24 September 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Charles F. Burge Leaves Presbyterian Lay Committee
[2] "The American View" Daily Radio Program
[3] Episcopal House of Bishops Votes to Depose Bishop of Pittsburgh the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan
[4] Church of England Apologizes to Charles Darwin
[5] British Medical Ethicist Tells Life and Work That Dementia Patients Should Submit to Euthanasia
[6] Hamilton Boys’ Brigade Celebrates 125^th Anniversary
[7] Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand General Assembly Meeting 2-6 October 2008
[8] Presbyterian Church of Vietnam Holds First General Conference
[9] ARP Canadian Presbytery Fall Meeting 25-26 September 2008
[10] Reformation Day Rally at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario
[11] Church of Scotland’s First Pakistani Minister Once Attacked By Muslim Mob


[1] Charles F. Burge Leaves Presbyterian Lay Committee

Charles F. Burge has submitted his resignation with regrets as Executive Director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee (PLC) of Lenoir, North Carolina so that he can rejoin his family at their residence in Florida.

Burge was called by the PLC in late 2007 from Coral Ridge Ministries where he had managed the Truths That Transform radio ministry.

During his PLC tenure, he managed publication of The Layman and the PLC web site, and reported on three Presbyterian General Assemblies, several organizational and renewal group meetings, and hosted the PLC Faith and Life Conference.

"It has been an honor to be associated with the ministry," says Burge. "The Lay Committee plays a vital role in the spiritual life of the PCUSA. My prayer is that God will continue to guide and protect those associated with it for years to come."

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org

[2] "The American View" Daily Radio Program

WTHU AM-1450 in Thurmont, Maryland broadcasts the call-in program “The American View” daily from 11:00 AM to Noon eastern time, hosted by Michael Anthony Peroutka and John Lofton of The American View and Pastor David Whitney of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Pasadena, Maryland.

WTHU additionally broadcasts to the Internet and can be accessed at http://wthu.org/index.html by choosing “Listen Now” from their home page.

+ The American View, Suite #303, 8028 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland 21122, Fax: 410-766-8592


[3] Episcopal House of Bishops Votes to Depose Bishop of Pittsburgh the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan

The Episcopal Church House of Bishops meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah on 18 September 2008 passed a resolution formally requesting Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to officially depose Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan from the Episcopal Church for abandoning the communion of the church.

Schori deposed Bishop Duncan the next day. Schori had been expected to do so before the diocesan convention scheduled for 4 October 2008 where a vote to realign the diocese will be taken.

The Standing Committee of the Pittsburgh Diocese subsequently announced its intention to function as ecclesiastical authority for the Diocese, and condemned the deposition of Bishop Duncan.

Bishop Duncan has been a voice of opposition to unbiblical actions within the Episcopal Church including their ordination of a practicing homosexual bishop.

Bishop Duncan has been received as a member in good standing of the House of Bishops of the South American Province of the Southern Cone, which is becoming one of the ecclesiastical authorities of refuge for biblically conservative episcopal churches in North America.

+ VirtueOnline, 1236 Waterford Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

+ Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Avenue New York, New York 10017, 800-334-7626, cdawkins@episcopalchurch.org


[4] Church of England Apologizes to Charles Darwin

The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Brown, Director of Mission and Public Affairs for the Church of England (CoE) on 15 September 2008 posted an essay titled ‘Good Religion Needs Good Science’ which addressed Darwin directly, telling him that the CoE reacted wrongly to The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life when it was published 150 years ago, and has continued the misunderstanding to this day.

The CoE told the Associated Press that Brown’s essay reflects their position on Charles Darwin, but that the CoE does not consider the essay an official apology.

+ Church of England, Church House, Great Smith Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AZ, England, +44(0)20-7898-1000


[5] British Medical Ethicist Tells Life and Work That Dementia Patients Should Submit to Euthanasia

A leading British medical ethicist interviewed by Church of Scotland magazine Life and Work says that dementia sufferers are wasting people’s and their family's lives, are wasting National Health Service resources, and so they should consider ending their own lives.

84 year old Baroness Warnock is a long time supporter of euthanasia and thinks that there should be persons licensed to do this killing.

