26 November 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] PCUSA Stated Clerk Accuses Presbyterian Lay Committee of Factual Errors and Misrepresentation
[2] John Knox Presbytery Votes to Enroll Practicing Homosexual as Candidate for the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament
[3] Presbyterian Coalition Answers “Yes!” to Question: Is "Fidelity-Chastity" Still in Effect?
[4] EPC Gets No Reply from PCUSA About False Allegations of Recruiting Dissenting PCUSA Churches
[5] WARC Leader Says Divisions Compromise Church’s Peace Message
[6] Wilmington, North Carolina Reformed Church Meets in Former Roman Catholic Church
[7] Kenyan Women’s Ministry Representatives in Zeeland, Michigan
[8] Pastor Jeff Voorhees of the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan Dies from Car Accident Injuries
[9] First Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan Offers “Half Church” Service for Newcomers
[10] Church of Scotland Minister Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry
[11] CRC Distributes More Than US$1,500,000 from Sea to Sea Bike Tour 2008 to Worldwide Poverty-Fighting Programs
[12] EPC Ghana Calls for Peaceful December Elections
[13] Calvin Quincentenary Tour and Conferences in July 2009


[1] PCUSA Stated Clerk Accuses Presbyterian Lay Committee of Factual Errors and Misrepresentation

In an 18 November 2008 letter responding to a letter sent earlier in the same month by the Presbyterian Lay Committee (PLC) to 10,743 Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA) congregations, PCUSA Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons made several allegations of factual error and misrepresentation being contained in the PLC’s letter.

Parsons contested the PLC’s statement that presbyteries are suing local churches and, in some cases are naming their session members and trustees individually in an attempt to seize their property. Parsons also objected to the PLC’s statement that the 2008 General Assembly established a US$2,000,000 fund to support presbyteries in their litigation against local churches.

Parsons additionally took issue with the PLC’s statement that the heavy-handed tactics have been exacerbated by a recent ruling from the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. The PLC said, “Defying its own constitution, our denomination’s highest court has ruled that presbyteries can establish permanent commissions armed with the power to defrock your minister, remove your session, seize your property and even deny your congregation the right to hold a meeting.”

The PLC denied each of the allegations in specific detail, citing relevant PCUSA documents and court decisions.

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

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


[2] John Knox Presbytery Votes to Enroll Practicing Homosexual as Candidate for the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament

The John Knox Presbytery on 18 November 2008 voted to enroll practicing homosexual Scott Anderson as a candidate for the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA.

Anderson presented an “affirmation of conscience” to the presbytery containing biblical and theological arguments for his belief that ordination should be open to homosexual people in faithful, lifelong partnerships.

Anderson’s statement formally declared his disagreement with section G-60106b of the PCUSA’s Book of Order that limits ordination to those who “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”

The presbytery acted in accordance with the General Assembly’s 2006 authoritative interpretation of The Book of Order section G-60108, reaffirmed in 2008, that allows candidates to raise principled objections and reaffirms the presbytery’s responsibility to determine fitness of candidates on an individual basis.

John Knox Presbytery is a regional governing body of the PCUSA that includes 61 congregations and more than 110 ministers in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest and south central Wisconsin.

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


[3] Presbyterian Coalition Answers “Yes!” to Question: Is "Fidelity-Chastity" Still in Effect?

Due to confusion within the PCUSA about sexual standards for ordination because of General Assembly actions in 2006 and 2008 and a decision by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission in 2008 regarding section G-60106b of the PCUSA’s Book of Order that limits ordination to those who “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness,” The Presbyterian Coalition has published three articles by James Tony and Gordon Fish that seek to clarify these issues and demonstrate clearly that the Fidelity and Chastity amendment is still in effect.

+ The Presbyterian Coalition, 4604 Grove Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23226, 804-615-3243, office@presbycoalition.org

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


[4] EPC Gets No Reply from PCUSA About False Allegations of Recruiting Dissenting PCUSA Churches

At their 2008 General Assembly (GA), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) addressed accusations made against them by the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) that the EPC was recruiting churches to depart the PCUSA and come into the EPC.

The GA directed Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah to write a letter to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) about this situation, as it is through the EPC’s membership in the WARC that they are in correspondence with the PCUSA.

Jeremiah reiterated the EPC’s policy and practice of not soliciting, initiating contact, or recruiting churches and leaders who are outside of the denomination and requested that the WARC ask the PCUSA to cease its unwarranted accusations against the EPC.

The EPC General Assembly office has heard from the WARC on other recent issues, but as of 20 November 2008 they have yet to receive a reply to the letter regarding recruiting allegations.

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org

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

+ World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, warc@warc.ch


[5] WARC Leader Says Divisions Compromise Church’s Peace Message

During an address on 18 November 2008 to the ‘At the Civilisation of Peace – Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue’ conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, World Alliance of Reformed Churches General Secretary Setri Nyomi said that the Body of Christ is rendering its own peace message ineffective because of internal divisions and strife at a time when persistent threats to global peace and security make the quest for Christian unity more urgent than ever.

