Episcopal Life Online Newslink December 6, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Philippine military aid must be limited, adhere to human rights, Church leaders tell Congress * TOP STORY - Support the Second Chance Act to invest in prisoner re-entry programs, EPPN urges * DIOCESAN DIGEST - OREGON: Convention responds generously to outreach projects * WORLD REPORT - INDIAN OCEAN: United Thank Offering funds Pastoral and Theological Center in Antsiranana diocese * WORLD REPORT - PHILIPPINES: Church council head and Anglican priest to stress indigenous rights * WORLD REPORT - SINGAPORE: Archbishop of Canterbury lectures on why social cohesion needs religion * FEATURE - Small church, great mission: Leaders of small congregations called to expanded vision of ministry * TEACHING - Episcopal educators gather in the Dominican Republic
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TOP STORIES
Philippine military aid must be limited, adhere to human rights, Church leaders tell Congress
By Matthew Davies
[Episcopal News Service] U.S. military aid to the Philippines should be capped and human rights conditions applied to the entire amount, more than 270 Church leaders, NGOs and citizen groups urged in a December 3 letter sent to members of Congress.
Representing the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Bishop Christopher Epting, Ecumenical and Interfaith officer, and the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice Ministries, joined the call for the final version of bill H.R. 2764 to be sensitive to the human rights crisis in the Philippines.
A spate of extra-judicial or political killings has been reported in the Philippines under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Such killings occur without the permission of a court or legal authority and are generally carried out by a State in order to rid itself of a disruptive influence.
The letter raises specific concerns about "the significant consequences for the Filipino people of the military aid being extended unchecked to the Government of the Philippines."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_92500_ENG_HTM.htm
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Support the Second Chance Act to invest in prisoner re-entry programs, EPPN urges
[EPPN] The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) is calling on Episcopalians to contact their United States Senators and urge them to support the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 1060) when it comes to the floor.
The Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this fall by an overwhelming vote of 347-62, would invest in prisoner-reentry programs that have helped released prisoners learn how to lead productive lives and reduced the likelihood that they will return to prison. More and more states are trying this approach, but they need federal assistance, said an EPPN alert, which is emailed to more than 21,000 Episcopalians and religious advocates.
"The sad reality is that many children born in minority communities today are...on a 'cradle to prison pipeline.' When we see how simple it is to get them on a 'cradle to college pipeline,' it is tragic, and much more costly to society, economically and socially if we don't do so," said Congressman Robert Scott (D-VA), an Episcopalian and chair of the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, in Congressional testimony.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_92492_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
OREGON: Convention responds generously to outreach projects http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_92474_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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WORLD REPORT
INDIAN OCEAN: United Thank Offering funds Pastoral and Theological Center in Antsiranana diocese http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_92475_ENG_HTM.htm
PHILIPPINES: Church council head and Anglican priest to stress indigenous rights http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_92497_ENG_HTM.htm
SINGAPORE: Archbishop of Canterbury lectures on why social cohesion needs religion http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_92476_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm
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FEATURES
Small church, great mission
Leaders of small congregations called to expanded vision of ministry
By Suzanne Watson
[Episcopal Life] When more than 135 people gathered for a conference to explore Creative Models of Sacramental Leadership in the Small Church, something happened that went beyond exploring those models. The focus expanded to explore how those who serve in, gather in and love small churches live out their special part in God's greater mission.
Through comments by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, New Zealand Archbishop David Moxon's stories of communities gathered around social justice issues and other presenters' theology and experience, participants left with increased enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a sense that they were not isolated in their ministry settings.
Participants at the October 7-10 gathering at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, included small-church leaders from the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), as well as Anglican representatives from the provinces of Canada and New Zealand.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81834_92498_ENG_HTM.htm
More Features: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78936_ENG_HTM.htm
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TEACHING
Episcopal educators gather in the Dominican Republic
[Episcopal News Service] Members of the Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Education and Formation, the PEALL (Proclaiming Education for All) task force and the Province IX Curriculum Writers Group received a warm welcome from Dominican Republic Bishop Julio Cesar Holguin as they gathered for an impromptu meeting in Santo Domingo, Diocesis de República Dominicana on November 16.
The group shared stories about the educational ministry that brought each of them to the Dominican Republic, as well as what presents a challenge as their work continues.
"The purpose for meeting in the Dominican Republic for PEALL and the Standing Commission was really to understand the contextual issues that the church faces in Province IX," said Sharon Ely Pearson, PEALL member and Christian educator for the Diocese of Connecticut.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_92482_ENG_HTM.htm