CHRISTIAN WORLD NEWS
Religion Roundup
Christian and Muslim Groups Form Global Aid Partnership
LONDON (AP) - A major joint effort is linking the U.S.-based United Methodist Committee on relief with London-based Muslim-Aid.
The two groups have signed a partnership agreement that could result in about $15 million in direct relief to parts of the world torn by disaster, violent conflicts and poverty including Sri Lanka and Indonesia. That's in addition to nearly ten (m) million dollars already applied in Sri Lanka.
The Reverend R. Randy Day, general secretary of Global Ministry of the United Methodist Church says the partnership will mean maximum response to global disasters, enhanced economic and social development -- and he hopes a new peace building model based on cross-cultural understanding.
He says the model could show that people of very different, and sometimes conflicting, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures "can work together to help humanity."
Muslim Aid's chairman Farooq Murad says the two groups have already proven they can work together and will continue to work "to establish healthy, open communities where trust and faith can flourish."
'Other Baptists' Join Efforts to Escape Shadow of Sbc
UNDATED (AP) - They're America's other Baptists.
And for years they've watched the conservative Southern Baptist Convention come to define the religious tradition for the general public. Now these other Baptists are beginning to be heard.
Friday in Washington, two of the larger groups -- the American Baptist Churches and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship worshiped together for the first time. The predominantly-black National Baptist Convention USA and the Progressive National Baptist Convention are also joining the effort.
The Reverend Daniel Vestal, national coordinator of the fellowship, says "the Baptist witness is much richer and more nuanced than is characterized so often in the public square now."
A document called the North American Baptist Covenant calls for creating "an authentic and genuine prophetic Baptist voice."
It grew out of meetings of Baptist leaders organized by former President Jimmy Carter. He's severed ties with the Southern Baptist Convention because of what he called its "increasingly rigid" creed.
But Southern Baptist Convention president, the Reverend Frank Page, has accused the Covenant's drafters of promoting what he calls a "left-wing liberal agenda" when it should be showing "the lost" the way to Jesus Christ.
Pope Decries Killing of 11 Lawmakers in Colombia
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict is decrying the "barbarous" killing of eleven Colombian lawmakers who had been held for years by Colombian rebels and appealed for the immediate release of all other hostages.
While praying for the dead in St. Peter's Square, Benedict said he was joining in the "deep sorrow of their families and of the beloved Colombian nation." He said he was "yet again saddened by fratricidal hate."
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, holds about 50 prominent hostages, including a former presidential candidate and three U.S. defense contractors.
Pope Urges Chinese Catholics to Unite
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict is urging all Roman Catholics in China to unite under his authority, praising the underground faithful for their loyalty to Rome but saying they should reconcile with Catholics of the official state-run church.
At the same time, Benedict called the state-run China Patriotic Catholic Association "incompatible" with Catholic doctrine. He lamented the lack of religious freedom in China and insisted on his right to appoint bishops, although he said he hoped an agreement could be reached with the government on nominations.
In an unprecedented overture to the official church on Saturday, he revoked previous Vatican regulations that had called for limiting contact with official clergy and for excommunicating bishops consecrated without his consent.
Benedict issued his comments in an eagerly-awaited letter to the faithful in China that represented his most significant effort to date to unify the nearly 12 million Chinese Catholics and restore diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Jessie Davis' Mom Thanks God at Daughter's Funeral
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Family members and the community that searched for her bid a tearful farewell Saturday to Jesse Davis, a pregnant Ohio woman who was killed along with her unborn baby.
Bishop F. Josephus Johnson the Second told mourners at House of the Lord Church that "Our faith is challenged by what's going on."
And her mother Patricia Porter said even at an early age her daughter had wanted to help the needy through Christian missionary work and "always had a heart for God and a heart for people."
She said her daughter could only have come from God, and was thankful to God for Jesse's life.
A Canton police officer, the father of Davis' unborn baby and of the couple's two year old son, has been charged with two counts of murder.
Nevada Man to Give First Hindu Prayer at U.S. Senate
RENO, Nev. (AP) - A northern Nevada chaplain plans to travel to Washington next month to give what is believed to be the first Hindu prayer ever read at the U.S. Senate.
Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain in Reno, applied to the Senate chaplain's office earlier this year for permission to give the morning prayer that opens Senate business each day. He received word this week he's been approved for the job July 12th.
Zed says its an honor for him, Nevada and Hindus everywhere.
Assistant Senate historian Betty Koed says she's researched the matter and has been unable to "come up with anything to suggest there's been another Hindu prayer."
The Senate chaplain usually gives the prayer but guests frequently step in to do the job.
Kansas Group Seeks to Stop Sunday Liquor Sales
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Residents fighting to keep alcohol from being sold on Sunday in Wichita, Kansas, are turning to churches for support, which they feel will go a long way toward forcing a vote on the issue.
Pastor Wade Moore, who is leading the petition, said a strong weekend push should bring more than the number of valid voter signatures needed. The deadline for a petition to be turned in is the end of the business day today.
Moore says "We're supposed to be a Christian nation" and that "Sundays should be set aside for worship to Almighty God."
In late April, the City Council approved Sunday sales. Liquor stores and retailers would be able to sell packaged alcoholic beverages from noon to 8 p-m on Sundays.
Alcohol sales still would not be allowed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If the petition falls short, the Sunday alcohol sales will start July eighth.
One liquor store owner says says he'll drop his prices to celebrate if the petition fails. He says if people "want to go to church on Sunday and go home that's great ...But if they want to buy a bottle of wine and have the neighbors over for a barbecue, that's fine too."
Identical Twins Become Priests in Green Bay Diocese
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - A pair of identical twins were ordained as priests in the Green Bay Catholic Diocese over the weekend.
James Sember says he couldn't get his sons Ben and Joel "to apply any place else or do anything else, that what's they decided they wanted to do."
Although both twins will serve in the Green Bay diocese, they say their ministries will be different.
Joel says though they have the same background and the same genes they have "a different approach to things."
And his brother Ben adds: "I hope we don't ever get assigned to the same parish, not for our sake but for the people, it would be very confusing."
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