Nyomi stressed the successful role of ecumenical organizations as peace builders through their work in areas like economic injustice, poverty, disease, and environmental care.

+ Christian Today, 200 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB, England, 44-0-20-7378-5705, 44-0-20-7407-5647

+ World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, warc@warc.ch


[6] Wilmington, North Carolina Reformed Church Meets in Former Roman Catholic Church

The River City Reformed Church (RCRC) of Wilmington, North Carolina has been meeting for the past two years in the St. Thomas Preservation Hall, an events location that was once the home to St. Thomas the Apostle [Roman] Catholic Church.

RCRC bases their beliefs in the inerrancy of the Bible in its original manuscripts and in the statements of faith in the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
RCRC does outreach programs at the nearby beaches in the summer, and plans to attend anti-evolution events in response to the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Evolution Learning Community project in 2009 marking the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

RCRC is currently not connected with a denomination, but its leadership is receptive to the possibility of placing itself under the authority of, and affiliation with, other believers who have a compatible vision for sound doctrine, a zeal for Biblical instruction, and a reformed body life.

+ Star-News, Post Office Box 840, Wilmington, North Carolina 28402, 910-343-2000, bob.gruber@starnewsonline.com

+ River City Reformed Church, 208 Dock Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401, 910-520-0272, Fax: 910-343-4317, rcrcnc@gmail.com


[7] Kenyan Women’s Ministry Representatives in Zeeland, Michigan

The Rev. Judy Mbugua and Alice Muigai do women’s missions work in Kibera, Kenya under the sponsorship of I.N. Network USA of Zeeland, Michigan. Mbugua and Muigai are currently in Michigan meeting with schools, civic organizations, and churches - including Hamilton Reformed Church of Hamilton, Michigan where they will be speaking at 9:30 AM on 30 November 2008.

Mbugua and Muigai are promoting a new child-sponsorship program that will help provide food, medication and school supplies to about 60 children in Kibera. Muigai says that, "Most of the kids in Kibera are orphaned, and food is a big challenge. They do not have mothers and fathers to take care of the education need.” Muigai also talked about the continuing generational poverty in Kibera, describing it as, “out of control.”

Mbugua described the current "Obama-mania" in Kenya fueled by the November 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama. People are happy because "Obama is a child of Kenya," she said, and women from his family's village hope the president-elect can get them new teeth.

Mbugua too said that unless Obama "becomes a man after God's own heart" and other U.S. Christians follow, tourism may be Kenya's only gain from [Obama’s] election.

+ The Grand Rapids Press, 155 Michigan Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, 616-222-5818, dgaydou@grpress.com

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


[8] Pastor Jeff Voorhees of the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan Dies from Car Accident Injuries

Pastor Jeff Voorhees, age 37, of the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan died 21 November 2008 from injuries sustained in a car accident.

He is survived by his wife Katie and four children: Calvin, Hannah, Felicity and Gabriel.

Funeral services were held 25 November 2008 at the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church.

+ Holland Sentinel, 54 West 8th Street, Holland, Michigan 49423, 616-546-4200, Fax: 616-393-6710, peter.esser@hollandsentinel.com

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org


[9] First Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan Offers “Half Church” Service for Newcomers

The First Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan is offering a special casual gathering called ‘Half Church’ on Sunday mornings in an effort to make it easy for newcomers to check out their programs and feel at ease.

‘Half Church’ consists of a video of the morning’s sermon from the earlier service, along with coffee, refreshments, and an informal opportunity to discuss and ask questions of the pastors and the church staff.
Senior Pastor Dan Gillett said that worship services today are more interactive, and reflect the true meaning of the word liturgy, which is, “the work of the people. Hopefully, we will promote interaction between the people and God.”
+ Holland Sentinel, 54 West 8th Street, Holland, Michigan 49423, 616-546-4200, Fax: 616-393-6710, peter.esser@hollandsentinel.com

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


[10] Church of Scotland Minister Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry

On Sunday 16 November 2008, the congregation of Monifieth Parish Church of Scotland joined with the Rev. Donald Fraser at a special service to celebrate his 50 years in the ministry.

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

+ Carnoustie Guide & Gazette, 21 Market Place, Arbroath DD11 1HR, Scotland, 01241-872274


[11] CRC Distributes More Than US$1,500,000 from Sea to Sea Bike Tour 2008 to Worldwide Poverty-Fighting Programs

On 14 November 2008, the Christian Reformed Church distributed more than US$1,500,000 to poverty-fighting programs worldwide, including helping to build a Christian school in the Dominican Republic, equipping business leaders with the tools to share their skills with cross-cultural partners, and improving communities in Sierra Leone.

220 bicycle riders participated in the summer 2008 journey that began in Seattle, Washington, and traveled through a portion of Canada on the way to the New Jersey shore tour terminus.

