26 September 2007

Headlines:

[1] DRC Sri Lanka Changes Name
[2] Gerald W. Sovereign
[3] Presbyterians Today To Remain Under GAC
[4] New Persian Bible Translation
[5] Murphy Presbyterian Church Turns EPC
[6] Phillip Radmer Could Get 16 Years for Fraud
[7] Rex Humbard Pioneer TV Evangelist
[8] Gay Partnership No Block to Office Says Norwegian Church Body
[9] Odenor St. Cyr[
[10] American Brethren Turn 300
[11] Christians in Chiapas, Mexico Town Deprived of Water


[1] DRC Sri Lanka Changes Name

After several years of waiting, the Sri Lankan Parliament has passed a bill officially changing the name of the Dutch Reformed Church to the Christian Reformed Church. The church had decided to change its name earlier, hoping to have it completed by its 350th anniversary in 1992. However, it needed a private members motion in Parliament to make the change legal, and such motions are considered only rarely.

The CRCSL wanted its new name to present a clearer identity. During the Dutch occupation the church was the home for the colonialists and for the class known as Burghers, who mostly worked in civil service. In the last few decades, however, even as the Burgher class declined, the church has expanded into both the Sinhalese and the Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. Services now occur in all three languages each Sunday.

Because Christians are a minority, the CRCSL determines it would be a more effective witness to have the word Christian in its name instead of Dutch. Still, the leaders retain an appreciation for their heritage.

The CRCSL President, Roshan Mendis, wrote in a letter announcing the change, "We certainly thank God for our ‘Dutch’ roots and for the ‘faith of our fathers and mothers,’ and trust the Lord to lead us in this ‘life changing moment.’"

+ Christian Reformed Church in Sri Lanka, c/o 363, Galle Road, Colombo 6, Sri Lanka


[2] Gerald W. Sovereign

Ruling elder Gerald W. Sovereign, 82, died 23 August 23, 2007 in Daytona, Florida. Mr. Sovereign was the moderator of the 15th Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly (1987). A member of Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, Florida, Sovereign is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen.

+ Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church, 1705 Taylor Road, Port Orange, FL 32128


[3] Presbyterians Today To Remain Under GAC

The General Assembly Council (GAC) unanimously approved a report that keeps Presbyterians Today (PT) magazine under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and not under Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC). The vote came during the opening day of work of the GAC meeting in Louisville 17-21 September and takes the monthly magazine off the hotplate of uncertainty about its future.

The task force “unanimously concluded that the GAC should retain control of the magazine,” the group said in its report. The Presbyterians Today Task Force was appointed in 2006 by the GAC executive committee to study an offer by the PPC to take over publication of Presbyterian’s Today.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396 (888) 728-7228


[4] New Persian Bible Translation

"Today's Persian Version” was officially dedicated in Istanbul, Turkey, in August. The last Persian translation of the Bible was done in the 1890s. Persian is the language of more than 100 million people worldwide, with the majority of them living in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

The translation was a project of United Bible Societies, a world fellowship of Bible societies. The New Testament appeared in 1975 and work then began on the Old Testament. The project was interrupted in 1980 and did not resume again until 1991.

The Presbyterian Church sent missionaries to Iran in the middle of the 19th Century.

+ Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG United Kingdom

[5] Murphy Presbyterian Church Turns EPC

The Murphy Presbyterian Church has transferred into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The congregation joins a migration which began in 1981 and has gained speed as the Presbyterian Church (USA) has declined.

Murphy obtained title to its property in exchange for US$10,000, to be paid to the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Presbytery commissioners voted 31 July to let the congregation go in exchange for a US$2,000 payment each year for five years to the presbytery's mission initiative.

+ Murphy Presbyterian Church. 252 Valley River Ave. Murphy, NC 28906-2921


[6] Phillip Radmer Could Get 16 Years for Fraud

Disbarred lawyer Phillip Radmer was found guilty 23 September of stealing land from a South Side church. Prosecutors alleged Radmer sold land that legally belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago and reaped more than US$600,000 from the bogus transactions. After a three-day bench trial, Cook County Judge Stanley Sacks agreed.

"For Sale by Non-Owner -- that's the five-word biography of Phillip Radmer," Sacks said according to reports published by the Chicago Sun-Times First Presbyterian, at 6400 S. Kimbark, owns several vacant lots on the South Side. According to prosecutors, Radmer formed his own corporation called First Presbyterian Church of Chicago and sold four of the lots to people who did not exist. The land was then sold back to a company Radmer controlled.

When confronted by authorities, Radmer allegedly claimed to have a philosophical objection to churches not paying real estate taxes. Records show that First Presbyterian was paying taxes. The Rev. Jerry Wise, pastor of the 174-year-old church, said it discovered the sales in part because it began receiving fewer tax bills.

Radmer, 53, faces up to 16 years in prison after being convicted of forgery and theft by deception.

+ First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 6400 S. Kimbark Ave, Chicago (773) 363-0505

[7] Rex Humbard Pioneer TV Evangelist

Alpha Rex Emmanuel Humbard, who has been called the world's first televangelist, and who conducted the funeral of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 88. A former itinerant preacher who settled in Akron, Ohio, in the early 1950s, Humbard was the first US evangelist to build a ministry through television programming. He made his first on-screen broadcast in 1949, the BBC reported after Humbard's death on 21 September. "The vast majority of people do not go to church and the only way we can reach them is through TV," Humbard explained in his autobiography, "Miracles in My Life".

By 1952, Rex Humbard was broadcasting weekly to millions of viewers from his 5,400 seat church the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio. His weekly program was carried for nearly three decades by 360 stations across the US and Canada and over 2,000 stations worldwide in 91 languages.

+ Ecumenical News International, PO Box 2100, CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland

+ Cathedral of Tomorrow, 2700 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio


[8] Gay Partnership No Block to Office Says Norwegian Church Body

The national council of the (Lutheran) Church of Norway is recommending to the denomination's general synod that it allow homosexuals in registered partnerships to serve as bishops, priests, deacons, or catechists. However, a bishop should still be able to refuse to ordain people in same-sex registered partnerships if the bishop believes it would be a violation of church teaching to do so, the council stated.

Current Church of Norway policy is that people in same-sex partnerships should not hold consecrated offices. Still, several dioceses already have priests and deacons living in same-sex partnerships, as some bishops have chosen not to follow existing church policy.

The latest statistics indicate that 86 percent of the population belongs to the national church and three percent attend services regularly.

