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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.
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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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