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org


[12] EPC Ghana Calls for Peaceful December Elections

Speaking on the topic of ‘The Need for Peace’ at a 22 November 2008 breakfast meeting in Accra, Ghana, the Rev. Daniel. Y. Bruce of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana called on Ghanaians to ensure peace during the December elections. Bruce warned against any deliberate attempt by individuals or groups to ignore the call for peace.

Bruce urged Ghanaians to collaborate with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders in the electoral process for credible polls. Presbyter Emmanuel Danku, president of West Volta Presbytery Presbyters Union, urged Ghanaians to elect faithful, humble and wise persons as leaders on 7 December. He called for peaceful elections, saying women and children were always most affected during political violence.

+ 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


[13] Calvin Quincentenary Tour and Conferences in July 2009

Several Reformed seminaries and organizations are sponsoring a Calvin Quincentenary celebration with a tour and conferences in Paris and Strasbourg, France, and in Bern and Geneva, Switzerland in July 2009 to celebrate the 500^th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin on July 10, 1509.

Additionally, Calvin College is providing a comprehensive list of Calvin Quincentenary events.

+ Calvin 500.org, 4635 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-422-4974, David.Hall@calvin500.org

+ Calvin College 3201 Burton Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, 616-526-6000

19 November 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Presbyterian Church in Ireland Publishes Insolvency Statement from the Directors of the Presbyterian Mutual Society
[2] Russia Planning to Shut Down 56 Major Religious Organizations
[3] Evangelical Church Service in Lansing, Michigan Disrupted by Homosexual Activists
[4] URC Classis Southwest Meeting Scheduled for 14 January 2009 at First United Reformed Church, Chino, California
[5] Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Appeals for Prayer Concerning Abuse of Justice and Violation of Human Rights
[6] EPC Commission Proposes a Permanent, Non-Geographic Affinity Presbytery for Former PCUSA Churches
[7] St. Andrew's United Reformed Church of Roundhay, England Contributes to WW1 Memorial Poppy Field in Flanders, Belgium
[8] Stellenbosch Libertas Choir to Perform 28 November 2008 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Franschhoek, South Africa
[9] St. Peter's Reformed Church of Zelienople, Pennsylvania Celebrates 150th Anniversary
[10] First Alaska Native Presbyterian Minister the Rev. Walter Soboleff Turns 100
[11] Pressly Memorial Church (ARP) Celebrates 100^th Anniversary on 7 December 2008
[12] United Free Church of Scotland Names Next Moderator
[13] Former Church of Scotland Minister and Policeman Roderick Sangster Found Guilty of Bigamy and Forgery


[1] Presbyterian Church in Ireland Publishes Insolvency Statement from the Directors of the Presbyterian Mutual Society

On 12 November 2008, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) published a Statement from the Directors of the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS) saying, “that because of the current exceptional financial circumstances it is unable to meet the demand from its shareholders for withdrawal of funds.”

The PMS, a separate legal entity from the PCI, was formed in 1982 to operate for the benefit of its members and the PCI at large.

The PMS receives money from shareholders to whom are paid a dividend, makes loans to churches and private individuals, and makes investments in commercial property in England and Scotland from which it derives rental income.

The PMS Directors further stated that they “are continuing to take independent legal and financial advice and are actively exploring all possible ways of resolving the situation and ensuring that the funds it holds on behalf of all its shareholders are protected.”

+ Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church House, Belfast BT1 6DW, Northern Ireland, 028-9032-2284, Fax: 028-9041-7301, Info@PresbyterianIreland.org


[2] Russia Planning to Shut Down 56 Major Religious Organizations

On 12 November 2008, Forum 18 News Service announced that Russia, in mid-October 2008, published a list of 56 centralized religious organizations scheduled to be shut down, apparently for not submitting correct accounting information to the Justice Ministry.

The list of church organizations to be liquidated include Old Believer, Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Protestant, Nestorian, Muslim and Buddhist organizations.

More than half of all centralized religious organizations in Russia belong to the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), but no Russian Orthodox organizations are included on the liquidation list.
Religious rights lawyer Vladimir Ryakhovsky of the Moscow-based Slavic Centre for Law and Justice told Forum 18 News Service that the Russian Orthodox organizations were forewarned by the Justice Ministry about their accounting report problems.

Russia's constitution since 1993 guarantees equality before the law for all religious associations.

+ Forum 18 News Service, Postboks 6603, Rodeløkka, N-0502 Oslo, Norway, f18news@editor.forum18.org

+ Russian Orthodox Church, 75 East 93rd Street, New York, New York 10128, 212-534-1601, englishinfo@russianorthodoxchurch.ws


[3] Evangelical Church Service in Lansing, Michigan Disrupted by Homosexual Activists

Members of the homosexual activist group Bash Back Lansing disrupted the 9 November 2008 morning service at the Bible-believing, evangelical Mount Hope Church in Lansing, Michigan, “with banners, chants, blasphemy, by storming the pulpit, by vandalizing the church facility, by potentially defiling the building with lewd, public, sex acts and by intentionally forcing physical confrontations with worshipers” according to Right Michigan blogger Nick De Leeuw.