+ USA TODAY, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22108, 800-872-0001

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[6] Hamilton Boys’ Brigade Celebrates 125^th Anniversary

The Hamilton (Scotland) Boys’ Brigade is celebrating its 125^th anniversary with several events in October culminating in a Founder’s Day Parade on 26 October and a civic reception hosted by the South Lanarkshire Council on 27 October.

On 14 November, money collected for world missions by Boys’ Brigades all over Scotland will be presented to the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

The Boys’ Brigade was founded by William Alexander Smith on 4 October 1883 in North Woodside Mission Sunday School in Glasgow. It is the oldest Christian uniformed youth organization in the world.

+ Hamilton Advertiser, Press Buildings, Campbell Street, Hamilton ML3 6AX, Scotland, 01698-283200, jkelly@s-un.co.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[7] Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand General Assembly Meeting 2-6 October 2008

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) General Assembly 2008 (GA08) will be held 2-6 October at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream, Wellington, with the theme ‘Reformed and Reforming’.

Moderator for GA08 is the Rev. Dr. Graham Redding, principal of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership in Dunedin, the PCANZ training center for ministers and lay leaders.

+ Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Level 1, Terralink House, 275-283 Cuba Street, Post Office Box 9049, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand, (04)-801-6000 Fax: (04)-801-6001, info@presbyterian.org.nz


[8] Presbyterian Church of Vietnam Holds First General Conference

The Presbyterian Church of Vietnam (PCV) began its first General Conference on 19 September 2008 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The PCV received a certificate for religious practice from the government of Viet Nam on 9 October 2007 and hopes to eventually attain legal status as a government-sanctioned religious organization.

The PCV consists of 8000 worshipers among 80 churches throughout 14 cities and provinces.

+ VietNamNet Bridge, +844-7722729, Fax: +844-7722733, evnn@vietnamnet.vn


[9] ARP Canadian Presbytery Fall Meeting 25-26 September 2008

Stated Clerk Bill McKay reports that the Canadian Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church will be meeting Thursday and Friday 25-26 September at the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for their 2008 Stated Fall Meeting.

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Center, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729


[10] Reformation Day Rally at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario

Dr. Cornel Venema, President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary will be the featured speaker on the subject of "Saved by Grace" Herman Bavinck's Reformational View of the Believer's Union with Christ at the Reformation Rally at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada at 8:00 PM on 31 October 2008.

+ Immanuel Orthodox Reformed Church, 2900 Fourth Avenue, Jordan, Ontario L0R 1S0, Canada, 905-562-8223, Fax: 905-562-8221, JABouwers@hotmail.com

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, C/O Mr. Bill Konynenbelt, 5824 Bowwater Circle Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2E2, Canada, 403-286-0521, Fax: 403-286-0759, urcna@shaw.ca


[11] Church of Scotland’s First Pakistani Minister Once Attacked By Muslim Mob

Church of Scotland (CoS) the Rev. Peter Gill, a native of Lahore, Pakistan, along with his wife and three children have moved to Paisley, Scotland in preparation for his induction as pastor at Wallneuk North Church on 7 October 2008.

Gill, 43, is the son of a CoS minister who grew up in Pakistan as a persecuted Christian. He was once attacked and beaten by a Muslim mob, and required five stitches to close a head wound. His wife had received several calls threatening their children just before they moved to Scotland.

Gill describes the present situation in Pakistan as being where children are poisoned against Christianity and Taliban-style extremism is worsening. Gill’s father was once arrested after challenging a Muslim man who had stolen church property.

Gill has embraced Scottish culture, including wearing a kilt and tasting haggis, and he has come to enjoy ceilidh dancing.

