe in."

The President was introduced by Lori, a woman who can’t find coverage because of her medical condition. Like many other Americans, she had been discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition, and cannot receive the care she needs.

The President recounted his mother's battle with insurance companies as she battled with cancer in the last months of her life. He also spoke about the ways in which certain inustries and groups were attempting to undermine all efforts at reform:

"But let's face it, now is the hard part -- because the history is clear -- every time we come close to passing health insurance reform, the special interests fight back with everything they've got. They use their influence. They use their political allies to scare and mislead the American people. They start running ads. This is what they always do."

He added, "We can't let them do it again. Not this time. Not now. Because for all the scare tactics out there, what is truly scary -- what is truly risky -- is if we do nothing."

14,000 Americans lose their health insurance every day, and 60 people die preventable deaths each day due to lack of proper health care.

United Church of Canada's General Council Repudiates Background Language of its Middle East Proposals

The United Church of Canada’s 40th General Council, meeting in Kelowna, BC, has repudiated the written background material attached to three proposals before the Council on the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Meeting in one of three commissions that are handling a portion of the Council’s business, commissioners passed a motion declaring that the 40th General Council "repudiates and regrets language used in the background provided" for the proposals, which is "provocative, unbalanced, and hurtful."

The background material had drawn a small firestorm of criticism and media attention that focused more on comments in the material than the actual proposals.

In making the motion to repudiate it, the Rev. Doug Varey, overseas ministry personnel serving in Zambia, said the background material was "upsetting," like it came from a "soapbox."

The commission spent two hours in reflection, discussion, and debate on the complex issue.

No further decisions on the proposals had been made when the commission broke for supper. It will return to debate the issue on August 13.

U.S. Secretary of State Clinton Speaks Out About Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke with Jaldeep Katwala of Radio Okapi and Christian Lusakueno of Raga TV. The Secretary called for a greater commitment by the Congolese government to human rights and an end to gender-based violence.

During her interview with Jaldeep Katwala of Radio Okapi, Secretary Clinton said, "The Congolese Government, of course, came out of many years of war, and that is very destabilizing to societies and very often human rights are considered a luxury during a wartime. But there are no excuses any longer, and there has to be more expected from the government here. The United States and other countries, as well as the United Nations, stand ready to assist the government in taking actions to both promote human rights, including women’s rights, and to punish violators of human rights and women’s rights. But there needs to be much more action and a greater commitment from the government."

In her interview with Christian Lusakueno of Raga TV, the Secretary said, "There has to be an agreement in the region to end the violence in eastern Congo... There has to be an end of the paying of the militias by mineral interests and other interests that buys impunity and gives these militias the free rein to terrorize people. And sexual and gender-based violence must be condemned. It must be condemned by everyone in every part of society. People need to be not only ashamed if they commit rape and other sexual violence, but they need to be arrested and prosecuted and punished so that it serves as a strong message that this will not be tolerated. We are working with your military, we are working with your government, and we are also working with the victims to provide the medical care and the support that the victims of these traumatic attacks so desperately need."

Secretary Clinton committed 17 million dollars to prevent and support victims of sexual violence in the DRC.

Faith Participation in Health Care Reform Intensifies in August and September

The unprecedented faith mobilization around health care reform continues as communities of faith and their leaders all across America intensify their efforts in August and September to support health care reform this year. Under the "Let Our Light Shine, Let Our Voices Be Heard" Campaign, member organizations in the Faithful Reform in Health Care Coalition are working within their own organizations and with others to raise a moral vision for a health care future that includes everyone and works well for all of us.

View the list of events sponsored or supported by members of the coalition.

Click here or email action@faithfulreform.org to add your event here!

Events underway among member organizations include:

• Sponsorship of and participation in a conference call with President Barack Obama on Wednesday evening, August 19 (Watch for details!)

• Hundreds of in-district prayer services, advocacy events and meetings between faith leaders and their Members of Congress and staff during August and early September.
  

• Focused candlelight vigils and other activities in key districts and states.
  

• Weekly nationwide conference calls for faith leaders to hear from Members of Congress, the Administration and advocacy organizations about progress and next steps.
  

• Nationwide Health Care Sabbath Weekend, August 28-30, during which communities of faith are urged to focus on the need for health care reform in their services of worship.
  

• Delivery of "A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care" and thousands of signatures of faith leaders to Members of Congress and the Administration in early September.
  

• A key gathering of mid-Atlantic faith leaders in Washington DC during the week of September 14.
  

• On-going toll-free phone and web-based actions.
  

• Increased submissions of Op-Eds and Letters-to-the-Editor.
  

• Pastoral letters from national and state faith leaders to their members; and faith leader letters to members of Congress.

The Faithful Reform in Health Care Coalition is the largest interfaith coalition of denominations and national, state and local faith organizations working together on health care reform.

New Video Shorts Highlight the Need for Immigrant Integration Policy

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center has released four video shorts calling on Congress to enact a fair and humane immigration reform that includes measures to support the successful integration of immigrants.

The short films follow immigrant community members on their quest to learn English and include interviews with leading academics, adult school administrators, ESL teachers and volunteers.

Four videos are available for viewing on YouTube by searching APALCSoCal or by following the links below:

Classroom 206: Making Time for English

The Outcome is Income: Graduating in English

Finding Their Way with English

Why I Volunteer to Teach English

Canadian PM Condemns Sentencing of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi by Burmese Government

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months house arrest:

“Canada strongly condemns the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Aung San Suu Kyi to a further 18 months house arrest.