Organizers of the disruption characterized Mount Hope Church as “a well-known anti-queer, anti-choice radical right wing establishment," and used their blogs to call “on ‘queers and trannies’ from across the state and the region to converge on Lansing for what they refer to as an ‘action.’ ”

De Leeuw responded, “for the record, [Mount Hope Church] is an evangelical, bible believing church whose members provide free 24 hour counseling, prayer lines, catastrophic care for families dealing with medical emergencies, support groups for men, women and children dealing with a wide variety of life's troubles, crisis intervention, marriage ministries, regular, organized volunteer work in and around the city, missions in dozens of countries across the globe, a construction ministry that has built over 100 churches, schools, orphanages and other projects all over the world and an in-depth prison ministry that reaches out, touches and helps the men and women the rest of society fears the most. They also teach respect for all human life and the Biblical sanctity of marriage as an institution between one man and one woman.”

+ Right Michigan


[4] URC Classis Southwest Meeting Scheduled for 14 January 2009 at First United Reformed Church, Chino, California

Classis Southwest of the United Reformed Churches in North America will meet on 14 January 2009 at the First United Reformed Church of Chino, California.

+ 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


[5] Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Appeals for Prayer Concerning Abuse of Justice and Violation of Human Rights

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) on 11 November 2008 issued an appeal to the “global church family” asking for prayer concerning abuse of justice and violation of human rights by the ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang KMT).

The PCT further states that since coming to power in early 2008, the KMT have jailed without charges members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, and have negotiated and signed agreements with the Peoples Republic of China to the detriment of the legal process, Taiwan's sovereignty, and to democracy in Taiwan.

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115

+ Presbyterian Church in Taiwan


[6] EPC Commission Proposes a Permanent, Non-Geographic Affinity Presbytery for Former PCUSA Churches

The New Wineskins/Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Transitional Presbytery Commission is proposing that a permanent, non-geographic affinity presbytery be considered at the EPC’s 2009 General Assembly.

The main issue behind the proposal is the issue of the ordination of women as teaching elders. In the EPC, there are currently two presbyteries that prohibit women teaching elders, two that will not use gender as a consideration in approving ministers and candidates, two others who have a procedure in place that allows consideration of women ministers and candidates without violating conscience, and two that are still working on the issue and will have come to a conclusion by the second week of February 2009.

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org


[7] St. Andrew's United Reformed Church of Roundhay, England Contributes to WW1 Memorial Poppy Field in Flanders, Belgium

St. Andrew's United Reformed Church of Roundhay, Leeds, England, has donated to the Royal British Legion's planting of a field of poppies beside the Menin Gate in Ypres (Ieper) in Flanders, Belgium for the 90th anniversary of the end of First World War on 11 November 2008.

The dedication reads: "St. Andrew's Roundhay United Reformed Church, Leeds remembers those in our family who gave their lives in the 1st World War and subsequent conflicts."

300 people attended St. Andrew's remembrance service.

+ Leeds Weekly News, Yorkshire Post Newspapers, Post Office Box 168, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 1RF, England, 0113-2388637, sheila.holmes@ypn.co.uk

+ United Reformed Church, Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT, England, 020-7916-2020, Fax: 020-7916-2021, urc@urc.org.uk


[8] Stellenbosch Libertas Choir to Perform 28 November 2008 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Franschhoek, South Africa

The Stellenbosch Libertas Choir will perform at the Dutch Reformed Church in Franschhoek, South Africa on 28 November 2008.

Works to be performed include Vespers by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Navidad Nuestra by Ariel Ramirez.

Tickets are ZAR110 which includes light refreshments afterwards in the church hall.

The Stellenbosch Libertas Choir was established in January 1989 to promote a spirit of trust and unity in a country characterized by divisions.

+ Paarl Post, Post Office Box 248, Paarl 7620, South Africa, 27-21-870-3700, Fax:27-21-872-9280, edit@ppost.co.za

+ Dutch Reformed Church, Posbus 13528, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa, 27-0-12-342-0092, Fax: 27-0-12-342-0380, algemenesinode@ngkerk.org.za


[9] St. Peter's Reformed Church of Zelienople, Pennsylvania Celebrates 150th Anniversary

St. Peter's Reformed Church of Zelienople, Pennsylvania celebrated its 150^th anniversary 15-16 November 2008.

St. Peter's opened in November 1858 when 40 families formed the German Evangelical Protestant United Congregation.

The church changed its denominational affiliation several times, lastly in 1998 when it left the theologically liberal United Church of Christ and affiliated with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

St. Peter's today offers a puppet ministry, senior choirs, bell choirs and a youth ministry.

+ Pittsburgh Tribune Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, 412-321–6460

+ Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, 8941 Highway 5, Lake Elmo, Minnesota, 651-739-1474, Fax: 651-739-0750


[10] First Alaska Native Presbyterian Minister the Rev. Walter Soboleff Turns 100

The Rev. Walter Soboleff, the first Alaska Native Presbyterian minister, turned 100 on 14 November 2008.

