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New Year’s revolutions Six new PC(USA) mission co-workers begin orientation
	"As families all across the U.S. dedicate themselves to the customary, sometimes perfunctory task of making New Year’s resolutions, six Presbyterian families have resolved to utterly change their lives this year for the sake of Jesus Christ. "Each has answered a call to mission service and will soon deploy to places such as Peru, Mexico, Jamaica, and South Asia..."

Giving it all away – Successful evangelism lies in community service, not self-preservation, Linthicum tells PHEWA By Jerry Van Marter / PNS
	"Renowned urban evangelist Robert Linthicum recalled being asked by San Gabriel Presbytery to “intervene” with First Presbyterian Church of Pomona, CA, a once-thriving PC(USA) congregation now facing extinction as the neighborhood around it changed dramatically..."

Haigazian University receives a delegation from the Presbyterian Church (USA)
	Beirut, Lebanon – During their solidarity tour with Lebanon and the local church, Haigazian University represented by its President and a number of colleagues, received Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation. In his welcoming words, President Paul Haidostian stressed on the importance of this visit, specially during the Lebanese political crisis, as well as he acknowledged the ecumenical efforts of Rev. Kirkpatrick, with whom he has served for long years in the Executive Committee of the "World Alliance of Reformed Churches". Rev. Kirkpatrick praised the role of the churches in the region, including Haigazian’s role in shaping the new generation, and in preparing the future leadership.

The Presbyterian Outlook on the New Wineskins report
	We linked to the report itself yesterday. Here is some more background, including some interviews.

"Presbyterians and separatist Evangelicals" Reviewing an article that maligns Jesus Christ and all who belong to him Viewpoint of Viola Larson
	"...How this insulting and erroneous article [by Milton Winter] made it into an official Presbyterian publication [*Perspectives,* An online publication of the Office of the General Assembly], I do not know but someone should apologize... "Not only is Winter's article offensive, it is also filled with misinformation... "With a great deal of inanity Winter tries to lay a foundation for seeing Evangelicals as an almost secret sect which applies ritual tests to those wishing to belong... "Winter... uses this publication to defend the most problematic heretical teaching troubling the PCUSA. That is the progressive belief that people of other faiths do not need Jesus Christ in order to be saved... "Above all else Winter is unfaithful to those perishing and in need of the proclamation that Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Church and the savior of the world."

Blogs
•	The perfect compromise – by John Foreman "...Let's ratify local option in all matters! Specifically, let's ask the General Assembly for a simultaneous removal of the fidelity/chastity clause AND the property trust clause in our constitution! "Everybody wins..."

Presbyterians in their local news
•	Berwyn Heights church converts into a shelter [Il.] Berwyn Presbyterian Church members had no idea when they began participating in the Safe Haven” program in 1989 that they would have been able to provide shelter and food to 250 men seeking comfort, a good meal and shelter. Now in its 18th year of serving as a hostess church, congregation members are experienced veterans in housing the 15 homeless men who participate in the program.

Scripture lessons for today – from the Lectionary
	"...with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light..." "...Woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, "What are you making"? or "Your work has no handles"?... Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands?..." "...Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit..."

Today in the Yearbook for Prayer and Study Christian Unity– Minute for Mission – by Clifton Kirkpatrick
	"...While it is impossible for the entire Church universal to be together in one place, “visible oneness, by which a diversity of persons, gifts, and understandings is brought together, is an important sign of the unity of God’s people” (G-4.0203). The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is deeply committed to working toward this visible unity. Our membership in the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is an example of that commitment..."
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Carter to Al-Jazeera: Palestinian missile attacks on Israelis not terrorism

(Israelinsider) – Former President Jimmy Carter told the Arab news network Al- Jazeera that he does not consider Palestinian missile attacks on Israeli civilians -- a war crime and breach of human rights, according to the UN -- to be acts of terror...
Carter went on to explain that other acts of Palestinian violence, like targeting civilians in bus bombings or children at schools, should not be committed because they make Palestinians look bad.

Faith groups urge media access, accountability
"Mainstream faith" complains it cannot get its message out.
By Daniel Webster / NCC

"... Several speakers voiced frustration at getting out the message of the majority mainstream religious communities in the U.S. in the context of a broadcast industry now dominated by media conglomerates who own multiple stations in local markets across the nation, making program decisions on the basis of economic efficiency rather than community needs.
"As a result, the speakers noted, the voice of mainstream faith is often excluded from the on-air agenda, or is displaced by more strident extremist views...
"“The voice of middle church, middle mosque and middle synagogue is not being heard,” said the Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the NCC..."

McCain says he hopes to mend ties with James Dobson / AP

Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that he hopes to patch things up with conservative Christian leader James Dobson, who said last week that he would not support the lawmaker's presidential bid "under any circumstances."
In an interview last Thursday with a Christian radio station in Dallas, Dobson argued that McCain did not support traditional marriage values "and I pray that we will not get stuck with him."

Some bling for your blog
By Scott Kirsner / The New York Times

Pastor Bob Hyatt acknowledges that his widget fixation may be getting a little out of control.
On his Web log, Pastor Hyatt, the leader of the Evergreen Community in Portland, Ore., has woven in widgets, or mini-applications, that show a selection of book covers from his personal library, present the most recent posts from some of his favorite blogs, and serve up random quotes from the television show “Arrested Development.”...
"...widgets are growing in popularity — the first major conference dedicated to “the emerging widget economy” was held in November in San Francisco .."


Letters from readers – email us
•	Jim Yearsley "I read with interest the impact of reduced funding on many of the network agencies enabled by PHEWA... "...it seems to me that most of the... listed networks are already ably reflected in a myriad of social outreach agencies and NGOs. "As we consider the impact of this alleged “crisis” may I recommend that we apply a reasoned measurement?..."