+ Council of Norwegian Bishoprics, POB 1937 Gronland, 0135, Oslo, Norway


[9] Odenor St. Cyr

Odenor St. Cyr, the long-time director of the Haitian Program for Training Diaconal Organizations (PWOFOD), was shot to death in Port au Prince 18 September. Leanne Geisterfer, Latin America team leader for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, reports that the attackers shot St. Cyr several times while he and his wife were driving away from church on Tuesday evening.

Geisterfer said she believes the shooting was a random act of violence and likely started as a kidnapping attempt. "This is a hard blow for the Christian community in Port au Prince. We have lost a cherished leader," Geisterfer said.

St. Cyr was employed by PWOFOD for 15 years, most recently as its director. PWOFOD is a Christian community development organization working with churches in the poorest urban neighborhoods of Port au Prince, empowering church leaders to reach out into the community with capacity-building training in small business ownership and adult literacy, among other programs....

+ Henry Hess, Christian Reformed Church, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 (616) 241-1691


[10] American Brethren Turn 300

On Sept. 15-16 Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia hosted the opening event of a year-long celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Brethren movement, which began in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany.
Events took place at the "mother church," the first congregation of Brethren in the Americas, and featured worship, workshops, tours, exhibits, and music. Participants came from across the country and from across the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren, as well as from several of the different Brethren denominations and faith groups. Close to 220 people attended worship on Sunday, filling the Germantown sanctuary to capacity.

Throughout the weekend, the historic setting remained at the center-- alongside recognition of the current ministry of the Germantown church. "For 285 years...the gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached" at Germantown, said pastor Richard Kyerematen as he led worship Sunday morning.

The congregation was founded on Christmas Day 1723 by German immigrants to the Americas, and its meetinghouse built in 1770 was the first Brethren meetinghouse in the United States. Today the predominantly African-American congregation includes several members from African countries, with pastor Kyerematen himself coming originally from Ghana.

+ Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120, (800) 323-8039 ext. 260

[11] Christians in Chiapas, Mexico Town Deprived of Water

More than five weeks after town bosses in Chiapas state, Mexico, signed an agreement to restore water lines cut off from Christians since January, the Protestants still rely on dirty, distant, wells and puddles for washing and drinking.

The 23 April agreement calls for the autocratic rulers or caciques of Los Pozos, near San Cristobal de las Casas, to withdraw a threat to expel 65 Christians, cease forcing them to pay for “traditionalist Catholic” festivals and restore electricity and water services of several Protestant families.

The caciques and other traditionalist Catholics showed up for the April signing with a proposal of their own negating nearly all the terms of a verbal agreement reached 28 February. Their proposal would have obligated the Protestants to pay for past festivals and fines accumulated for refusing to contribute to previous traditionalist Catholic events, but state officials nixed it.

Evangelical pastor and attorney Esdras Alonso Gonzalez told Compass that water lines cut since 30 January had not been restored. “Everyone in the municipality is respecting the agreement, except in the matter of water – it’s horrible,” Alonso said. “We don’t know when they’re going to restore the water; the brethren have not been able to get good information.”

+ Compass Direct News, PO Box 27250, Santa Ana CA 92799-7250

19 September 2007

Headlines:

[1] New Presbytery Formed in Wisconsin
[2] Van Marter Will Head NCC Communications Commission
[3] Ten Commandments Display Can Stay in Kentucky Courtrooms
[4] General Social Survey, 2006
[5] Chinese House Church Leader Cai Zhuohua Released
[6] Turkish Judge Pressured to Withdraw from Christians' Trial
[7] Agencies Sued for Firing Case Worker
[8] Church Vigilantes Raid Hostels


[1] New Presbytery Formed in Wisconsin

Reflecting a trend toward decentralization, a new regional church court, Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest, held its inaugural meeting in Oostburg, Wisconsin, on 14-15 September 2007. Elected Moderator was Pastor Marty Waltho, one of the world’s leading experts on desalination equipment.

The new judicatory is committed to classic Christianity, as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, the historic standard for Presbyterianism. The court adopted the original version of the Westminster Standards, formulated at an international assembly in London in the 1640s.

Among the actions taken the first day was the adoption of an Address to the Christian World from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest. The document declares the presbytery’s “intention of affiliating with and ultimately joining with other believers, so as to heal some of the brokenness of the visible church in a broken world.” It continues: “At the same time, we announce our desire to cultivate the portion of the Lord’s vineyard in which we have been planted. We will seek to do so not with an arrogant spirit, but with love for the brethren and with respect for what the Lord is doing in and through our fellow believers around the world; not in a standoffish fashion, but with cooperation so long as such does not entail compromise of the doctrine of Scripture or of the gospel.”

The Presbytery also adopted an agreement with the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA) for the handling of appeals and complaints, and approved exploring the possibility of merger with the RPCGA.

+ Rev. Dr. Frank J. Smith, Stated Clerk, Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest W2941 County Highway A South, Oostburg, Wisconsin 53070 (920)564-6501


[2] Van Marter Will Head NCC Communications Commission

The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, coordinator for news services for the PC(USA), has been elected chair of the Communications Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) effective January 2008.
The NCC’s Communications Commission brings together communications professionals of the council’s 36 member communions to address issues such as news and media relations, Web design and content, electronic media production and distribution, and media education and advocacy. As well as sharing “best practices,” the commission seeks to coordinate the member churches’ efforts in those areas.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202


[3] Ten Commandments Display Can Stay in Kentucky Courtrooms

Federal District Court Judge Karl Forrester of the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled 18 August that a display of the Ten Commandments, together with other historical documents in the Rowan County Fiscal Courtroom, is constitutional. Liberty Counsel represents Rowan County, Kentucky, in a lawsuit that was filed in 2001 by the ACLU of Kentucky, claiming that the display violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

The display that Judge Forrester upheld is a "Foundations of American Law and Government" display including the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Charta, the Star-Spangled Banner, the National Motto, the Preamble to the Kentucky Constitution, the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution, and a picture of Lady Justice.

Public displays of the Ten Commandments have enjoyed unprecedented favor in both the courts and the legislatures since Mathew Staver argued the McCreary County, Kentucky, case at the US Supreme Court in 2005. McCreary County involved the exact display that was upheld by Judge Forrester yesterday. The McCreary County case is back at the district court for another ruling but is likely to return to the Supreme Court, where a majority is expected to uphold the display.

These displays are spreading throughout the Nation. In 2006 the Georgia legislature passed a law allowing a similar display in government buildings.