Soboleff is the grandson of a Russian Orthodox priest who immigrated to Alaska, whose son married a Tlingit woman who bore Soboleff in 1908 in the now-extinct Alaskan village named Killisnoo.

In 1940, Soboleff became the first Alaska native ordained to the ministry in the Presbyterian Church. He was the first preacher in Alaska to have his sermons broadcast live on radio, and was the co-founder of the first Alaska native organization to work for the preservation of native language and culture.

Soboleff is still very active, travelling regularly between his home in Juneau and Sitka where his wife lives in a nursing home. He preaches regularly and is a fixture on radio and television, fiercely defending native Alaskans rights and culture and gently calling people to forswear the material for the sake of the spiritual.

Soboleff comments, “It’s Jesus that makes these things happen, and whatever Jesus has made me do makes me feel so good.”

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


[11] Pressly Memorial Church (ARP) Celebrates 100^th Anniversary on 7 December 2008

On Sunday, 7 December 2008, Pressly Memorial Church (Associate Reformed Presbyterian) in Statesville, North Carolina, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Dr. Robby Bell, Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary, will be guest speaker at the 11:00 morning worship service. A covered dish lunch will follow in the church fellowship hall. All former members of Pressly Memorial Church are invited to attend.

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


[12] United Free Church of Scotland Names Next Moderator

Former Moray, Scotland minister, the Rev. Martin Keane, has been named as the next moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland (UFCS). Keane will take up his post at the General Assembly meeting in Perth, Scotland in June 2009.

Keane has served the UFCS as moderator of the Aberdeen and the North Presbytery, and subsequently as clerk to the Presbytery of the North and is currently clerk to the Presbytery of the East. In 2002 he was appointed principal clerk to the General Assembly.

+ The Northern Scot, 74-76 South Street, Elgin, Moray IV30 1JG, Scotland, 01343-548777, Fax: 01343-545629, editor@northern-scot.co.uk

+ United Free Church of Scotland, Rev. John O Fulton - General Secretary, 11 Newton Place, Glasgow G3 7PR, Scotland, 0141-332-3435, Fax: 0141-333-1973, gensec@ufcos.org.uk


[13] Former Church of Scotland Minister and Policeman Roderick Sangster Found Guilty of Bigamy and Forgery

Roderick Sangster, a former Church of Scotland minister, policeman, and most recently a hotel worker, was on 13 November 2008 convicted of bigamy and forgery by a jury in Warwick, England Crown Court.

Sangster's sentencing was postponed until 5 December in hope that he would be located and taken into custody - as he failed to appear for his trial.

Judge Marten Coates told the jury that bigamy was not a common offence, and that it was the first bigamy case he had dealt with in 35 years as a barrister and Judge. Coates too quoted Oscar Wilde's quip: "Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same."

+ Warwick Courier, 32 Hamilton Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 4LY, England, 01926-457777

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

12 November 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Presbyterian News Service Reporter Evan Silverstein Dead at 42
[2] Death of the Rev. Louis H. Evans Jr.
[3] AmeriCorps, Youth Ministries, and Reformed Churches Serving At-Risk Youth in Holland, Michigan
[4] Christian Reformed Church Internet Ministry Helps Those Dying for their Faith
[5] New Interfaith Coalition Fighting U.S. Treasury Department’s Promotion of Shariah-Compliant Finance
[6] Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, Illinois Votes to Leave for the Province of the Southern Cone
[7] 3rd Annual Midwest Homeschool Convention Set for Cincinnati on 16-18 April 2009
[8] Marriage Wins in Three More States
[9] Death Threat Issued To Operation Rescue In Wake Of Obama Election Victory
[10] Church Has Home Prayers Answered
[11] Covenant Network of Presbyterians Meeting Buoys Efforts to Remove the PCUSA’s Constitutional Ban on Ordaining Practicing Homosexuals
[12] Two California PCUSA Churches Vote to Leave and Join EPC
[13] Ghana Presbyterians Will "Church and Vote" on Election Day
[14] EPC Ghana Changes Moves Sunday Worship to Saturday Evening to Accommodate Elections


[1] Presbyterian News Service Reporter Evan Silverstein Dead at 42

Evan Silverstein, 42, a reporter who served the PCUSA for the past ten years as senior reporter for the Presbyterian News Service (PNS), died 9 November 2008 in his Louisville, Kentucky home, apparently of natural causes.

During his PNS tenure, Silverstein received several Associated Church Press awards for his writing.

Silverstein’s funeral service was held 11 November in Louisville, Kentucky.

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


[2] Death of the Rev. Louis H. Evans Jr.

The Rev. Louis H. Evans Jr., 82, died 29 October 2008 at his home in Fresno, California.

Evans was the organizing pastor of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California and later was the pastor of the National Presbyterian Church in Washington DC.

