Both the World Council of Churches and Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center made statements earlier this year that are critical of Israel, calling for an end to humanitarian violations while the status of Jerusalem is debated.
US Islamic leaders issued a fatwa — an Islamic religious ruling — against violence and acts of political extremism in July.
One presbyterian congregation is taking it upon itself to help the fishing community in Sri Lanka. Bridlewood, Toronto, has launched the Sri Lanka Tsunami Fishing Boat Project in hopes of raising enough money to provide fishermen with new boats and nets, or repair old boats when possible. One well-equipped new boat costs about $5,000 Cdn.
It has been nine months since massive waves devastated South East Asia in December; wiping out homes, businesses, schools, individuals, families and entire villages. Countless media stories have followed the millions in donations being made. Still, even with checks and balances and a renewed commitment to ensuring funds get to where they're supposed to go, difficulties persist. Corrupt government officials, military control, armed rebel groups and humanitarian violations all challenge aid distribution.
The Children and Worship program is celebrating 20 years of offering renewed ideas for Sunday school. Based on Montessori principles, young children are taught about God and the Bible using interactive, visual and creative methods, in an effort to help them experience the stories as well as learn about them.
A new drinking water regulation from the Ministry of the Environment will relieve many Ontario churches of costly testing and equipment requirements. The new regulation, which came into effect in June, allows churches that own and operate certain types of drinking-water systems to either post signs saying that their water has not been tested or test their water according to steps outlined by the ministry.
The Record had a strong showing at the annual Associated Church Press and Canadian Church Press awards. Amy MacLachlan beat 15 other entries to capture first place at ACP for her June 2004 news story, East Toronto Presbytery Says No to Temporary Approval of Same-sex Marriage. ACP judges Canadian and American talent.
A Presbyterian minister in Ekwendeni, Malawi, has warned male and female nursing students not to exploit the proximity of their accommodation by engaging in casual sex. "Please take yourselves as students with an agenda to fulfill," said Rev. Maurice Munthali, the acting general secretary of the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. "Bringing you together should not be interpreted to mean you should be engaging in sexual relationships. This is the place of God. Try to keep it holy."
The Presbyterian Church is part of the fourth largest tsunami aid project approved by the Canadian government in its tsunami matching funds program. According to the Canadian International Development Agency's website, the project in India is only surpassed by efforts led by the three aid giants — Red Cross, World Vision and UNICEF.
The Canadian Bible Society is conducting a coast-to-coast bike ride in honour of its centennial anniversary. Participants will cover more than 7,800 kilometres, cycling through every province in 62 days. The ride starts July 2, 2006. The event celebrates the society workers who once travelled to communities by foot or on horseback, offering Bibles to those who needed them. The society hopes to raise $500,000 to be used for Bible translation, publication and distribution projects.
Canadian churches sent 10,000 tonnes of wheat and 1,320 tonnes of soybeans to North Korea through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Presbyterian World Service & Development is the lead agency for the shipment. CFGB member churches contributed more than $1 million,matched by more than $4 million from the Canadian International Development Agency.
There are at least 1,200 Protestant churches with more than 2,000 weekly worship attendants across the United States, a study from an American seminary has discovered. The figure was nearly double the number of megachurches previously thought. "We hope and pray that we can help correct misperceptions and better network these churches with each other," said Dave Travis of Leadership Network, a partner in the project.
Moderator of the 2004 General Assembly and new General Secretary of the Life and Mission Agency received an honorary doctorate from Knox College in May.
Remembering the Pentecostal belief that God can and does heal today could be healthy and worthwhile for the Christian church, according to Ron Wallace, associate secretary of International Ministries for the Presbyterian Church. Wallace attended the World Council of Churches' Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in May. Held in Athens, Greece, the idea of God's healing ran throughout the international event. "Healing on a horizontal level, between denominations, also implies healing the church's relationship with God," he said.
The Toronto Zimbabwean community gathered on May 21 for a dinner and dance to raise money for Tinashe and Tinotenda — the conjoined twins flown from Zimbabwe and separated at the Hospital for Sick Children in March. The event's theme was Any Child is My Child, reminiscent of the traditional Zimbabwean practice of all parents caring for all children. "It takes an entire village to raise a child," said Margaret Zondo, administrator of the Presbyterian Church's International Ministries and one of the event's creators."These kids are really not their mother's kids. They belong to everyone in Zimbabwe."
The Presbyterian Church hopes to meet with a new federal government representative working on resolving claims of former residential schools students. Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci is mandated by the government to help resolve claims in a fair and equitable way so that the claimants can move towards healing. He will work with former students, as well as legal counsel for those students, legal counsel for churches and the Assembly of First Nations. "We're looking forward to meeting with Justice Iacobucci to see where we can be helpful in bringing resolution, healing and closure for the claimants, who have waited so long," said Rev. Stephen Kendall, the church's principal clerk.
Called the world's toughest spelling competition, the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C., saw one Canadian Presbyterian compete. Twelve-year-old Jennifer Hurd, daughter of Rev. James Hurd of Parkwood, Ottawa, Ont., put in a good showing but did not advance to the third round. She tied for 98th place when her written and oral scores from the first two rounds were just short of what was needed to advance. The winner, Anurag Kashyap from San Diego, California, spelled appoggiatura correctly to win the championship after 19 rounds.
Presbyterians ran for Rett on May 15, helping to raise money for a disorder many parents and doctors don't even know about. Rett Syndrome is a degenerative neurodevelopmental disorder that first appears in girls between six and 18 months of age. It affects about one in every 10,000 to 15,000 girls, with life expectancy believed to be about 40 years. There is no cure. "This run was a concerted effort to raise awareness," said Rob Congram, whose daughter Abby is afflicted with the disorder. "The money was great but the real goal was to let people know this is out there."
Canada's relief and aid community is joining with 50 other countries to help Make Poverty History. The international campaign is supported by the Presbyterian Church through Presbyterian World Service & Development. The campaign has three themes: More and Better Aid, Make Trade Fair and Cancel the Debt. Canada has added the theme of End Child Poverty.
Taiwan is celebrating the 140th anniversary of the arrival of Protestant missionaries. Canadian Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was one of the pioneers, arriving in 1872. "When the early evangelists arrived on Taiwan to proclaim the gospel of Christ, local people greeted them with thrown stones, spittle, knives and rejection," said Rev. Dr. C. M. Kao, former General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. "But the gospel was fearlessly proclaimed and the spirit of these brave forerunners remains a pattern worthy of emulation by contemporary Christians."