+ Paisley Daily Express, 14 New Street, Paisley PA1 1YA, Scotland, 0141 887 7911, jhutcheson@s-un.co.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722

17 September 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Hurricane Gustav Forces New Wineskins Convocation Change of Venue
[2] Tulsa, Oklahoma Kirk of the Hills Ruled to be PCUSA Property
[3] Jeremiah A. Wright Speaking Engagement at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church Cancelled After Tryst Allegation
[4] Welsh Presbyterian Church (WPC) Moderator Says WPC Must Change Or Die
[5] First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, New Jersey Offers Yoga Classes
[6] Former Jurist and Missionary Richard Braithwaite Dies
[7] New Biography of Olympic Champion Eric Liddell Published in English and Chinese
[8] Cahaba Park Church Commissioned 7 September by PCA
[9] Dutch Reformed Church in Pretoria, South Africa Sends Formal Apology to Terminated Homosexual Teacher
[10] $US1.2 Million Given for Homosexual Advocacy in the Mainline Denominations


[1] Hurricane Gustav Forces New Wineskins Convocation Change of Venue

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, the New Wineskins Association of Churches Convocation scheduled for 9 November through 11 November 2008 has been moved from its originally scheduled location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio located near Cleveland, Ohio.

+ New Wineskins Association of Churches, 8800 Peebles Road, Allison Park, Pennsylvania 15101, 888-754-9693, info@newwineskinsassociation.org

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[2] Tulsa, Oklahoma Kirk of the Hills Ruled to be PCUSA Property

On 26 August, Tulsa, Oklahoma District Judge Jefferson Sellers ruled that the Kirk of the Hills church property belongs to the PCUSA and its Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery, not to the local congregation.

Kirk of the Hills voted two years ago by an overwhelming margin to leave the PCUSA because of the denomination having drifted from its biblical foundations.

The church is now considering their future, including the possibility of appealing the 26 August decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

+ Tulsa World, 315 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, 918-582-0921, news@tulsaworld.com

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[3] Jeremiah A. Wright Speaking Engagement at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church Cancelled After Tryst Allegation

Jeremiah A. Wright’s 9 September speaking engagement at “Fall Revival 2008" at the Elmwood United Presbyterian Church, East Orange, New Jersey was cancelled after Elizabeth Payne told the New York Post that she had committed adultery with Wright when they were at the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.

Wright is the former pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

+ New Jersey Online

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[4] Welsh Presbyterian Church (WPC) Moderator Says WPC Must Change Or Die

In remarks made in preparation for the WPC General Assembly in Lampeter, Wales held the week of 8 September, Moderator Rev. Haydn Thomas said that the WPC must change to survive, but that he does not mean the church should compete with present-day materialism.

Thomas added, “My aim is to see the Church develop its work in the community, working alongside the Government and offering both spiritual and practical guidance on serious social problems such as poverty and alcohol abuse.”

Thomas encouraged the assembly to put Jesus Christ back into WPC and to take responsibility for the ministry to which it is called.

+ Daily Post, Vale Road, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, LL31 9ZD, Wales, 01492 574455, robirvine@dailpost.co.uk

+ Presbyterian Church of Wales, Tabernacle Chapel, 81 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1DD, Wales, +44-0-29-20627465, swyddfa.office@ebcpcw.org.uk


[5] First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, New Jersey Offers Yoga Classes

First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, New Jersey is offering two Yoga classes beginning 25 September.

Yoga is a Hindu spiritual discipline that includes relaxation, exercise, breathing, diet, and meditation.

+ New Jersey Online

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[6] Former Jurist and Missionary Richard Braithwaite Dies

Former Sioux Falls, South Dakota Second Circuit judge, retired lawyer, and former missionary Richard Braithwaite died 8 September 2008 at age 81.

In 1990, Braithwaite went to Taipei, Taiwan and used the Bible to teach English as a second language at the Ta-an Presbyterian Church.

Braithwaite responded to a need in Malawi after its independence to transfer Presbyterian churches from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to the individual churches, and spent six months there in 1991 performing legal work and ministering to church members.

Braithwaite’s funeral was held 12 September at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls.

+ Argus Leader, 200 South Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104, 605- 331-2200

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[7] New Biography of Olympic Champion Eric Liddell Published in English and Chinese

Rev. John Keddie, minister in the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) and Moderator of its 2008 General Assembly has published a new biography of Olympic champion and missionary Eric Liddell titled Running the Race, published by Evangelical Press, Darlington, England.