Evans is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Colleen; three sons, Jamie, Dan, and Tim; a daughter, Luanda Goodrich; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Lolly Deats and Marily Demarest.

A memorial service was held 1 November at First Presbyterian Church of Fresno where son Jamie is the pastor.

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


[3] AmeriCorps, Youth Ministries, and Reformed Churches Serving At-Risk Youth in Holland, Michigan

Several recent college graduates are serving at-risk youth in Holland, Michigan through programs at various Reformed churches managed by AmeriCorps and its youth ministry partners.

Designed for youth from low income families or those with behavioral problems, the churches provide a supervised and safe location where the youths can engage in recreational activities, get a snack, be tutored, talk with a youth ministry worker, or just hang out.

Churches and ministries around Holland, Michigan, supporting AmeriCorps at-risk youth programs include Calvary Reformed Church, Good Samaritan Ministries, Hardewyk Christian Reformed Church, Maple Avenue Ministries, Rose Park Reformed Church and Urban Youth Ministries.

+ The Grand Rapids Press, 155 Michigan Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, 616-222-5818, dgaydou@grpress.com

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org

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


[4] Christian Reformed Church Internet Ministry Helps Those Dying for their Faith

Worldwide Faith News reports that the Christian Reformed Church’s (CRC) Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI), by strategic use of media, is able to provide encouragement to Christians facing persecution, imprisonment, and even death for their faith in countries including Yemen and Indonesia.

BTGMI broadcasts to at least 190 countries including 32 of the 35 countries where oppression of Christians is the most severe.

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org


[5] New Interfaith Coalition Fighting U.S. Treasury Department’s Promotion of Shariah-Compliant Finance

The Coalition to Stop Shariah (CSS), a new coalition of public policy organizations, human rights activists, and religious groups, held a press conference 6 November 2008 to challenge the U.S. Treasury Department’s sponsorship of a training seminar for government employees on managing U.S. financial assets in compliance with Shariah Law. Shariah-Compliant Finance has been described by its leading practitioners as “financial jihad” against the United States.

The CSS called upon the U.S. Treasury to cancel the seminar it is co-sponsoring the afternoon of 6 November with the country’s most prominent academic boosters of Shariah-Compliant Finance: Harvard University Law School’s Islamic Finance Project.

In addition to calling on the U.S. Treasury to cancel the indoctrination session, the CSS called upon the agency to cease its efforts to promote Shariah-Compliant Finance and to recognize Shariah Law for what it is - sedition - and treat it accordingly by, among other things, banning its application to U.S. financial institutions and products.

Members of the Coalition include Concerned Women for America, ACT for America, Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity, the Zionist Organization of America, Traditional Values Coalition, Center for Security Policy, Endowment for Middle East Truth, Unity Coalition for Israel, Let Freedom Ring, Christian Solidarity International, Tradition Family & Property Inc., Women United, Jewish Action Alliance, Florida Security Council, Society of Americans for National Existence and the Center for Security Policy.

+ Canada Free Press, 49 Elm Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1H1, 416-977-0183


[6] Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, Illinois Votes to Leave for the Province of the Southern Cone

On 8 November 2008, the annual Synod of the Diocese of Quincy, Illinois voted overwhelmingly to leave The Episcopal Church (TEC) and to join the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone.

The vote to leave TEC was carried by 41 votes to 14 by the clergy and by 54 votes to 12 by the laity. The decision to join the Province of the Southern Cone on a temporary basis was approved by 46 votes to 4 by the clergy and by 55 votes to 8 by the laity.

The resolution to leave stated that the General Convention and leaders of TEC "have failed to uphold the teaching and authority of Holy Scripture, have challenged or belittled core doctrines of the Christian faith, have refused to conform to the agreed teaching and discipline of the Anglican faith, have refused to conform to the agreed teaching and discipline of the Anglican Communion, and have rejected the godly counsel of the leaders of the Communion."

The Province of the Southern Cone includes the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. It also includes former members of the San Joaquin and Pittsburgh dioceses of TEC.

+ 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


[7] 3rd Annual Midwest Homeschool Convention Set for Cincinnati on 16-18 April 2009

The 3rd Annual Midwest Homeschool Convention is scheduled for 16-18 April 2009 at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Exhibitors will include approximately 200 vendors of homeschool curricula, and there will be a full schedule of workshops and seminars.

The Midwest Homeschool Convention is a Christian event that is designed to offer support to current homeschoolers, as well as provide information to those families considering home education for their children.

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


[8] Marriage Wins in Three More States

Citizens voting in California, Florida, and Arizona passed constitutional amendments to protect marriage, raising to 30 the number of states that define marriage as between one man and one woman.

Homosexual activists in California responded by protesting in the streets and filing three lawsuits.

Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America commented, "California judges provoked the voters to pass this marriage amendment by ignoring the referendum that was passed in 2000 to define marriage as between one man and one woman. If a judge ignores California's citizens a second time, the damage would go beyond imposing same-sex 'marriage.' It would destroy trust in the judicial system. In demanding that they get their way, homosexual activists are threatening public safety and the integrity of our system of government."