“This decision is clearly not in accordance with the rule of law: the charges laid against her were baseless and her trial did not come close to meeting international standards of due process. Her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified, and vindictive.

“Canada believes the Burmese regime has manufactured an excuse to keep Aung San Suu Kyi in detention to ensure she will not be able to participate in the proposed 2010 elections. This is just the latest evidence that this regime is not serious about pursuing legitimate democratic elections in Burma. Canada calls for the regime to unconditionally free all political prisoners and allow all citizens, including opposition groups, to freely participate in the electoral process.

“Canada is appalled by the ongoing repressive actions of the Burmese regime and its continued disregard for the fundamental freedoms and basic human rights of the people of Burma. We have imposed the toughest sanctions in the entire world against the regime to protest its treatment of its people. We are proud to have conferred honorary Canadian citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her ongoing struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma.

“We will continue to stand with the people of Burma and insist that their human rights be respected and their voices heard.”

Residential Schools for Aboriginal Peoples: United Church of Canada Delegates Wrestle with Past

As the United Church of Canada continues to look at ways to make amends for its part in the residential school tragedy, delegates to the General Council in Kelowna learned first-hand about the long-lasting impact of the horrors.

About 400 delegates representing 13 regions are in the city for a week-long convention, much of which will deal with church policy. Those gathered this afternoon heard from three survivors, as well as one of three people appointed to a reborn Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (It’s the job of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to hear from survivors and document what they say happened).

James Scott, the church’s senior adviser for residential schools, noted that since the church first apologized in 1998 to aboriginals for its part in residential schools, the aim of which was assimilation of native children, it has been a leader in education and awareness about the matter.

Members have learned about “not just the harms that were done in the schools to the individuals… but the harms that were done to a whole people through the systems we are a part of,” Scott said.

In 1988, the United Church of Canada officially apologized to First Nations people for its part in colonization efforts and for its damaging superior attitude. The residential school apology came later, but a full 10 years before the federal government said it was sorry.
The general council will this week look at two policies that pertain to First Nations: having the aboriginal community sign the church’s founding document, the basis of union; and incorporating First Nations into the church’s crest.

To read the entire article at kelowna.com, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

DJAN Hosts Vigil in Support of Health Care Reform

Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN) hosted a prayer vigil and rally for health care reform on Saturday evening in a ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center.

"We are gathered in this place to raise our voices against the injustice of a health-care system that costs too much, covers too little, and excludes too many," said Linda Hanna Walling, a Disciples minister who serves as executive director of Faithful Reform in Health Care and a Senior Advisor on Health Care Reform to the Disciples Center for Public Witness.

The vigil was originally scheduled to be held on the grounds of the Indiana state capitol, but concerns about the weather moved the event indoors. Instead of lighting candles, [close to 600] attendees filled the darkened room with the lights from their cell phones.

Several speakers from both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the local church community were featured, including Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Disciples of Christ; her seminary classmate, Angelique Walker-Smith, executive director and minister of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis; Rabbi Lewis Weiss; and John Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ.

Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr., senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, gave the keynote address.

To read the entire article from DisciplesWorld, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read an article about the vigil from the Indianapolis Star, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Disciples Turn Down "Call For Action"

In the 2009 General Assembly’s final business session, delegates rejected Resolution 0925, "A Call for Action."

Speaking on behalf of the Standing Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform, Barbara Jones, regional minister of the Great River Region, addressed concerns from yesterday’s debate: "Public witness is now and becoming more and more a grassroots movement. 'Call for Action' is part of that movement."

Jones continued, "The difference between this document and what we had in past is ownership. Ownership now comes from the General Board, which is made up of congregational members now as well, so now there will be an interlinking of congregations, the regions, and the general church.

"Once items are selected, information will go out and there will be ample time for education prior to and at the Assembly for whatever is selected. That’s why we have fewer items. Many perspectives can be included.

"Let’s try it," she concluded. "We have an opportunity for change."

. . . [But] Charles Bayer, a retired minister from Claremont, CA . . . described the resolution as "basically anti-democratic." Congregations may exert considerable effort to draft impassioned, thoughtful, spirit-led resolutions that will never make it to the floor of the General Assembly, he said, "because the General Board and Office of the General Minister and President decide what gets to floor and who gets to debate."

Finally, argued Bayer, "Our resolutions (under this resolution) can’t speak to the world or the National Council (of Churches in the USA) where we stand on issues."

The standing vote failed to receive the required two-thirds majority, so Resolution 0925 was rejected. . . . Rejection of Resolution 0925 means the procedure for handling resolutions will continue as is.

To read the entire article from DisciplesWorld, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Disciples Peace Fellowship Breakfast Celebrates and Challenges

Disciples Peace Fellowship (DPF) celebrated and challenged a crowd of 200 this morning at its breakfast featuring all organic, locally grown food.

Co-moderator Robert Crawford started the celebration by reminding attendees of biblical calls to peace. Bruce Ervin, first-ever peace intern for DPF in 1975, continued the mood by witnessing to the impact DPF had on his life: "The internship for me meant the difference between a life in the church or not."

Kristin Walling, one of this year’s interns, exclaimed the DPF intern program is "great because so many people don’t realize that you can have jobs just making peace."

Director Kathy Coggins said more than 2,000 youth are reached each summer by DPF interns, making the DPF intern influence on youth and young adults "the largest young person effort in the Disciples of Christ."

To read the entire article from DisciplesWorld, PLEASE CLICK HERE.