+ John W. Keddie, Struan, Isle of Skye, Scotland

+ Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Rev John MacLeod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Ross-shire, Scotland, principalclerk@fccontinuing.org


[8] Cahaba Park Church Commissioned 7 September by PCA

Cahaba Park Church of Mountain Brook, Alabama was commissioned a new congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America at a 7 September service at Mountain Brook High School where the 100 member congregation has met for the past year.

The new church was planted by the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Homewood, Alabama.

The pastor is the Rev. Murray Lee who graduated from Stamford University, Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and from Mountain Brook High School.

+ Advance Internet, 2901 2nd Avenue South, Suite 260, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, 205-380-2430, Fax: 205-380-2431

+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org


[9] Dutch Reformed Church in Pretoria, South Africa Sends Formal Apology to Terminated Homosexual Teacher

The Dutch Reformed Church in Moreleta Park, Pretoria, South Africa has sent a court-ordered unconditional letter of apology to a music teacher dismissed in July 2005 for being a practicing homosexual. The dismissed teacher subsequently sued the church and was awarded R87,000 in damages.

The church attempted to counsel the teacher when his homosexuality came to light, but the teacher refused, telling the church that his sexual orientation was a matter between him and God.

The church contended that practicing homosexuality was a sin, and that the teacher as a spiritual leader should lead by example.

+ Independent On Line, 118 St. Georges Street, Post Office Box 4116, Cape Town 8001, South Africa, +27-21-481-6200, Fax: +27-21-481-6294


[10] $US1.2 Million Given for Homosexual Advocacy in the Mainline Denominations

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation is giving homosexual advocacy groups within mainline church denominations $US1.2 million over the next two years for what the More Light Presbyterians characterize as "support[ing] a strategic, collaborative effort to expand pro-L[esbian]G[ay]B[isexual]T[ransgender] faith-based organizing efforts.”

Christian News Wire says that the advocacy groups will now be better funded for efforts to pressure the “churches to alter their belief and morality to accommodate homosexual practice.”

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005

10 September 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Maryland Police and Government Entities Sued for Unconstitutional Arrest, Jailing, Shackling and Strip-Searching of Pro-Life Demonstrators
[2] Wichita, Kansas DA Refuses to Prosecute Abortionist George Tiller for Vehicular Assault of Pro-Life Demonstrator
[3] Liberty Council DVD ‘Pastors Churches & Political Activity’ Available
[4] English Teacher Needed for Sahiwal, Pakistan Nursing School
[5] Minister Needed in Rural Scotland
[6] Church of Scotland Moderator Asked to Stop Sale of Lochaline Manse
[7] EPC Ghana Outgoing Synod Clerk Briefs National Congress of the Evangelical Presbyterian Students' Union
[8] The Christian Voter and the Office of Civil Magistrate
[9] Death of Rev. Eric Fennema
[10] Political Sermons on Web Earn Tax Exemption Review


[1] Maryland Police and Government Entities Sued for Unconstitutional Arrest, Jailing, Shackling and Strip-Searching of Pro-Life Demonstrators

While participating in Defend Life’s “Face the Truth” Pro-life Tour, eighteen pro-life demonstrators including three young women were arrested 1 August 2008 after they held signs and shared their message along a public street in Bel Air, Maryland.

At least a dozen police officers arrived in more than seven marked vehicles and then arrested, jailed, shackled, and/or strip searched the eighteen demonstrators.

On behalf of the three young women, the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit 3 September against Harford County, the town of Bel Air, and seven police officials for their unlawful arrest, for sexually invasive searches of the female arrestees only, for their subsequent imprisonment, and for numerous violations of their constitutional rights.

+ Alliance Defense Fund, 15100 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, 800-835-5233, Fax: 480-444-0025


[2] Wichita, Kansas DA Refuses to Prosecute Abortionist George Tiller for Vehicular Assault of Pro-Life Demonstrator

The Wichita, Kansas District Attorney's office has informed Operation Rescue activist Mark Geitzen that it will not pursue charges against abortionist George Tiller for a 6 April vehicular assault where Tiller struck Geitzen with his Jeep outside his late-term abortuary.