+ Concerned Women for America, 1015 Fifteenth Street Northwest, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20005, 202-488-7000, Fax: 202-488-0806


[9] Death Threat Issued To Operation Rescue In Wake Of Obama Election Victory

Operation Rescue received a death threat on 5 November 2008 through its web site from a pro-abortion supporter emboldened by Senator Barack Obama’s election victory. The threat has been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The threat indicated that any act of “anti-abortion terror” would be “ANSWERED IN KIND BY PRO-CHOICE COUNTERTERRORISTS, who will mount violent attacks against right-to-lifers.” [Emphasis theirs.]

Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said, “We are not new to these kinds of threats, and will not succumb to any attempts at intimidation, because the lives of innocent babies hang in the balance every day. We encourage pro-lifers around the nation to stand firm for the cause of life, especially in the face of impending adversity in a potentially hostile political environment. God is our Protector and we must trust in Him.”

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


[10] Church Has Home Prayers Answered

Thornwood Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) had gathered for services in a school in Patrick, Glasgow, Scotland since forming in 2000 until an Assembly of Christian Brethren congregation gave them a church building in nearby Knightswood worth an estimated UK£500,000.

The Brethren congregation’s numbers had dwindled and their pastor became ill, so they decided that they should give the church building to another evangelical congregation rather than have it remain vacant or possibly become a night club.

Thornwood’s pastor the Rev. William Macleod commented, “We could never have afforded such a suitable building. I have never heard of any other example like this."

+ BBC, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, England, Fax: 020-8008-2398

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


[11] Covenant Network of Presbyterians Meeting Buoys Efforts to Remove the PCUSA’s Constitutional Ban on Ordaining Practicing Homosexuals

At their 6-8 November 2008 meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Covenant Network of Presbyterians (CNP) attendees, buoyed by actions of the 218^th General Assembly to relax the constitutional prohibition of ordaining practicing homosexuals, worked toward furthering that goal.

CNP national organizer Tricia Dykers-Koenig stated, “Every single announced goal of the Covenant Network was realized at the Assembly…”

The CNP since 1997 has worked to overturn the PCUSA constitutional provision adopted in 1996 which requires of those being ordained, “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”

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


[12] Two California PCUSA Churches Vote to Leave and Join EPC

Members of First Presbyterian Church in Fresno, California, and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clovis, California, voted 2 November 2008 to leave the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church due to the PCUSA’s denial of scriptural authority and its efforts to allow the ordination of homosexuals. Unidentified PCUSA officials said that they expect other PCUSA churches to follow suit.

More than 100 churches have left the PCUSA since the July 2008 218^th General Assembly vote to drop the requirement that those to be ordained maintain “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”

+ San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95190, 408-920-5000, Fax: 408-288-8060, webfeedback@mercurynews.com

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

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org


[13] Ghana Presbyterians Will "Church and Vote" on Election Day

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) the Rt. Rev Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso said that the PCG will not change its day of worship because of the 7 December 2008 election that falls on a Sunday.

The moderator urged Christians to continue to pray for a peaceful, fair, and transparent election.

+ Ghanadot.com, The ProfileAfrica Group, 9466 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA, 240-450-3341, Fax: 240-450-3342, publisher@ghanadot.com

+ Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Post Office Box GP 1800, Accra, Ghana, 233-021-662511, Fax: 233-21-665594, pcghg@yahoo.com


[14] EPC Ghana Changes Moves Sunday Worship to Saturday Evening to Accommodate Elections

A pastoral letter signed by the Rt. Rev. Frank Anku, the out-going Clerk of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, directs its chapels throughout the country to remain closed on election day Sunday, 7 December 2008 and instead hold their worship services the previous evening.

The letter said that the decision was made to afford Church members the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

+ Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Post Office Box GP 1633, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-786567, Fax: 233-21-773247, dg@gbcghana.com

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

5 November 2008

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] PCA Logo Design Proposals Solicited
[2] Union Theological Seminary NYC to Install New President
[3] 25th Anniversary Western Reformed Seminary Journal Available
[4] Evangelical Presbyterian Church Names New World Outreach Director
[5] Reformed Faith Comforts Soldiers
[6] First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Mississippi Breaks Ground
[7] Church of Scotland Moderator Says China's One-Child Policy Good for Planet
[8] Church of Scotland Chooses New Moderator
[9] Church of Scotland Sublets Office Space to House of Prostitution
[10] Association for Church Renewal Announces 9-10 March 2009 Meeting


[1] PCA Logo Design Proposals Solicited

The Subcommittee for the PCA Historical Center is putting the matter of a logo or seal for the PCA before the entire denomination and is soliciting designs and proposals from members in good standing within the PCA.

Further information on this design contest is available at http://www.pcahistory.org/logo/index.html

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


[2] Union Theological Seminary NYC to Install New President

On 17 November 2008, the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones will be installed as the first woman president of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (UTSNYC).

