Faith in Action / May 9, 2011

Faith in Action / May 9, 2011 / Wayne Rhodes, Editor (mailto:wrhodes@umc-gbcs.org)

Word from Winkler (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=enKCIOMxHjLLLZI&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
A significant death
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
It was a tragic mistake to transform the hunt for bin Laden from a criminal and intelligence operation into a military invasion of Iraq; hundreds of thousands of lives were sacrificed; trillions of dollars were wasted; and years were lost in doing so.

Bill requires Afghanistan exit strategy (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hgIIIXOJJmJSJ9L&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
16 co-sponsor bipartisan legislation; more sponsors sought
By Wayne Rhodes, Editor, Faith in Action
'Afghanistan Exit & Accountability Act' requires quarterly reports on costs of continuing 'longest' war and how much would be saved if U.S. withdraws forces within a reasonable time frame.

It's not about you! (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ktKOJ6PVLpIZLjK&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
A reflection on loving mercy
By the Rev. Faith Fowler
It is not optional: We are to love mercy because people are lying and dying in the ditch.

Osama bin Laden was no 'Geronimo' (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=nwLUKfM7KsL6JtJ&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL) (http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6769441&ct=9385025)
Code name for terrorist leader offends Native Americans
By Wayne Rhodes, Editor, Faith in Action
Refute notion that Native leaders can be paralleled in any way with persons who 'unashamedly destroy life.'

When abstinence doesn't work (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gfJGKUOFIlKTL9L&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL) Sex and the Church Logo
Sex and the Church
By the Rev. Steve Clapp
We should provide teens with the help that they need to relate their faith to their sexual decision-making and to remain safe from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Bin Laden death must be turning point (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=luIQJ9PZKrLVIfI&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
Churches called to commit to witness for peace
3 United Methodists among 19 Christian leaders who signed National Council of Churches statement following 'significant moment in turbulent history of past decade.'

Desecrating the sanctity of life (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=enJCKONxEkKIKVL&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
Shackling women prisoners during childbirth
By Heather Rice
Shackling women prisoners during childbirth is a shameful practice that strips away the dignity from the sacred moment of welcoming a new life into the world and increases danger to the health and well-being of both the child and mother.

'I Believe You' (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hgLIKXOJKnJPI5K&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL) (http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6769441&ct=9385019)
Faith responses to intimate-partner violence
By Linda Bales Todd
Documentary addresses the church's silence in being in ministry with those living with violence in their homes.

Libya and religious freedom (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ktJOL6PVIqIWKfJ&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
Does upheaval presage more persecution of Christians?
By Manohar James
Predominantly Muslim country has been somewhat tolerant of other faiths — unless they try to proselytize.

Peace with Justice Sunday (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=enKCIOMxHkLLLYI&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
United Methodist Special Sunday June 19
When you give to Peace with Justice Sunday, you support ministries worldwide to remove unjust systems and equip the victimized to live more fulfilled lives.

New clergy marriage policy voided (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hgIIIXOJJnJSJ8L&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
United Methodist Judicial Court rules same-sex unions 'null, void'
By Linda Bloom
Policy adopted but not yet implemented by United Methodists in New York Conference to let clergy marry 'at their own discretion.'

Worldwide action for peace nears (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ktKOJ6PVLqIZLiK&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, May 29 to June 4
Week-long observance is to encourage concerned communities and individuals to make a common witness by participating in worship, educational events and acts of advocacy to support just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

World Sunday for Peace May 22 (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=nwLUKfM7KtL6JsJ&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
Celebrate with the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica
World Council of Churches invites congregations around the globe to celebrate God's gift of peace by creating a wave of praise and prayer encircling the earth.

Change proposed for ecumenical agency (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gfJGKUOFImKTL8L&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
Council of Bishops overwhelmingly approves taking responsibility
By Heather Hahn
United Methodist General Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligiious Concerns would cease to exist as separate entity.

Change the World May 14-15 (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jiKML3PRKpJ0IiK&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL) (http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6769441&ct=9358803)
More than 100,000 persons took part in first weekend
United Methodists will participate in community service projects on Saturday, May 14; they will invite their neighbors to attend church services on Sunday, May 15.

Churches for Middle East Peace conference (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=enJCKONxElKIKUL&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL)
'For the Peace of Jerusalem' May 22-24
Archbishop Elias Chacour will be featured speaker at the conference whose purpose is to facilitate a negotiated, just, peaceful resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict.

On bin Laden not 'Geronimo' (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hgLIKXOJKoJPI4K&s=eeIHKXOtEdINIRNDF&m=gjITI3PKJgJXIkL) (http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6769441&ct=9385089)
'While we decry terrorism in any form, we refute the notion that our Native leaders, past and current, be paralleled in any way with persons who unashamedly destroy life.'
—The Rev. Chebon Kernell (Oklahoma)