Geitzen and another pro-life activist were measuring the width of the abortuary driveway to clear up questions about other incidents that had taken place earlier in the week. While exiting the driveway, Tiller gunned his vehicle at the two men who had no opportunity to move out of the way. Geitzen was stuck by Tiller's vehicle and sustained injuries to his leg and arm.

The Wichita DA chose to disregard images that police officers extracted from Tiller's security camera immediately following the incident showing Tiller's vehicle striking Geitzen while Geitzen unsuccessfully tried to push himself away to avoid injury.

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278-2888, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org


[3] Liberty Council DVD ‘Pastors Churches & Political Activity’ Available

The DVD ‘Pastors Churches & Political Activity’ is available from Liberty Council for $US5.00 postpaid.

This DVD features Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman Mat Staver as he spells out the political freedoms that belong to churches and pastors. The DVD shows how a church can effectively participate in local and national politics, and be confident that it is acting within its legal rights.

Additionally, The DVD can be viewed online at www.repairingthefoundations.com/Detail.aspx?id=78.

+ Liberty Counsel, Post Office Box 540774, Orlando, Florida 32854, 800-671-1776, Liberty@LC.org


[4] English Teacher Needed for Sahiwal, Pakistan Nursing School

A teacher of Intermediate English grammar, vocabulary, and conversational English is needed for the nursing school at Christian Hospital Sahiwal, Pakistan.

Please contact World Witness Director of Pastoral Care and Candidate Ministry John Hopkins for further information.

+ World Witness, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, One Cleveland St. Suite 220, Greenville, South Carolina 29601, 864-233-5226, Fax: 864-233-5326


[5] Minister Needed in Rural Scotland

Rev. Alistair J. Dunlop writes that a Church of Scotland minister is needed for what he describes as, “two lively, active congregations with steady membership and increasing attendance…in Kilcalmonell (Clachan) linked with Killean and Kilchenzie on the west coast of Kintyre.”

Dunlop, who ministered in the same region of Scotland for 25 years, adds that the locations “…might appear remote, but the quality of life and the opportunity to exercise a meaningful and deeply satisfying ministry more than compensates.”

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620

+ Rev. Alistair J. Dunlop, Interim Moderator, Kilcalmonell/ Killean and Kilchenzie, Pipers Road, Lochgilphead, Argyll, Scotland

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[6] Church of Scotland Moderator Asked to Stop Sale of Lochaline Manse

The Church of Scotland’s moderator the Right Rev. David Lunan has been asked to halt the disposal of its manse at Lochaline, which is on the market with a plot of land at offers of over £GB265,000.

A former Lochaber District Council member along with several other Scottish Parliament and Highland Council members want the property taken off the market and handed over to the community for a nominal sum and adapted for social housing, as a daycare center, or for sheltered accommodation.

The manse in question is in an area where there has been Christian worship since the days of the 6^th century St. Columba, and whose famous Macleod family produced 550 years of ordained service and six moderators through the early 1990’s.

+ Press and Journal, Lang Stracht, Mastrick, Aberdeen AB15 6DF, Scotland, 01224-343311, pj.newsdesk@ajl.co.uk

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[7] EPC Ghana Outgoing Synod Clerk Briefs National Congress of the Evangelical Presbyterian Students' Union

On 30 August 2008, the Rev. Frank Anku, outgoing Synod Clerk of Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), briefed delegates to the National Congress of the Evangelical Presbyterian Students' Union on highlights of the recently held 67th Synod.

Anka explained that the EPCG quest to assume General Assembly status was to realign the administrative setup of the Church to fit into international standards.

Anka said the Church remained the only institution in English-speaking international circles to still operate at the Synod level. He said that under the new dispensation, the Synod Committee or Cabinet of the Church has changed to become the Council with the Presbyteries becoming the Synods instead.

Anka urged the youth to patronize the Evangelical Presbyterian University College to improve their academic standing, adding that this was the gesture to crystallize the value of youth development in the Church towards nation building.

+ GhanaWeb, Poederooienstraat 66, 1106 CK Amsterdam, Netherlands, +31-207700126, Fax: +1-815-6429100, akoto@ghanaweb.com

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Post Office Box HP 18, Ho - Volta Region, Ghana, +233-91-26755, Fax: +233-91-28275, Epchurch@Ghana.Com


[8] The Christian Voter and the Office of Civil Magistrate

The current political campaigns have raised to the forefront several biblical questions about Christianity and civil government.

