WORLDWIDE PHOTOS Ltd The Religious Media Agency

WEEKLY NEWS REVIEW

April 17, 2003

INDEX

AUSTRALIA: 1. PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION IN CITY STREETS (Worldwide Photos) 2. THE EASTER STORY IN WORD & SONG (Worldwide Photos) 3. CALL TO BAN SUPERMARKET ALCOHOL SALES (Warcry) 4. RED SHIELD APPEAL LAUNCHED (Salvtn Army News) 5. GOLF MARATHON TO FINANCE SU SPORTZ (SU Sportz) 6. RESULTS OF 40 HOUR FAMINE SEEN FIRST HAND (The Vic Bapt Witness)

OVERSEAS: 7. SARS SCARE EMPTIES PEWS IN HONG KONG (Church Times) 8. THANK YOU CARD TO JESSICA AND THE TROOPS (AFA Action Alert) 9. PRISONERS NO MORE (Worldwide Photos) 10. TAIWAN YOUTH PRAY FOR PEACE (Taiwan Church News) 11. HMONG HYMNAL TO BE UNVEILED IN USA (UMNS) 12. VOODOO RECOGNISED AS A RELIGION IN HAITI (Agapa Press) 13. COLUMBINE MASSACRE REMEMBERED (Agape Press) 14. IT’S NOT IN THE MAIL (EP News Service) 15. CAR DRIVERS TAKE A BREAK FOR LENT (CWM News)

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1. PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION IN CITY STREETS (Worldwide Photos) For the 47th year, Wesley Mission in Sydney presented the Palm Sunday procession through the streets of Sydney, from Wesley Mission in Pitt Street to Hyde Park. The sight of “Jesus” riding on a donkey, accompanied by a palm waving crowd, reminded onlookers of the Easter story. At Hyde Park a group gathered for “The Lighting of the Cross” at the Palm Grove. Following a brief service which included a Prayer for the City and Peace, led by the Rev. Tony Tan and a sermon by the Rev. Don Everhart, the Superintendent of Wesley Mission, the Rev the Hon Dr Gordon Moyes AC, MLC, performed the Lighting of the Cross. Pointing to the illuminated structure, Dr Moyes declared: “This Cross will shine day and night reminding people that Christ is in the heart of our city. Jesus still confronts the cities of the world with good news, and still the cities of the world reject Him and crucify Him afresh.”

2. THE EASTER STORY IN WORD & SONG (Worldwide Photos) The Bible Society’s Celebration of Word and Song attracted capacity crowds for both the afternoon and evening performances in Sydney’s Town Hall, on April 5. The Executive Producer, Roger Climpson, presented the Love Chapter, from 1 Corinthians 13, followed by nine-year-olds, Natasha Niles and Samuel Wallace who captivated the audience with their rendition of The Birth of Jesus. Professional narrators Jennifer Richards, Kate Flaherty, Nick McKay and John Schwarz led the congregation through the various Bible passages leading to the Resurrection. The CEO of Bible Society NSW, the Rev. Daniel Willis, explained that because the cost of the production had been covered by various sponsors, all funds raised would be used in the work of the Indonesian Bible Society.

3. CALL TO BAN SUPERMARKET ALCOHOL SALES (Warcry) Anglicare and The Salvation Army have condemned the proposed deregulation of liquor sales in Tasmania. If the State Government accepts the proposition put forth in the Liquor and Accommodation Regulatory Impact Statement, supermarkets and convenience stores will be able to sell alcoholic drinks. Tasmanian Salvation Army social program secretary Douglas Thomas said the deregulation would mean alcohol will be more readily available to young people. Cigarettes are already very available, despite regulations, and this will only increase the risks for young people,

4. RED SHIELD APPEAL LAUNCHED (Salvtn Army News) Mr. Graeme Samuel AO, President of the National Competition Council, launched The Salvation Army’s 2003 Red Shield Appeal in Melbourne on Tuesday, 15 April, at a breakfast for business leaders at the Grand Hyatt sponsored by AXA. The Red Shield Appeal this year needs to meet a deficit in funding of more than $50 million dollars. Last year 1,200,000 people came to the Salvos for assistance. They had an increase in the cost of providing their services of $43 million, or 14%, over the last financial year. The gap between the increasing number of those in need and the wealthy in Australia is widening, whilst the number of homeless and those suffering from domestic violence is increasing. They invite businesses in Australia to lead the way in donating and helping communities. From 24 May to 1 June, more than 100,000 volunteers will knock on every door throughout the nation and everyone is invited to help the Salvos shield those in need.

5. GOLF MARATHON TO FINANCE SU SPORTZ (SU Sportz) SU Sportz (a ministry of Scripture Union in New South Wales) is co-ordinating a Golf Marathon to raise financial resources needed to support this ministry. It will be held on Monday, June 23 at the Camden Lakeside Golf Course, at Catherine Field, north of Narellan and is open to “anyone who can swing a club – men, women, young, old”. The only catch is that they must raise a minimum of $1,000 through sponsorship, on behalf of SU Sportz. Jim Dayhew, promises “a great day of exercise; a chance to come away from normal schedules and indulge in your love of golf”. For further information, contact Jim on (02) 9760-2222.

6. RESULTS OF 40 HOUR FAMINE SEEN FIRST HAND (The Vic Bapt Witness) Nineteen year old Ashburton Baptist student housing resident, Martina Knight, has just returned from Ethiopia, as part of World Vision’s international study tour. Martina raised more than $160 in the 2002 “40 Hour Famine” and was selected from 800 applicants for this trip of a lifetime. The study tour took her to World Vision development projects in Chencha, West Abaya and Humbo. “It was amazing to see them smiling in their hardships, thanks to the hope given by World Vision,” she said. This year the 40 Hour Famine will run from May 16 to 18. Call 13 32 40 for details.