+ Liberty Counsel, Box 540774, Orlando, FL 32854 (800) 671-1776


[4] General Social Survey, 2006

The General Social Surveys (GSS) have been conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) annually since 1972 except for the years 1979, 1981, and 1992 (a supplement was added in 1992), and biennially beginning in 1994. The GSS are designed as part of a program of social indicator research, replicating questionnaire items and wording in order to facilitate time-trend studies. The 2006 GSS includes a topical module for mental health. Items in the 2006 GSS include questions on religious self-identification, denominational affiliation, personal beliefs, and religious upbringing.

+ Association of Religion Data Archives, 211 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802


[5] Chinese House Church Leader Cai Zhuohua Released

Chinese house church leader Cai Zhuohua, jailed since 2004 for “illegal business practices” by distributing Christian literature, has been released with stern warnings to stop practicing his faith outside of the government-sanctioned church. Bob Fu of China Aid Association told Compass that on 13 September, three days after Cai’s release, officials of the Public Security Bureau took the well-known Beijing pastor to their offices and tried to intimidate him with threats. “They warned him to be careful – not to be interviewed, to obey the law and not attend religious activities,” Fu said.

Officials from the National Security Bureau – China’s equivalent of the US Central Intelligence Agency – on two occasions gave Cai similar warnings before he was released, Fu said. As an ex-convict whom the government is especially interested to control, Fu said, Cai must report to the PSB once a month.

Deprived of his Bible while in prison, Cai was forced to make soccer balls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics for 10 to 12 hours a day, according to the CAA.

+ Compass Direct, PO Box 27250, Santa Ana CA 92799-7250


[6] Turkish Judge Pressured to Withdraw from Christians' Trial

A Turkish judge announced his withdrawal this week from the case of two Christians charged with “insulting Turkishness.” Judge Neset Eren said at a hearing on 12 September that he was quitting to “distance the court’s decision from any form of indecision or doubt.” Eren’s announcement came after the plaintiffs’ ultranationalist lawyer submitted a written request that he resign; Kemal Kerincsiz accused Eren of failing to deal impartially with the case. Eren had been expected to deliver a ruling at the hearing on 19 September.

Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal have been charged with insulting Turkish identity, but at a previous hearing, State Prosecutor Ahmet Demirhuyuk said there was “not a single piece of credible evidence” against the two converts from Islam.

A new state prosecutor, Adnan Ozcan, replaced Demirhuyuk at Wednesday’s hearing. “If [Tastan and Topal] had been acquitted, there would have been a large protest,” said the Christians’ lawyer, Gursel Meric.

Scores of Turkish academics and writers have been charged in the past two years under article 301 of Turkey’s penal code for insulting the Turkish Republic, institutions of state or “Turkishness.”

A recent European Commission report said that indictments related to non-violent expressions of opinion had doubled in Turkey in 2006, the Turkish Daily News (TDN) newspaper reported today. The report noted that more than half the incidents were raised under article 301.

+ Compass Direct, PO Box 27250, Santa Ana CA 92799-7250


[7] Agencies Sued for Firing Case Worker

Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit 18 September in federal court on behalf of Dennis Hughes against a youth services agency that terminated him when he refused to stop allowing troubled teens in its program to attend his church and church-sponsored activities. Also named in the lawsuit is the agency that manages the program and orchestrated his dismissal, the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC).

Hughes was a case manager for Bay Area Youth Service (BAYS) in the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, a program which provides case management services to juvenile offenders. If a juvenile enrolls in and completes the program, the State's criminal charges are dropped. BAYS receives virtually all of its annual revenue from the State of Florida. The program essentially operates as an arm of the State, but Florida has no law forbidding church leaders from attending functions with juvenile offenders in state programs.

For several years BAYS accommodated Hughes' religious activities during his free time, while he served first as youth pastor then as assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel of Tampa. During that time, some of the juveniles under his supervision voluntarily attended church services and sports activities sponsored by Calvary Chapel. One of the activities was held at the University Area Community Center Complex. UACDC, which also manages the Community Center, objected to the religious content of the Calvary Chapel youth activities, banned the activities from the Center and insisted Hughes end his participation.

Since UACDC also funds and manages the Prodigy program, BAYS adopted a policy that juveniles in the program could not attend any event where Hughes was present, even though no problems had ever arisen with the juveniles because of the church events. BAYS terminated Hughes, although he had excellent performance reviews, only because he would not agree to either stop attending his church or prohibit juveniles in the program from attending.

After Hughes was terminated, BAYS sent him its newly adopted policy, stating that staff members are not allowed to "oversee, supervise, coach, mentor, counsel, or recreate with any active program youth or families as part of any outside activity or organization." The policy is so broad that it prevents any church leader or youth activities volunteer from working in the juvenile program, because the leader would have to either leave a church meeting or make a juvenile and their family leave. It even prevents church leaders from attending the same church or participating in any church-related activity with a family member.

+ Liberty Counsel, Box 540774, Orlando, FL 32854 (800) 671-1776


[8] Church Vigilantes Raid Hostels

Instead of attending church on Sunday 16 September, a congregation of about 900 people rampaged through Nyanga hostels, businesses and informal settlements in search of articles stripped from their church at the weekend.

The congregation had been shocked to find their church, the WPT Ndibongo branch of the Presbyterian Church, stripped of doors, chairs, tables, electrical wiring and other movable items by thieves who seemed to have gained entrance through the roof. The toilets and basins had also been maliciously broken.

So, instead of holding their church service, the congregants, many of them pensioners, dressed in white jackets, and with the ward councilor David Tshambula in tow, went looking for the stolen items.

Church member Noluntu Mda said that during their search in the area, congregation members had seen people selling the church's chairs, doors and tables on the streets.

+ Ntomboxolo Makoba, St Georges Street Chambers, 118 St Georges Street, 1st Floor (IOL), PO Box 4116, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa

12 September 2007

Headlines:

[1] Peters Creek Joins the Exodus from the PC(USA_
[2] Paisley Will Not Strand for Reelection
[3] Training on Microfinance and Microenterprise Development
[4] Kirkpatrick Will Not Run for PC(USA) Clerk
[5] Ivory Moves from PC(USA) to WCC
[6] Korean Conference Flourishes
[7] Christ Covenant Purchases Sheridan School


[1] Peters Creek Joins the Exodus from the PC(USA_

Members of a Washington County, Pennsylvania, congregation took part in an emotional vote over whether or not to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) on 9 September. The final vote total came down to 273 active members of the Peters Creek Presbyterian Church voting to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, while 86 voted against leaving. All 15 elders voted with the majority.