In his July 2004 Vision Forum Ministries article, ‘Should Christians Support a Woman for the Office of Civil Magistrate?’, William Einwechter examines the issue from the perspective of five biblical principles.

In the August 2007 essay ‘The 2008 Election Campaign’, your Presbyterians Week editor examines scriptural principles to guide the Christian voter.

In the essays ‘Qualifications for Public Office’ and ‘Christian Voting Responsibilities’, 19^th century Reformed theologian William Symington writes about the moral and religious qualifications of public office holders.

+ Vision Forum Ministries, 4719 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78212

+ Staff


[9] Death of Rev. Eric Fennema

In a message to all Councils of the United Reformed Churches in North America, Berwyn Konynenbelt, Clerk of Trinity Reformed Church announced that Rev. Eric Fennema, pastor of the Trinity Reformed Church of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away suddenly on Saturday morning, 6 September 2008 while participating in a local Christian School fund-raising golf tournament.

Konynenbelt added that he covets prayer for the Trinity Reformed Church congregation and for the Fennema family as they mourn the loss of their pastor - and to his family - a husband, father and grandfather.

The church secretary announced on 9 September that the funeral for Rev. Fennema will be held Thursday, 11 September at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Reformed Church.

Rev. Christopher Gordon of Lynden United Reformed Church of Lynden, Washington will conduct the funeral.

Condolences can be sent to bulletin@trinityurc.org and they will be forwarded to the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Christian Education through the Christian Credit Union in Lethbridge, Alberta.

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, C/O Mr. Bill Konynenbelt, 5824 Bowwater Circle Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2E2, Canada, 403-286-0521, Fax: 403-286-0759, urcna@shaw.ca


[10] Political Sermons on Web Earn Tax Exemption Review

Sermons posted on the Internet may land politically-minded pastors in trouble if they're not careful, the New York Times reports. This year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began actively watching the Internet for churches who violate their tax exempt status by supporting or opposing candidates from the pulpit.

Internet services such as YouTube and Google along with the increased Internet presence of churches have made it easier for the IRS and watchdog groups to find pastors who may have thought only that their congregations would hear the message. Several churches' tax exempt status is under review and may be revoked this year thanks to such monitoring.

“The IRS goes, and it’s scouring the Internet looking for trouble," said Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for a conservative Christian group called the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), which defends clergy members accused of partisan activities. “It is our contention that in church it is the pastor who should determine what is said, not the IRS.”

The IRS on 25 August released its June 2008 update to Publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations, nearly one third of which focuses on the rules governing churches and politics.

ADF says the IRS’s effort violates the fundamental rights of religious groups and is encouraging church groups to openly preach about election candidates on 28 September as a protest.

+ Crosswalk.com, Salem Communications, 4880 Santa Rosa Road, Camerillo, California, 805-987-0400

+ The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1255 23rd Street Northwest Suite 700, Washington DC 20037, 202-466-1200, help@philanthropy.com

3 September 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Reformed Presbyterian Pastor and Two Teen Girls Arrested in Denver During Democratic National Convention
[2] Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches Enter Federative Union with United Reformed Churches in North America
[3] 2008 Colorado Springs Reformation Day Conference Announcement
[4] First RP Conference On Mercy Ministries Announced
[5] Opportunity for Cambridge Presbyterian Church To Buy Church Property
[6] Tainan Theological College Appoints President and Academic Dean
[7] African Children’s Choir to Perform at Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Des Moines
[8] Church of Scotland Approves ‘Pub in a Church’ Restoration Plan
[9] Dead Sea Scrolls to be Digitized and Made Available Online
[10] Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State


[1] Reformed Presbyterian Pastor and Two Teen Girls Arrested in Denver During Democratic National Convention

The Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Reformed Presbyterian pastor and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition of Washington DC along with Julia Giacopuzzi, age 15, and Jayne White, age 17, were arrested on 28 August near Senator Barack Hussein Obama's Denver, Colorado hotel.

