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Signed articles do not necessarily represent the opinions of "Ecumenism in Canada" or the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.
Les articles signés ne représentent pas nécessairement les avis de "Oecuménisme au Canada" ou le Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.
It is with great sadness that "Ecumenism in Canada" notes the passing of Dr. George Vandervelde, an ecumenist widely known and respected in Canada, the United States and around the world. Vandervelde was emeritus professor at the Institute of Christian Studies in Toronto since his retirement in 2004, and lecturer at Wycliffe College in the Toronto School of Theology. A lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church, he was for many years an active participant in the Canadian Council of Churches' Faith and Witness Commission, and the U.S. National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission. He was convenor of the World Evangelical Alliance's Ecumenical Issues Taskforce and secretary of the WEA's dialogue with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Although it is an exaggeration to credit him with single-handedly establishing the Evangelical-Roman Catholic dialogue, his passion for this important work marked his entire career.
Dr. Vandervelde will be remembered fondly by all his students and colleagues. The WEA announced his death with these words: "We are grateful to have had his input and influence. We are comforted to know that he has gone on before us and now belongs to the "cloud of witnesses" cheering us on (Hebr.12,1 and Hieronymus)" A brief obituary and photos of George are available on the Institute for Christian Studies website.
Toronto (ENI\Kristine Greenaway) - Une nouvelle série télévisée canadienne intitulée "La petite mosquée dans la prairie" attire l'attention des médias du monde entier depuis son lancement le 9 janvier. Des journaux comme The New York Times, le Jerusalem Post, le quotidien saoudien Arab News et d'autres ont parlé de la série dans leurs colonnes.
Cette série suit d'un regard humoristique les efforts d'un jeune imam, fraîchement débarqué de la grande ville où il était avocat, pour mener un petit groupe de musulmans qui a réussi à convaincre un prêtre anglican de les laisser établir une mosquée dans la cave de l'église locale.
Cette comédie sociale hebdomadaire sur une communauté musulmane vivant dans une petite ville des Prairies de l'ouest canadien a été élaborée par Zarqa Nawaz, une Canadienne musulmane, et est diffusée sur la chaîne de télévision publique CBC-TV.
Bien que la série attire un grand nombre de téléspectateurs, certains observateurs ont critiqué le ton édulcoré de l'humour employé, mais Zarqa Nawaz affirme que la série n'a pas pour but d'être une satire politique.
"Je veux juste que les gens rient avec les musulmans comme ils rient avec n'importe quelles autres personnes et qu'ils le fassent de bon coeur," explique-t-elle. "Je pense que les gens se retrouveront dans les personnages et les répliques de notre série, quelle que soit leur communauté religieuse d'origine."
Par ailleurs, la série suscite des débats sur les blogs. Sur truthdig.com, un blogueur a écrit : "Il y a une génération, Archie Bunker avait aidé les gens à voir l'absurdité de la haine et des préjugés aveugles, à voir à quel point il est stupide de déblatérer sans savoir de quoi on parle et à comprendre à quel point cela peut être amusant. 'La petite mosquée dans la prairie' est tout aussi prometteuse."
Toutefois, sur le même site, un blogueur a écrit : "Cette série ne va pas changer les attitudes envers les musulmans - alors qu'il y a des bombardements chaque jour au Moyen-Orient et que des musulmans complotent la destruction de la civilisation occidentale."
Technorati tags: Mots clés : comedie, tv, islam, canada,
Posted: January 30, 2007 Transmis : 30 janvier 2007
Toronto (ENI) A new Canadian television series, "Little Mosque on the Prairie" has attracted worldwide media attention since its debut on 9 January. Coverage of the show has made the pages of newspapers such as The New York Times, the Jerusalem Post and the Saudi Arabian daily newspaper, Arab News, and further afield.
The series is a humorous look at the efforts of a young imam, fresh from a career as a big-city lawyer, to lead a small group of Muslims who have just persuaded the local Anglican priest to allow them to set up a mosque in the church basement.
The weekly social comedy about a small Muslim community inhabiting a town in the prairie region of western Canada was developed by a Muslim Canadian, Zarqa Nawaz, for broadcast on Canada's national public broadcast television network, CBC-TV.
Although the show is attracting large viewing audiences, some critics have criticised the soft tone of the humour, but Nawaz says the series is not intended to be political satire.