+ Peters Creek Presbyterian Church, 250 Brookwood Road, Venetia, Pennsylvania 15367 (724) 941-6210 <http://www.peterscreekchurch.org/>


[2] Paisley Will Not Stand for Reelection

After a five-hour meeting on 7 September, of presbytery, Dr. Ian Paisley announced he would step down as Free Presbyterian of Ulster moderator in January. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader also said he intended to continue his work as a clergyman.

Speaking to his congregation at Martyrs' Memorial Church in Belfast on the Sabbath, Lord Paisley said he had agreed to stand down because the church was facing a "very real crisis.". "While I am no longer going to carry the weight which I have carried for over 56 years as moderator of our Presbytery, I have news for you . . .I will be here and I am praying to God that I will be able to preach right to the end of my days," he said in reports distributed by the BBC.

Paisley has been elected moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church every year except one since he founded the church in 1951. The DUP which also owes its present status to Paisley is the largest political party in Ulster.

+ DUP Headquarters, 91 Dundela Avenue, Belfast, BT4 3BU, Ulster, Northern Ireland

+ Dr. Ian Paisley, Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church, 356 Ravenhill Road, BT 5 Belfast, Ulster, Northern Ireland


[3] Training on Microfinance and Microenterprise Development

According to ByFaith Online, the Chalmers Center for Economic Development, a part of Covenant College, offers email-based distance learning courses on how to minister to the poor without creating dependency. This training helps the church to help the poor help themselves. A course called "Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development" provides an overview to microenterprise development and microfinance and orientation to the selection and design of a holistic intervention appropriate for your ministry context. Cost of this seven-week course is US$199 plus the cost of course material. The course will be offered on 7 January – 22 February 2008. [BFOL]

The prerequisite course is "Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry." It teaches appropriate goals and strategies for conducting Christian development in poor communities. Cost of this four-week course is US$75 plus the cost of course material. The course is scheduled for 22 October 22 – 16 November 2007, and February 4 – 29, 2008.

To learn more, including information about a discount for Two-Thirds World participants, or to register, visit or call 706-419-1805.

+ The Chalmers Center, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750


[4] Kirkpatrick Will Not Run for PC(USA) Clerk

Clifton Kirkpatrick has announced that he will not seek a fourth term as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) when his current term ends in June 2008.

Kirkpatrick indicated he wanted to spend quality time with his family and devote more energy to his role as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). Setri Nyomi, General Secretary of WARC, said in a 11 September letter to Kirkpatrick that the Reformed family worldwide is grateful for his ministry at the Presbyterian Church (USA), WARC and in the wider ecumenical movement.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries - united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled world.

+ World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 150 Route de Ferney, PO Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland


[5 ] Ivory Moves from PC(USA) to WCC

Elenora Giddings Ivory, who for nearly two decades has been director of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Washington Office recently announced plans to take a position with the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Ivory’s last day leading the PC(USA)'s public policy, information and advocacy office in Washington, DC, will be in late October. She will then become director of the WCC's Public Witness: Addressing Power and Affirming Peace program area, pending final approval from the WCC executive committee when it meets in Armenia, 25-28 September.

The program area Giddings Ivory will lead focuses on concerns of WCC members regarding violence, war, human rights, economic injustice, poverty and exclusion - voicing these concerns to such intergovernmental organizations as the United Nations and various international financial institutions in hopes of influencing policy decisions.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202 (888) 728-7228


[6] Korean Conference Flourishes

The Korean churches of First Associate Reformed Presbytery held a conference at Bonclarken Conference Center, Flat Rock, North Carolina, over the Labor Day Weekend. There were 73 in attendance. Dr. Suk Ho Moon, senior pastor of the Hyo Shin Presbyterian Church, New York City, was the keynote speaker. This is the second year the conference has been held. It is planned to make this an annual event.

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland St., Suite 110, Greenville, SC 29601-3646 (864) 232-8297


[7] Christ Covenant Purchases Sheridan School

Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church soon will be the new owner of Marion Elementary School. The Sheridan Community School Board on 10 September voted 4-1 to accept the church's cash bid of US$200,000 for the school building and 6 acres on Ind. 47 in Boone County.

"This is a huge answer to our prayers," said Jason Elmore, one of the church members at the meeting according to reports published by the Indianapolis Star. "We were already busting out of the old (church) building and were trying to figure out how to expand," he said. "It was definitely providential."

Marion Elementary has sat empty since it closed in 2004, the same year the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.

+ The Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 N. Easton Rd., Bldg. E, Box P, Willow Grove, PA 19090-0920

5 September 2007

Headlines:

[1] Dr. D. James Kennedy 1930 - 2007
[2] Ireland Stands by the Sabbath
[3] Presbyterians Turn Vandal in Kenya


[1] Dr. D. James Kennedy 1930 - 2007

Slightly over a week after learning that Pastor D. James Kennedy would not be returning to his pulpit at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, church members heard the report that America’s leading Presbyterian had gone on to be with the Lord. According to Executive Minister Ronal Siegenthaler, Dr. Kennedy died peacefully in his sleep around 3 am on 5 August with his wife Anne at his side.

Pastor of a 10,000 member congregation and founder of Evangelism Explosion, Kennedy insisted on urbane and cultured presentation of the gospel. Impeccably dressed and backed-up by a magnificent pipe organ and professional grade choir, Kennedy blended history, logic, and rhetoric to make the Bible bear on government, cultural, and academic leaders.

According to Kennedy, in 1953, while listening to Donald Grey Barnhouse of Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church, he heard the question, “Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and He were to ask you, ‘What right do you have to enter into my heaven?’ What would you say?’”

After obtaining theological training at the Southern Presbyterian Columbia Seminary, Kennedy moved South Florida in 1959 and in nine months turned a 45-member congregation into a 17 member congregation. Evangelism Explosion soon followed and the steady march toward 10,000 members began. Today EE as it is known is organized openly in 211 nations.

A founder or benefactor to many Reformed institutions, Kennedy served on the ministerial staff of the Christian Observer under Converse and Elliott in a period stretching more than 40 years.

Kennedy left this message:

“Now, I know that someday I am going to come to what some people will say is the end of this life. They will probably put me in a box and roll me right down here in front of the church, and some people will gather around, and a few people will cry. But I have told them not to do that because I don’t want them to cry. I want them to begin the service with the Doxology and end with the Hallelujah chorus, because I am not going to be there, and I am not going to be dead. I will be more alive than I have ever been in my life, and I will be looking down upon you poor people who are still in the land of dying and have not yet joined me in the land of the living. And I will be alive forevermore, in greater health and vitality and joy than ever, ever, I or anyone has known before.”

+ Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 (954) 771-3187


[2] Ireland Stands by the Sabbath

For the present, a 60-year ban on Sabbath football games remains in effect in Northern Ireland. Football enthusiasts have announced plans to sue for their human rights, charging the ban is a vestigial relic of Protestantism.

Proponents of change will have to walk over the Free Presbyterian Church, the Orange Lodge, and the Democratic Unionist party first. The most powerful of Ulster parties, the DUP is dominated by followers of First Minister Ian Paisley and members of the Lord’s Day Observance Society.

Objecting to charges of racism, Rev. Mr. David McIlveen, the Free Presbyterian moderator noted that many African Christians now living in the province consider the Sabbath special and sacred.

According to reports published in the Guardian, McIlveen further noted, “We feel that a number of Christian sportsmen would be discriminated against. This would in general be a backward step for sport.”

+ Irish Football Association, 20 Windsor Ave, Belfast BT9 6EG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom


[3] Presbyterians Turn Vandal in Kenya

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) has vowed to continue pushing for the removal of "satanic" symbols from Kenya’s Parliament Buildings and other government institutions. Church Moderator Rev David Githii said he would press for the eradication of the "offensive" symbols despite opposition.

Accusing the Government of failing to take the issue seriously, Githii insisted that the word Harambee and other signs in the National Assembly were un-Christian. “Politicians have ignored the Church's calls because 70 per cent of MPs were involved in witchcraft,” he said.

Githii asked Kenyans to pray so that God can give them a government that would remove the symbols. Speaking on Monday at Dr Arthur Memorial Church in Nakuru during celebrations to mark 70 years since its founding, Githii blamed the signs for social and economic problems in the country.

Githii practiced his brand of revisionism on the church before moving to the state. A dispute with Freemasonry has split the PCEA, leading to the removal of priceless historical fittings from its prayer houses.

At least 30 stained glass windows and metal grilles more than a century old have previously been removed from St Andrews Church - the main seat of the PCEA - and destroyed by supporters of one faction, who claim the designs are similar to symbols used by Freemasons, said by their critics to worship an alien God and to hold un-Christian principles.

+ Presbyterian Church of East Africa, PO Box 27573-00506, Myayo Stadium, Nairobi GPO Kenya

22 August 2007

Headlines:

[1] America's Presbyterian Retires
[2] Amnesty International Alliance Shattering over Abortion
[3] Synod Court Orders Rebuke for Lesbian Activist
[4] Reformed Catholics Have Their Problems Too
[5] Valedictorian Sues School District That Forced Apology
[6] Transitional Presbyteries Update
[7] Montreat Strengthens New Ties
[8] Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Gets New Leadership
[9] Presbyterian Treasurer Walks


[1] America's Presbyterian Retires

Dr. D. James Kennedy is stepping down as minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, a congregation he founded in 1959 and built into a mega-church with nearly 10,000 members. Kennedy, 76, had a heart attack in late December and has been in poor health since then. Jennifer Cassidy, Kennedy’s daughter, made the announcement during services on 26 August. Saturday had been the 51st anniversary of his marriage to Anne Kennedy.

For three months, Kennedy was mostly in bed or a wheelchair until receiving two months of therapy at a rehabilitation center in Grand Rapids, Michigan but he now walks unaided, Cassidy said. In January, he received a pacemaker-defibrillator at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, replacing a regular pacemaker implanted last year. Kennedy has physical therapy three times a week.

Complicating recovery are a lifelong problem with asthma and headaches from "degenerative disc disease," Cassidy said. He had at least two neck vertebrae fused in the 1980s, Cassidy continued.

In her speech to the congregation, Cassidy denied rumors that her father had a stroke or heart attack or contracted Alzheimer's disease.

National Religious Broadcasters President Frank Wright reports that Kennedy is "fully cognizant," but can no longer preach or lead his church and related Coral Ridge Ministries.

While many ministers rolled up their sleeves and wore jeans to preach, Kennedy's style remained calm and measured. Kennedy was also ahead of the times on many other trends. In the 1980s, Kennedy was one of the first in the movement to elect political candidates sympathetic to Christian views. Long before Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and the Left Behind book series, Kennedy was advocating Christian-produced family entertainment. Since then, Coral Ridge Ministries, an arm of the church, has produced films propounding Kennedy's views, including one that denounced the popular book and movie The Da Vinci Code.

Last year, the Anti-Defamation denounced Kennedy for producing "Darwin's Deadly Legacy," a documentary that linked Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to Adolf Hitler. Westminster Academy, the private K-12 Christian school he founded in 1971, is known for teaching Intelligent Design, which treats Darwin's theory of evolution as antithetical to Scripture.

Besides the church, Kennedy founded: Knox Seminary; Westminster Academy; Coral Ridge Ministries, a broadcast organization heard in about 200 nations; a chaplaincy to federal workers on Capitol Hill; and Evangelism Explosion, a program to train lay people to spread the gospel. Kennedy launched a series of rallies, called Reclaiming America for Christ, which helped train volunteers across the nation to work for conservative objectives in their hometowns. In his spare time, Kennedy wrote some 65 books.

For a quarter of century, Kennedy served on the editorial board for the Christian Observer, much of that time as Associate Editor.

+ Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 (954) 771-3187


[2] Amnesty International Alliance Shattering over Abortion

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland announced 28 August that he was resigning from human rights group Amnesty International after the organization changed its stance on abortion. Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he was withdrawing his membership because Amnesty's new position on abortion contravened the "basic right to human life."

The decision follows the recent move by Amnesty to back abortion in certain circumstances. The policy change has already led to calls from senior members of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain and the Vatican for a withdrawal of support from the organization.

+ Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 28 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7EB, Scotland


[3] Synod Court Orders Rebuke for Lesbian Activist

In a reversal of a lower church court ruling, Jane Adams Spahr has been found guilty of violating the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage by performing weddings for two lesbian couples. The Synod of the Pacific's Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) ruled 6-2 on 18 August that while the "lesbian evangelist" and longtime Presbyterian minister "acted with conscience and conviction," her actions were still at odds with the church's constitution.

The decision of the synod tribunal overturned last year's ruling by the Presbytery of the Redwoods' PJC, which determined Spahr acted within her rights and conscience as an ordained minister when she presided over the nuptials of the two lesbian couples in 2004 and 2005.

The PC(USA)'s Book of Order defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and church courts have ruled that Presbyterian ministers may not utilize the marriage liturgy in same-sex ceremonies. "Regardless of the expression of conscience by the Rev. Dr. Spahr, she may not circumvent the standards of the church," according to the synod PJC ruling. "Although the Rev. Dr. Spahr had acted with conscience and conviction, her actions were contrary to the Constitution as it is authoritatively interpreted, [and] is therefore subject to censure."

