Once lost Dean Kelley rights treatise is now online
The First Amendment Center has placed online the once unavailable five-volume treatise of the late Rev. Dean M. Kelley, the nationally known National Council of Churches executive for religious liberty. The Law of Church and State in America is a 20-year research masterpiece that was completed by Kelley but left unpublished after his death in 1997. "When Dean Kelley died, an enormous amount of knowledge and experience died with him," said Wesley M. "Pat" Pattillo, the NCC's Senior Program Director for Justice and Advocacy and Communication. "Now, this remarkable  publishing venture will make much of that knowledge accessible again for all religious groups working their way through First Amendment issues and church-state controversies." Kelley, who served the Council from 1960 to 1990, was a nationally recognized expert in the field who had defended the rights of such diverse groups as the Unification Church, Taos Pueblo Indians, Church of Scientology, Old Order Amish, Christian Scientists, Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims and mainline Protestants. "Kelley's work at the Council was extraordinary and historic," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary. "Thanks to the First  Amendment Center, this once-lost work is now available to a new generation of people who value their freedom to practice their religion as they are led by their faith and intellect." More.  ► Kelley bio

Just in case - some links for church pandemic planning
Whether the swine flu outbreaks develop into a full-blown pandemic or not, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Congregations are regular meeting places for large groups of people who may be wondering how to protect themselves from contagious illnesses. This week many churches, health providers and community groups are sharing information about how to prepare for potential health emergencies. A list of helpful links is here.

Cleanliness and Godliness resources from Eco-Justice
Many commercial cleaning products are toxic to those who use them, manufacture them, or inhabit the spaces where they are used.  For safe, green cleaning alternatives, download the Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit.  To host a gathering in your church  or group about this health threat, download Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning. (http://nccecojustice.org/resources.html) More.

Herman E. Luben, NCC Worship and arts executive, dies
The Rev. Herman E. Luben, 91, died April 15. He served the National Council of Churches as the executive director of the Commission on Worship and Evangelism and administrator of Common Worship and the Arts. He also served the General Program Council of the Reformed Church in America as the secretary of new life and evangelism. Herm�s daughter, Jan Luben-Hoffman (pictured with her father), is also an RCA pastor. More.

NCC and HarperOne send "Green Bibles" to seminaries
In honor of Earth Day, more than 50 free copies of The Green Bible, an NRSV translation, are being sent to seminary professors and administrators by the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs and the bible�s publisher, HarperOne. The purpose of the gifts, said Jordan Blevins, Assistant Director of the NCC Eco-Justice Program, is to enable seminaries to share the bible with their students. More.

NCC Eco-Justice releases guide to "Mindful Living"
The NCC's Eco-Justice office has released the Mindful Living Gathering Guide, to facilitate adult Christian education on the issues of health, pollution and toxic substances. I hope that churches and individuals will add the Mindful Living resources to their libraries and discover how people of faith are helping to lead the way towards a healthier future," said Carl Magruder of the NCC Eco-Justice Office. More.

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 Jordan King Abdullah meets with U.S. religious leaders
Four U.S. religious leaders -- two Christian and two Muslim -- met with King Abdullah II of Jordan here April 20, to discuss specific topics about the Middle East.  The topics included the current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians with a focus on concerns for Jerusalem, deepening Muslim-Christian relationships and the future of Arab Christianity in the Middle East, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. More.

Obama names Chemberlin, Watkins to faith-based panel
The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and President Elect of the National Council of Churches USA, and the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), are among the appointees named by President Obama to the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. More.

Friends who made a difference in our lives: Ruby Boyd
The NCC is inaugurating a new Web feature, "Friends Who Made a Difference in Our Lives," and the first article is dedicated to Ms. Ruby Boyd, 90, a life-long member of Philadelphia's historic Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, who has spent a lifetime opening doors for others. She is the first of dozens of friends who will be featured in future installments. Please let us know of the special people in your congregation. And read Ruby Boyd's story here.

ELMC inaugurates a monthly Web 'learning moment' Education and Leadership Ministries is inaugurating the "ELMC Learning Moment" on its Web page. These learning moments may give a glimpse of research or learnings from colleagues and others, including a book or film review, an announcement about a new resource that has implications for faith formation, leader development or education and advocacy or musings of other kinds. Mary Jane Pierce Norton begins with a brain test. Read more.

Over 260 days to Christmas, but the music still sings
It's either a bit late or much too early to begin your Christmas shopping, but viewers of the "Voices of Christmas" National Council of Churches special on CBS last Christmas Eve say the beauty and the music were timeless. The DVD of the program will lift your spirits no matter when you see it. Only $10, shipping and handling included. Send a check or money order to "Voices" National Council of Churches, New York. (address below).

NCC, Chinese church leaders meet in Shanghai
The president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches have traveled to China to affirm with Chinese Christian leaders a mutual desire to engage in an "even deeper working relationship that allows us to consult regularly with one another and to speak and act together in response to contemporary issues." The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian made the trip in February. More

2009 Yearbook records declines in largest churches
The 77th annual edition of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, long a highly regarded chronicler of growth and financial trends of religious institutions, records a slight but startling decline in membership of the nation's largest Christian communions. Membership in the Roman Catholic Church declined 0.59 percent and the Southern Baptist Convention declined 0.24 percent. More.

Third annual ecumenical work week slated Aug. 2-8
The NCC's Special Commission for the Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast has scheduled the third annual Ecumenical Work Week in Gulfport and New Orleans August 2-8. The work week, which has been growing steadily since it began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is expected to attract more than 100 volunteers who will spend a week working on houses still needing repair since the hurricane's devastation. More.

Ecumenical conference on trafficking: final report
The Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking began at 12:30 pm on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017 and finished at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.  There were 72 participants representing 15 different denominations or faith communities, 3 interfaith organizations and 7 secular organizations.  The final report is here.

NCC issues brochure on dangers of Christian Zionism
"Christian Zionism" is a dangerous movement that distorts the teachings of the Church, fosters fear and hatred of Muslims and non-Western Christians, and has negative consequences for Middle East Peace. A new brochure, Why We Should Be Concerned About Christian Zionism, by the NCC (in English and Spanish) is now available as an educational tool  for groups who want to share these warnings with their members. More.

Church councils minister creatively to immigrants
Compelled by faith to welcome all people as neighbors, church people have developed creative and effective immigrations ministries. Across the country, city and state councils of churches are welcoming additional ideas to enhance their support of neighbors who are sometimes dismissed as 'aliens.'  For an overview of their work � and ideas for ministries in your own neighborhood � look here.

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