"I simply want people to laugh with Muslims like they would laugh with anyone else and feel comfortable doing so," she explains. "I think that people will identify with the characters and story lines represented in our series, regardless of what faith community they come from."
The show has also evoked debate on blogs. One blogger on truthdig.com wrote: "Archie Bunker, a generation ago, helped people see the absurdity of blind hate and prejudice, how stupid it is to mouth off without knowing what you're talking about and how really funny that can be. Little Mosque On The Prairie holds out the same promise."
But another blogger on the same site wrote: "This show is not going to change people's attitudes toward Muslims - not when there are bombings everyday in the Middle East and Muslims plotting the destruction of Western civilisation."
Technorati tags: Mots clés : tv, comedy, islam, canada,
Posted: January 30, 2007 Transmis : 30 janvier 2007
Bishop Douglas Albert Ford, who stressed ecumenism as diocesan bishop of Saskatoon, died Jan. 23 at the age of 89. When he was consecrated bishop in 1970, "it was the aftermath of Vatican II and (Archbishop of Canterbury) Michael Ramsey's visit to Pope Paul VI," recalled Archbishop Michael Peers, former primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, in an interview.
Bishop Ford was instrumental in starting a twice-yearly meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in Saskatchewan, noted Archbishop Peers, who was a colleague of Bishop Ford in Saskatchewan, having served from 1977 to 1986 as bishop of Qu'Appelle, based in Regina. "We did joint statements around uranium mining, which was destined for weapons production – a very controversial issue. We were also against low-level cruise missile testing," Archbishop Peers noted. Bishop Ford was the first chair of the Saskatoon Council of Churches and strongly supported union with the United Church of Canada, a move that failed in 1975.
Bishop Ford retired from the episcopate in 1981. He returned to parish ministry in the Calgary suburb of Cochrane, retiring from that ministry in 1985. In retirement, he acted as priest-in-charge when parishes had vacancies and assisted the diocesan bishop in confirmations and other functions. He was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Emmanuel College, Saskatoon.
He is survived by Doris, his wife of 62 years; two sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Jan. 27 at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary.
The Friends of Sophia will be hosting Dr. Barbara E. Reid, O.P. on January 28 & 29, 2007. Dr. Reid is professor of New Testament at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan. An educator, scholar, and retreat director, she is the author of "New Collegeville Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew," "Parable for Preachers," "Chossing the Better Part? Women in the Gospel of Luke," and various articles.
Dr. Reid will be giving three presentations:
• The Passion through the eyes of women
• Audacious obedience in biblical women
• Blood and water from the side of Jesus (John 19:34): A Christ who gives birth
Further details are TBA.
The Friends of Sophia is an interdenominational group of women based on the university campus which is dedicated to nurturing Christian feminist spirituality through educational opportunities, shared experience, and liturgical celebration.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed January 21-28, 2007 across Canada. This year's theme: "He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mark 7:37) The Saskatoon schedule of services is now available. We encourage you to publish these dates in your church bulletins and newsletters, and email the page to anyone who might be interested.
This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity brings together two themes, two invitations extended to Christian churches and people: to pray and strive together for Christian unity, and to join together in responding to human suffering. These two responsibilities are deeply intertwined. Both relate to healing the body of Christ, hence the principal text chosen for this year's week of prayer is a story of healing.
The Friends of Sophia will be hosting Dr. Barbara E. Reid, O.P. on January 28 & 29, 2007. Dr. Reid is professor of New Testament at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan. An educator, scholar, and retreat director, she is a dynamic speaker and the author of New Collegeville Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Parable for Preachers, Choosing the Better Part? Women in the Gospel of Luke, and various articles.
Dr. Reid will be giving three presentations:
• Sunday January 28, 2-4 p.m. • The Passion through the eyes of women • St. Andrew's College Lounge
• Monday January 29, 11:30 a.m - 12:20 p.m. • Audacious obedience in biblical women • St. Thomas More College, room 344A
• Monday January 29, 7:30 p.m. • Blood and water from the side of Jesus (John 19:34): A Christ who gives birth • St. Thomas More College Auditorium, Reception to follow
Posters are available for download in the following formats: doc, wpd, and rtf.
