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