The synod PJC directed the presbytery PJC to "enter a finding of guilt" against Spahr and to impose the censure of rebuke, the mildest form of punishment that could be brought. The most serious penalty could have been removal from the ministry. The rebuke, which amounts to an official admonishment by the presbytery, does not affect the ministerial credentials of Spahr, but it could lead to further discipline if she continues to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples

Spahr, a 65-year-old grandmother who is set to retire from ministry at the end of this month, expressed disappointment in the latest ruling. Despite the court's ruling, Spahr said that she would continue doing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.

The Synod of the Pacific is based in Petaluma, CA, and is composed of congregations in northern California, Nevada, southern Idaho, and Oregon.

Spahr was called in 1991 as co-pastor of Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, but the call was invalidated by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission in November 1992. Even without a call, the Rochester church invited her as a "lesbian evangelist" and established That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) in 1993 to support her ministry, in partnership with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tiburon, California.

For 15 years now, Spahr has been traveling the country mustering support for the ordination of gay and lesbian Presbyterians, along the way building a network of regional groups to help in the effort.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (888) 728-7228


[4] Reformed Catholics Have Their Problems Too

Sussex County, New Jersey, man who was a pastor and a hospital social worker has been indicted on a charge of failing to register in New Jersey as a sex offender after moving from California to Mexico to Vernon, authorities said today.

Sean-Michael Lyons, 45, also known as Michael S. Lyons, had moved from California to Mexico in October 2000, and then sometime in 2000 moved to Vernon, but never registered there as a sex offender, according to published. Lyons was charged 9 February with one count of fourth-degree failing to register as a sex offender.

Lyons, a pastor in the Reformed Catholic Church, led the Damien of Molokai Chapel that he operated at his home in the Lake Wallkill section of Vernon.

According to Bishop Shane Price of the Ohio-based Reformed Catholic Church, Lyons has been suspended from his clerical duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The Reformed Catholic Church, an independent church founded in 2000, is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

+ St. Sebastian Catholic Church, PO Box 2, Worthington, Ohio 43085


[5] Valedictorian Sues School District That Forced Apology

Liberty Counsel filed suit against Lewis Palmer School District on behalf of Erica Corder, a high school valedictorian who was forced to publicly apologize for sharing her Christian faith at graduation. Erica was one of 15 valedictorians from the Lewis-Palmer High School class of 2006. For the past year, she has been the subject of criticism because the school continues to portray her as a student who engaged in improper conduct because she mentioned Jesus Christ during her speech.
Before graduation in May 2006, Principal Mark Brewer informed the valedictorians that they could choose one student to speak, or that all of them could deliver a 30-second graduation message. The students chose to have all 15 valedictorians participate and chose a general topic for each speaker. Erica and one other student were chosen to give concluding messages. Each valedictorian orally presented a proposed speech to the principal before graduation.

During her 30-second message Erica spoke about her faith in Jesus Christ. Afterwards, she was escorted to see the assistant principal, who said she would not receive her diploma because of the speech she had given. Principal Brewer later indicated that her comments were "immature." He said that she could only receive her diploma if she apologized to the school community. Erica prepared a statement saying the message was her own and was not endorsed by the principal. Brewer insisted that she include the words: "I realize that, had I asked ahead of time, I would not have been allowed to say what I did." Erica complied because she feared the school would withhold her diploma. She was also afraid that the school would put disciplinary notes in her file and would generate negative publicity, which could prevent her from becoming a school teacher. Principal Brewer sent out Erica's message in an e-mail to the entire high sc hool community. Soon after, Erica received her diploma.

Liberty Counsel sent a letter on behalf of Erica to the Lewis Palmer School District Board of Education, explaining that her First Amendment rights had been violated, and requested that the district apologize for the e-mail that Erica was forced to write and institute a written policy to ensure that no future constitutional violations occur. The school board has thus far taken no remedial steps. Meanwhile, Erica continues to be the subject of public criticism from school officials.

Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: "Valedictorians have the right to express their religious viewpoints while at the graduation podium. School officials have no right to threaten young graduates that their diplomas will be withheld. The school district's action in forcing Erica Corder to write an e-mail apologizing to the community for exercising her right to free speech is shocking."

+ Liberty Counsel, PO Box 540774 - Orlando, Florida 32854


[6] Transitional Presbyteries Update

The New Wineskins – Evangelical Presbyterian Church Transitional Presbytery Commission, chaired by Bill Meyers, meets every Monday via telephone conference call to transact the business that is presented to the group. As of 21 August 21, the following churches and pastors have been received into the NW/EPC Transitional Presbytery: Central Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, Alabama (Randy Jenkins, pastor), First Presbyterian Church, Quincy, Illinois (Rod Bakker and Kevin McGinnis, pastors), The Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Glenmoore, Pennsylvania (Andy Curtis, pastor), Great Valley Presbyterian Church, Malvern, Pennsylvania (Dan Stewart, pastor), and Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania (Bill Kelly, pastor). Hope Presbyterian Church of Rogue River, Oregon (Brian Boisen, pastor), has been received pending their dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (USA). Also, Sean Martin has been received as a minister member of the presbytery. Martin will be laboring outside the bounds at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury, Connecticut.

The EPC Transitional Presbytery Commission, chaired by John Adamson, has received Grace Chapel, Madison, Mississippi (Steve Bryant, pastor) into membership since the EPC General Assembly in June.

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152-7912


[7] Montreat Strengthens New Ties

Stephen Woodworth, Chaplain of Montreat College, will be ordained for ministry in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church on 20 September. Woodworth summed his feelings about joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church by saying, "I am excited about a future within the EPC. I love its mission to take the gospel to the world and a culture that is increasingly confused about exactly who Jesus Christ is. The EPC feels like home for a number of reasons – most importantly because of their decision to making Jesus Christ and his Kingdom known the primary task of the church. It is a privilege to be counted among its ministers."

Montreat College is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution with its main campus for four-year traditional students in Montreat, North Carolina. The accelerated School of Professional and Adult Studies program has campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and Black Mountain, with courses being taught in Cherokee, Murphy, and other North Carolina locations.

+ Montreat College, 310 Gaither Circle, Montreat, North Carolina 28757


[8] Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Gets New Leadership

In the wake of C. Davis Perkins' departure as president and publisher for the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, acting president and publisher Marc Lewis has announced some staff changes.

David Dobson, who has been with PPC since 1999, has been named acting director of publishing. Formerly PPC's director of product management, Dobson will oversee the editorial and marketing programs for Westminster John Knox Press, Geneva Press, and the Web site The Thoughtful Christian.