7. SARS SCARE EMPTIES PEWS IN HONG KONG (Church Times) The Primate of Hong Kong, the Most Revd Peter Kwong Kong-kit, called all churches and missions to prayer after the epidemic of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) claimed its 100th victim. Bishop Kwong called on parish churches and missions to pray for hospital pastoral workers, health professionals, and patients, and the control of the epidemic. The Revd Jan Joustra, Priest-in-Charge of St Stephen’s Chapel, Stanley, said that they had suspended all Sunday-school classes, toddler and uniformed groups. At the eucharist, parishioners were choosing to greet by nodding or bowing rather than embracing, to minimise contact, and churches are being asked to provide masks for worshippers.

8. THANK YOU CARD TO JESSICA AND THE TROOPS (AFA Action Alert) The American Family Association has asked people across America to sign a Thank You Card for the rescued Prisoner of War, Private First Class Jessica Lynch. The response was so phenomenal – over 200,000 signatures in three days – it overwhelmed their internet servers. The problem has now been fixed and they are now able to handle all traffic to the site. Their goal is one million signatures by May 16! Signatures can be registered at: http://www.afapetitions.com/jessica.asp

9. PRISONERS NO MORE (Worldwide Photos) Army Private First Class Patrick Miller (23), was one of seven prisoners of war rescued when U.S. Marines — working on a tip from an Iraqi — found the POWs in a prison just south of Tikrit, Iraq. Olivet Baptist pastor Ron Pracht told the news to his congregation during the Sunday morning worship service. “When I announced it, the whole congregation broke out in applause and tears,” Pracht said. Meanwhile, upbeat music and praise overflowed from the small Chaparral Apostolic Church in New Mexico, as members celebrated the release of one of its members, Army Support Specialist Edgar Hernandez (21). Elsewhere, Army Captain Russell B. Rippetoe, one of three U.S. soldiers killed in a suicide car bombing in Iraq, was remembered as “a man of faith” during a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.. Rippetoe had engraved a Bible passage from Joshua on the back of his dog-tag: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

10. TAIWAN YOUTH PRAY FOR PEACE (Taiwan Church News) Youth from several churches from the Longevity Mountain Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan gathered at Ren-mei Church last week. Holding hands in a circle, they called for peace to descend upon the world, and promised to be seeds of peace, love and hope. They also prayed for peace in and across the Straits of Taiwan. The Rev. Ong Bun-seng, pastor of Ren-mei church, led them as they prayed, “We lift our hands in peace calling for the end of war!” This group of “e-generation” youth also gave of themselves in concrete action to care for those who have been victims of war. An offering was sent to World Vision/Taiwan for relief of war victims in the Middle East.

11. HMONG HYMNAL TO BE UNVEILED IN USA (UMNS) A United Methodist hymnal catering to the language and music of the Hmong community will be introduced in a special celebration April 26 in Milwaukee. Seventeen years in the making, The Hmong United Methodist Hymnal, containing more than 300 hymns, will be unveiled at Hmong Christian Community United Methodist Church. The hymnal includes many hymns from Southeast Asian sources, as well as translations of traditional and contemporary songs familiar to most English-speaking United Methodists. Organised in the same manner as the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal and making use of the same headings and subheadings, the Hmong hymnal also includes 18 Wesley hymns.

12. VOODOO RECOGNISED AS A RELIGION IN HAITI (Agapa Press) The government of Haiti has declared voodoo an official religion in that country. Associated Press reports that in making the announcement, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide said he recognises voodoo as a religion like any other. He called it an “essential part” of Haiti’s national identity. Voodoo practitioners believe that spirits link humans with the divine, and that those spirits are summoned by offerings that include everything from rum to roosters. The official status means voodoo practitioners in Haiti now have the legal authority to perform such things as baptism and marriage ceremonies.

13. COLUMBINE MASSACRE REMEMBERED (Agape Press) After four years and several lawsuits, families of the victims of the Columbine School massacre have unveiled plans for a permanent and uncensored memorial. The one-acre site will be next to the school and will feature a wall designed by the families of the 13 people killed in the tragedy. One of the victims was Rachel Scott. Her mother, Beth Nimmo, helped with the design but tells Family News In Focus that the real memorial has been Rachel’s legacy. Nimmo relates that the healing she has experienced since Columbine is the result of being able to share Rachel’s faith and “watch hundreds of thousands of people’s lives be changed” because of that faith. There will be no restrictions on what families may place on the new memorial.

14. IT’S NOT IN THE MAIL (EP News Service) Postal officials concede they will have to clarify mailing and customs rules after a man was told he could not ship Christian literature to his son, an Army National Guardsman in the Middle East. The rejection of his parcel containing a Christian comic book and a book of Bible verses led Jack Moody to learn a Postal Service regulation prohibits the mailing of “any matter containing religious materials contrary to Islamic faith.” The U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Military Postal Service Agency, which handles all overseas military mail, blamed the case on an unclear rule that needs rewriting. At the Pentagon, Lt. Commander Don Soule explained that “The restriction is against mass mailings of material to be distributed.” The Rutherford Institute is threatening legal action.

15. CAR DRIVERS TAKE A BREAK FOR LENT (CWM News) Car drivers in Germany are taking part in an unusual form of fasting for Lent. An ecumenical “car fasting” campaign invites Christians to leave their cars at home and use other forms of transport. The 40-day period of Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for Easter, in which many Christians reflect on how they choose to live. The campaign, from 15 March to 15 April, is not to demonise the car or car-driving, said Hans-Gerd Wirtz of the environment commission of the bishopric of Trier. Doing without a car is a contemporary form of Christian fasting. Driving less is healthy, avoids stress, improves communication and spares the environment, he said.

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