The young women were writing messages in sidewalk chalk on the public sidewalk when the police officers rushed in and violently arrested the girls without warning or provocation. Mahoney was arrested and threatened with a felony for leading the event. They all were later released.

Throughout the convention, members of Survivors were using sidewalk chalk throughout the city of Denver with the permission of City Attorney David Fine and Denver Deputy Chief of Police John Lamb. It was understood by the young women that sidewalk chalk was an accepted medium, and they were given no warning by the police before being cuffed and dragged away.

Mahoney said of the arrests, "I am absolutely stunned, sickened and appalled by the excessive use of force by these police officers against these two young women at the Democratic National Convention. They were rushed without warning, physically forced to the ground, had a knee driven into their back, cuffed and dragged away. Their crime was simply writing pro-life messages on the sidewalk yards away from the hotel where Senator Barack Obama is staying. It must be stressed that they had permission from the Denver City Attorney and Police Department to do this and they were given no warning to stop.”

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, Post Office Box 52708, Riverside, California 92517, 951-750-1114, info@survivors.la


[2] Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches Enter Federative Union with United Reformed Churches in North America

In a 27 August letter to all Consistories of the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA), Rev. Harry Zekveld, URCNA Committee For Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity Secretary, announced that on 22 August 2008, the Federation of Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches (OCRC) met in Synod in Nobleton, Ontario, and accepted the invitation extended to the federation to enter into federative union with the URCNA on the basis of Three Forms of Unity and the Church Order. The invitation to the OCRC was made by Synod Schererville (2007) and subsequently ratified by a majority of the consistories of the URCNA, as required by the Church Order.

Zekveld stated that prior to the Synod, four of the five churches in the OCRC held congregational meetings in which members expressed themselves strongly in favor of a federational decision to accept the invitation. Due to other congregational concerns, the Cambridge OCRC consistory made a decision to postpone indefinitely dealing with the matter of joining with the URCNA. For this reason they also abstained from voting on the overture which was presented at Synod and will remain independent for the present. All the votes which were cast were in favor of accepting the invitation and joining with the URCNA.

Zekveld added that as per the invitation, the churches by virtue of last week’s synodical vote are received immediately into the URCNA, without conducting a colloquium doctum for their ministers. The congregations involved are in Bowmanville, Ontario; Burlington, Washington; Kelowna, British Columbia; and Nobleton, Ontario.

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, C/O Mr. Bill Konynenbelt, 5824 Bowwater Circle Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2E2, Canada, 403-286-0521, Fax: 403-286-0759, urcna@shaw.ca


[3] 2008 Colorado Springs Reformation Day Conference Announcement

The 2008 Colorado Springs Reformation Day Conference is scheduled for 31 October through 2 November at the Springs Reformed Church (RPCNA).

Dr. R. Scott Clark of Westminster Seminary California will be speaking on the theme of “Recovering The Reformation”.

+ Springs Reformed Church, 229 South Weber Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, 719-577-4157, office@springsreformed.org

+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861


[4] First RP Conference On Mercy Ministries Announced

First Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) of Grand Rapids, Michigan will host the Conference on Mercy Ministries on 7 February 2009 at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary chapel.

Rev. Barry York, pastor of Sycamore Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) in Kokomo, Indiana will be the featured speaker.

+ First Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49525, raylann51@gmail.com

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org


[5] Opportunity for Cambridge Presbyterian Church To Buy Church Property

Mission to the World Team Britain Team Leader David L. Cross writes that Cambridge Presbyterian Church (CPC) of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales (EPCEW) is reporting that the St. Stephens Church where they hold Sabbath morning services is for sale at an estimated $US2.4 million to $US3.25 million.

CPC serves a congregation of about 120 including people from a nearby US Air Force base and local university students.

Cross says that the church will soon decide whether to make an offer for the property or to seek other facilities for their morning services. He asks for joint prayer with the CPC congregation in seeking direction about this matter.

