'Peace Among the Peoples' Conference July 28-31 in Elkhart

"Peace Among the Peoples," is an ecumenical peace conference aimed at "overcoming the spirit, logic and practice of violence" slated for July 28-31 at the Associated Mennonite Bible Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.

NCC General Secretary and Disciples theologian Michael Kinnamon is one of the organizers of the conference. According to Kinnamon, "From the very beginning, the ecumenical movement has been a peace movement. I hope that this year the churches of North America will recommit to this ecumenical vision of peacemaking."

Participants in the conference expect to play a role in developing the agenda of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation next May in Kingston, Jamaica, the culmination of the World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence.

Click here to read more about this conference.

Click here to register for the conference.

Don't Give Up on Immigration Reform!

For several years now, advocates have pushed for comprehensive immigration reform. Several bills have been introduced into Congress. The President has made a major speech in support of immigration reform. Faith leaders, including many conservative faith leaders, have testified before Congress and written letters to editors calling for immigration reform. And yet, immigration reform legislation seems to be stymied. It is now expected that immigration reform will not move ahead in Congress until after the fall elections, if then.

Meanwhile many people continue to suffer due to our antiquated immigration laws which make people wait in long lines for many years before they can be reunited with their spouses and minor children, which make it impossible for employers to get work visas for workers they need to hire, which make it hard for Spanish-speaking churches to be able to hire pastors who can lead them in their own language, etc.

TAKE ACTION! Advocates for immigration reform need to continue to push their Congresspersons to deal with this politically difficult issue. With Congresspersons returning to their home districts in August, now is an opportune time to schedule appointments with your Congresspersons to stress the importance of immigration reform. Let them know that, despite the fact that this is a politically difficult issue, you want Congress to reform our immigration laws. See RIM Immigration Reform for links to websites that have talking points on immigration reform. If you can't visit, then write your Congresspersons so they will continue to be aware that their constituency wants them to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

If you are struggling to help members of your congregation understand why immigration reform is an important issue needing advocacy, you may want to use the resource packet of theological reflections on immigration. For more information, please contact Jennifer Riggs, Director of Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Disciples Home Missions: jriggs@dhm.disciples.org

FAITH COMMUNITIES WEIGH IN ON FTC'S REVIEW OF CHILDREN ONLINE PRIVACY

Disciples News Service - Several faith communities, including Disciples, have urged the Federal Trade Commission to update and make the guidelines that regulate children's online privacy clearer. Family and Children's Ministries of Disciples Home Missions, the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops responded to the FTC's request for public comment on the agency's implementation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.

In a June 30 letter to the FTC, the faith communities expressed gratitude that the commission has begun a comprehensive review of its children's privacy regulations. However, the faith groups cautioned that new emerging technologies, such as Internet-connected mobile phones, online games and data collection Web sites that specifically target children have increased the risks to children's privacy.

To learn more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

HISPANIC DISCIPLES MEET IN ORLANDO FOR 15TH BIENNIAL ASSEMBLY; APPROVE RESOLUTION OPPOSING ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

Disciples News Service - More than 300 Hispanics from the United States and Canada met in Orlando, Fla. from July 8-11 for the 15th Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly.

The important role of family was highlighted at the four-day event where worship, youth activities, and workshops looked at the impact of the family in strengthening church and community life.

Representatives at the Assembly also approved an emergency resolution declaring Arizona's new immigration law unjust and asking the entire church to take a stand on the immigration issue.

To read more about the Assembly, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Obama Signs Wall Street Reform into Law

Canadian Government Announces Alliance to Spearhead Global Fight Against HIV

Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, on behalf of her colleagues, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced the renewed Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI), which features the creation of the CHVI Research and Development Alliance. The Alliance will enable Canada to be a leading contributor to global efforts in developing a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine.

"Through the launch of the CHIV Research and Development Alliance, Canada continues to lead the way in the global fight against HIV and AIDS," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Today’s announcement reflects our Government’s continuing commitment to help find a cure for this devastating virus which crosses borders, cultures, genders and backgrounds."

Another important component of the renewed CHVI is the Government of Canada's investments, through the Canadian International Development Agency, in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in low- and middle-income countries. The investment is intended to help deliver improved access, better services and programs, and a higher level of education about HIV with the goal of reducing the number of HIV positive mothers who transfer the virus to their unborn children. This may help pave the way for the introduction and acceptance of an HIV vaccine when it becomes available.