Dr. Jones is a feminist theologian who is an ordained minister in both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.

Prior to her appointment as UTSNYC’s president, Jones spent 17 years as a member of the Yale Divinity School theology faculty. Additionally, Jones held appointments at Yale Law School and at Yale University in the Department of African American Studies, and served as the chair of Yale University's Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program.

+ Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, 3041 Broadway at 121st Street, New York, New York 10027, 212-662-7100, ContactUs@uts.columbia.edu


[3] 25th Anniversary Western Reformed Seminary Journal Available

The 25th Anniversary issue of the Western Reformed Seminary Journal is being printed and is currently available online at http://www.wrs.edu/journals/volume_15-2.htm.

Most of the articles are testimonies of WRS graduates, showing how their seminary training has been foundational for their ministries in very practical ways.

Articles are by John Dyck, Steve Brinegar, Len Pine, Tito Lyro, Laurie Copeland, Roland Porter, John Galle, Richard Perelaz, and Eric Lasch, with a concluding reprint of a famous article by B. B. Warfield on the importance of seminary education.

+ Western Reformed Seminary, 5 South G Street, Tacoma, Washington 98405, 877-977-2255, Fax: 253-627-4882, lensch@wrs.edu

+ Bible Presbyterian Church


[4] Evangelical Presbyterian Church Names New World Outreach Director

On 27 October 2008, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Committee on Administration unanimously approved a call to the Rev. George Carey to become EPC Director of World Outreach.

Carey is currently the pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Aurora, Colorado, where he has served since October 2003.

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 North Laurel Park Drive Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152, 734-742-2020, Fax: 734-742-2033, webmaster@epc.org


[5] Reformed Faith Comforts Soldiers

In a recent interview with Chris Meehan of Christian Reformed Church Communications, US Army Chaplain Captain Peter Hofman spoke about his experiences while he was stationed at a fire base near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Chaplain Hofman related that even in the midst of the danger he and the soldiers of his battalion continually faced, he was able to preach from his heart about God’s sovereignty over them and their experiences.

Chaplain Hofman described his three main missions as being to nurture the living, to care for the dying, and to honor the dead.

+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org


[6] First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Mississippi Breaks Ground

On 26 October 2008, the First Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Gulfport, Mississippi broke ground for the construction of a new church to replace their former church that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The new 25,000 square foot church building will have an education wing, a worship wing, office space and a gymnasium.

Approximately one-third of the church members lost everything during Hurricane Katrina.

+ WLOX, 208 DeBuys Road, Biloxi, Mississippi 39531, 228-896-1313, Fax: 228-896-0749, wlox@wlox.com

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


[7] Church of Scotland Moderator Says China's One-Child Policy Good for Planet

Church of Scotland General Assembly Moderator the Right Reverend David Lunan says that China’s enforcement of rules limiting couples to having one child has, effectively, limited damage to the planet.

Concerns about abortion and female infanticide in China have led human rights campaigners and religious groups to oppose China’s one-child rule enacted in 1979, and more recently to condemn Lunan’s remarks.

Lunan became Church of Scotland General Assembly Moderator in May 2008, and is the father of four children.

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

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


[8] Church of Scotland Chooses New Moderator

On 28 October 2008, the Rev. William Hewitt was elected moderator-designate for the Church of Scotland.

Hewitt is the minister of Westburn Church in Greenock, and an enthusiast of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard. Hewitt is a former president of the 200-year-old Greenock Burns Club and a frequent speaker at Burns-related events.

+ InverclydeNow, 44-0-1475-631-100, contact@inverclydenow.com

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


[9] Church of Scotland Sublets Office Space to House of Prostitution

Edinburgh, Scotland police are investigating a house of prostitution operating as a sauna in office space sublet by the Church of Scotland (CoS) when they vacated the premises in July 2008.

CoS officials confirm their lease of the building on Young Street in Edinburgh, Scotland to a Liverpool, England company that told the CoS the facilities would be used as offices.

+ The Daily Record, One Central Quay, Glasgow G3 8DA0141, Scotland, 0141-309-3000, Fax: 0141-309-3645, readerseditor@dailyrecord.co.uk

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


[10] Association for Church Renewal Announces 9-10 March 2009 Meeting

The Association for Church Renewal (ACR) will next be meeting 9-10 March 2009 at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, Arlington, Virginia near Washington DC.

In conjunction with the upcoming meeting, the ACR is prayerfully considering a joint statement to the press and the church called, "Declaring a state of Crisis in the North American Church and a call for Repentance and Renewal".

The ACR additionally is considering a joint statement calling for mainline denominational personnel to cease and desist from bringing lawsuits against congregations and jurisdictions that are alienated from their authority by conscience and their commitment to be faithful to Jesus Christ.

+ Association For Church Renewal, Post Office Box 102, 182 High Street, Candia, New Hampshire 03034, 603-867-7711, Renewall.acr@gmail.com