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales, epcew@epcew.org.uk

+ Mission to the World (PCA), Post Office Box 116284, Atlanta, Georgia 30368, 678-823-0004 x2451, partnerservices@mtw.org


[6] Tainan Theological College Appoints President and Academic Dean

Tainan Theological College and Seminary (TTCS) of Tainan, Taiwan on 1 August appointed Dr. Lin Chuan-fen Academic Dean, and former Acting Academic Dean and Acting President Dr. Wu Fuya was appointed President. Dr. Wu’s installation will be marked on 15 September.

Dr. Lin has served the college in various capacities since 1981. She holds the Master of Theology from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois and a Ph.D. in social work and welfare from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Wu holds the Master of Divinity from TTCS, the Doctor of Ministry from Episcopal Divinity School of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Doctor of Theology from the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology of Quezon City, Philippines.

TTCS bills itself as "Taiwan's First University" based on its formal organization in 1876 to offer a four-year collegiate level course of education, modeled on that offered in the UK, for students intending to enter Christian ministry.

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115, info@ncccusa.org

+ Tainan Theological College and Seminary, 117 Tung-men Road, Section 1, Tainan, Taiwan, 886-6-237-1291, Fax:886-6-234-6060, ttcs@bbs.ttcs.org.tw


[7] African Children’s Choir to Perform at Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Des Moines

The African Children’s Choir (ACC) will be in concert at the Meredith Drive Reformed Church (RCA) in Des Moines, Iowa at 7:00 PM on 24 September 2008.

Admission is free, though a free-will offering will be taken.

The ACC, since being formed in 1984 has seen over seven hundred orphaned and vulnerable children join the Choir program, and the funds they have generated have provided the opportunity of education and hope for many thousands like them in some of the most desperate and needy areas of Africa.

+ Des Moines Register, 715 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, 515-284-8000, publisher@dmreg.com

+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org


[8] Church of Scotland Approves ‘Pub in a Church’ Restoration Plan

The Church of Scotland has given approval of a restoration plan for the Lansdowne Parish Church at Kelvinbridge District in Glasgow’s West End that during the week will use the church main hall for theatre or music productions with a bar and restaurant annex, and on Sundays use the main hall for the normal church services.

Proceeds from the pub and restaurant would fund the church’s restoration work.

The church was built in 1863 and has a spire almost 220 feet high.

+ The Publican, 245 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9UY, England, 020-7955-3711, info@thepublican.com

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[9] Dead Sea Scrolls to be Digitized and Made Available Online

Digital photographs of the Dead Sea Scrolls are being photographed by Israeli authorities for placement on the Internet for public access. The project will take two years to complete.

+ The Telegraph, Victory House, Meeting House Lane, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TT, England, 0800-316-6977, telegraphenquiries@telegraph.co.uk


[10] Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State

Gospel for Asia (GFA) leaders in India's Orissa state report that mob violence in the wake of the murder of Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a top leader of the World Hindu Council and an outspoken opponent of Christianity who was killed by what are believed to be Maoist rebels. Hindu radicals have seized upon the killing as an excuse to incite violence against the area's Christian community.

At least twelve members of GFA-related churches have been murdered, but no one knows the overall death toll. As many as 20 GFA-related churches have been destroyed and hundreds of Christian families have been burned out of their homes.

GFA President K.P. Yohannan said, "The Christians in Orissa have fled for their lives into the forests, and some have been in hiding for three days without food or water. Several of our pastors are in the forest along with their church people, and one said that he could have escaped, but would rather die with his people than leave them."

Yohannan added, “"I have never seen persecution so bad in my life, and I have seen a lot of opposition to the Gospel over the years."

+ Gospel for Asia, 1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, Texas 75010, 800-946-2742, info@gfa.org

+ Vishva Hindu Parishad, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir Ashram, R.K. Puram Sector 6, New Delhi 110022, India, 9111- 26178992, Fax: 9111-26195527, jaishriram@vsnl.in


Correction:

The 27 August 2008 article ‘Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Holds First National Convention’ in error combined descriptions of events from the 2007 National Convention and events scheduled for the 18^th General Assembly of August 2008. Dr. Usang’s message was from the 2007 event. Rev. Eme’s announcement of the opening of Hope Wadell University in Ohafia, Abia State refers to an event held in conjunction with the 18^th General Assembly.