To read more about this, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For more information about CHVI–> Renewed CHVI Factsheet

Faith-Based Eco-Justice Team Urges U.S. Government to Pursue a 'Just and Moral Response' to Oil Spill in the Gulf

The National Council of Churches Eco-justice team is circulating a prayer petition urging government agencies to turn away from partisan politics and seek "a just and moral response" to the crisis caused by the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The petition, which declares that "the bonds that connect us to one another and to all Creation have been damaged in the Gulf," can be accessed here.

"We have failed as a country to protect not only ourselves but the gifts with which we have been blessed," the NCC said in its message to government leaders. "As we begin to move forward and prepare as a nation for our recovery from this spill, we urge you to remember God’s commitment to us and to Creation, and to honor God’s vision of health and wholeness for all."

The language in the petition was taken from a national statement signed by 28 Heads of Communion/Organization and delivered to various stakeholders in July. Click here to read the full statement.

Preventive Care Now Available: Remarks by The First Lady, HHS Secretary Sebelius and Dr. Jill Biden

President Obama Unveils HIV/AIDS Strategy

First Lady Michelle Obama Discusses Her "Let's Move" Initiative

In New Video, U.S. Religious Leaders Denounce Health Professionals’ Involvement in Experiments on Detainees

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) has released a new video, Accounting for Torture, featuring the voices of religious leaders who supporting the message of the Physicians for Human Rights report, Experiments in Torture: Human Subject Research and Evidence in the ‘Enhanced’ Interrogation Program.

The video features the voices of National Council of Churches President Peg Chemberlin, General Secretary Michael Kinnamon, Jim Winkler, director of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Clergy Beyond Borders, the Rev. Richard Cizik, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, and Dr. Scott A. Allen, Physicians for Human Rights.

Click on the picture to view the video.

PM Welcomes Queen's Appointment of David Johnston as Governor General Designate

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the appointment of David Johnston as the Governor General Designate. Mr. Johnston, a respected lawyer and academic, will assume his new duties as Governor General on October 1.

"Mr. Johnston has a strong record of public service, a broad base of support and an impressive list of achievements," said Prime Minister Harper. "He has extensive legal expertise, a comprehensive understanding of government and a deep appreciation of the duties and tasks now before him."

Currently serving as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, Mr. Johnston has also served as President and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University and has held teaching positions at several prominent Canadian universities, including the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and the University of Western Ontario. He has published extensively and has served as Chair, member or advisor to two dozen government agencies, boards and roundtables.

"David Johnston represents the best of Canada," said the Prime Minister. "He represents hard work, dedication, public service and humility. I am confident he will continue to embody these traits in his new role as the Crown’s representative in Canada."

The Governor General Designate was selected following extensive national consultations by an expert advisory committee. His exemplary record of public service has earned him the respect, support and admiration of many prominent Canadians in politics, government, academia, parties of all stripes, and in every region of the country.

Mr. Johnston resides outside of Waterloo, Ontario. He is married to Dr. Sharon Johnston. They have five children and seven grandchildren.

CIDA Funding to CCIC Threatened

Funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC), Canada's pre-eminent coalition to end global poverty, is in doubt.

CCIC's three-year contract with CIDA ended on March 31, 2010. Two months into a three-month temporary extension of CCIC's contract and no word yet from CIDA on the contract's renewal. In July, CCIC will start operating with no CIDA funds.

CCIC has a long history of development work and CIDA funding and collaboration. Established in 1968, CCIC has been monitoring and analyzing federal policies on foreign affairs, aid, trade and peacebuilding. CCIC regroups approximately 90 Canadian non-profit organizations working both in Canada and overseas. Among them are religious and secular development groups, professional associations, co-operatives, labour unions and groups devoted to literacy, education and youth.

CCIC has given notice of layoff to all but 8 staff and has taken steps to liquidate its resources, including selling its office space, in order to meet costs associated with severance and near-term operations.

"We call on CIDA to continue its support for CCIC," says Robert Fox, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada and a CCIC member. "CCIC is exactly the type of organization CIDA should fund. Aid policies and programs will suffer if CCIC is not doing what it does best: analyze, critique and advocate for the world's poor."

For more on this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To Take Action on this issue, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Obama Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform