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Click here to forward this newsletter to other interested friends!
As the only statewide ecumenical agency in South
Carolina, SC Christian Action Council respresents a
partnership of 16 denominations and 21 regional
judicatories, including 4,500 congregations.
The Council serves as a catalyst for:
- Social justice through public policy
advocacy;
- Christian Unity and inter-religious dialogue
through relationships, collaborations and events;
- Racial and cultural healing by building bridges
of trust and understanding.
| Faith and Reason--There's a Quiz at the End |
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I admit it. I don't watch TV. I don't think our TV
even receives channels. I like it this way. Mark
usually likes it this way.
I used to have qualms about this choice because I
missed certain programs. But in this age of the world
wide web, I can see, hear and participate in
conversations on matters of faith, religion and
current events.
Last week in my inbox I received two separate
emails offering links to Bill Moyers' series on Faith and
Reason. I looked, and was hooked. I think you will
be, too--even (maybe especially!) if you watch the
TV version. Let me know what you think about
these sites, and how you do on the quiz.
--Julia Sibley-Jones, Associate Director.
(Respond to me at juliasj@bellsouth.net)
Bill
Moyers on Faith and Reason: This is the
web site of the PBS show of the same name
featuring interviews with several noted authors
talking about faith and reason. According to Moyers,
you’ll find “diverse perspectives on the ‘great divide’
that has opened in the world between the religious
and the secular. Whether you agree or disagree with
these authors, I hope you’ll see that there are no
black and white answers to the questions about the
role of faith in our world, just a lot of in-between.”
The web site offers transcripts of some interviews
and streaming videos of all interviews. The
Resources section is a broad menu of links to explore
issues raised in the interviews. I highlight a few of
those links below.
FaithStreams:
FaithStreams.com is a service of Faith &
Values Media, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)(3)
corporation.
Faith & Values Media uses television, the Internet
and other media to promote the vitality of religious
experience in everyday life and to give expression to
religious diversity. Its member association is made up
of denominations, organizations and individuals, who
represent Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups in the
United States. Together, these groups represent
more than 200,000 congregations with 120 million
congregants.
Religion
News Service: Based in Washington, D.C.,
RNS has a network of correspondents around the
world, providing news and information on all faiths
and religious movements to the nation's leading
newspapers, news magazines, broadcast
organizations and religious publications.
RNS' first priority is to provide intelligent, objective
coverage of all religions -- Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Asian religions and private spirituality. RNS also
provides commentary from a diverse array of all
points of the political and theological spectrum.
Speaking of Faith: Speaking of
Faith, hosted by Krista Tippett, is public radio's
weekly conversation about religion, meaning, ethics,
and ideas. It is produced and distributed by American
Public Media. Speaking of Faith does not
always have "religion" itself as a subject. Week after
week, it grapples with themes of American life —
asking how perspectives of faith might distinctively
inform and illuminate our public reflection. This Web
site explains each week's topic and offers insight and
background to the stories, as well as streaming audio
and downloadable mp3s of all broadcasts.
The Pew Forum
on Religion and Public Life: The Pew Forum
on Religion & Public Life, launched in 2001, seeks to
promote a deeper understanding of issues at the
intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum
is a project of the Pew Research Center, a
nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on
the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and
the world. The Center is a subsidiary of The Pew
Charitable Trusts.
The Forum pursues its mission by delivering timely,
impartial information to national opinion leaders,
including government officials and journalists. As a
nonpartisan, non-advocacy organization, the Forum
does not take positions on policy debates. Issues
include Bioethics, Death Penalty, Gay Marriage,
Religion & Politics, Religion & Public Schools, Religion
& Social Welfare, Religion & the Law and Religion &
World Affairs. The website includes a good
Resources section with links to other organizations.
Science
and Theology News: We explore the
intersection of science and religion with an openness
to new ideas and an eye towards scientific rigor. We
dissect the biggest topics of discussion — intelligent
design, evolution, altruism, mind-body medicine,
atheism — but we also analyze how science and
religion interact in places you might not expect, from
medical ethics to corporate social responsibility, from
science-and-religion in popular culture to the
dynamics of human relationships. The online version
of Science and Theology News covers current
modern issues affecting religion. With links to
articles, research, discussions, books, and translated
stores, this Web site offers various perspectives and
viewpoints on the relationship between religion,
science, and health.
BBC
Religion and Ethics: The British
Broadcasting Company (BBC) exists to enrich people’s
lives with great programmes and services that inform,
educate and entertain. Its vision is to be the most
creative, trusted organization in the world.
The website offers a variety of information on world
religions, religion in the news and includes interactive
features such as message boards and e-cards.
Try
the quizzes here. A new, 15-
question ‘superquiz’ is posted every few weeks and
the Quiz Directory offers 64 other topics.
(The superquiz took me down a notch—I only got 3
of 15 right! How did you do?)
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| 2006 TEAM ornaments |
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SC Christian Action Council is pleased to offer the
2006 TEAM (The Ecumenical AIDS Ministry) Christmas
ornament.
This year’s stunning design features a brilliantly
glowing candle within a lantern, a light to dispel
darkness, adorned with red ribbon. The actual size is
2.25 x 3.2 inches, and is packaged in an attractive
commemorative box.
Please contact Doris at 803.786.7115 or
sccouncil@sccouncil.net to reserve and purchase
your ornaments. We have a limited number this
year, so order soon!
1-5 ornaments, $14.95 each.
6-10 ornaments, $12.95 each.
11+ ornaments, $10.95 each.
Contact Doris for shipping and handling charges.
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| Community News and Events |
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September 11-13: Pathways to Peace
2006--White Oak Conference Center. Guest
speakers: Dr. Marie Fortune, The Faith Trust
Institute;
Pastor Darrell Jackson, Bible Way Church of Atlas
Road. For more information or to register, contact
SC Coalition Against Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault, 800.260.9293.
September 15: Faith-Based Healthcare to
Reduce Health Disparities Conference, Madren
Conference Center, Clemson. The purpose of this
conference is to enhance understanding of
relationships among health services research, faith-
based organizations, spirituality, and health
outcomes. For more information call 864-656-0779.
September 16: Special Convention to
Elect New Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of South
Carolina. St. Philip's Church, Charleston,
beginning with Eucharist at 9:30 am. Click here to
view the announcement
of nominees and their biographies.
September 16: Greenwood Wellness
Celebration. 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Greenwood
Mall. This event seeks to promote all aspects of
wellness including Healthcare, Economic,
Family/Spiritual and community. For more information
contact Toni Draper, 864.223.8431.
September 19: Brown Bag Issues Forum.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Shandon Presbyterian Church,
Columbia. Sponsored by the Advocacy Work Group
of SC Christian Action Council. Topic is Restorative
Justice, facilitated by Virginia Barr, Department of
Juvenile Justice. Bring a lunch and join in the
discussion!
October 2: Silent Witness Ceremony.
Please join the Office of the Attorney General at the
Silent Witness ceremony on October 2, 2006 at
11:00 am to be held on the South Steps of the State
House in Columbia. The ceremony recognizes the
women and men who died as a result of domestic
violence during the year 2005 and brings attention to
the South Carolina's number one crime problem. For
more information, please contact Alexandra H. Chase
achase@ag.state.sc.us or 803.734.3745.
October 1-8: Multiple showings of "An
Inconvenient Truth". Would your congregation
be interested in showing An Inconvenient Truth
during the week of October 1-8? Join
congregations around the country to screen what
has been called "the most important film to be shown
in America this year." It engages viewers
intellectually and moves them to a place of action.
Sponsoring this week is The Interfaith Power and
Light campaign: "a religious response to global
warming," which believes that people of faith have a
moral obligation to do their best to save the Creation
that we love. Sign up here and receive a free copy of the
DVD--the deadline has been extended to September
1st, or as long as supplies last.
October 17: Brown Bag Issues Forum.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Shandon Presbyterian Church,
Columbia. Sponsored by the Advocacy Work Group
of SC Christian Action Council. Topic is Immigration,
facilitated by Mark Cerniglia, Lutheran Family
Services of the Carolinas. Bring a lunch and join in
the discussion!
October 20-22: 2006 National
Observance of Children's Sabbath. For
information and to order manual email:
ssnyder@children'sdefense.org or visit
www.childrensdefense.org.
October 20-22: 2006 National Weekend
of Faith and Action on the Death Penalty. NWFA
is an opportunity for faith communities, interfaith
groups, human rights activists, and others to
examine the death penalty from a faith-based or
values-based perspective. Register on-line or request more
information from khoule@aiusa.org.
November 21: Brown Bag Issues Forum.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Shandon Presbyterian Church,
Columbia. Sponsored by the Advocacy Work Group
of SC Christian Action Council. Topic is Death
Penalty, facilitated by Catilla Everette, Equal Justice
USA. Bring a lunch and join in the discussion!
Have other South Carolina community news? Let
us know at sccac@bellsouth.net.
We include information on community events as
space and time allow; and, only in accordance with
the mission and policies of SC Christian Action
Council. We do not accept unsolicited articles.
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| Comings and Goings |
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Here's a sampling of September activities for the
staff of SC Christian Action Council.
September 5: DSS Re-entry meeting. (Brenda)
September 8: Hold out the Lifeline. (Brenda)
September 8: 7:30 Shabbat Service, Tree of Life
Congregation, installation of Tree of Life's new Rabbi,
Daniel Sherman.
(Brenda)
September 13: Bible Study, Shepherd Center,
Trenholm Road UMC. (Brenda)
September 14: 5:30 Pay Day Lending Town Hall
Meeting, Myrtle Beach. (Brenda)
September 15: Non-profit Leadership Institute,
Francis Marion. (Brenda)
September 19: 10:30 Advocacy Day 2007 planning
meeting; 12:00 Issues luncheon "Restorative
Justice",
Shandon Presbyterian Church; 1:15 Advocacy Work
Group meeting; 3:00 Death Penalty working group
meeting. (Julia)
September 19: 6:30 Death Penalty working group at
Council offices.
(Brenda)
September 21: 5:30 Pay Day Lending Town Hall
Meeting, Greenville. (Brenda)
September 28: 5:30 Pay Day Lending Town Hall
Meeting, Columbia. (Brenda)
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Across My Desk... |
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Dearly Beloved,
With the coming election and the growing verbiage
proclaiming an opportunity to "save" or "defend"
marriage this November 7, I find myself wondering
about the imperiled status of marriage.
Statistics shout that nearly 50% of all marriages fail,
children shuffle from Mom's house to Dad's house to
Granny's house with no home of their own, domestic
violence runs rampant, child abuse and neglect daily
put children at risk, communities withdraw from their
own streets in fear of gang violence, school drop-out
rates remain disturbingly high, un-supervised children
are under-prepared for school and life. Society
largely accepts that the relationships portrayed in
movies and TV mimic life or are worth mimicking. Yes,
I'm wondering about traditional "in sickness and in
health," "'til death do us part," "let no man put
asunder" marriage.
In the traditional Christian marriage ceremony we find
these excerpts:
Minister: "Through marriage, NAME and NAME
make a commitment together to face their
disappointments – embrace their dreams – realize
their hopes – and accept each other’s failures.
NAME and NAME will promise one another to aspire to
these ideals throughout their lives together – through
mutual understanding – openness – and sensitivity to
each other. Marriage is the union of husband and
wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their
mutual joy – and for the help and comfort given on
another in prosperity and adversity. But more
importantly – it is a means through which a stable
and loving environment may be attained....
This is a beginning and a continuation of [the
couple's] growth as individuals. With mutual care,
respect, responsibility and knowledge comes the
affirmation of each one’s own life happiness, growth
and freedom. With respect for individual boundaries
comes the freedom to love unconditionally. Within
the emotional safety of a loving relationship – the
knowledge self-offered to one another becomes the
fertile soil for continued growth. With care and
responsibility towards self and one another comes
the potential for full and happy lives....
This relationship stands for love, loyalty, honesty
and trust, but most of all for friendship. Before they
knew love, they were friends, and it was from this
seed of friendship that is their destiny. Do not think
that you can direct the course of love – for love, if it
finds you worthy, shall direct you....
Marriage is an act of faith and a personal
commitment as well as a moral and physical union
between two people. Marriage has been described as
the best and most important relationship that can
exist between them. It is the construction of their
love and trust into a single growing energy of
spiritual life. It is a moral commitment that requires
and deserves daily attention. Marriage should be a
life long consecration of the ideal of loving kindness –
backed with the will to make it last..."
Vows: "Do you NAME take NAME to be your
wife/husband – to live together after God’s
ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you
love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep
her/him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for
poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy,
to cherish and continually bestow upon her/him your
heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep
yourself only unto her/him as long as you both shall
live?"
Minister: "May you always share with each other
the gifts of love – be one in heart and in mind – may
you always create a home together that puts in your
hearts love, generosity and kindness...."
Traditional marriage is imperiled and no referendum,
no constitutional amendment will save it.
Only you married folk and those who will be married
can do that. I'd be lying if I told you you could save
marriage in a voting booth. You can only save
marriage one marriage at a time, starting with yours.
You save it by mutual commitment to an ever
growing love, constant faithfulness, and undying
devotion. Your faith community can help you prepare
for marriage and give counsel and support when you
are married.
"What, therefore, God has joined together let no
man put asunder."
...and that's the view across my desk.
Brenda Lynn Kneece
Executive Minister
(Respond to Brenda here:
bkneece@sccouncil.net.)
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