Lewis announced two other promotions: Rev. Jon Berquist, who has been senior editor for Biblical studies since 2003, has been named executive editor for Biblical studies; and Rev. Donald K. McKim, who has been academic and reference editor since 2000, has been named executive editor for theology and reference.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA) 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202 (888) 728-7228


[9] Presbyterian Treasurer Walks

A former Presbyterian Church (USA) treasurer who was convicted of stealing more than US$100,000 in church funds avoided prison time and instead was sentenced today to five years’ probation. Judith A. Golliher, who pleaded guilty in June to eight felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, has repaid the Louisville office more than US$130,000 and must complete 1,000 hours of community service, and 90 days of home incarceration as part of her sentence.If Golliher violates the law while on probation, she faces a 10-year prison sentence and a US$30,000 fine.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA) 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202 (888) 728-7228

22 August 2007

Headlines:

[1] Highlanders Meet Low-Lifes in Africa
[2] Presbyterian Church of Rwanda Turns 100
[3] Ghana's Presbyterians Called To Do at Home What They Do in the Diaspora
[4] Rule It or Ruin It Isn't Just an American Urban Problem
[5] From 30 to 900 to 30 in 100 Years
[6] ARP Plan Book Deadline
[7] Muslim Sues Egypt for the Right To Convert To Christianity


[1] Highlanders Meet Low-Lifes in Africa

A short-term mission group from Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas learned the hard way that missions can be as dangerous today as it was in St. Paul’s time. The intent had been to work on an irrigation project and distribute Bibles, schools supplies, and medicines.

Published reports indicated that members of the team encountered four robbers armed with rifles and a machete. Three members of the team who were born in Kenya received the roughest treatment.

+ Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75205


[2] Presbyterian Church of Rwanda Turns 100

Speaking to thousands gathered on 19 August, Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), congratulated the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda on coming through many challenges during the past 100 years, including the horrific genocide of 1994 that killed almost a million people, divided churches, and left many scars.

“As a result, this church could have simply recoiled into a spiritual ghetto of self-preservation or protection of its own tribes. But no, with confidence in God, you have pulled through each challenge and committed yourself to prophetic witness as partners with Christ in transforming Rwandan society.”

+ Eglise Presbytérienne au Rwanda, BP 56, Kigali, Rwanda, Africa


[3] Ghana's Presbyterians Called To Do at Home What They Do in the Diaspora

The Seventh General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana took place in August.

The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama who was the guest of honour called on church and state to partner and overcome challenges such as poverty, malnutrition, the digital divide and unemployment. "To succeed, we must be mature to rise above things like gender, tribe, religion or social status that appear to divide us and rather pull forward as Ghanaians," he said. The VP urged Ghanaians to use the country's golden jubilee celebrations to nurture the right attitudes that would facilitate development.

"At 50 years, we ought to claim that we have finished wondering in the desert of bad governance, corruption, indiscipline, greed, pull-him-down syndrome, intolerance and other such attitudes.” Vice President Mahama observed that Ghanaians excel in the Diaspora but at home, fail to exert the same influence on issues impeding the development of the country. Then Mahama called on Christians to encourage the attitudinal changes necessary to bring forth a born-again Ghanaian, full of confidence, trust, initiative, respect and discipline.

Ghanaian Diaspora congregations are thriving in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. Some observers place the number of self-sustaining Ghanaian Presbyterian churches in America at more than 50.

+ Presbyteria Nyanyui Hame le Ghana [Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana] PO Box 18, Ho, Ghana, Africa


[4] Rule It or Ruin It Isn't Just an American Urban Problem

Kenyan Moslems decided to settle a land dispute with local Presbyterians the old-fashioned way; they set fire to the disputed property. When Presbyterians expanded a fence around their buildings they crossed into territory commonly used by Nubians for daily prayer. Observers indicate some 100 young people took the opportunity take out their anger on firefighters who attempted to preserve the compound.

The overcrowded Nairobi slum where the conflict occurred is occupied primarily by descendents of Egyptian and Sudanese soldiers who retired to the area at the end of World War I after service in the British army.

+ Presbyterian Church of East Africa, PO Box 27573-00506 Myayo Stadium, Nairobi G.P.O. Kenya, Africa

+ Reformed Church of East Africa, Kisumu Road, PO Box 99, Eldoret, Kenya, Africa


[5] From 30 to 900 to 30 in 100 Years

St. Paul’s Evangelical German Reformed Church of Buffalo, New York, opened its doors in 1895 above a grocery at Seneca and Duerstein. It was an era when both the German Reformed Church and the Evangelical Church were expanding in Western New York. By the 11950s, the church had 900 members, and the sanctuary was filled to capacity for Sunday services.

Today, most of the 30 remaining members are older than 75. The transition reflects in part the changing character of the city but it also occurred as the United Church of Christ began to evaporate over the last 50 years. If the state of New York agrees, St. Paul’s will sell its beautiful facility to Berea Church of God in Christ for US$135,000.

+ St Paul's United Church of Christ, 49 Indian Church Road, Buffalo, NY 14210

[6] ARP Plan Book Deadline

Information to be included in the 2008 ARP Plan Book is due to the ARP Center by 31 August. The plan book includes a calendar and monthly listings of various meetings on Synod and presbytery levels, including Women's Ministries meetings. Conferences, camps and retreats are included, as are reminders of deadlines throughout the year. Many ARPs find the plan book invaluable in keeping up with scheduled events. Information may be E-mailed to Betsy Johnsman ejohnsman@arpsynod.org.

Each ARP church receives four copies at no charge; some purchase additional copies. To obtain plan books, send your order to the ARP Center, One Cleveland St., Ste.110, Greenville, SC 29601-3696. Cost is US$3 each, plus shipping. Cost is $4 for one plan book. For larger amounts, please request the number desired and a bill will be sent. Plan books for 2008 will be mailed out near the end of the year. Ordering now will help Central Services set a more accurate number for printing. 2007 plan books - free; US$1 for postage.

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, One Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601


[7] Muslim Sues Egypt for the Right To Convert To Christianity

A Muslim convert to Christianity filed suit against Egypt last week for refusing to legally recognize his change of religion, sparking a reactionary lawsuit by Muslim clerics and death threats against his lawyer. Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy, 24, brought a case against Egypt’s interior ministry on Thursday (August 2) for rejecting his application to replace Islam with Christianity on his personal identification papers.

“I think it is my natural right, to embrace the religion I believe and not to have to have a double personality for me as well as for my wife and my expected baby,” said Hegazy, who converted to Christianity when he was 16.

