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SEMPER REFORMANDA
NEWS UPDATE
# 3 -- May 2001
[posted here on 5-15-01]
Click here for information on Semper
Reformanda events at General Assembly.
In this issue:
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| Semper
Reformanda to merge with Witherspoon Society
[5-15-01]
After nearly
one year of conversations, the work of a joint Semper-Witherspoon
negotiating task group, and review of a merger proposal by the executive
committees of each group, the two organizations are moving toward
merger.
The proposal for
merger is being voted on by the Board of Directors of the Witherspoon
Society and the Leadership Team of Semper Reformanda during the month of
May, just after this issue of the Network News goes to
press.
If the proposal is
approved by the two governing bodies it will then be brought to the
regular membership meeting of each group in Louisville where the two
organizations will hold their separate annual meetings during the
General Assembly.
The context of the
merger is summarized in the introduction to A Memorandum of
Understanding as follows: "The Witherspoon Society and the Semper
Reformanda organizations have a significant number of mutual interests,
including a common commitment to promote social justice in the church
and society, generate effective input into the denominational
structures, create meaningful theological understanding for a
post-modern era, and engage the next generation of leadership in the
church. The two organizations have collaborated in a number of informal
ways in recent years, have overlapping memberships and similar
interests."
The purpose of the
merger is to create a stronger, larger, more effective witness for
justice, peace, and a prophetic voice within the church and society. As
far as possible, the identity-giving events of each organization are to
remain in place for several years to nurture and equip faithful
Presbyterians for responsible participation at all levels of the church.
The intent of seeking a new unity is to be open to the new things which
God is doing in the new century ahead.
Nile Harper
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| Progress Report on
A Study Document and Resolutions
on Africa
[5-15-01]
During the General Assembly on June 13,
Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m., the Advisory Committee on Social
Witness Policy will conduct a consultation at the
Hyatt-Regency Hotel on a draft of A STUDY DOCUMENT AND RESOLUTIONS ON
AFRICA. The document, now in its fourth draft, is the result of work
done over the past three years as directed by the 211th General Assembly
in 1999. The June 13 consultation is an opportunity for further
feedback, critique, suggestions and improvement of the document and the
proposed recommendations. The final document will be presented to the
214th General Assembly in 2002.
After the preliminary work and early consultations,
Paul Frelick, an educator with substantial experience in Africa, was
asked to become the primary writer for the study document. The draft
copy has been studied by PCUSA Africa Partner Churches, middle governing
bodies, ecumenical partners, and the Africa staff of Worldwide
Ministries Division. ACSWP will take final action on the study document
and resolutions during the Winter of 2002.
Major sections of the current draft document include:
Faith Journey With Africans In The 21st Century; Overview of The African
Continent; An Understanding of the Modern African State; Africa's
Regional Constellations; Reversing Some Images of Africa; Civil Society
and the Role Of NGO's; Proposed Action Agenda for Churches in
Partnership. In addition there are scholarly notes, bibliography, a list
of African Church Partnerships by nation, tables of population,
education, life expectancy, GDP, and per capita income by nations.
The are thirteen proposed resolutions in the current
draft that touch upon the following areas: supporting historical
research, promoting a deeper understanding of Christian mission in
Africa, developing study curriculum for congregations, promoting
preparation for occupational change, lifting up ways to seek better
healthcare, addressing the massive HIV/AIDS crisis, addressing endemic
African diseases, upgrading and supporting Christian schools, advocacy
for improved status of women, advocacy for children, advocacy for human
rights, seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts between African nations,
focus on the eco-system and fair trade policies, and creation of a major
study guide on Africa.
Nile Harper
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| Notes
on resources dealing with social justice concerns
"Ethics of Life and Death,"
Church & Society Magazine, March/April 2001. Fifteen
significant articles plus helpful bibliography and study resources.
Available from Presbyterian Distribution Service, 1-800-524-2612. $2.50
Study Guide on Changing Families,
available to middle governing bodies and others upon request to ACSWP by
phone, 1-888-728-7228, ext 5813. For study and revision. Final
copy ready for 214th General
Assembly in 2002.
Charitable Choice Booklet and Resource
Packet, available by June 2001 from
Presbyterian Distribution Service. A resource for congregations.
1-800-524-2612.
"Turning Mourning in
Dancing," A Policy Statement on Domestic
Violence. To be reported to the 213th
General Assembly in June 2001. From ACSWP.
"The Human Rights Update,"
an Annual Report from ACSWP in consultation with Congregational
Ministries, National Ministries, and Worldwide Ministries, with coverage
of a wide range of nations. To be reported at the 213th
General Assembly, 2001.
"Ministry of Caregiving in
Relation to Older Adults," a resolution
to come before the 213th
General Assembly to explore what caregiving means in a rapidly aging
population, with recommendations for action.
from Nile Harper
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog
for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship and activism,
Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of
feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students,
exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and
devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in
whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views, or initiate
a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical reflections on
everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing,
religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture,
travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the
Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City
Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the Witherspoon
board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in
Flushing, NY. |
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John
Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as
pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs
about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and
disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening
up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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