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A report from Colombia |
| What's going on in Colombia?
A celebration in the midst of growing violence.
[8-8-02]
Presbyterian mission co-worker (and Witherspooner)
Alice Winters has just sent this brief note which suggests something
of the anguished conflict going on there (in which the U.S. has a
large role, of course). And at the same time, she is involved in the
opening of a new Reformed
University, and all the red tape that goes with it.
Ecumenical
Press International has carried a story this confirms this
account from Alice Winters.
I need to do a newsletter, but haven't had time. This
past Sunday, the 146th anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian
Church of Colombia, we had a special service of thanks to God for the
formal recognition of the Colombian Reformed University (formerly the
Presbyterian Theological Seminary). This recognition has also required a
great deal of additional work to comply with all the new institutional
requirements in terms of admissions, programs of study, evaluations,
etc. And on top of it all, my computer died! (I'm writing you on a brand
new one -- not something that was in my budget right now!)
As for the situation of the country as a whole, we are in a vicious
circle of violence, and many Colombians are fearful for the future. When
negotiations broke off with the guerrilla, the violence here escalated
to a new level. A few weeks ago over 100 people were massacred in a
church where they had taken refuge. Last week an entire town was
kidnapped. And those are just two of the most visible cases. Yesterday
31 people lost their lives around the country in political violence.
You undoubtedly saw on television what took place while our new
president was being sworn in today. But more than that, the police found
and broke up several other conspiracies that would have affected the
ceremony even more seriously. But the new president is a "hard
liner" who has promised to crack down on the guerrillas. He wants
to beef up the army to ten times its present force and has already
threatened to call up the reserves (all men who have served in the army
in the last five to ten years). This means even more violence, and most
Colombians feel you can't fight violence with violence and achieve
peace.
So we will really need your prayers in the weeks and months ahead. The
violence tends to be centered in the southern and central parts of the
country, so here in Barranquilla we do not feel we are in any immediate
danger.
Incidentally, I am leaving tomorrow for Mexico where I will teach in a
master's program in biblical studies, and from there I will go to
Virginia for a week. My 84-year-old mother is not doing well, and this
may be my last visit with her. I will be back in Colombia on August 26.
Blessings on you... Alice Winters |
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
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Or send your check, made
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ'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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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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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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