Presbyweb - Daily news about the churches worldwide

The national PC(USA) news —official and unofficial, from left to right— Come here first, it is the quick and easy way to miss nothing Something we may have overlooked? Please, tell us!

Presbyterians in letter to PCUSA leaders about Israeli/Palestinian conflict: "Misleading information has been disseminated by our church."
	From their letter: "...eight Presbyterians from the Presbytery of the New Covenant (four clergy and four elders) and three Jewish leaders... traveled together to Israel. A clergyperson from San Antonio... was also a participant... Prior to the trip we had engaged in extensive preparation... "During our time in Israel we heard from about 17 speakers on such things as the peace process, civil rights, and antisemitism. We heard views from Palestinians, Israeli government representatives, a resident of a settlement, Arab and Israeli youth, a victim of terror, new immigrants and Christian leaders... " We believe that the current opportunity for peace depends totally on the willingness and ability of leaders on both sides to compromise and act responsibly, not a one-sided action. Instead of punishing one of the parties in the conflict, perhaps our church should be looking for positive ways to help both sides. Investment instead of divestment could be one positive method..."

More Light Sunday 2005 final results: 35 participating churches
	More Light Presbyterians had called on churches to celebrate More Light Sunday on June 5, 2005. "...The number of participating churches tripled in 2005, far exceeding our expectations..." [Note: The MLP web site lists 114 MLP churches; not all of the churches participating in More Light Sunday were MLP churches]

Scripture lessons for today from the lectionary Today in the Yearbook for Mission and Study: Lithuania and Poland
	"...Fourteen years of independence and freedom have meant much hard work but have also given the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania reason to sing, as it has sought to let the truth and light of the gospel shine. "....Today, the Reformed Church of Poland is seeking to renew itself and its 4,000 members across nine parishes and eight other places of worship."


News of all churches, in the USA and worldwide, and their interaction with the world around them. Included: opinions, resources Voices from the entire spectrum

Billy Graham winds up revival meeting – by Richard N. Ostling / AP
	The Rev. Billy Graham concluded a three-day revival meeting by raising spirits and leaving open a question that was on the mind of most who attended: Will this be the last time the celebrated evangelist preaches a mass meeting? Despite various ailments, he looked reasonably fit and was firm of voice, though he seemed to tire and after only 23 minutes in the pulpit rather abruptly delivered the invitation for listeners to step forward and commit to Jesus. Sociologist William Martin, Graham's biographer, traveled from Rice University to witness the weekend. He said he expected to see a largely white Anglo turnout but was struck by the "amazingly diverse crowd. I wonder if a crowd this large and this diverse has ever assembled." Appearing at the Saturday night rally, Bill Clinton called the evangelist the only person he has known who has always lived according to his faith. "God bless you friend," Clinton said. "Bless you."

Supreme Court rules on Ten Commandments / AP
	A divided Supreme Court on Monday struck down Ten Commandments displays in two Kentucky courthouses, but said a 6-foot granite replica on government land in Texas was acceptable. The justices ruled split 5-4 that the Ten Commandments could not be displayed in court buildings or on government property. However, the Biblical laws could be displayed in an historical context, as they are in a frieze in the Supreme Court building. Notably, the first four commandments, which have to do with honoring God and the Sabbath, were obscured by the artist who designed the frieze.

Anglicans vote to disinvest from Israel By Vikram Dodd / The Guardian
	Anglicans voted Friday to urge their member churches to consider disinvesting from companies involved in Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands. The Anglican consultative council voted unanimously for the measure, which was opposed by the last archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbi, who fear it will damage Jewish and Christian relations. Among those voting for yesterday's measure was Dr Rowan Williams, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, a council spokesman said. The vote was prompted by the Anglican Justice and Peace Network, and is being seen as largely symbolic. The resolution was weaker than the one originally proposed, but still calls on the church to pressure firms involved in Israel's activities in the occupied territories. Any company would first be talked to, but ultimately churches could sell their shares in them. After the vote a spokesman said the church's ethical investment body would be "looking at whether they should be invested in Caterpillar. Caterpillar currently meets the ethical investment criteria." The churches' 38 provinces across the world will be asked to implement the measure, but are not obliged to do so. Related: The text of the resolutions / Anglican Communion News Service

United we stand – Reform the U.N., but don't use a "big stick" approach. By Kofi A. Annan
	"Today marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in 1945. Debate about "reform" of the U.N. has been raging almost from that moment on. "This is because – especially but not only in the United States – idealism and aspiration for the U.N. have always outstripped its actual performance. For 60 years Americans – conservative and liberal alike – have expected much from the U.N. Too often, we have failed to meet those expectations..."

Bush: US committed to elimination of torture worldwide / Reuters
	In a statement to mark United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Mr Bush said: "Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right, and we are committed to building a world where human rights are respected and protected by the rule of law."

Reagan named ‘Greatest American’ ever
	Reagan received 24 per cent of the vote beating fellow Republican Abraham Lincoln, who received 23.56 per cent and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jnr, with 19.7 per cent of the vote. Former President George Washington was voted the fourth most popular American with 17.7 per cent of the nominations. Benjamin Franklin came in fifth receiving 14.9 per cent of the votes. George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey and Franklin Roosevelt made up rest of the top ten. The vote was sponsored by America Online and broadcasted by the Discovery Channel. Citizens were able to cast votes by phone or the Internet. In total 2.4 million votes were submitted.

“Fake but accurate” Christians – by Stan Guthrie
	"In an article for the liberal-leaning Christian magazine Sojourners, Glen Harold Stassen, the Lewis B. Smedes professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, blamed the president’s social and economic policies for an increase of 52,000 abortions in 2002 than would otherwise have been expected nationwide... "Stassen’s conclusions are bunk... "And did this self-described “Christian ethicist… trained in statistical analysis” apologize for using incomplete and erroneous data right before the vote? Sadly, no..."

Good news from Iraq, 27 June 2005 – by Arthur Chrenkoff
	"..."Nations from around the world gave their full backing to the new Iraqi government’s road map for reform Wednesday, promising support, expertise and aid as Iraqis work to secure order, rejuvenate the economy and draft a new constitution... "Iraq will begin restoring full diplomatic relations with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, officials said Wednesday – ending more than a decade of frozen ties with its Arab neighbors.".. "Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari received an almost unanimous vote of confidence from the National Assembly for his government and its program... "...the constitutional committee has completed 80 per cent of its work already... a compromise has been reached about the participation of members of the Sunni community in the constitutional process... "Iraqi blogger Mohammed notes "constitution fever" is gripping the population... Foreign assistance for the constitutional process also keeps pouring in... "A radio station focusing on women's issues has hit the airwaves in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad... "Throughout Iraq, the American and the Coalition troops continue to be involved in a whole range of reconstruction and humanitarian activities that complement their security role..." Much more on Society, Economy, Reconstruction, Humanitarian Aid, the Coalition Troops and Security.

A special message from the President of the AAC regarding David Virtue article (to which we linked Saturday)
	"...Virtue apparently interviewed a Primate, one for whom English is his seventh out of eight languages, and he has run with a major breaking story. The only trouble is it is catastrophically wrong. Many of the Primates, operating in English instead of their first language, do fairly well until they are being interviewed with demanding and nuanced questions. And sometimes they also are wrong on the facts. Combine all that with not checking a story with other reputable sources and a desire to scoop everyone and break a story, and you have a story that should be retracted and should have been gotten right the first time..." Related: The David Virtue article in question,


Letters from readers – email us