The Friends of Sophia is an interdenominational group of women based on the University of Saskatchewan campus which is dedicated to nurturing Christian feminist spirituality through educational opportunities, shared experience, and liturgical celebration.
Once again, ScriptureFest will be held at Queen's House, Saskatoon. Scheduled for January 27, the theme is "The bread that we break – the cup that we bless: Scriptural perspectives on the Lord's Table." Our keynote speaker will be Christian Eberhart. 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $35 (with lunch).
Des responsables d'Église de Jérusalem proposent de jouer les médiateurs entre le Fatah et le Hamas
Jérusalem, le 16 janvier (ENI) - Des responsables d'Eglise de Jérusalem ont averti les factions palestiniennes en conflit qu'elles risquaient de déclencher une guerre civile et, proposant de jouer les médiateurs, ils les ont exhortés à mettre fin à la violence afin de pouvoir se concentrer sur la priorité absolue de leur peuple : l'indépendance.
"En tant que responsables des Eglises chrétiennes à Jérusalem préoccupés par la situation actuelle dans les territoires palestiniens, nous tenons à exprimer nos craintes pour nos populations, qu'elles soient chrétiennes ou musulmanes, en raison de la détérioration des relations entre les leaders du Fatah et du Hamas et entre leurs forces armées," ont-ils déclaré.
Dans un communiqué publié le 15 janvier, les treize responsables d'Eglise ont lancé cet avertissement : "affronter et kidnapper les opposants ne fera pas tomber le mur de séparation et ne mettra pas fin à l'embargo dont est victime le peuple palestinien."
Ces derniers jours, des agences de presse ont fait état de combats d'une férocité sans précédent entre le Fatah et le Hamas, les deux principales factions palestiniennes, soulignant que plus de 30 Palestiniens avaient été tués dans la bande de Gaza depuis que Mahmoud Abbas, leader du Fatah et président de l'Autorité palestinienne, avait déclaré fin 2006 que de nouvelles élections devaient être organisées.
Les responsables d'Eglise ont déclaré : "Le langage menaçant de ces derniers jours employé par des représentants des deux mouvements et d'autres parties est sans précédent et très agressif. La guerre civile ne fait que se rapprocher d'heure en heure."
"Le temps est venu de faire tout notre possible pour unir notre peuple et oeuvrer à l'indépendance ensemble," afin d'offrir " à tous ceux qui vivent sur cette Terre Sainte - chrétiens, musulmans et juifs - la possibilité de connaître la sécurité et la paix".
Jerusalem church leaders offer to mediate in Fatah, Hamas conflict
Jerusalem (ENI). Church leaders in Jerusalem have warned warring Palestinian factions they could trigger civil war and, offering to play a mediating role, they are urging an end to violence in order for them to focus on the true priority of their people - independence.
"As leaders of the Christian churches in Jerusalem concerned at the present situation in the Palestinian Territories we feel we must voice our anxiety for all our people - Christian and Muslim alike - at the deteriorating relations between Fatah and Hamas leaders and the armed forces," they said.
In a statement made available on 15 January, 13 church leaders noted that "all kinds of mediation and attempts at reconciliation have so far failed, resulting in a deadlock in the situation". They said the latest accusations and threats made known through the media had triggered "some large-scale fighting which soon will be very difficult to stop".
They warned, "Fighting and kidnapping opponents will not bring down the Separation Wall or end the embargo on the Palestinian people."
News agencies have in recent days reported fighting of an unprecedented ferocity between Fatah and Hamas, the two major Palestinian factions, noting that more than 30 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah and president of the Palestinian Authority, said at the end of 2006 there should be fresh elections.
The church leaders noted: "The threatening language of the last few days by representatives of both movements and other related parties are both unprecedented and very aggressive. Such occurrences can only bring a civil war nearer by the hour. The outcome would be so drastic that it will obscure the real priorities of the whole Palestinian issue."
Among the signatories of the statement are, the most senior Roman Catholic leader in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah; Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III; Patriarch Torkom II of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church; Anba Abraham of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate; the leader of the Anglican community in the Holy Land, Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal; and Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
They said, "The time has come for an all-out effort to unite our people and so concentrate on working for independence together," to offer " the opportunity for all people in this Holy Land - Christian, Muslim and Jew - to know security and peace".