Though Egyptian law does not forbid conversion from Islam to Christianity, it provides no legal means to make the change. Converts to Christianity usually hide their identity to avoid torture and forced recantation at the hands of family members and security police.

Hegazy, whose wife Zeinab is four months pregnant, said that he wants his child to be born with Christian papers. The couple, who were forced to hold an Islamic wedding ceremony because of their legal status as Muslims, know that a Christian ID card will allow their child to take Christian religion classes in school, marry in a church and even openly attend services without fear of harassment.

+ Compass Direct News, PO Box 27250, Santa Ana CA 92799-7250

15 August 2007

[1] Second Oldest Pennsylvania Presbyterian Church Joins EPC
[2] David C. Hancock
[3] Groundbreaking at Atonement
[4] Bill Roberts, ARP Synod Historian
[5] Methodists Will Revisit Transgender Clergy Status
[6] Conversion Code of Conduct Emerging
[7] Kidnapped Christian Forced to Marry Muslim


[1] Second Oldest Pennsylvania Presbyterian Church Joins EPC

Great Valley Presbyterian in Malvern, Pennsylvania. joined the New Wineskins/EPC Transitional Presbytery in July 2007. With the single exception of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1698), it is the oldest Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. The founders were Welshmen who left their country for conscience’s sake. The church was gathered prior to 1710 and formally organized in 1714. Since the first pastor, Rev. David Evans, was called in 1720, 22 pastors have served the congregation including the current pastor, Rev. Daniel Stewart.

The original log church, erected in 1720, was located north of where the old vault building now stands in the cemetery. It is marked by the grave of Thomas Hutchinson, whose monument now stands where the pulpit once stood. The cornerstone for the second church was laid in 1793, on the same day George Washington laid the cornerstone of the capital building in Washington. In the 1880’s the second church was razed and a third church was built on the same site. A Christian Education Building was added in 1960, and the third church was renovated and expanded in 1968 and 1980 to become the structure we worship in today.

+ Great Valley Presbyterian Church, 2025 Swedesford Rd. Malvern, PA 19355 (610) 644-1995

+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 17197 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 567, Livonia, Michigan 48152


[2] David C. Hancock

Rev. David C. Hancock, a longtime leader in Presbyterian Church (USA) efforts to minister with people suffering alcohol and drug addictions, died 1 Aug. in a Minneapolis nursing home aat age 93.

A graduate of Hanover College and McCormick Theological Seminary, Hancock was ordained to the ministry in 1951. Believing he had "failed miserably" to help parishioners overcome alcohol and drug problems, Hancock left parish ministry in 1964 to devote himself to alcohol and drug abuse prevention, becoming a co-founder and leader of the national non-profit Prevention of Alcohol Problems.

Hancock also served on numerous Presbyterian oards and commissions and was instrumental in the creation of the Presbyterian Network on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (PNAODA), a network of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association. A million copies of his pamphlet "I Can't Be an Alcoholic Because ..." have sold.

"He was really ahead of his time," said the Rev. Gordon Grimm, a retired Lutheran pastor and former staffer at Hazelden, a treatment center near Center City, Minnesota. "Rather than seeing everything about alcohol as negative, he would [teach] that it is a part of life, that people need to set boundaries, and if they can't, they need help," said Grimm.

+ Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202


[3] Groundbreaking at Atonement

Presbyterian Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, Maryland, broke ground 29 July to ceremonially begin the long-planned renovation of the church grounds and facilities. On Sunday morning the congregation gathered on the lawn in the southwest corner of the church property. The congregation is the Associate Reformed Presbyterian anchor church on the Maryland side of the nation’s capital.

+ Church of the Atonement, 10613 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland 20902


[4] Bill Roberts, ARP Synod Historian

Rev. Bill Roberts, pastor of Effingham Presbyterian Church and Historian of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod, died 11 Aug. A second service will also be held later in the week at the Ebenezer Church, Blue Mountain, Mississippi, which is Bill's home Church. Roberts had been undergoing treatment for cancer since April.

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland St., Suite 110 Greenville, SC 29601-3646 (864) 232-8297


[5] Methodists Will Revisit Transgender Clergy Status

The United Methodist Church's top judicial authority will again be considering questions about sexuality - including the case of a pastor who switched gender from female to male - when it tackles a full docket at its fall meeting.

The Judicial Council, the top court for The United Methodist Church, is scheduled to meet 24-27 Oct. in San Francisco. At this year's Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference in late May, Bishop John R. Schol reappointed Drew Phoenix as pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore. Phoenix, 48, had been minister at St. John's for five years as the Rev. Ann Gordon. After surgery and hormone therapy in the past year, the pastor changed gender to male and adopted a new name.

Though the United Methodist Church bars self-avowed practicing gay clergy from appointment and does not support gay unions, the Book of Discipline says nothing about transgender clergy. In his ruling, Bishop Schol wrote that "There are no paragraphs in the 2004 Book of Discipline that prevent transgender clergy from serving in an appointment."

+ United Methodist Church, 810 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203


[6] Conversion Code of Conduct Emerging

A World Evangelical Alliance theologian says his grouping of Christians that stresses its proclamation of the gospel is ready to support a code of conduct on seeking conversions to Christianity commonly agreed by traditional Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox churches as well as by Roman Catholics. "'Evangelical and ecumenical Christians have never been as close in this regard as they are today. Thus, something that would not have been possible 30 years ago has become achievable," said Thomas Schirrmacher, a German theologian who chairs the WEA's International Institute for Religious Freedom.

+ Ecumenical News International, PO Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2,
Switzerland


[7] Kidnapped Christian Forced to Marry Muslim

A Christian university professor in Gaza was kidnapped, forced to marry a Muslim professor at the same university and now her family is being told she wants no contact with them unless they convert to Islam.

Sana al-Sayegh, head of the Science and Technology Department at Gaza City's Palestine International University, disappeared 24 June, according to Palestinian Authority officials and the woman's family. Five days later, she contacted her family to say she was being held against her will so she could be married to a Muslim man.

Officials of Gaza's Hamas government denied the charge, but her family says she would never willingly convert to Islam, according to Mission Network News. A few days after the phone call, they received a copy of conversion documents signed by two witnesses, one of which is the president of the university. Requests from Sayegh's family and Christian leaders for a meeting with Hamas leaders were denied.

Returning to Christianity is a crime worthy of death in many Muslim societies. The kidnapping, rape, "marriage" and "conversion" of Christian girls and women is a common occurrence in some predominantly Muslim countries.

+ Southern Baptist Convention, 901 Commerce St., Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 244-2355