Clement John, the international director of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches said on 15 September: "The churches are putting the best interests of the Palestinian people first at a critical time." He added: "Factional fighting is a failure of vision and responsibility for a people who will soon face their 40th year under foreign occupation. As the churches point out, the real priority is the same for everyone - Christians, Muslims and Jews."
The Jerusalem church heads called for a removal of arms from the street, a government of national unity and an Israeli-Palestinian return to the negotiating table, and they pledged to play their part in ending strife and made an offer of mediation. "Bloodshed and violence will not bring peace; it will only further destroy family life and further endanger the economy of our land," said the church leaders.
Note: the early bird registration deadline is March 15. Please register early using the registration form in the SEI 2007 brochure.
Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing. Yet in the churches there is a fear of conflict, and a tendency to go for peace at any price, sweeping conflict under the carpet until it cannot be contained. The 2007 Summer Ecumenical Institute aims to help church people build a vision of how conflict can become a force for good in our communities, and to equip participants with the basic skills they need to become active peace-builders in their own settings.
The theme is a timely one. Many Canadian churches are experiencing conflict, often more within than between denominations. Liberals and conservatives in many churches are in tension over issues such as human sexuality and the interpretation of scripture, and the 'heat' seems to be rising. The skills of courtesy, listening and dialogue, developed in the ecumenical movement, are today needed just as much within our churches as between them.
With God's help, conflict within the Body of Christ can be transformed into a source of life-giving energy. We will explore the biblical and theological foundations for conflict transformation, discuss current research, and provide an introduction to practical training in conflict transformation skills.
David Brubaker is with the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, the largest faith-based postgraduate programme in conflict resolution in the United States. He has 20 years of experience in mediation, consulting and training in North America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. David holds an MA in Sociology and an MBA in Global Economic Development and will receive his PhD. on the subject of religious and organizational conflict from the University of Arizona in May. He is a member of the Mennonite Church (USA).
Dale Lang, founder of the innovative Solid Rock Youth and Family Foundation, is an Anglican priest. The murder of his son Jason in the 1999 Taber school shooting sent shockwaves throughout Canada. Dale and his wife Diane once more riveted the country just days later by forgiving the perpetrator. Dale has become a nationally renowned speaker, sharing his message of forgiveness across Canada.
Topics
Biblical foundations for peace-building Change and conflict in congregations: Current research Conflict assessment: how to diagnose the conflicts in your situation Responding to conflict in congregations Advanced skills for intervening in high intensity conflicts Forgiveness and Peace-building
As always, the SEI will offer inspiring worship and the chance to network with others who are committed to inter-church co-operation. The timetable provides opportunity for church leaders and ecumenical officers to meet each other and discuss common concerns, and for those involved in shared ministries to meet together.
For further information, contact the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. Phone 306-653-1633 or email . A brochure and registration form is now available.
He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (Mk 7:37)
This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity brings together two themes, two invitations extended to Christian churches and people: to pray and strive together for Christian unity, and to join together in responding to human suffering. These two responsibilities are deeply intertwined. Both relate to healing the body of Christ, hence the principal text chosen for this year's week of prayer is a story of healing.
Service schedules for Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Québec, and Alberta are now available. Additional services will be listed when they come to our attention. Please send this information to .
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mk 7:37 NRSV)
The following resources for the 2007 Week of Prayer are now available:
This material is offered with the understanding that, whenever possible, it will be adapted for use at the local level. In doing this, account must be taken of local liturgical and devotional practice, and of the whole social and cultural context. Such adaptation should normally take place ecumenically. In some places ecumenical structures are already set up for adapting the material. In other places, we hope that the need to adapt it will be a stimulus to creating such structures.
It is with great sadness that "Ecumenism in Canada" notes the passing of Dr. George Vandervelde, an ecumenist widely known and respected in Canada, the United States and around the world. Vandervelde was emeritus professor at the Institute of Christian Studies in Toronto since his retirement in 2004, and lecturer at Wycliffe College in the Toronto School of Theology. A lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church, he was for many years an active participant in the Canadian Council of Churches' Faith and Witness Commission, and the U.S. National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission. He was convenor of the World Evangelical Alliance's Ecumenical Issues Taskforce and secretary of the WEA's dialogue with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Although it is an exaggeration to credit him with single-handedly establishing the Evangelical-Roman Catholic dialogue, his passion for this important work marked his entire career.
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